ONE BIG COMMUNITY

(Gel Fineliner on A5 Paper)

 Now, I'm not saying those who take part in Inktober are becoming zealots (I am, This is exactly what I'm saying), or that Inktober itself is turning into something of an online cult (it really is), but there is something very disturbing about a “community” like this and what it can be lead into.

Draw pictures, yes, but draw a line if you're asked to wear special robes and ready yourself to hitch a ride on a passing comet. Or even worse, you've been sheepishly led into a situation where the "themes" become monetised.

PEANUTS

(Gel Fineliner on A5 Paper)

This picture is finished. It may not look it, but it is, and there's two reasons why I've done it this way....

The first is to reflect those peanut display cards you'd see in pubs and clubs in the 1970s and 80s, which were nothing but peanut strip-tease, where more of the image would be revealed as the packets of peanuts were bought. It was clever marketing. Big-D Nuts were known to produce quite tame ones, but other manufacturers got in on the action and were more risqué. They won't admit that now, as the evidence was thrown away, but that is what they did. The only clues that might be around are the photos people took in pubs and clubs at that time which might show these display cards in the background, or old television shows made at the time.

The other connected reason I did this piece was to generally take the piss out of those who always post WIP (work in progress) images on social media, that are nothing but a dull form of “peanuts” in themselves, which they seem to stretch out. I mean, if I did that image again, I could probably get a year's worth of posts out of it doing it leaf by leaf!

MANGAHOLICS ANONYMOUS

(Gel Fineliner on A5 Paper)

Manga can be a cruel addiction for many, but I'm sure there's help available for anyone who has that strange Japanese fixation on “cute” child-like cartoons. It's a dark, perverted, secret that many of you have. Just remember you're not alone. People would probably physically avoid you if they found out, but you're not alone.

Take it one day at a time, and repeat to yourself: “MANGA IS SHITE! MANGA IS SHITE MANGA IS SHITE!”

And FFS, get rid of all that hentai!

PHIL

(Gel Fineliner on A5 Paper)

“Wait...Did you just call me Phil? I'm a multi-dimensional higher being, you ignorant little tit! You don't just call someone like me PHIL! I was about to share the fruits of my knowledge with your species, ushering in a new age which would have been a significant step in human evolution, but now you can all PISS RIGHT OFF! You humans deserve to wipe yourselves out!”

It is widely believed that humanity constantly subdues itself with lazy misunderstandings like this.

CUSTOMER SERVICE

(Gel Fineliner on A5 Paper)

I did this piece for Inktober as a reference to the way many artists are so afraid of causing offence that they self-censor, causing their work to be bland and void of any creativity. They opt for the easy life, shying away from any kind of confrontation, especially in this age of social media.

Trolling has been around for a lot longer than the internet. It's not a new phenomenon. It's just easier for people to do now. If any artist is worried about upsetting anyone then they should  consider calling it a day, because they're really wasting their time.

COMMANDER KRO

 

(Gel Fineliner on A5 paper)

A piece I drew for Inktober 2024 (Day 3) giving some realistic encouragement to others taking part in, what is, a fairly pointless challenge. Some do fall by the wayside, though. Not their fault. It's a lot to invest in by doing a month's worth of drawings, such as time and the cost of materials, which is why I chose to use the cheapest I could find to complete it.

But I do that anyway.

THE DARK WITCH

(Gel Fineliner on A5 paper)

 I don't know whether you know it, but I'm actually an acolyte of the famous 19th century occultist Professor Dougal MacKenzie. He's famous for creating a method of prophecy called “SheeTap” which combines all esoteric knowledge on the subject into one way of doing things. It's something which I feel I'm now quite adept at. The “Mackenzie SheeTap” technique has served me well, and it's something that anyone can learn with a bit of practice. It wouldn't surprise me if many others in occult circles use the “MacKenzie SheeTap” way for fortune telling, as it is quite common.

I've even used it for this piece, showing some disaster that's vague on detail. But take heart, as there does seem to be some hope of averting it in what she's pointing to with her left hand (stage right). It looks to be some sort of ring. Either that or she can be subdued with a packet of Polo mints (not Mentos).

MAD DOG

(Gel Fineliner on A5 Paper)

 One of the age-old responses from dog-owners: “He won't bite you” along with “He's good with children.”

He's a dog, and like all dogs, they're bred from wolves. Given half the chance they'd revert back to their natural pack instinct. The only reason they don't is that they see you as the pack leader who regularly feeds and pampers them.

“Oh, my little darling isn't like that!” I hear you say, as if you're talking about a child. “He gives me kisses by licking my face. It's his way of saying how much he loves me.”

He licks his balls and arsehole with that tongue, so what's he really saying there?

The first prompt-word for Inktober2024 was "backpack" in the suspiciously themed list that was released last month. As in the preview post I made last, I decided not to bother with them and go "vanilla" with them all by drawing whatever I wanted each day.

VANILLA GIRL - Inktober2024 Preview

(Gel Fineliner on A5 Paper)

Challenges like Inktober aren't something I usually take part in, but I thought I'd have a bit of fun with it this year.