31 days ago I accepted my first drawing challenge. I had never heard of #Inktober before and was excited to see what I would come up with, but it never dawned on me just how much I was going to learn in one month’s time. The first one was the hardest.

After the first hour of working on this poisonous piece, I realized that I was hung up on details and not really figuring out my sketch or composition. This caused lots of wasted time redoing elements and trying to get certain sections just right — which I never did get right. I was frustrated and was not happy with the outcome. I almost threw away the first Inktober totally, but I am glad I didn’t. This piece now marks as a beginning point and a way to compare my growth with drawing.

The overall conclusion I made, after the first day, was that time will not be on my side. I didn’t have days and days to work on a piece, so I made the Inktober drawings simpler.

A self portrait and use of pastel and ink.

Ryan and his guitar. Use of hatch-marking and thin lines. I referenced him sitting (he was standing in the picture I had of him)

I would use certain days as just practice on one technique or to try something completely new. I started to not care if the art work was unfinished, just as long as I got something out of it.

I also realized that I wasn’t going to be in front of my computer everyday. Being a mom and having weekend family fun-time meant that I had to figure out ways of working on my Inktober drawings anywhere and at anytime. I began to bring my sketch book around with me, so when I had a chance, I could work on a sketch.

When we were in Boston, I wanted to draw some dinosaurs! Completed in my sketch book with pencil and a hotel pen.

I also showed off my undying love for pop culture and anime when I worked on my Inktober pieces the next week after. This gave me an excuse to create something fun and familiar.

Hawk from The Seven Deadly Sins. I worked on varied lines and watercolor techniques.

The evil Jenner from the classic Rats Of Nimh. Started to see a style emerge…

I liked the reactions I received by people over social media on them, as well. Some people would get nostalgic and talk about their childhood. Others would mention they were watching the same show I was and gave the work a thumbs up. All the comments really helped with my confidence. :)

The final week of the challenge I was beginning to feel more comfortable with my work, so I started to take it up a notch.

Really was feeling good with the inking I did for General Bonesapart from Corpse Bride. I also tested the break up with black ink fill ins.

Really focused on thin lines with Trevor from Castlevania and the details of his uniform and Morning Star whip. I constructed his stance based on several reverences.

Almost 30 days later I thought it would be neat to redo Sally from a favorite Halloween movie of mine, The Nightmare Before Christmas, to compare and see what I had learned. What do you think?

Here she is just before the first day of Inktober…

And here is Sally 30 days later. I also referenced her holding the gift and looking up at Jack.

For my final Inktober piece, I decided on an overall classic Halloween legend that I had always liked. A folklore from the Northeast and a haunted history that dates back to the Revolutionary War. I’m referring to the Legend of the Headless Horseman. I went ambitious and placed him on his trusty steed, only to realize that there was no way I was going to finish this, due to it being Halloween (lol, I’ll eventually learn the timing thing), but I showed the sketch anyways and promised it will be done later...

It is now later.

Original construction of the Headless Horseman. I wanted to make him accurate with the folklore of him being a Hesser soldier from the Revolutionary War, as well as, place him on a horse. All techniques I had learned were applied here.

Here is the Sleepy Hallow slayer, ready to take a slice into whatever is in his way….and so am I. (Cue in maniacal laughter)