Inktober Prompt List 2017: Official Prompts and Usage Guide

Inktober 2017 is the annual ink-based drawing challenge created by artist Jake Parker, structured around a specific list of prompts intended to guide daily work during October. This evergreen explainer outlines the official prompt list, rules, and practical techniques for using the list as a long-term reference. Designed for both participants and educators, it clarifies intent, scope, and etiquette around sharing and remixing the prompts. The guide frames Inktober as a skill-building exercise focused on consistency, experimentation, and community engagement rather than purely outcome-driven art.

Official Inktober 2017 Prompt List

The Inktober 2017 prompt list consists of 31 ink-centric words curated to encourage daily practice, technical exploration, and creative interpretation. Each day corresponds to a word that functions as a starting point rather than a rigid prescription. The list is designed to be accessible to a wide range of skill levels and mediums while emphasizing ink as the primary material. Participants are encouraged to interpret words broadly, focus on process, and maintain a regular drawing habit throughout the month.

Table: Inktober 2017 Prompts, Intent, and Suggested Interpretations

Day	Prompt (Word)	Design Intent	Possible Interpretations
1	Ink	Celebrate the medium	Tools, marks, textures, or the act of drawing
2	Needle	Introduce pointed tools	Precision, stippling, line variation
3	Crowd	Explore value with complex shapes	Figures, silhouettes, patterns
4	Horn	Experiment with texture and form	Animal features, musical instruments
5	Spider	Study anatomy webs negative space	Creatures webs abstract lines
6	Taste	Evoke sensation through mark-making	Food stylization expressive strokes
7	Deep	Convey depth and contrast	Shading gradients environments
8	Fly	Capture motion and lightness	Insects movement speed lines
9	Margin	Consider composition and borders	Edges framing negative space
10	Fail	Normalize experimentation	Mistakes as learning steps
11	Ghost	Play with transparency and mood	Subtle tones eerie figures
12	Chase	Imply action and direction	Movement narrative implied lines
13	Game	Inject playfulness and rules	Sports board games competition
14	Secret	Convey hidden stories	Symbols coded messages veiled forms
15	Pretend	Encourage role play and metaphor	Costumes masks imagined scenarios
16	Sink	Explore heaviness and depth	Plumbing vessels water wear
17	Ear	Focus on a specific body part	Listening hearing abstract forms
18	Stick	Use simple line-based forms	Limbs tools improvised figures
19	Match	Introduce pairing and repetition	Objects patterns dualities
20	Hill	Experiment with contour and landscape	Terrain elevation environment
21	Art	Reflect on the practice itself	Process sketchbook finished pieces
22	Pocket	Suggest containment and utility	Clothing details small objects
23	Rug	Explore textures and patterns underfoot	Floor coverings home interiors
24	Whistle	Use simple shapes to imply sound	Toys sports calls iconography
25	Bolt	Study structure and fastening	Hardware tools speed connection
26	Net	Work with repetitive open forms	Fishing gear sports webbing
27	Pipe	Practice cylindrical and curved shapes	Plumbing abstract pathways
28	Quiet	Evoke mood through minimal mark-making	Stillness subtle tones restrained lines
29	Model	Focus on poses and reference use	Figures fashion objects concepts
30	Thing	Invite broad interpretation	Any tangible object personal items
31	Think	Close the month with reflection	Journaling ideation planning

Inktober Rules and Etiquette

Official Inktober rules are concise and designed to keep the challenge focused on ink, consistency, and process. The primary guidelines include drawing one piece per day during October using ink as the primary medium, finishing as many of the 31 prompts as practicable. Participants are encouraged to share work online with the hashtag #inktober and to credit the prompt source when using the official list. Remixes and non-commercial reinterpretations are permitted, but direct copying of finished prompt-specific artwork for personal completion is discouraged to preserve the spirit of personal practice.

Key Rules Summary

Use ink as the primary medium for each day’s drawing.
Complete as many of the 31 prompts as feasible within October.
Share progress online with #inktober and credit prompts appropriately.
Personal interpretation and remixes are encouraged; avoid tracing or claiming others’ finished work as your own.

Practical Tips for Using the 2017 Prompt List

Using the Inktober prompt list effectively involves balancing daily output with artistic growth. Treat each prompt as a starting point rather than a strict assignment, and prioritize mark-making over polished results. Establish a realistic daily time commitment, such as 15–45 minutes, and vary response styles to build versatility. Maintain a dedicated sketchbook or digital folder labeled by date and prompt, which supports reflection and iterative practice across years.

Interpreting Prompts Flexibly

One of the strengths of the Inktober list is its openness to personal interpretation. Broad words like “Thing” or “Art” invite conceptual work, while concrete nouns like “Crowd” or “Net” encourage studies in pattern and form. When an initial idea feels limiting, expand the prompt to related concepts, materials, or narratives. This flexibility helps artists avoid creative blocks and keeps the challenge relevant to evolving skills and interests.

Community and Historical Context

Inktober has become a widely recognized habit-building framework in the drawing community, with thousands of artists sharing progress each year. The 2017 list reflects an early, influential iteration that established core practices still used in later years. While participation metrics and trends evolve, the foundational approach of short daily ink studies remains consistent. Artists often reference past lists as reusable prompt banks, demonstrating the lasting utility of the original 2017 set.

Common Misconceptions Clarified

Misunderstandings about Inktober can discourage participation or create confusion about expectations. Clarifying these points helps artists engage with the challenge productively and avoid unnecessary pressure.

Clarifying Participation Myths

Completing all 31 prompts is encouraged but not required; consistency matters more than perfection.
Any ink-based medium (pen, marker, brush, technical pen) is acceptable; the focus is on line and tone control.
Sharing work is optional and should not detract from personal practice goals or enjoyment.
The prompts serve as practice cues, not rigid compositions; deviation and experimentation are welcomed.

Inktober 2017 remains a valuable reference for artists seeking a structured, month-long drawing routine. By understanding the prompt list, rules, and interpretive approaches, creators can use the challenge to build skills, experiment with ideas, and integrate ink drawing into a sustainable creative practice.