INKTOBER: The Arts Council of Princeton has partnered with an international drawing challenge to encourage positive art-making habits within the Princeton community. Teaching artist Barbara DiLorenzo, whose work is shown here, will lead free drawing sessions for participants.

The Arts Council of Princeton (ACP) has announced a partnership with Inktober, a month-long art challenge focused on improving skill and developing positive drawing habits.

Jake Parker created Inktober in 2009 as a challenge to improve his inking skills. It has since grown into a worldwide endeavor with thousands of artists taking on the challenge every year. Inktober is held virtually throughout the month of October, when, each day, anyone participating in the challenge creates an ink drawing and posts it to social media. A list of prompts guides artists of all skill levels to create a new drawing every day, and participants are welcomed and encouraged to interpret the inspiration as literally or imaginatively as they’d like.

To encourage our Princeton community of artists and art-lovers to explore the challenge, ACP teaching artist Barbara DiLorenzo will host free virtual drawing sessions on Wednesday evenings from 7-8 p.m., beginning September 27 and continuing weekly through October.

DiLorenzo has participated in Inktober for years and looks forward to sharing the experience with the local community.

“The Arts Council of Princeton works hard to create a safe space for creative people of all ages and abilities,” said DiLorenzo. “As a teacher, it is my joy to help students break down complex subject matter into big shapes, working to refine the work and add details. It is also my joy to encourage imaginative brainstorming, where every idea is welcome on the page. Ultimately, my goal for every artist is to help them find their own unique voice and express it clearly. In a supportive artistic community, creative people can relax and have fun making what they love.”

At the conclusion of the month, participants are invited to contribute one of their Inktober drawings to an exhibition to be shown at the Arts Council, opening this December.

Registration to participate in Inktober is not required, but helpful information, material suggestions, and tips and tricks can be found at inktober.com. Free registration for DiLorenzo’s drawing sessions can be found at artscouncilofprinceton.org.