Inktober 2019: The debate to participate

If you were following my Instagram account last October (thank you, by the way) then you probably saw my attempt at the Inktober challenge. If you're unfamiliar, Inktober is a socially interactive attempt to make a complete ink drawing each day for 31 days in October. Here's a really quick video explanation by Inktober founder Jake Parker:

Long story short, I made it to day 15. Did I learn anything? Like Jake points out in the video above, I learned that coming up with new ideas was a really large part of the challenge. I did not use the Inktober prompts (I probably would this year) and just drew whatever I felt like each day. I made a cobra, a pumpkin head, and a zombie shark to name a few. I also learned that consistent creativity feels amazing! The reason I stopped half way through the challenge was that I had to put commissions and other art projects on hold to produce a new ink drawing each day. I also had a two-day and three-day comic con and art festival respectively and had to draw while engaging with attendees which is very, very difficult for me. I really don't like drawing in public. I ultimately decided that the Inktober challenge was not worth asking collectors to wait even longer before their special pieces were complete.

As October 2019 approaches there is a buzz on social media about the upcoming Inktober challenge and I have been debating whether or not to participate this year. I hate to fail and the thought of not getting through all 31 days frustrates me. I am glad I made the 15 pieces last year but when going through my available originals I found that five were still unsold. This gave me an idea for a new challenge. If all five remaining original Inktober 2018 pieces are sold before October 1st then I will jump in for this year and take another stab at all 31 drawings. I made a post on Instagram and Facebook showing the remaining pieces and now there are currently four left. If you want to help with this current challenge and grab one of those originals for yourself, they are in my Etsy shop HERE. Finding a home for the last four drawings will push me to crank out new ones and we can have fun with this together.

As always, thank you so much for your encouragement and support.

Bryan

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Okay, here’s the plan! If these five drawings from #inktober 2018 are gone before #inktober2019 then I will take another crack at the challenge. DM for more info or hit the link in my profile page. Let’s do this!

A post shared by Bryan Collins (@useeverycolor) on Sep 2, 2019 at 11:57am PDT

Inktober 2018 Drawings 13 and 14

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I saw a woman today with a cobra on her shirt, so #inktober lucky 13 is snake-tastic. Message me if you like it 🐍

A post shared by Bryan Collins (@useeverycolor) on Oct 13, 2018 at 4:13pm PDT

When I decided to pull the plug about half way through Inktober 2018 I first considered it a failure. The challenge was to create a new original black and white piece of art each day for the thirty-one days of October. I was trucking right along for the first two weeks but with commissioned pieces waiting to be made I found myself in a state of guilt each time I worked on Inktober. Which was worse? Guilt over not finishing the Inktober challenge or guilt over not finishing commissions that people were waiting to receive? Obviously it's the later, since the former only punishes me. Making others wait while I chase a personal goal seemed unfair. Shortly afterwards I realized that cutting Inktober short was only a failure if I chose to see it that way. To see it as a success only required looking back at the pieces I did complete. None of these would exist if I had never started the challenge in the first place. Some of these have even birthed ideas for larger colored works.

As always, I appreciate everything I learned in those two weeks of ink drawing. No creative endeavor is a failure if you can accept what you gained in knowledge and experience. To see if these originals are available, click HERE to visit my Etsy shop.

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All weekend long I have been outdoors at the Saint Augustine Greek Festival sharing art with the people of Northeast Florida. I wanted to do something outside-oriented for #Inktober Day 14 so I made this little beetle. Send me a message if you like it.

A post shared by Bryan Collins (@useeverycolor) on Oct 14, 2018 at 11:34am PDT

God bless,

Bryan Collins

Inktober 2018 Drawings 10, 11, and 12

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For #inktober Day 10 I am paying tribute to the stuff that got me interested in making a life of art in the first place. Reading #Thrasher Magazine back in the day and seeing all of the incredible artwork on skateboards really got my wheels spinning. The styles of Ed Roth and Robt. Williams always mesmerized me. I thank those guys for paving the way and proving that art can be more than landscapes and portraits. Message me if interested.

A post shared by Bryan Collins (@useeverycolor) on Oct 10, 2018 at 4:40pm PDT

As Inktober 2018 went on, my commissions list continued to build and my show schedule went to nearly every weekend. I continued to push through days 10, 11, and 12 and created these pieces. I was obviously digging deep into my early influences of 90's skateboard culture, punk rock, and hot rods. To see if any are still available, check out my Etsy shop at www.bryancollins.etsy.com or you can email me directly at bryancollinsart@gmail.com

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Sticking with my nineties skate culture theme from yesterday, here’s my #Inktober Day 11 piece. Message me if interested. Thanks for LOOKING 🤣

A post shared by Bryan Collins (@useeverycolor) on Oct 11, 2018 at 4:18pm PDT

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When Terrance woke up without skin on his face no one would talk to him, so he made friends with birds. #Inktober Day 12. Send me a message if you’d like it.

A post shared by Bryan Collins (@useeverycolor) on Oct 12, 2018 at 5:19pm PDT

I love you guys and as always, thank you for your continued support!

Bryan

Inktober Drawings 7, 8, and 9

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Had a few friends at church tonight telling me how much they’re enjoying my #inktober posts and it really boosted my mood. When you draw for a living and you take on a 31 day art challenge, it’s like not taking a day off work for a month. Your support keeps me moving, so thank you! 4”x6” ink on paper. Message me if interested.

A post shared by Bryan Collins (@useeverycolor) on Oct 7, 2018 at 6:52pm PDT

Although Inktober ended about six weeks ago, I realized that I had never finished sharing the pieces I completed for the challenge. I didn't make it the whole 31 days becuase of exhibits, commissions, and life in general, but I had a lot of fun with the 15 that were consecutively accomplished. Here are the seventh, eighth, and ninth drawings from the challenge. If any are available they will be in my Etsy shop HERE. 

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I vant to suck your bluud! #inktober day 8. Little vampire guy is 4”x6” ink on paper. Message me if interested.

A post shared by Bryan Collins (@useeverycolor) on Oct 8, 2018 at 5:22pm PDT

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I hope your week doesn’t unravel. Here’s my #inktober day 9 drawing. It’s 4”x6” ink on paper and available. Message me if interested.

A post shared by Bryan Collins (@useeverycolor) on Oct 9, 2018 at 4:02pm PDT

God bless,

Bryan

Inktober 2018 Drawings 3 and 4

 

Sticking with whatever I'm in the mood to draw each day, as well as some inspiration from fellow artists on Instagram, I have created a bat and frog for Inktober day 3 and 4. Each one is 4"x6" ink on paper. You can email bryancollinsart@gmail.com or visit www.bryancollins.etsy.com to find out which ones are available.

Bryan
www.bryancollins.etsy.com

Inktober 2018 Drawings 1 and 2

This is the first that I have ever officially attempted the Inktober challenge. If you are unfamiliar with it, the goal is to create one ink drawing each day in October. I am keeping these pieces small since I still have other projects on the table. So far I've been working in 4"x6" size and matting the finished work to fit 5"x7" frames. Each of them are being posted on Instagram and they are available if you see one you like. Just email me or check out my Etsy shop.

Thanks for checking it out. Let me know your thoughts. God bless!

Bryan Collins

Etsy Shop - www.bryancollins.etsy.com

Innsmouth Denizen 2

 

Ever since seeing Creature From The Black Lagoon I've enjoyed drawing hybrid fish-men but after reading The Shadow Over Innsmouth by H.P. Lovecraft this affinity was taken to a new level. Picturing the citizens of Innsmouth lurking down cobblestone streets and peering out of windows with their scaly skin and webbed fingers gave me all new inspiration to illustrate these strange beings.

This is a 5"x7" ink and white pencil drawing on gray paper. It is available for $50 in my online shop HERE.

The Werewolf and the Woodsman

I got an early start on #inktober and created these two new ink drawings on gray paper. They are both available in my Etsy shop at http://www.bryancollins.etsy.com.