Here in the northeastern United States, October is the month when we plein air painters flock outside to capture the very short burst of peak color in the landscape. It's a time I look forward to all year. Not only is it the best color we will get, but it's the last opportunity before colder temperatures drive us indoors. I've always lamented the fact that Inktober happens in October. I love working in ink, but it's the last thing I want to do in October. Every winter, I come up with a personal, motivational studio art project to expand my own horizons, and try to make the most of the days indoors. This year, from Thanksgiving until after New Year's Day, I'm going to do Holidays in Ink. You're all invited to join me if you'd like an interesting art challenge around the holidays. Here are the basic details:
- Dates: Tuesday, November 24, 2020 to Saturday, January 2, 2021 (40 days)
- Goal: Complete 30 pages of sketches or days of sketching during those 40 days, however you wish to count your completed days. Bonus points for extra days or pages!
- Materials: Ink plus whatever. (I don't like to limit myself because otherwise I will get bored.)
- If you decide to join me and want to post about it somewhere, you can use the hashtag #holidaysinink
Over the past couple of weeks, I've seen a lot of the mail order sketch boxes with ink related supplies being revealed on YouTube videos and posts. They are all so tempting! But as I look around the studio, it's evident that in my case there's no need for a new ink-related box filled with supplies; I just need a box! I have a tendency to get overwhelmed by having too much in front of me, which impedes the flow of my work. With the fun starting almost two months from now, there's plenty of time to sift through what I've got, and limit what I will use.
I found this great treasure chest in my closet to hold my Holidays in Ink supplies. It's about 9x13", and about 7" deep. It's big! Even so, it will be difficult to whittle down my ink-related gear enough to prevent overflowing this chest. I'll do a reveal post or two of what's in the treasure chest well in advance, just in case it gives anybody else some ideas. Paring down my ink choices for the project will be a fun challenge in itself. I love them all!
When the project starts, I'll have a chest full of favorite supplies set to go, which I can transport around the house or elsewhere. It will also save me time in deciding what I'll work with once the project gets underway, and help me stay organized. I don't remember where this chest came from; it was probably part of a gift box of some kind. If you want one of your own that's about the same size, this one on Amazon looks pretty cool! A wicker basket, plastic bin, or cardboard box would also work well, and you've probably got the perfect thing lying around in your house.
That worked out very well, but I'd like more paper variety this time, as well as a larger size. (I think that one was about 5 1/2" square.) I might work on loose sheets instead of in a bound book -- sort of like my Sketchbook in a Tin on a larger scale. Or I might work in signatures of different papers, and bind them together afterwards. I'm thinking somewhere between 7x10" and 9x12" in size will allow for plenty of versatility. Choose what you love in terms of size and type, or challenge yourself to go larger or smaller than you usually do. If you want to work on assorted toned paper in a bound book, the Stillman & Birn Nova Trio sketchbook (https://amzn.to/3kQydjp) might be a great option for you. You can see my review of it here. The Epsilon (Amazon link) and Zeta (Amazon link) sketchbooks by Stillman & Birn are also among my favorites for ink work when I want bright white paper.
If you're interested in doing Holidays in Ink along with me, please leave a post in the comments, and let me know if a prompt list would be helpful for you. While doing Project Megasketch a couple of years ago, I put together a prompt list of hundreds of ideas, which I found helpful while having to sketch so much every single day. It prevented me from getting stuck in the "What Should I Sketch" zone. I plan to develop my own list to work from for this project also, and am happy to share it for those who would find it motivational. (Note: Many/most of these prompts would be more about exploring working methods and materials than only about subject matter. I tend to be more about "how" than "what" during projects like this, and getting too specific can stifle creativity.)
I like having plenty of time to prepare for this type of personal challenge. It enables me to think about what I want to get out of it in the end, formulate a plan, consider new ideas to explore, and gather or acquire the materials I need. It's not too soon for me to think about the end of November. While I wrap up the fall season of outdoor painting, Holidays in Ink can percolate and develop in my mind. I hope some of you will join in for the ride. If you've enjoyed this post, plan to make this journey with me, or know others who might want to join in, please share it!
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I love this idea, Jamie, and I will definitely join you! I'd also enjoy seeing your prompt list; I typically don't like very specific prompts, so your idea of how to or exploring methods sounds great. Thank you for being so inspiring!
ReplyDeleteHey, Melissa, I'm so glad you'll join in! I too feel boxed in by lists of specific prompts, especially if you have to do a given prompt on a specific day. I think you'll find that the format I give will provide endless possibilities. :) And of course, there's no need for anyone to stick to the prompt list; after all, we've got a whole world out there! LOL
DeleteWhat a wonderful idea, Jamie. Can't promise, but I'm going to try to join your challenge. I love using pen and ink, but I could definitely use more practice with different techniques and colors.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for your inspiration.
Great to hear, Cathy. "Ink" is a very broad term, so the project is a lot less limited than you might think. Anything that could be used to draw and is in liquid form can be ink by definition, even if not applied with a pen. My goal isn't to restrict traditional uses (such as adhering to "pen and ink"), but rather to expand them! So if you wanted to paint most of the project, you could easily do that.
DeleteJamie, while painting outside yesterday, I was thinking the same way you were about Inktober in October just is in the wrong month. There is just too much color right now and the weather has been glorious. I already decided to do my own Inktober later this year, so count me in! Your idea of lots of choices and less structure with lots of exploration works especially well for me!
ReplyDeleteI'm happy that you'll join me, Lynn. I have some unique ideas for the prompts. Stay tuned! ;)
DeleteHi Jaime, I too am on the fence about the Holidays in Ink but please do share you prompts. I would love your prompts for Project MegaSketch. It sounds like exactly what I need to get me out of my creative slump. I like your exploring methods and materials rather than word prompts. Thank you for sharing your creativity.
ReplyDelete