If I can give you one piece of advice, it's to prepare yourself!

The prompt list is released on September the first, so it's enough time for me to think about it. My preparation consists of finding ideas for each prompt, thinking about the composition of the drawing, defining the colors I want to use... This way, the only thing I have left to do is to actually draw. I also like to have some days ahead on the schedule, this way I can compose with life hazard. Because I know if I miss one day, my motivation will take a knock and I won't want to.

I know the daily commitment can be scary, but I really take it as I do with sport. You don't want to go at first, but then you feel really really good and proud. And the quick results keep you motivated. This is exactly the same with Inktober!

The most important is to draw every day, to produce one drawing. It doesn't have to be a huge or a complex piece, quite the opposite, it just has to be finished! Don't overestimate yourself and your free time, and don't underestimate the challenge. That is why I like to draw in black and white or with just one color, it is easier and quicker for a daily challenge. But I insist, I think the most important thing is to actually finish the drawing, to be able to take the benefit of hindsight on it.

Inktober is also a good way to improve my artistic skills! First, it makes me work with ink, and that is not a tool that I use frequently, apart from the black brush pen. Then, as it asks you to draw every day, of course you will make progress! The first times I participated, I even tried to work on things that I needed to improve like lights, angles, dynamic poses, etc.

It was like 31 days of work on one theme, that is a really good exercise. Now, I just focus on enjoying what I draw.

Last advantage, but not least, of Inktober is that it gets me out of my Instagram routine and allows me to escape the apprehension of posting. It forces me to post, even if I'm not completely satisfied with the drawing, mostly because I don't have time to redo it! Most of the time, I get surprised by people's reactions since the drawings that get the attention the most are the ones that gave me the most trouble, or that I was less sure of.

This year, I don't choose a particular theme, I will just go with the flow. It's been 3 years that I just like to play with pop culture. I just take the prompt list as a good opportunity to make unexpected fanart!

As you can see with my works here, I like to cross different universes, so my only challenge - in addition to drawing every day for a full month - will be to diversify the references I use. Because after all, Inktober is the exact opposite of the comfort zone, a great challenge for whoever wants to improve or test their artistic skills.