Is almost that time of the year againโ€ฆ

I know that for some – or most – people Inktober can get pretty stressful at some point.

But first, if you came across this post and you still donโ€™t know exactly what Inktober is or why you should do it, read my previous post here, with some insights and personal experiences!

I believe one of the things people struggle with the most is to make all of their Inktober pieces look cohesive together. If youโ€™re already an established artist with a very recognisable style, then probably this is not such a big problem, as it would immediately make it look cohesive.

But itโ€™s not that easy for a beginner or someone who hasnโ€™t developed a personal style yet – a thing that usually takes some time…

This happened to me since the first time I did it 5 years ago, and ever since, Iโ€™ve been experimenting with some ideas that have made my pieces look more harmonious together, despite my current โ€“ always changing โ€“ style or level.

As you read this, consider that you donโ€™t need to follow all of this. Ultimately itโ€™s your choice, but usually with one or two of these tips plus your own style โ€“ even if you feel you donโ€™t have any, it is there โ€“ itโ€™s enough to make your inktober cohesive.

But also, picking more than one might make it easier. Itโ€™s your choice!

*Update from 2020: I know there’s been some drama around Inktober and Jake Parker but I’m staying out of it till I know more about it, cause I don’t like this hate and “cancel culture” we are creating in social media. However, I still want to put out this info about Inktober cause I think people have the right to participate and enjoy it if that’s their choice.*


how to keep your inktober cohesive
how to keep your inktober cohesive

THE IMPORTANCE OF PLANNING AHEAD

I feel that giving yourself some time to plan ahead what you want to do for Inktober and how youโ€™ll do it can work wonders to help you have a smoother ride.

Personally, I take some time to consider all of the points Iโ€™m gonna mention bellow. I make my decisions on some and choose if Iโ€™m gonna apply them or not.

I give myself time to choose what Iโ€™m doing, usually, I start to think about it by the end of August/ beginning of September with no pressure on, cause thatโ€™s when the ideas flow easily.

Sometimes my decisions come really soon or others much later, almost when itโ€™s time.

You donโ€™t have to do exactly this, but if you give yourself a week or so before Inktober to put these things in order I assure you it would make for a much less stressful one. And it saves you time later!

inktober 2019 ink vampires sketch
Vampire concept sketch for my first day of Inktober, 2019.

Also, if youโ€™ve decided things ahead you can get a head start on somethings that youโ€™ll thank later. For example:

  • Prepping or cutting the papers youโ€™ll use or buy the sketchbook youโ€™ve been looking at for this.
  • Choose/make your prompt list and write notes on your ideas for it, do some concept sketches or thumbnails.
  • Or, if youโ€™re jumping ahead with materials you havenโ€™t used before, train and learn a bit about them, get a feel on them so itโ€™s less stressful later.

It’s easier to have a cohesive inktober if you plan a bit ahead.

STICK TO ONE MEDIUM & TECHNIQUE

Or the combination of a few.

The whole point of Inktober usually is to work with ink, but even in the ink category, there are tons of routes you can follow.

And if youโ€™re not jumping on the ink route, you might consider narrowing it down to one medium โ€“ watercolour, digital, markers, โ€ฆ โ€“ or otherwise, combine them with some others that compliment them.

Try to stick with that.

ink pen liquid pentel brush pen

This would immediately make it look more cohesive, and honestly, it makes it easier for you.

It would also help you improve with that medium and technique, as youโ€™ll be creating a lot with it and experimenting for a month. Itโ€™s perfect for learning something new or give a boost to your already existing skills!

Oh, and once youโ€™re done the picking, make sure you pick a paper suitable for it and have enough on hand for the whole month.

Don’t be like me on Inktober, 2019…

FOLLOW A PROMPT LIST OR MAKE YOUR OWN

Or you can also mix and match with some existing prompt lists, your own or improvise.

There are definitely people that donโ€™t like following prompt lists, and thatโ€™s completely alright.

Still, maybe you havenโ€™t found the prompt list for you.

For example, I realised last year that the official Inktober prompt list isn’t the best for me, I donโ€™t know how to explain it, but itโ€™s was a bit too general and random. In my case, I think I like better the prompt lists that have a theme behind them.

Check the prompt lists out there first, cause maybe you find a really interesting one that fits your taste! If not, give a try to making your own or combine existing ones, I find this a bit more exciting.

inktober 2018 banshee book of shadows
Book of shadows take for inktober 2018 – I always like to add a creepy touch to my work for it.

When you follow a prompt list thereโ€™s usually some cohesiveness to it that immediately makes your work reflect that.

Themed prompt list = more cohesive inktober

But if you donโ€™t like prompt lists at all, maybe try writing down ideas ahead to save some time and effort later. Or jump to the next tip!

PICK A THEME

This one could be united with a prompt list or not. Or sometimes you can mix them.

Iโ€™ve done normal prompt lists with a theme of my own โ€“ Studio Ghibli themed, for example, you can have a peek at my previous post here.

So, you can follow โ€“ letโ€™s say – the Inktober official prompt list and add your own theme. Or follow/make a thematic prompt list; Vamptacular & Ghostacular by Missupacey are good examples of this.

ghostacular prompt list missupacey
Ghostacular prompt list (2016) – By Miss Upacey.

Or pick a theme and do your own thing with it; fantastic creatures, mythology, ghosts, witches, movies, astrology, vampires, โ€ฆ

Having a theme can not only make your Inktober more cohesive but also more exciting if it aligns with your taste!

If you have trouble to come up with prompts or ideas, try checking my ultimate drawing prompt list โ€“ with now more than 300 prompts to give you a creative boost! You can have access for free to it by subscribing to my newsletter or check a little preview on this blog post.

MAKE A PROJECT/PRODUCT OUT OF IT

This wonโ€™t necessarily make your work look more cohesive but instead motivate you to make it look better together.

Well, maybe some products/projects will, as they have a theme going on.

You might also want to consider this as a way to get something back from all the hours of work that entails doing Inktober. It’s a serious time and work commitment that you’ll probably won’t dedicate to other things for free.

So think about it.

Examples of projects/products: Colouring book, zine, character design, game designโ€ฆ

missupacey inktober vamptacular ghost stories
Zines by Miss Upacey – the image takes you to her web/shop.

But again, if they donโ€™t have a necessary theme, like a zine, you will still be thinking that they need to look good together, have the same size format and such, which immediately helps to restrict you to make cohesive work.

I did my own zine for 2018 and it helped a lot to keep my inktober cohesive all together.

SOME OTHER THINGS THAT MIGHT HELP

Thereโ€™s a little list of “extras” that I think of when it comes to this:

  • Use the same kind of paper/sketchbook or paper size.
  • When it comes to taking your pictures for social media, try taking them at the same place or similarly arranged and preferably with good lightning โ€“ much better if natural. This helps them look cohesive but also to keep your feed pretty!

Examples: All scanned, all in your white table, same props, just a crop of your sketchbookโ€ฆ

  • You can use a similar colour palette or colour choices in all the pieces. This doesnโ€™t mean you have to limit yourself but give it your own touch.
inktober 2018 guarded
Guarded – Inktober 2019.

For example, you can use the greyscale of the ink and add a touch of coloured ink โ€“ letโ€™s say red – in every piece, making it quite personal. Or add a touch of gold/silver to every piece, make a digital “format” that you use for every day like your own comic bubble – I might try this for this year.

The possibilities are endless!

If you want to see more of what I’m doing for this year I keep my Instagram page (stories and such) quite updated on it!


When choosing these things, I always try to pick the ones I feel like I would enjoy the most so it makes my Inktober more enjoyable.

Is there anything else you do in preparation for Inktober? I would love to know about it!