I didn't finish INKTOBER and that's ok... LETS CHAT

[@KaseyTheGolden]

For me Inktober is just an excuse to challenge myself to finish a project. I don't seem to push myself unless I have a weird excuse like that, haha. My goal this year was to make a book, and I didn't allow myself to make time, yet for Inktober? I go all in. I also hate what it's become, but I usually stick to my little bubble and enjoy creating what I make of it! I'm really proud of my Inktober this year, probably my favorite so far!

[@mjpete27]

I am amazed with your InkTober Kasey! You have a wonderful idea and we are enjoying watching the follow through! I hope to watch a video of a flip through of the entire story after you finish, Hey! Even if you have to take more time than allotted in October you can do it! You can finish! It is also an easy video idea for KZbin too!

[@DinaNorlund]

Oh hell yes!! I think making a book for inktober is probably my favour approach! It sort of distances it away from just “inktober” you know. There is actually an end goal, not just post a pretty drawing everyday! And you’re doing insanely amazing Kasey, keep it up

[@komorebi3803]

Just some words for everybody who feels like you failed: You didn't. You just made the choice that something else is way more important in your life right now. That is the most responsible way and the decision that you should be more proud of than the though of that you could have had mad thirty one amazing pieces of art. I personally did not succeed at first try last year. I didn't prepare that much and only knew the perfect images from YT and Insta. But this year I prepared and had a strategy and tryed something new almost half of the days. I am not proud of all of them but even if I'm not, they are an opportunity to learn. I fell in love with more technical things like guns n bikes instead of only drawing humans and things with deep meanings. I succeeded already, not because I will finish for sure but because I wanted to learn and that willingness is way more worth than 31 drawings. I hope you're doing well, dear reader.

[@TrueAstralHaze]

Komorebi Well said, beautiful soul!

[@sillysays2442]

Thank you! Hope you're doing well too author ☺️

[@DinaNorlund]

Well said and very true

[@PinkWytchBytch]

It's relieving to know someone else felt a bit stressed from this year's Inktober, it's been a very similar story for me. However, your channel helps with this, and I really do hope things get easier for you!

[@DinaNorlund]

That’s why I wanted to make this

[@bendelbendelbendel]

I honestly with I could draw this well. I've learned a lot from your drawings so thanks for that.

[@DinaNorlund]

Aw I’m super happy about that! Thank you :D

[@Cantrona]

I've finished inktober two years before this one and I'm still on track and its almost the end. Over the last 3 inktobers I havent really experienced much (if any) social media growth from it, but I'm proud of having completed the challenge and the body of work that I get out of it. That being said, while I'll stick this year out I don't know if I feel inclined to participate in inktober for a 4th year because knowing I can do it and accomplishing it doesn't make the stress of balancing inktober and my other obligations any easier.

[@DinaNorlund]

Wow that’s incredible!! 3 years is amazing, congrats :D and yes it should definitely be more of a personal challenge than anything

[@Nebur_Art]

I think Inktober has become something like Christmas when we grow up, we put so many expectations and we make so many plans to make everything perfect and in the end we get frustrated because the result never meets expectations. I mean, it's great for those who can keep up the pace and motivation, but you kind of realize you're wearing out and maybe you can develop a lot more if you create your own project, on your time and on your terms. This is a mix of my own experience and what I was able to absorb from the video. I love listening to your videos while I paint watercolors.

[@theartistkaylen]

It feels like in the past few years, inktober has turned into some grand competition. This year, I ended up stopping after halfway mainly because I felt too pressured to continue and I wasn't having fun. It just wasn't fun; I was bored and the prompt list that were out there wasn't really helping. And the more I continued, the more I was like I could be doing something else more productive then this...Now, I do have some stuff going on that I won't rant about here, but it is assuring to hear that there are others who felt a little stressed with inktober this year.

[@aneta2177]

That's a massive relief hearing your opinion about Inktober. I second everything you said. It became a monster of an event. And you can smell from a distance the need of becoming popular when people start arguing how "ok" is to use other media than ink, only because they don't feel comfortable with ink, but they MUST get these likes at all cost! Personally, I'm finishing my inktober. Thanks to the new algorithm I gained 3 followers and lost 5. I didn't see any difference in traffic but I proved myself that I can commit to a project. And all in all I'm super happy about that achievement.

[@TheMetatronGirl]

Yay! Beautiful Dina face! I try to only begin a project with the expectation that I will a) finish it and b) learn something from it. I used to worry about mistakes until learning of the Native American superstition that creating an item with no mistakes is bad luck. I frequently make at least one on purpose, now. Once I embraced that idea, the pressure just fell away. Thank you for sharing this wonderful video. Love, light, and blessings to you.

[@phlofur5417]

Thanks for the message, I can't hear it enough. Having too high expectations and being afraid to start a project/assignment because "it won't be good enough anyway" is a big problem for me, in basically every area of my life. So this message (finished not perfect) is a good reminder to keep going, regardless of how it will turn out

[@rebekahryan6187]

I really love your art and especially watching your videos, I find the way you talk very calming and I love how soft and gentle you do your art💜💜

[@juliettayler6392]

I love being to see your face and your art at the same time! This is such a fun format

[@Chilicookoff]

this genuinely made me feel so much better... I started inktober this year as the start of my art account (I used it as an excuse to finally just start my account) and I was really excited! I actually didn't even follow the prompts, just the spirit of halloween but by day 15.. I hit such a huge art block and it really effected me. I felt like I needed to finish but I just didn't want to, which caused quite a few days of just not drawing at all. Luckily, I gave myself a break and just gave myself a clean start, no more expectations and I'm feeling inspired again. I think inktober was really good to kickstart me getting in a draw-everyday habit, but ultimately it was unsustainable for me. Anyway, I truly love your art and thank you again for making this video! Inktober is daunting and i feel like it's turned into such a high-expectation, high-reward process and it's a lot of pressure. I do think it's still an amazing feat, but every year I've noticed a drop in participation throughout and I do think it's the growth of expectations we set for ourselves.

[@jeanettebg412]

Thank you for making this video. I didn't finish inktober either because of the expectations and pressures I put on myself and it took the fun out of the challenge like you said I was worried about getting followers and making a good piece to post on social media instead of practicing my inking or having fun with a medium I don't really use. I'm glad I'm not the only one who feels like this. So thank you for putting it into words. It makes me feel like less of failure for taking a break from it. And excited to work on future projects.

[@Kloodwig]

I hope you are feeling a little better now, you seemed really down. I have never gotten this far participating in Inktober but it's also the first year where I have a lot more time on my hand and I think Inktober really helped me to escape my mind a little and not to worry about my circumstances. It's also the first time that I feel like I have really benefitted from the challenge, in the years before I participated because it was a popular thing to do and that was pretty much the only reason and while it was always fun I never inked much after Inktober. This year I tried a bunch of new tools and approaches and it was a little journey to find out what I like and don't like about inking and I discovered my love for some of the tools.

[@crazyhannahcreations9806]

I feel ya on that Dina. Like throughout this month. I didn't do Inktober either. Its a hard challenge to do and keep up. Plus too been doing watercolor pieces for a church bazaar in November soon. And there are days where I don't want to do a painting for any lost of motivation or feeling nervous that if anyone would like to see and have my paintings sell for it. I always try my best to keep a schedule to my paintings and what not. Yet its hard at times. But I get through it.

[@anasofiacarretero6266]

This video helped me so much I'm going through really hard art times right now and your message in this video has just lifted this huge weight off my shoulders thank u 💞💞💞

[@flyra6405]

I was actually finishing my last inktober painting while watching this. This was the first inktober I really participated and I knew it just wasn´t possible for me to do it "correctly" because I was working the first two weeks not a normal job but one where I was away 14 days straight. So i just made my own list of only 15 prompts and drew everything in watercolours because I could take them with me. And although I did not made it in time I´m really proud of these 15 paintings because I think it´s the first time I drew this many paintings in such a short time and I just had a lot of fun. I don´t really care if I met the official "inktober purpose". It was more of a "Can I draw Illustrations on a regular schedule throughout a month?" Also about failing and gaining popularity.. this is such a huge stress and burnout factor for every artist I feel. I still struggle with not thinking a lack of likes and follows on instagram means my art is bad. Because somehow I do feel like I need many followers and likes before I can make money with my art... so failing a project or not gaining as much likes as expected becomes like this massive thing...

[@luxiolooma]

This is so inspirational. You are my favorite youtuber- favorite artist- favorite person. I'm working on the second novel in my series that I started a year and a half ago (when I was sixteen). I'm so excited about this and I'm drawing concept art for it.

[@nicholaswatkins9915]

I try to tell my friends who are doing Inktober with me this. Doing anything to challenge yourself is good, it's the act of, rather than the product of. But, this year I decided to tell a story though a random character I created, and it has def been easier for me this year with the prompts, and I get a cool new story from it at the end. I hope whatever everyone is doing with their art, that they are challenging and trying new things to expand. I really enjoy watching your process Dina. Thank you for sharing it with the internet (and thereby me).

[@DinaNorlund]

That’s the best way to do it!! Oh maybe try printing it when you’re done? :D it’s an amazing feeling having it in a book afterwards

[@purplenurple991]

I started inktober but ended up only drawing one picture. I was very down on myself because I bought my first set of Ohuhu markers and I really wanted to finish. I’ve found it’s okay that I didn’t though, because I spent more time watching your videos and ended up buying an XpPen display tablet and am having the time of my life learning how to use it. I’ve even created a character for a comic that I’m beyond thrilled to build up and see where he goes! You’re such an inspiration! Keep doing what you’re doing girl!

[@starlyx_cz]

thank youu

[@sillysays2442]

I draw every day so inktober wasn't a change. But the stressful thing was that I had to sit down with the intention of drawing and already have an idea set for me. That made me so demotivated, everytime I sat down, i just can't help but feel the pressure. I normally just go in with no idea and then it develops to something. I've stopped this year, but next time I'd like to give it a try. This was my first inktober so I have ways to go. Hope everyone else is doing well. Also, love ya dina😘

[@agnieszkaniezgoda182]

It's really great that artists like you have this non-competetive attitude. It does feels like Inktober became race towards popularity instead of learning event and I saw that in myself. This year I decided to take it easy and do few drawings when I have time, show it only to my brother and few friends. It's really easier without pressure, that only I put on myself, of posting on social media. So it's good to hear artist of your skill and reach say "it's okay, you don't have to be perfect". Thanks and take care!

[@thecoloringbee5675]

I finished inktober last year but for some reason I'm very behind on it this year.. so I think I really needed to hear this.

[@wheresmahchippy]

I always wondered how you felt when tackling big projects and it's humbling to know you too get unenthusiastic but manage to keep pushing through. I'm always amazed at artists who can make videos and draw all of the time or have amazing ideas constantly and it all seems effortless online. I go through stages of massive inspiration and ambition and then it completely dies off for a while. I still draw regardless but I felt like something was wrong with the way my brain worked involving art. I made a goal to complete inktober but I used a really small sketchbook and loosely followed the prompts but didn't expect much other than to draw something each day. I managed to finish all of the prompts like 2 weeks early and I'm glad I did it. I don't plan on showing any of it anywhere but it was nice to get into a habit. Thank you for sharing Dina!

[@bagandbroad]

This is such a great video, both your art and all the extremely important advice you give. It’s been great for me because it’s my first (and last) Inktober and I’m so proud of myself for sticking to it after not drawing for *literally a decade*. BUT I also kept it completely private, didn’t stick religiously to a single prompt list, and I had the free time. Had I don’t it “properly” I probably wouldn’t have done a single drawing and never would have made all this progress.

[@DinaNorlund]

Congrats on making progress!! I’m so happy you’re getting something valuable out of it :D

[@AuloriasArt]

Thanks for making this video. I agree that inktober has become more of a pressure cooker. I tried to use that pressure to complete 31 dragons to make into a zine. I’m totally behind due to health issues, but I’m not freaked out by it. I want to finish and make the zine purely for the sake of making my first zine. I’m also really fortunate that my followers are very sympathetic. Most of them are artists themselves. Anyway, it was great hearing your perspective. Have a lovely weekend ❤️

[@salomeydraws]

Watching this year as its always a relevant video. You didn't fail - it's so important not to put pressure on ourselves especially when we're already busy, with our own personal projects. I learnt that the hard way last year! This year I'm not doing "Inktober" I'm doing my own challenge (which is very relaxing as I don't have any prompts hah, I'm just doing it in-between my main project which is preparing for my webcomic "Saints and Sailors" launch on 1st of November!) Since my webcomic is coming out I'm kinda thought I'd call my challenge "OC-tober" and draw my OCs from my comic in m seasonal autumnal settings which is really fun ☺️ I've also since let go of the feeling that "this is my best art it has to be popular or I'll die" and now everything I do I enjoy so much more because I'm focusing on making art I enjoy for "me" and if other people like it too hey that's great ☺️👌🏾 Exploring is really fun too and though I'm not inking traditionally this year I feel the past two years Inktobers have been amazing for a newbie artist like myself to learn about inking!

[@karinnewilber7268]

This is really inspiring me. It is taking a lot of pressure off of myself. Thank you. This is making me want to make videos of my art just for fun, just for myself. I've never made art videos but i feel like this style of video would be fun :) I loved this chat. do more of these.

[@thecrasy]

I wanted to do inktober this year, I even prepared a special folder with special paper, etc... but my sister had this fun idea of having a baby so I spent a good portion of this month with her and my nieces and nephew and I couln't be happier of how I spent this month ! I think I will continue inktober on my own time, with the prompts I liked the most because I still want to fill that folder, but I won't have the pressure that come with the challenge and I think it's a good compromise :)

[@recoveringsoul755]

When a person is STRESSED, the centers of the brain that control Logic, Reasoning, and CREATIVITY simply SHUT DOWN. I don't know how some of these art channels churn out stuff all the time. When I am calm, relaxed, and I feel safe, that is when my creative juices work the best. When I am stressed I can barely even speak

[@Bobblebeist]

I’ve tried inktober a few times and always failed. I always fail those monthly challenges and I always get really mad at myself. Challenges like that can be so rough, but they seem so fun when you plan on giving it a go. Right now I’m exited about huevember, although I am most definitely going to fail it.

[@lupusincidus]

I think you're exactly right. My phone broke right in the middle of September, and come October, my first thought was 'Now I can't post my Inktobers - I'm missing out on that chance to get noticed' and as soon as I thought it I *hated* myself for it because it made me realise I had missed the point of Inktober. So I'm doing it anyways, and because I can't post, it's genuinely just for me. I'm behind, I'll likely have to work into November to finish them, but...that's okay. I tried out India Ink for the first time and I've been discovering that I *love* bottled ink, I want to get many many colours, and try coloured pieces. But I've also been getting better at values and contrast because only having a monochromatic palette forces me to think differently. And you know what? I'm *enjoying* it this year. Last year and the year before, it just stressed me out. I have work now - I'm even busier than when I was at college. Yet somehow, this intensive challenge is still more fun this year. I think we all need to try and take a step back and think about how much we let social media rule our lives. I'm going to get a new phone soon, but my crappy iPhone4 backup phone that has a broken mic and can't download most apps including Instagram - it actually did me a favour, I think. I feel more clearer minded, despite that I'm still online...I don't have the internet in my pocket at the moment, I have to go to my laptop, so there's more thought that goes into it...I don't know, it's nice. I'm looking forward to having a phone that can access Instagram again, but mostly because I want to see my friends' work - no longer am I trying to participate in a popularity competition. To all who don't finish Inktober - it's okay, I didn't finish it my first time and forcing myself to finish the second nearly killed me. The point isn't finishing, it's just any improvement you get. To people who do, great! But I hope you're proud of yourself for the accomplishment, not for the prestige of finishing or posting it. And to those like me who haven't been putting it online - I'd love to hear why and your thoughts on it. Great video, Dina, I think you opened up a necessary conversation about Inktober :D Plus, the drawings you've shown us looked awesome, even if you didn't do all of Inktober!

[@Desillustrates]

I really feel you, this pressure is what is killing me time after time. It's so funny I always finished everything I made when I did mostly animal portraits. But now I am going more outside of the lines and make projects and try fantasy creatures and stuff I put so much expectation and pressure on it. And I just freeze somewhere along the line every time and then I need to let it go completely to like unfreeze. What results in so many half projects and drawings from only this year alone. And It's not I am no longer excited about the idea but I can't make it live up with what is in my head and that puts me down more then it should. I love your 'finished not perfect' mentality.

[@AlcheonArt]

I feel you, I work 8 hours a day at my day job, and I have to do InkTober pieces in lunch breaks and in-between filming videos for youtube, it's almost impossible. It's definitelly hard, but by some miracle, I'm still in the graph at day 26, so I think I'll pull through :D

[@stelabon]

Loved that video!! I decided I don't want to do inktober because I want to focus on my digital art and I like vibrant colours so there was no point in me doing it, but I always felt bad like I could be doing it, all these other artists do it and they get so much attention.. so thank you for making this video, it reminded me of my own reasons and that other people go through the same! Also I got time to work on my project for environmental art which is what I'm actually interested in!

[@KelliPaints]

I feel ya, Im doing Inktober but Im finishing when I finish this year. I like my theme and what I am producing, so I shall take my time lol! Im really glad you made this video its very relatable. I love all your videos and SUPER excited for The Snow Cat Prince :) have a great weekend! ❤️ Great ink drawings btw 🤗

[@DinaNorlund]

Hehe chill indeed! I usually do the drawings up front with monthly challenges because then I feel like I have backup haha! But also taking your time never hurts and is probably a lot better for mental health

[@KelliPaints]

Dina Norlund couldnt agree more! Have a great day! 🤗

[@ShishkinaOlga]

Oh, this video is in the right time for me! Thank you so much, it's very comforting. I was excited about inktober, but I really quickly realized I can't do much this year because my biology degree studies. It's more important and gives me enough stress. By the way, I drew a small animation with a pumpkin and ghosts coming from it :3

[@Pixiewithpens]

good video!!!! thanks for sharing your thoughts :) it's hard sometimes with stuff like inktober, i think many of us lose sight of where /we/ are in our journey and what we need. because you see these experienced and skilled artists who work insanely hard to make 31 finished pieces that they then make a book or zine out of. i think that kind of thing often kills the people who do it, but yeah, it can be easy to put that expectation on yourself when it's really not what you need to grow or realistic to your life situation. i just want everyone to be gentle to themselves and have a good art journey

[@hans-sniekers-art]

I had doubts going into Inktober this month but now, almost finishing my third year of Inktober in a few days, I feel like this may be my last. I had expressed my wants of not doing Inktober next year as it withdraws me from doing autumny projects like paintings for halloween or autumn and this year this became even more apparent ... I think watching your video has made my decision clear, I'm just wanting to do because everyone is doing it, because it seems to make me grow but deep inside the pressure is not beneficial for me or my health anymore ... I'm gonna start doing my own big projects next month and not let my expectations of challenges like these change my mind into thinking different things. Thanks for making me realize that little final CLICK I needed 😊💕💛💚💙💜

[@mjpete27]

I believe you do an amazing job with your voiceover work! I tried to just do a voiceover translation of one of my favorite videos and just following another’s script was so HARD! You can accept that your doing very well! I agree that unless you have realistic goals for the month long challenge you will be disappointed. You can be the voice of reason and maybe change the direction of the challenge! More teaching through the month and enjoyment of the artwork, removing some of the pressure. You have a great idea there! Oh we did see your face in the clip you shared where you accomplished the move on the pole in your class! I must say, nice job with that too!

[@camilabalvar]

This year I just said I wouldn't worry about finishing it and used the visibility of the hashtag to make some short comics that I was willing to do, but was scared to start, and inktober did me the push. It worked for a while, I definitely learned a lot about making comics and gained some followers, but nothing crazy, which is ok because this year I just wanted something chill since I was stressed about other stuff I needed to do. So it was a good experience over all, I didn't put so much pressure on myself and gained a few things anyway.

[@sunnymel8]

This is the first year i've really done Inktober and it's been up and down with work and such. Your videos always bring a smile to my face and help me stay inspired for whatever project i have going! Keep up the amazing work!

[@DinaNorlund]

Yes thank you so much!! Glad I can help and keep going, you can do it

[@LovelyShadowKing]

I normally pick and choose which inktober themes I feel inspired by. Started good this year then got busy. Might be able to get one more drawing out before the end of October. I just fell off the theme list and started doing my own ink drawings since I've learned that I really like dip pens (never tried them before this month)

[@little-earth-star6]

It's okay! I tried to do a personal Mermay drawing challenge this year, but I lost interest on the 15th or 16th day (I need to check). And as for personal projects that I am doing right now. . . I'm actually deep into a solo character study RPG for myself! I tried to do that once before, but I got bored with it, so this is my second attempt. This one is going better, probably because the RPG system is based on randomness, and that I am drawing and writing about the characters outside of the solo RPG, which I didn't do the first time.

[@sarahchan188]

I stopped inktober too. I am not a full time artist and I had to care about my life, my job my friends. And I am glad that many of you think so too. After a few days I felt so much under pressure and it’s my first year and I dint have to thrill myself to do this. And I am also just finding my style and I like to use different colors and with inktober it was so hard to improve. I think that no one should feel like they have to do this till the end or even like every day from a prompt list. Just do whatever you like and how you feel well with it. It should depend on your time and motivation and the most important point is that you should always have fun to do art and when you don’t feel like that youre going the wrong way

[@barneyherbert8444]

I love your drawings

[@adayinmymeadowart]

Last inktober i failed because i didn’t have a list or project so you can see in my pieces that it was rushed and sloppy. However this inktober i decided to do a big project based on one of my OC ( a tiny demon), it’s basically about him introducing people from his world from a prompt list i made! I’m finally enjoying inktober .

[@camillaaarela9179]

Right now (as i’m watching this :D) i’m making a ”garden plan” for next summer, it contains what i’m going to plant etc, i’m super excited about this project!

[@DinaNorlund]

Oh wow that’s cute! Sounds like a super fun project

[@Wildinsideco]

So well said. I just posted a video talking about my Inktober experience before watching yours, and it's insane how much of what you said resonated with what I'm sure most creatives are going through. It's so OK to be over it. Hope the rest of your month is amazing! (:

[@DinaNorlund]

I think a lot of us feel the same about this! That’s why I wanted to make this video... :)

[@plumadeprimavera]

It's my first time doing inktober and it will maybe be my last time. I wasn't really feeling it most of the time. There were some drawings I'm really glad I did but most of the time it was just meh and felt like a waste of time. Maybe I'm just going to sketch something next year and if I end up liking them I can still ink or/ and colour them later on. But it's still a good exercise for trying to draw everyday😊

[@samilam1244]

Omg I'm just in love with the lines on these pieces

[@Gothikah]

I am doing inktober, but just because I love ink, I have the time, and I draw every day anyway XD Also I can see how much I have grown over the years. I think the pressure thing is the thing you put on yourself. I stopped having pressure over it, and just doing it because I enjoy painting, and I seem to have easily cruised trough this inktober.

[@xyphies8156]

i didnt intentionally do any inktober drawings this year, i decided i wasn’t gonna force myself to try to balance building my school portfolio and doing any inktober stuff and also self indulgent stuff, so to save my mental health i just considered every self indulgent art as my inktober art and it helped me to better focus on my portfolio since it’s the one with the deadline while also taking off the guilt of not participating. would highly recommend doing this for anyone else with deadlines to meet!!

[@dorothywhisler8525]

This is my first inktober I've participated in. I casually planned it throughout September because I don't do well with coming up with stuff on the spot. I have been pretty consistent through Inktober and am really enjoying it. I'm not doing huge detailed pieces, which also keeps it manageable. I find the sheer amount of artists stressing about Inktober to be interesting. I am kinda miserable in my current work schedule and rather than stressing me, Inktober is helping me get out of my head and feel a little better and more in tune with myself. I can totally see how it could be stressful with people, and I see so few people that say it's actually helpful to them. Just interesting

[@miaishiyama7807]

I'm working on a door contest at my dorm. It's been hard for me to truly work on it bc college and stress but this has been the main thing that has destressing me.

[@HeatherBryant22]

Jake Parker does do a ink tutorial, you have to buy the box to get it though. The box is way to expensive for me to get it so I watch what I can find. I am nearing the end of year 3 of InkTober for me and am so ready for November to be here! I did my own project this year, Disney Villains.

[@popflickbogeypoo]

Loved this video x yep my first inktober this year and ran out of steam, I’m really behind but I want to finish it. Otherwise I will be very much annoyed with myself. I interrupted a project I was doing to get involved with inktober. Not entirely sure if was worth it but it is all training to see if I can see it through. I’m working on producing a colouring book of Cambridge in England. Where I live. Im really enjoying doing it and hoping to release by Xmas but not sure I still have lots to do. loved hearing your nationality is Norwegian 😀. Try watching Kloodwig on KZbin she has great line art too. Love you sweetie keep drawing xxx

[@MusingsFromTheDen]

I saw the 'Misson Statement' in an 'Inktober special' box on someone else's channel and the tone of it reminded me of the briefs we used to get when was back at uni, really intimidating! So I can see how people who followed it got stressed out. I set my own agenda to work on a specific skill *when I felt like picking up a pen* and I feel like I have started to make progress. What you said about transferring happiness from one task to another made complete sense. 😊

[@moonlotus9768]

I agree 100% with your view about inktober.

[@lamersonnikki]

I mean... I'm not working on a project currently but I did pick up a sharpie and just let myself go. I honestly don't usually draw in just sharpie I always have to have a pencil drawing down first.. out of my comfort zone but I did it

[@haileybee6741]

I am working on my moms birthday card as I was watching this. And I have...so far....gone through... ten sheets of paper trying to make it "perfect" I am now telling my self to stop wasting trees and just go with the flow.

[@emilymacaluso5250]

I think people are always their own worst bullies. It's so easy to deflate yourself with negative self-talk when you're disappointed that something didn't go the way you wanted. I always found that I'd start to spiral from "this one thing didn't work out" all the way to "nothing ever works out because X is wrong with me". I've been trying really hard to practice self-acceptance. I did the best I could, not everything went as planned, but that's okay. There's a good chance I learned some things, even if it wasn't perfect.

[@themorenajay]

I froze on 23rd... mainly because I gave myself too much of a challenge combining 3 prompt lists /and literally trying to combine the words - like if I have candles, cooking magic and dog in the separate ones I tried doing someone cooking and the dog trying to take the food and some candles around./ That and I got distracted by other ideas and things I wanted to watch and do. Kind of feel bad for not finishing the Inktober but I guess i tried :)

[@ermalando4401]

Just in time! i just got out my sketch book and every thing!

[@DinaNorlund]

Yay did you sketch something cool?

[@ermalando4401]

@@DinaNorlundi did a study on humming birds :)

[@aurora_licht595]

I like inktober this is the first time doing it. I don't do the prompts given that's official. I'm also working on a small story so my inktober has been showing some of the people in the story. I really like to listen to your video's there calming and your arts really nice

[@DinaNorlund]

Thank you! Sounds like you’re having fun with it so keep going

[@sophieagnew4103]

I really like taking my brain out of situations so hearing your relaxing voice really relieves my stress. 💚

[@nwestgart]

I can definitely relate to this sooo much! I've recently had such a strong motivation to do more with my art, ad and I initially saw inktober as a opportunity to do something amazing. After rhe first illustration did really well I was on such a high. But eventually, when some of my personal favourites have done horribly in comparison, I started feeling quite down. And that I had let myself down in a way. I study at uni currently, and it got to a point where I had to go home for the weekend , as the pressure really started to get too muxh. Now as I have managed to take a step back, I have realised the insanity of doing inktober for someone else. And I'm still doing it to the end, but don't feel the pressure of the pieces performing well. So thank you for sharing

[@nwestgart]

Please don't mind the horrible typing, I typed this faster than I ever have before. Hahah

[@astraamastacia2427]

Sadly I must admit that I put A LOT of expectations into my art.I started university this year and the first thing our teachers told us was to not be precious about our pieces, to just relax and experiment, but I just cant make myself do that. I started the 100 something challenge, also from Jake, with dragons, and I just cant relax myself and not care.I always think of what would be the best pose, colour, texture and all that, "It HAS to be a masterpiece" is what I always think, my teachers are gonna see it, my classmates are gonna see it, and even people from other years, so it must be perfect! In the end I just lose the will to even start drawing the next dragon.....

[@ConfusedMuseArt]

I only drew one thing for Inktober despite planning to only do the 5K version, and I really feel that comment about having expectations about what you're going to do, and then reality being something else. 🤣I've realized that monthly challenges might not be my thing, because I've got ongoing comic plans and randomly dropping monthly challenges in there messes up my schedule. "Finished not perfect" has also really stuck with me, and it's more important to me right now that I finish my comic, however long that may take. Even though I didn't finish Inktober, I'm glad I got my sudden desire to draw a witch out of my system. 👍🏻

[@Darxetta]

I'm two days behind with Inktober, I had a business trip with 10 hour work days in a different state, but managed to draw on 4 of those 6 days (albeit it cut into my already abysmal sleep schedule that week..). Despite that, I'm trying not to stress on completing on time, since I DO work full time and have many obligations outside of work. I've already produced some of my favorite pieces ever this month, and do really want to continue after October to draw a sketchbook page everyday, even if it is not a complete piece. After October I want to work on my digital art skills, start just with coloring in scanned traditional pieces, then go from there. My end goal is to start making online comics, I have so much I want to make but just feel inadequate >.> I know its not the case, but I guess if you stop wanting to improve, then your progress gets stagnant.

[@mollypiscoya3076]

I got as far as day 12 and I felt terrible about it bc I finished it last year but i’ve come to terms with it now

[@MxTHRTN]

Right now I dont really draw to much which is actually really sad but Im not really in the mood. But while watching I finished an embroidery-piece on a tshirt. Now I can wear the fruit of my labour :D and I am working on a story based on an existing franchise because there is so much in there I wanted to experience. Call ist fanfic if you will but it feels good :)

[@lordclover7711]

I definitely agree about inktober! It's usually a bad time for me bc it's right before midterms/second wave of tests in college so it's not an easy time to do it. We used to do challenges in my AP art class of like drawing every day for a month the teacher specified and it never worked for me/I never improved. But I did a draw every day challenge last year over winter break for a little over a month and I was able to do it and I improved so much bc of it. I think that's just what I've learned is to do it when I can, not when every one else is. This year during winter break I really want to finish an animatic I've been working on :)

[@QueenMariposa5]

I've been kinda in and out of Inktober. I've skipped a handful of prompts due to being tired, sick, or just having no ideas. Also I've been trying to keep up with my web comic so I don't go on hiatus next year. Although I do wish I could be more disciplined.

[@mirtima783]

Im not doing inktober for popularity, just for fun and to get used to finishing art. Bc i noticed that i never have around anything finished anything that i can show my family or friends what i can do. Im still holding to inktober, im pretty tired but happy i made it so far, plus only 6 days left!!!

[@iasnessy6701]

I had to drop out of Inktober this year after a week 1/2. I've been having a rough month, a rough year a matter of fact and I just couldn't do it. I've honestly been feeling really bad about it, because I'll start projects then never finish them and now I have another unfinished project to add to the pile. Really struggling with just letting it go, but sometimes you just don't have the time, mental space, energy, etc, for it. Hope you guys are having a better time with that idea than I am. But as is everything, it's a process. Breath and know it's okay.

[@LillySchwartz]

I finished inktober last year and it didn’t get me more exposure. Actually less, because people are so busy making their own stuff that they have less time to look at anyone else’s work 🤷‍♀️ I don’t really do things for exposure anyway though and just post my drawings for fun - I’m actually a photographer by profession, so gaining exposure for my drawings isn’t a priority at all. I actually decided not to do inktober this year to focus on another project, but then found a way to combine it. There is no need to finish in time though and I probably won’t since I didn’t do any prep at all. I’m about 5 drawings behind now. I don’t mind and I’m surprised that I’m not doing worse!

[@DinaNorlund]

Haha that does make sense! I think people just get overloaded by so much ink stuff xD but indeed, if you enjoy it then it’s great! Congrats on doing it the second year though, that’s amazing :D how did you merge them??

[@LillySchwartz]

​@@DinaNorlund true about getting overloaded, it can be so samey seeing all the bw ink stuff! The way I merged inktober with my project was to drop the no colour constraint. I’m working on an idea for a comic book right now and had a breakthrough with the story just before inktober started. I wanted to keep working on it and I already knew that it was going to be full colour, all animal characters. So, in the end I decided to make it a character design challenge with a new animal each day, because I always draw the same kind of animals. Probably only going to use one or two characters out of the whole bunch, but it’s good practice! It’s brush pen and Copics so, I think I can get away with calling it inktober 😂

[@Miggeamakes]

Was actually finishing up my inktobers as I watched!! 💜💜💜

[@ray4163]

for me, inktober was a very excited and anticipated project that I was determined to complete. Though with school and my work schedule, I never had the time and found it overwhelming trying to keep up with the prompts. So I didn't finish as well, but rather I took my ideas for inktober and the illustrations I had already done and was able to figure out more details and ideas for a graphic novel I have been working on. So, I don't really think I failed inktober, rather I think that inktober helped me with a different project allowing me to be just as and/or more creative than I usually am during the school year.

[@jessjones3224]

"I fell of the wagon." I love that :') i will use that saying too

[@goldsberrie9448]

Gah while listening to this i was drawing for my own project of my ocs! i always love listening to your ideas and though process of things! you're one of my Artist idols!!

[@DinaNorlund]

Aw thank you :D what sort of project? Comic?

[@iisjah]

Hah, I get that inktober burnout. I tried to finish inktobers 2 or three times now and I never could, and I always felt kind of bad about it too. so this year I decided to make it a project that I will enjoy and will push me a bit. I have a big illustartion project ahead of me in the future (illustrating my and friends RP manual) so I wanted to practice creating beasts and monsters. I created random list of creatures (3 for each day) and combined them (thanks for the idea!). I also combine them with the official prompts (more or less successfully) I feel like I'm at the end of my ropes here (because I cant really do anything else than this and work) but I'm so happy that I'll finally finish at least one inktober! (I post my stuff on your discord so you prob seen something x3)

[@Manzmomz]

I always regretted that I never studied or practiced art, and for some reason this year I just decided it was time to change that. I started drawing regularly a few months ago, and I've been pleased with my progress (although, as is the way of things, the more I learn the more I wish I knew!) When Inktober came around, I decided to participate, but in the way that made me happiest. I didn't switch my drawing mediums (markers have ink in them, right?) and I didn't make any grand promises to myself about doing it every day. To my surprise, I've actually more than kept up with the prompt list. I'm ahead, and I'll probably need to set myself a new goal in the next day or two. What's really resonating with me is the fact that I did this for my own joy, and my own progress, and not for any other reason. I post to social media because I want to share, but not in the expectation that anyone will love it or start following me or anything (lord, they'd be so disappointed if they did! Imagine following me for art and getting a bunch of pictures of my children with the occasional art piece thrown in?) . Anyway, I think any time you do something because you feel obligated, or because you want other people to like and/or appreciate it, it can become a source of stress and disappointment. I love your videos, and they've been super helpful to me as I try to improve my own art. But I hope you don't let them become a source of stress for you. I guess I just feel like life is hard enough, without turning our sources of joy into obligations. Good for you for skipping inktober, and I hope you have fun coloring the Snow Cat Prince!

[@michalahenderson7652]

miles morales: *_NO EXPECTATIONS_*

[@Lydiachan22]

This was so nice to listen to while working on art

[@Lydiachan22]

So sorry if it was selfish of me or anything to talk about the art video stuff, I just wanted to express my current excitement for different types of projects

[@kaiyas9464]

So I’ve never really been proud of my art before. And so it’s just kind of hard for me to like finish projects or finish a piece because every time I look at what I’ve drawn I am just really disappointed in it. And I tried Inktober this year and brutally failed and I am not very happy about it. I maybe finished three drawings and they’re all terrible so yeah that’s kind of how my projects end up going. I was feeling really inspired to draw something but then I’m not happy with it so I never finish it

[@creekkidart7554]

yeah, I think an artist should only do a challenge like inktober if it is going to be beneficial for them. Inktober is great for people still needing to get in the habit of drawing every day, or if you actually want to practice ink. But when you're already being productive artistically, ti might not fit into your needs, in fact it may hold you back from actually growing in the direction you need. That's what happened to me last year when I was starting freelance projects. But this year, it was very useful. So, everyone, don't feel pressured to participate in every hashtag.

[@toaka5568]

Actually i didnt participate in inktober this month because i had some problems at school and jot caught up on it and i felt bad at first for not being able to do it but i felt good for passing this month actually i'm not even sure if i can draw something good every day i think it was better for im not good enough but maybe there is some kind of a reason for this its just not my time yet

[@DinaNorlund]

I’m so happy you put other things above inktober! It definitely feels a bit guilty in the beginning of the month but the relief of not having that pressure is insane haha

[@toaka5568]

I know right i sometimes try to draw something for change but i find it difficult to draw with specific promt it was new but hard so i just went with my heart and continued doodling in my books :)

[@talimediaart]

I didn't do Inktober at all because of school and I'm in university studying my major in speech pathology. I am working on a personal comic project in terms of writing and world building and will hopefully minor in art to improve on my art skills to start illustrating the pages.

[@pernishkatehaswaytoomanypl8273]

I'm actually still going with inktober, but from the start I decided I'm going to treat it as a side thing. So I'm 2 days late, some days do a very simple drawing, some days I don't like the prompt so I cop out and do something very loosely tied to the original prompt. I am using inktober as a way to tell a bit more info about my characters and it's such a good way to do it. I can also use the images in my book later, so it's a win win. It's fun to not treat it like a chore, but as a fun way to distract myself from school work,since I'm drawing what I love (my OC's) :)

[@CarolynsArtAdventures]

I was planning on doing inktober but then I had an attack of vertigo at the end of September, and just felt like crap and decided that the pressure wouldn't be good for me. I'm glad I decided that, I felt like a weight lifted when I made the decision, but I'm also sad that I didn't, I learned so much last doing it last year.

[@DinaNorlund]

Omg yup definitely the best decision for you! Better to take it easy when your body tells you to slow down, I need to get better at this myself

[@mey2mey]

Previously, I either forgot about inktober, or I ended up not putting in the time to do it. As a result, I fell off it. I used to previously feel so guilty, ashamed, and a lot of jealousy towards my friends who did it and were still making really amazing work. This year I planned ahead, mapped out what I wanted to draw and started a day early. I was spending way too long on pieces trying to get them perfect and it was becoming an unrealistic hassle. It became less about perfecting my inks, and more about making pretty images. I constantly battled with pleasing others and/or pleasing myself (I'm not sure who's opinion I desired more. I'd be proud of something but others didn't care for it, or I'd hate it and I'd get way more likes?) I gained very few followers and essentially lost them all once I decided to stop doing it on the 8th. It was a weird awakening for me. I don't even know why those people truly followed me in the first place? were they wanting me to follow back? was it truly just for the inktober content and not so much my artwork? why would anyone even bother if they were immediately going to drop me after a lack of activity? do they not realize people have lives? Maybe it's just me, but this year there was a negative vibe about it, and I remotely did not feel upset once I gave up. I also do not like posting work I'm not proud of, or just posting things because it's something I "have" to do for an audience. Anyways, I'm with you, and I loved listening to your perspectives and feelings as always.

[@gemedwards3066]

I was a week away... Looked back at my art and thought I hate all of it... It wasn't me and I'm doing it for the sake of it so I just stopped. I live working with colour and I just got bored

[@PampdArt]

This is the second year that I'm participating and first time actually using ink (previous year was just ink pens) and I've learnt a lot on how to use the acrylic ink I own now! It's super fun but also stressfull at times. Like you said, for example I'm learning to live home with my parents again after finishing college so it's additional stress but I really am taking it as a fun challenge to finish a story in a month and that's what it is. Just a story of two best friends who turn into fairies and have to find a way to turn back. Not trying to make a masterpiece, just to tell a simple story and if people like it along the way, great! I'm glad you talked about this topic tho because I have a feeling it'll help a lot of artists that maybe weren't able to participate and thus maybe felt like failures due to it for no reason? You're definitely not a failure if you don't finish a drawing challenge. Especially if you have other things to take care of like mental health, health in general or other things. You matter first, the art can wait. These drawing challenges were supposed to be there for fun and learning something new afterall not to have extra stress in life. The best part of inktober so far has been checking through the inktober tags to see the wonderful different ways people interpret certain prompts and that's probably what also kinda inspires to keep going forward. But yeah, if you literally can't make yourself draw, rest, take some time to reflect, do what makes you happy. Creativity is a process that happens when your body is at ease and happy like you said when you played games you got happy and some crativity mojo! Thanks again for this video, it was really nice to hear your thoughts about it. :)

[@Meashayshay2]

Although I did finish inktober this year, it was extremely stressful for me. I had college midterms, along with accelerated classes with lots of hw/projects. Some days I wasn't able to draw, and the days I was able to draw I caught up with the days I missed. I wanted to finish this years because I didn't last year, while in the previous years I did. At first I though when I started inktober years ago it seemed to be competitive, so I was jealous of the people who got popular from it while I didn't. Now I find inktober to be a mostly a self-contained challenge for me. I post my work but usually just stay in my own bubble, liking others' art here and there. It is kind of weird inktober 'packages' are being sold, but at the same time not too surprising. Eventually anything can be marketed/sold I guess lol.

[@christineingram55]

Beautiful work as always 😀

[@battlewhale1980]

Inktober is supposed to be about gaining good habits to draw every day and get better at inking. That's a great goal. But for me personally, I find that waiting for X to happen or for a certain time of year to come around for me to start getting new habits, they always fail i.e. new years resolutions. So just a tip by me; if you want to get better at something, don't wait for the "right" time to start. Just start. Today. Don't wait for Inktober, don't wait for new years. Start working towards your goals today.

[@wels7007]

I needed to hear this, thanks so much❤ I love your art!