Bengalureans attempt Inktober in unique ways

From depicting Indian culture to Kannada words, they are trying it all.

Bengalureans are giving a unique spin to Inktober, a month-long art challenge. While some are using central characters and symbols in each frame, others are expressing the influence of tradition and culture through their art.

Storytelling

Horamavu resident Loreto Basumatary has worked on the challenge since 2017. “In the first three years, I wrote poetry based on the prompts. From 2020, I started sketching,” she says. She posts on Instagram as Lolo Doodles.

The 39-year-old is working on the prompts digitally this year. “I have a vague storyline ready, which will revolve around two characters — Lolo and Doggo. In the first prompt (Backpack), you will see Lolo carrying a brown backpack, while the duo looks at a map together,” she adds.

Kannada inspiration

In her illustrations, Anubha Upadhya M is adding simple Kannada words that describe the prompts.

The UI/UX designer says, “The prompts this year are complex. They have a travel-related theme. Most Kannada words used for the terms are bookish and rarely
used in everyday conversations. Instead, I have used simpler words in sentences that can be used in conversations.” For instance, she has depicted the prompt ‘Backpack’ with a girl holding a bag with ‘bennu cheela’ written on it.

“In some prompts, I plan to use colloquial Kannada words or Kanglish (combination of Kannada and English) words,” Anubha adds.

Indian twist

Full-time artist and part-time designer Ranjana V Vikraman is giving the prompts an Indian twist by taking inspiration from Indian mythology, iconography, and sculpture studies. “I am using pen techniques and ink washes on the sketch against a sepia background. In most editions, I have observed people working with surrealistic themes and keeping a central character as the focus. However, I have rarely seen people work on Indian themes,” shares the Nagasandra resident.

Symbols galore

Chiranjith Barui, resident of Abbigere, has worked on the challenge since 2017. He finds this year’s prompts direct and easy to work with. “When I started sketching, I used to create works that depicted urbanisation and its effect on the earth,” he says.

Barui, a design media and creative arts professor, doesn’t look at the prompts in advance. So far, he has drawn an astronaut with his gear to depict the prompt ‘Backpack’, and a tortoise to depict ‘Discover’.

Retro style

Mahadevapura resident Akshay Kumar D M is attempting the challenge for the third time. He would sketch the prompts with ink earlier but is working on them digitally now. “This year, I am trying to replicate old comics from the ’80s and ’90s,” he says.

“The challenge always inspires me to improve my quality of
work on the professional front too,” the motion and graphic designer adds.

What is Inktober?

This art challenge was started in 2009 by Jake Parker. Its official website offers daily prompts for October, plus 52 prompts that can be worked on as a weekly challenge throughout the year. To participate, visit inktober.com