Art: inktober2023

I drew again in my small sketchbook Canson art book universal (14×21 cm / 4×6 in), using individually or together a black Pentel brushpen, a grey Pentel Brushpen, Sakura Pigma Micron 003 black fine liner, Kuretake light grey Brush Writer, and a Staedtler 0.3-2.0 black pigment liner.

6 drawings are tributes to Moebius, 4 were Japan-inspired. I had fun doing all of them. It was a bit tough the last week, and for the first time I think, I was counting the days until the end.

inktober2023 prompt list
inktober2023 prompt list

#Inktober2023 week 4-5

inktober2023 prompt list

It’s the 8th year in a row I’m participating in Inktober. The rules are simple: A different prompt every day. Use ink. Enjoy. Learn new techniques, or not.

Some choose to not use the prompt list, or create their own, or follow a different list. I prefer to stick to those proposed by Inktober creator Jake Parker, because I find it easier, even though some prompts are less inspiring than others!

Day 22: “scratchy”

Grey ink drawing of a cat with closed eyes being scratch under the head

A tabby cat being scratched under the chin, basking in the moment. I used a light grey Kuretake BrushWriter, a Sakura micron 003 black pen and Pentel black ink and grey ink Brushpens.

Day 23: “celestial”

Black and grey ink drawing of a cosmonaut seen from behind next to a flag with a peace sign, on a small planet, waving at the dark space and a distant planet or moon.

A tribute to Tom Haugomat. This represents an astronaut on the moon next to a peace flag, waving at a planet. I used the Sakura Micron 003 black fineliner, the Kuretake light grey BrushWriter, and the Pentel black ink and grey ink Brushpens.

Day 24: “shallow”

Black and grey ink drawing of a Japanese crane standing in shallow water next to a branch laden with snow

My second least favourite in the series. This is a crane in shallow water next to a branch laden with snow and some reed. I used the Pentel black ink and grey ink Brushpens and the Kuretake light grey ink Brushwriter. And I touched up the feathers with white acrylic.

Day 25: “dangerous”

Grey and black ink drawing of a tiger crawling forward

A very graphic tiger. I used the micron 003 black fineliner, Kuretake light grey BrushWriter, and the Staedtler black ink 0.3-2.0 pigment liner.

Day 26: “remove”

Black and grey ink drawing of the top of a marble sculpture by Bernini, of Pluto abducting Proserpina. The woman is being held at the waist and thigh and her arms are raised in protestation.

This is the top of a marble sculpture by Bernini, of Pluto abducting Proserpina. I used again the same light grey Kuretake BrushWriter, a Sakura micron 003 black fineliner, and Pentel grey ink Brushpen.

Day 27: “beast”

Grey and black ink drawing of the top of the body and head of Toothless, a silly-looking dragon, with tongue sticking out a bit.

This is Toothless from the movie “How to train your dragon”. I used the Sakura Micron 003 black fineliner, and the Pentel black ink and grey ink Brushpens.

Day 28: “sparkle”

Black ink drawing of a night scene of the Statue of Liberty seen from underneath. The torch is shining like a star.

The Statue of Liberty at night seen from underneath it. I used the Pentel black ink and grey ink Brushpens and the Kuretake light grey ink Brushwriter.

Day 29: “massive”

Grey ink drawing of a character in military costume and helmet, with a hand in his pocket, standing in front of the fallen head of a very large statue.

Another tribute to Moebius. I used the Sakura Micron 003 black ink fineliner and layers of the Kuretake light grey ink Brushwriter. Contrary to the theme, the size of the character is really small (as tall as the last knuckle of my little finger.)

Day 30: “rush”

Black and grey ink drawing of a young woman surfing. She has long black hair flowing after her and wears a white bikini.

I had a lot of fun drawing this surfer girl. I used as a reference a travel poster advertising Ceylon, Sri Lanka – Ceylon ‘A Wave of Your Own, Talpe Beach 1970s. I used the Pentel black ink and grey ink Brushpens and the Kuretake light grey ink Brushwriter.

Day 31: “fire”

Grey ink drawing of a slithering dragon

A graphic dragon. I used the Pentel black ink and grey ink Brushpens and the Kuretake light grey ink Brushwriter.


(See the posts for week 1, week 2, week 3)

#Inktober2023 week 3

inktober2023 prompt list

It’s the 8th year in a row I’m participating in Inktober. The rules are simple: A different prompt every day. Use ink. Enjoy. Learn new techniques, or not.

Some choose to not use the prompt list, or create their own, or follow a different list. I prefer to stick to those proposed by Inktober creator Jake Parker, because I find it easier, even though some prompts are less inspiring than others!

Day 15: “dagger”

Black and grey ink drawing of a hooded crouching character carrying a dagger

My least favourite thus far. This is Ezio from the video game Assassin’s Creed. It looked much better in the pencil sketch I did before applying the ink. I used a light grey Kuretake BrushWriter, a Sakura micron 003 black pen and Pentel black ink Brushpen.

Day 16: “angel”

Grey ink drawing of a two robed and crowned characters standing on clouds and looking through an opening in more clouds at a series of angels climbing down what look like long stairs

Another tribute to Moebius. This is a reproduction of one of his illustrations of Dante’s paradise. I used the Sakura Micron 003 black fineliner and the Kuretake light grey BrushWriter.

Day 17: “demon”

Grey ink drawing of a crowned muscular armored male-looking character seen from behind, standing on a cloud and carrying a sheathed sword, with the left arm raised seemingly casting a spell on two people on the cloud opposite: a standing madonna holding a child and a seated robed and crowned man.

Another tribute to Moebius. This is a reproduction of another of his illustrations of Dante’s paradise. I used the Sakura Micron 003 black fineliner and the Kuretake light grey BrushWriter.

Day 18: “saddle”

Black ink drawing of a caped character wearing a helmet and riding a giant pelican that flies low on a deserted area with a spacecraft wreck.

Third tribute to Moebius in a row! Again I used the micron 003 black fineliner, Kuretake light grey BrushWriter, and a water brush pen to lighten further the light grey ink.

Day 19: “plump”

Black and grey ink drawing of a plump Japanese woman in traditional attire seen from behind as she walks out of a shrine under a giant paper lantern and is headed toward a crowd of people carrying umbrellas

Ukiyo-e vibes! I used again the same light grey Kuretake BrushWriter, a Sakura micron 003 black fineliner, and Pentel grey ink Brushpen. For the highlights I used a white ink Kuretake brushwriter but it turned the grey ink into an unexpected bluish hue.

Day 20: “frost”

Black ink drawing of two rows of trees and snow

Two rows of frozen trees on the side of a snowy road. I used the Sakura Micron 003 black fineliner.

Day 21: “chains”

Grey ink drawing of chain links

Chain links. I used my Kuretake light grey BrushWriter and water brush pen for the gradient of the background and some areas of the links, and the grey and black Pentel Brushpens for the links.



(See the posts for week 1, week 2, week 4-5)

#Inktober2023 week 2

inktober2023 prompt list

It’s the 8th year in a row I’m participating in Inktober. The rules are simple: A different prompt every day. Use ink. Enjoy. Learn new techniques, or not.

Some choose to not use the prompt list, or create their own, or follow a different list. I prefer to stick to those proposed by Inktober creator Jake Parker, because I find it easier, even though some prompts are less inspiring than others!

Day 8: “toad”

Night scene of a toad emerging next to carnations and a black ball

This is after a photo I took. The medium-sized toad is one of the two that I am aware live in my garden. I used a light grey Kuretake BrushWriter, a Sakura micron 003 black pen and Pentel black ink Brushpen.

Day 9: “bounce”

Black and grey ink drawing of a girl bouncing a basketball

Young girl playing basketball. I used only the Sakura Micron 003 black fineliner and the Kuretake light grey BrushWriter.

Day 10: “fortune”

Black and grey ink drawing of a cup of team and fortune cookie split in two. The fortune reads: you will make a name for yourself in the field of entertainment.

This is after a photo I took in a restaurant in California. The fortune promises that I’ll make a name for myself in the field of entertainment. It hasn’t come true but I haven’t tried very hard. I used the black micron 003 fineliner for the text, and for the rest the Kuretake BrushWriter in light grey ink, and the black Pentel Brushpen.

Day 11: “wander”

Black and grey drawing of a person with long hair and a coat, seen from behind, standing in a snowy forest, looking at the foggy nothing at the end of the path.

Gloomy forest scene where a young woman stands on a path, looking at a lighter hazy spot on the horizon. Again I used the micron 003 black fineliner, Kuretake light grey BrushWriter, and black Pentel Brushpen.

Day 12: “spicy”

Black and grey ink drawing of a handful of peppers on a wooden table

Hot peppers on a wooden table. I used once more the same light grey Kuretake BrushWriter, a Sakura micron 003 black pen and Pentel black ink Brushpen. For the highlights I used a white acrylic paint marker.

Day 13: “rise”

Black ink drawing of a character dressed in black flying upwards as geometric elements in the background suggest explosions.

Tribute to Moebius. I used the Sakura Micron 003 black fineliner and black ink Pentel Brushpen.

Day 14: “castle”

Grey ink drawing of a castle on a small island and its reflection in a lake on a grey cloudy day

Eilean Donan Castle in the Scottish Highlands. My favourite castle on earth. I discovered it when I lived in Scotland as a student. I used the Sakura Micron 003 black fineliner, Kuretake light grey BrushWriter, and black Pentel Brushpen. Ah and a water brush as well, to get lighter and more diffuse light grey.


(See the posts for week 1, week 3, week 4-5)