Tired of Inktober yet?

And introducing Explore Sessions

Ink painting of Leiden, the Netherlands, from a few years ago when I was on an ink painting binge.

Tired of Inktober yet? Of course not, it is only day 3!

Art challenges. Something that popped up and multiplied like rabbits with the help of social media. For some people this is just the motivating thing they need to start drawing again or draw consistently. For others it can have the opposite effect - trying, failing, feeling bad about oneself and giving up altogether.

After years of trying out various art challenges, I have come to learn that it is not the thing for me. Ask me to do the same creative thing over and over again and I will be bored in a minute. Doing the same finger exercises on the piano for the last 20+ years? No problem, it has become a form of meditation by now. But ask me to ink one drawing each day for a month, no working ahead or batch processing allowed, and you’re setting me up for failure. Challenge for the sake of the challenge. That’s the thing that gets to me, I think. Because doing something diligently and consistently isn’t where the problem lies.

After years of trying (and failing) to do Inktober, I have started to look at it differently. For me it has become more like a holiday - a day that you think of and remember something. Thus, for me, Inktober has become less of a challenge to follow and more a time to remember that ink exists, to be intentional about using it, and explore more ways how to.

Urban Sketch of the Montelbaanstoren in Amsterdam

Introducing Explore Sessions

Ever since I started this substack newsletter I have been thinking of a way in which I can give more of a spotlight to the Explore bit of the title. Exploring is one of the cornerstones of my art making practise without which it would probably die a slow, suffocating death. I am constantly following my curiosity and exploring new concepts and ways of working. Combine that with my passion for and experience in teaching and you get Explore Sessions.

What will the Explore Sessions look like?

An explore session is a 30-60 minute mini workshop, during which we explore a material, idea, art element or principle. The idea is that you follow along and do the workshop as I am demonstrating it. Each session is pre-recorded which means that you can do them at a time that suits you. No problems with syncing up time zones, as one tends to have in a live online workshop.

Who are the Explore Sessions for?

The sessions are made for everyone who needs a bit of art exploration in their life. For those who feel a bit stuck in their art practise or just enjoy trying something new. Whether you are a beginner or more experienced, the aim is to play, explore, and learn all at the same time, while you are infused with new ideas.

How can I get access to the Explore Sessions?

As of this month I am introducing a paid tier to this newsletter. The Explore Sessions will only be available to subscribers on this tier.

Why Sketch. Explore. Create! is getting a paid tier

Vincent van Gogh famously wrote a lot of letters, many to his brother Theo. In them he wrote about his thoughts and feelings, giving us a peek into his creative process. He often included sketches of the paintings that he was working on at that time. His brother, Theo, would send him a monthly allowance and artists’ materials including rolls of canvas and tubes of paint. At one point Vincent requested more than a hundred tubes of paint from his brother! In many ways Theo was the reason that Vincent could keep on painting and bring us his sunflowers and starry nights.

Traditionally and historically the privilege of being a patron of the arts has been reserved for only religious institutions, royalty and the super rich. However, platforms like Substack and Patreon give more people the chance to become part of a pool of people who contribute a small amount each month to make sure that the artist of their choice has the means to continue making art.

I believe that the work that artists and teachers do are valuable. I stand with one foot in each of these disciplines. That is also the approach that I try to follow with this publication. With the paid tier I want to, on the one side create a space where I can share more personal work that is not yet ready for the eyes of the general public. And on the other side I want a space where I can share my passion for teaching through the Explore Sessions. With both of these I hope to inspire more people to sketch, explore and create the things they wish existed.

What will the newsletter look like going forward?

Each month there will be three newsletters. The first will be for all subscribers. The second will be the Explore Session and for paid subscribers only. The third will be mainly for paid subscribers, but will occasionally contain bits open to all subscribers.

Also note - As this is a one woman show, I will still take at least one month off during the year, during which I will pause the paid subscriptions.

Final thoughts

I am so excited (and a little bit nervous) about introducing a paid tier and the Explore Sessions. However, I am sure that you will enjoy following along, as much as I do writing the newsletter and developing the Explore Sessions.

Thank you for reading this newsletter and following along with my work. I truly appreciate all the encouragement from all of you. I don’t use any AI in creating this publication, but instead opt for the slower route with lots of writing, typing and art made with physical art supplies.

Are you a fan of human creativity? Then consider showing your support by becoming a (paid) subscriber.

Now without further adieu let me reveal the theme of the first Explore Session…

For those who are doing Inktober, and those who just want to dip their toe into a bit of ink (figuratively, or not), the theme of the first explore session will be

*drumroll*

Explore: Ink!

Happy exploring!

Nino