After our successful Open Day last month, it’s back to our usual creative sessions.

October means it’s annual Inktober time again. Started by US illustrator Jake Parker in 2009, Inktober is a worldwide event for artists of all abilities to improve their drawing habits.

A quote on the Inktober website says “Anyone can do Inktober, just pick up a pen and start drawing.”

Some artists do large, detailed pictures whilst others do small, loose sketches. Divide a couple of pages in a sketchbook into small squares or use Post-It notes and draw with a biro. It’s an easy way to sketch every day, or if you’re busy during the week do several sketches at the weekend.

More details on the website – www.inktober.com

Here are the daily prompts for Inktober 2026…

If you do this challenge please send photos of your sketches to Tracy to put on the blog.

Wednesday 14th 7-9pm – Paint on a Pumpkin

Not paint a pumpkin, but paint ON a pumpkin. Acrylic paint works best as it sticks to the surface. Paint an autumnal scene, animals or something Hallowe’en themed on a pumpkin. A few small pumpkins will be available to paint on, or if you’d prefer to use a large one please bring your own.

Another idea is to use a black Sharpie pen and draw Zentangle patterns on the pumpkin to create simple or elaborate patterns.

Saturday 24th 10am – 3pm – Black and White

When members were asked last year for ideas to do at sessions, one idea suggested several times was to create pictures in black and white.

Any subject – portraits, landscapes, urban scenes, animals, abstracts etc.

Use black ink, charcoal, graphite pencils 8B and upwards, black coloured pencils, black paint or black pastels on white paper. Or any white medium on black paper. Be BOLD!

If you prefer Wednesday’s paint on a pumpkin idea then please bring your own pumpkin to draw and paint on.