This month, hundreds of thousands of artists are picking up their pens to draw and share their skills all thanks to a challenge started in Provo.
Inktober is a month-long drawing challenge intended to help artists of all levels improve their artistic skills and showcase their work. The challenge allows artists to go at their own pace by completing drawings daily, every other day, or once a week. The goal is to be consistent on whichever option you decide.
Braxton Barger, an aspiring animator, explained how this challenge has helped him practice his talents. 'With school I haven't had as much time as I would like to draw and to practice. What I think is cool about this challenge is that it is a reminder to just spend time drawing even if I'm busy,' said Barger.
Inktober first started in 2009 and continues to gain traction every year. Thanks to the increase in social media, artists are able to share their work and connect more than ever before using the hashtag #inktober or #inktober2018. Last year, an estimated 100,000 artists shared around 3.5 million Inktober posts on Instagram.
Catherine Lunt, a local artist, said she has enjoyed using social media to share her work. 'Whenever I create anything, I always am sure to post it on my social media because I like to share that with the world. I think it's important to have an outlet for that creation. I think that's really fun.'
While Inktober's focus was initially ink drawings, many artists have used it as an opportunity to work on other projects besides those involving the pen.
Karolyn Mocellin, explained why she prefers to use a paintbrush over a pen and pencil. 'I like painting more than drawing because I'm not an organized person. When I'm painting, I just start off by putting colors on the canvas and just let it take me some place that I had no idea I was going to go.'
Inktober is much more than just art. Its purpose is to allow artists to be creative and share their talents with others.