Inktober 2023

Inktober is a worldwide art challenge where artists draw one ink drawing per day. There’s an “official” Inktober prompt list and many other offshoots, but what I love about it is the ability to simply draw for the joy of drawing with no other consideration other than to experiment and have fun.

At the start of the month, I decided that I’d like to use great artwork as the basis for my Inktober drawings.

The first Inktober prompt is DREAM and this drawing is based on the painting “Flaming June” by Fredric Leighton. I used brown India ink, and also tried out a new pen nib today! Not sure yet how I like it, but I am enjoying the change.

The prompt for day 3 is “Path,” and I thought I’d do something colored this time. Not crazy about the finished results (too rushed), but here is my copy of “Reading on the Garden Path” by Albert Aublet. Ink & watercolor.

Day 4’s prompt was “Dodge.” I really enjoyed drawing this cupid! Copy of the beautiful “Eros” by Jacques Clement Wagrez.

I had big plans for the rest of my Inktober, but on October 7, war broke out and devastated our beautiful country. The savagery of the terror attacks and the staggering losses have broken our hearts, but the tales of heroism and the strength of the people uniting against evil have been inspiring.

The only other Inktober I have done this month is this copy of “Jael and Sisera” by Artemisia Gentileschi. I want to recall the biblical heroine Yael, and all the great defenders of Israel. Let us remember God’s command to wipe out evil.

There is a time for peace, and there is a time for war.

“Those who show mercy to the cruel end up being cruel to those deserving mercy.”