I'm not sure if I'm going to do March of Robots, this year. The daily drawing challenges do take their toll on me and my available time. My wife hates when I do them, too.—only because she never gets to see me as much.
I do have a few random things to share, since last year's Inktober.
Let's start with the commission I worked on last year—before Inktober, but couldn't share until it was gifted to the recipient. I don’t typically do commissions, because of my busy regular job. However, when a friend is celebrating their son’s wedding and wants a robot version of him and his wife, I can’t say no. This was certainly a fun project.
For the third year, I was asked by a friend to donate a drawing for a silent auction. As I’ve mentioned before, I don’t typically have time to do commissions, however I’m a fan of what Best Buddies (Texas chapter) is doing. I’m happy to show my support — even if it’s just in the form of ink and paper.
This year’s event was have a disco theme, so I thought it would be fun to pose a robot like Tony Manero.
I’m doing double duty with this one. A friend of mine asked if they could use one of my bike ‘bots to put on their Bicycle Coalition giveaway card during the local holiday parade. I was also trying to come up with an idea for “Holiday-Bot” for November’s @drawmearobot DTIYS challenge with @greyfoxbrobots. So, Santa on a Bike ‘bot was made.
I was going to take a break from participating in the @drawmearobot DTIYS challenge but they keep coming up with cool ideas. In December, they partnered with @add_art and asked participants to draw a vintage tin robot.
I’ve drawn a few vintage tin robots in the past, but I wanted to take the opportunity to make a new one. This is my take on a 1950s Winky Robot from Yonezawa, Japan.
I was sitting here, minding my own business over the holidays, when I started seeing all of these inspiring pieces of art, wishing everyone a wonderful holiday. I suddenly felt the urge to do the same. At least the well wishing. Happy Holidays to everyone!
Here’s my Santa ‘bot delivering presents on his rocket sled. If you were wondering how he got it done all in one night. There you go.
I took a small break from participating in the @drawmearobot DTIYS challenge because it was a busy January for me. When the February 2025 challenge came up, it was time to get back to it. That month, they partnered with @daviddiez_ilustrador again, and asked participants to draw their cool robot in our own style.
It was a high bar, but here is mine. I did not submit mine for the vote this time (unless they have an odd number of participants and need an extra challenger). I just enjoy doing the prompt.
Also, it looks like David is putting together a book on these submissions. I'll post it when that happens.
“I am not doing Inktober this year.” I kept telling myself this, ever since the prompt list came out in September. Every time I do these challenges, I completely over extend myself and end up with serious burnout at the end. Plus, I’ve got some personal stuff that I’m dealing with that would completely distract me from completing the challenge.
Yet there I was, the night before it started, and what do I do? Start sketching.
To keep it manageable, I’ve promised myself that I wouldn't let this take over. I’ve gave myself some restrictions to set expectations (not that I’ve been guilty of these in the past):
- Don’t be a completist. You don’t have to do every prompt.
- Don’t sweat the details. Not every piece needs to be perfect.
- Don’t need to be clever. Not every idea needs a good back story - Don’t get lost in this. I’ve given myself a time limit to work on each piece. Once I’m out of time, I need to stop - finished or not.
If you are keeping tabs, this is my 6th Inktober, which is an online drawing challenge conceived by Jake Parker. Every October, artists all over the world take on the Inktober drawing challenge by doing one ink drawing a day the entire month. The goal of the challenge is to improve your inking skills.
Part of the challenge with Inktober is coming up with ideas, that align with my style, but also honors the prompt. My goals for this challenge are simple: all analog ink art, with limited ink wash for shading.
Please do not use or copy this art without permission and full attribution.
Here is this year's prompt list:
Here is my first Inktober 2024 drawing. The prompt for Day 01 is “BACKPACK”
This suitcase ‘bot is the ideal traveling companion. When you are ready to go on vacation, all you need to do is pack its back. This procedure is also referred to as a ‘backpack’.
Here is my next Inktober 2024 drawing. The prompt for Day 02 is “DISCOVER”
You’ll never know what strange life forms you will ‘discover’ when exploring new worlds. This ‘bot is fascinated with its latest find.
Here is my next Inktober 2024 drawing. The prompt for Day 03 is “BOOTS”
This ‘bot is about to find out—the hard way—how powerful these new ACME super turbo, rocket ‘boots’ really are. Sometimes it’s better to read the instructions first.
Here is my next Inktober 2024 drawing. The prompt for Day 04 is “EXOTIC”
When this ‘bot was asked to participate in something ‘exotic’, it totally got the wrong impression. Instead of an excursion to a tropical island paradise, a different activity was planned.
Here is my next Inktober 2024 drawing. The prompt for Day 05 is “BINOCULARS”
Everybody knows that this portable, high powered, ‘binoculars’ ‘bot, with its 10,000x magnification feature, is the best way to observe birds and other wildlife. Of course, finding the wildlife has proven to be a challenge.
Here is my next Inktober 2024 drawing. The prompt for Day 06 is “TREK”
I guess there will be a lot of Star ‘Trek’ themed drawings, today. Being a fan, I decided to do one as well. Original series, of course. This Mr. Spock ‘bot takes a moment, from doing tricorder readings on these Tribbles, to bid you a traditional Vulcan salute, “Live long and prosper.”
Here is my next Inktober 2024 drawing. The prompt for Day 07 is “PASSPORT”
Congratulations if you made it this far! You’ve earned your seventh stamp in your Inktober ‘passport’. This bureaucratic, customs ‘bot has seen its share of folks who are traveling from challenge to challenge. Let’s hope that we all make it to the end and get that 31st stamp.
Here is my next Inktober 2024 drawing. The prompt for Day 08 is “HIKE”
This ’bot is having second thoughts about taking a ‘hike’ during a heavy storm. Because of the resulting flood, it’s having to ’hike’ up its pant legs.
Here is my next Inktober 2024 drawing. The prompt for Day 09 is “SUN”
When it gets low on power, this ‘bot uses a portable solar panel to charge up from the ‘sun’. On sunny days, it only takes a few hours to get a full charge.
Here is my next Inktober 2024 drawing. The prompt for Day 10 is “NOMADIC”
This ‘namadic’ ‘bot spends its lonely days wandering from one place to the next. It often reflects on how much more important the journey is over the destination.
Here is my next Inktober 2024 drawing. The prompt for Day 11 is “SNACKS”
This vendor ‘bot is always ready with ‘snacks’ when you need them. You’ll never get hungry nor will you ever need to leave your seat during the big game.
Here is my next Inktober 2024 drawing. The prompt for Day 12 is “REMOTE”
This ‘bot enjoys all the comforts of working from home. In its ‘remote’ office, attending meetings is a lot less stressful.
Here is my next Inktober 2024 drawing. The prompt for Day 13 is “HORIZON”
Replaying its original observations of how ships disappear, hull first, when they fly over the ‘horizon’, this Aristotle ‘bot was possibly the first to propose this idea of a spherical planet.
Sorry, this one was a bit of a stretch.
Here is my next Inktober 2024 drawing. The prompt for Day 14 is “ROAM”
I guess this ‘bot should have double checked when it decided to ’roam’ the moon for vacation. As it turns out, it’s just outside of its mobile phone’s service zone, and the roaming fees will end up costing a fortune.
Here is my next Inktober 2024 drawing. The prompt for Day 15 is “GUIDEBOOK”
This tourist ‘bot was a bit disappointed that the ‘guidebook’ didn’t specify the scale of some of the attractions listed in its ‘must see’ section. Things weren’t nearly as big as what the pictures led it to believe.
Here is my next Inktober 2024 drawing. The prompt for Day 16 is “GRUNGY”
This subculture ‘bot from the 90’s—with it’s original, coal powered, combustion engine—is looking a bit ‘grungy’ as it makes it to the next gig, covering songs from Nirvana, Soundgarden and Pearl Jam.
Here is my next Inktober 2024 drawing. The prompt for Day 17 is “JOURNAL”
Although most publications may have gone digital, this Gutenberg ‘bot still brings the “Daily Journal,” a printed newspaper, to its readers. It’s a ‘journal’ filled with the most up-to-date and on-demand stories available. Today’s headline: “Print is not dead!”
Here is my next Inktober 2024 drawing. The prompt for Day 18 is “DRIVE”
Late at night, when the dining room is closed, the ‘drive’-thru is, usually, the only thing that’s open. Even though this hungry ‘bot doesn’t have a car, it‘ll ride anything to get a meal.
Here is my next Inktober 2024 drawing. The prompt for Day 19 is “RIDGE”
This Santa ‘bot is very nimble at walking along the ’ridge’ of rooftops, which makes it easy to deliver all the toys to all the children—all in one night. Beings so top heavy is the key to having great balance.
Here is my next Inktober 2024 drawing. The prompt for Day 20 is “UNCHARTED”
After crash landing on this ‘uncharted’ planet, this ‘bot is wondering if it should have taken a left at Albuquerque (asteroid). Fortunately, the other ship was unoccupied and they can probably just buff that out.
Here is my next Inktober 2024 drawing. The prompt for Day 21 is “RHINOCEROS”
This giant safari ‘bot has a great affinity towards all kinds of wildlife. This Indian ‘rhinoceros’ is one of its favorites — probably because its skin makes it look like a robot.
Quite honestly, I probably would have done something with a full sized rhino (robot rhino or something) but it would have taken me a while to do. Since I’ve limited my time to an hour or two, I had to stick with something that I was a little more proficient with.
Here is my next Inktober 2024 drawing. The prompt for Day 22 is “CAMP”
This s’mors ‘bot has become the official mascot for ’camp’ treats all over the world. It’s here to remind you to stock up your backpacks with chocolate bars, graham crackers, and marshmallows, before heading out on your next camping adventure.
Here is my next Inktober 2024 drawing. The prompt for Day 23 is “RUST”
Contrary to popular belief, robots don’t live forever. They’ll become susceptible to ‘rust’ and corrosion, then, eventually, fall apart. This ‘bot is close to its final days.
This reminds me of a movie quote:
“I’ve seen things you people wouldn’t believe. Attack ships on fire off the shoulder of Orion. I watched C-beams glitter in the dark near the Tannhauser gate. All those moments will be lost in time, like tears in rain. Time to die.” - Roy Batty
Here is my next Inktober 2024 drawing. The prompt for Day 24 is “EXPEDITION”
This ‘bot is about to lead an ‘expedition’ into this reality deep hole in the ground. Some say that it might be a pathway to the center of the earth.
Here is my next Inktober 2024 drawing. The prompt for Day 25 is “SCARECROW”
This farm ‘bot was programmed to protect the crop from any opportunists trying to sneak a free meal. Unfortunately, it wasn’t designed with a bravery circuit. ‘Scarecrow’? Ha! It’s more like ’scared OF crows’.
Here is my next Inktober 2024 drawing. The prompt for Day 26 is “CAMERA”
There is one major design flaw in this portrait ‘bot. Because it has a ‘camera’ for a head, taking selfies that look right, has become somewhat impossible. There’s always something missing from the shot.
Here is my next Inktober 2024 drawing. The prompt for Day 27 is “ROAD”
Some days, this ‘road’ repair ’bot will get a little ’road’ rage, when work gets in the way of work. It seems that there is an endless supply of potholes on this street.
Here is my next Inktober 2024 drawing. The prompt for Day 28 is “JUMBO”
I’ve run a little bit out of steam coming up with ideas, so for this, I just did a ‘jumbo’ sized robot.
Here is my next Inktober 2024 drawing. The prompt for Day 29 is “NAVIGATOR”
Programmed with the latest G.P.S (Glovebox, Printed, Schematic) technology, this ‘navigator’ ‘bot will, almost, always point you in the right direction. If you follow it, turn-by-turn is a breeze.
Here is my next Inktober 2024 drawing. The prompt for Day 30 is “VIOLIN”
This musician ’bot just played its mechanical heart out, to prove itself against a most dangerous opponent. Queue the Charlie Daniel’s Band.
“My name’s Johnny, and it might be a sin. But I’ll take your bet and you’re gonna regret ‘cause I’m the best there’s ever been”
I, personally, don’t like prompts like this—that are so specific and not open to much interpretation—especially at the end of the challenge.
Here is my final Inktober 2024 drawing. The prompt for Day 31 is “LANDMARK”
I’m tired and burned out, so forgive me if this one turns a few corners to get there.
This pottery ’bot discovered something, while eating cheese fries, as it was turning a new vase. With a few scrapes of its fork, this vase started looking like a familiar ‘landmark’. The vision for this particular natural monument came to it, right after a recent close encounter.
Here’s a quick recap of the work that I did for Inktober 2024. Congratulations to everyone who was able to make it through the challenge as well.
I decided to participate in my 4th March of Robots, an online drawing challenge conceived by DaCosta Bayley founder of Chocolate Soop Studio. Every March, artists all over the world take on this challenge by doing one robot drawing a day the entire month - 31 total. My goal of the challenge was to improve my drawing skills, but frankly, I just love drawing robots.
Here is the prompt list for 2024 MoR:
DAY 01:
Time to kick off March of Robots 2024. The prompt for Day 1 is FIRST
This “FIRST” AID bot is always ready for quick, high-tech repairs to any other ‘bot that’s been injured or damaged.
DAY 02:
This is my next submission for March of Robots 2024. The prompt for Day 2 is BALLOON
This Helium Tank‘bot is programmed to entertain kids of all ages. It knows over 23 different “BALLOON” shapes that can be twisted and formed into your favorite character or animal.
DAY 03:
This is my next submission for March of Robots 2024. The prompt for Day 3 is ROAD
In the future, when it comes to dealing with those annoying potholes in the ‘ROAD’, this steamroller, asphalt ‘bot is the industrial strength solution.
It’ll be there to keep hover car free from…
…wait… It’ll be there to keep other road maintenance ‘bots free from damage.
DAY 04:
This is my next submission for March of Robots 2024. The prompt for Day 4 is SMALL.
Sometimes a nano ‘bot is just what the doctor ‘bot orders to cure any mechanical ailments. They’re ‘SMALL’ enough to dig deep into vital systems and remove any virus infection.
DAY 05:
This is my next submission for March of Robots 2024. The prompt for Day 5 is TEAM.
This Fan ‘bot is full of ’TEAM’ spirit and can be configured with your team colors, logos and accessories. It’s programmed to continually cheer for them, even if they are losing. As a bonus feature, this ‘bot knows the lyrics to many songs like “Who Let the Dogs Out”, We Are the Champions” “Don’t Stop Believing” and “Eye of the Tiger”.
DAY 06:
This is my next submission for March of Robots 2024. The prompt for Day 6 is EYES.
Nothing gets past this Surveillance ‘bot. With over a dozen, autofocus, motion sensing and infrared cameras, it has ‘EYES’ in every corner of the room.
DAY 07:
This is my next submission for March of Robots 2024. The prompt for Day 7 is FACTORY.
This ‘FACTORY’ ‘bot is not necessarily the cleanest running machine, but it can mass produce any product, with the highest quality. Don’t worry about shipping. It can produce things right in your back yard.
DAY 08:
This is my next submission for March of Robots 2024. The prompt for Day 8 is KING.
When the prompt is ‘KING’, there is no other option, but to do a new one of The King. This drawing of Elvis ‘bot, is a full-bodied version of a freelance piece I did, back in April 2022 (see second slide). My client had asked me to make a robot Elvis, so that he can get a tattoo made of it (scroll way down my feed if you want to see it).
DAY 09:
This is my next submission for March of Robots 2024. The prompt for Day 9 is TANK.
In a surprise inspection, this soldier ’TANK’ ‘bot was caught off guard and out of uniform. However, tank tops are considered regulation underwear.
DAY 10:
This is my next submission for March of Robots 2024. The prompt for Day 10 is CREATURE.
This machine is the horrible result of an experiment that went wrong. This race of three-headed aliens tried to morph with their Artificial Intelligence technology and ended up getting absorbed and turned into autonomous ‘CREATURE’ ‘bots.
DAY 11:
This is my next submission for March of Robots 2024. The prompt for Day 11 is RING.
This ol’school Telephone ‘bot will always ’RING’ when someone calls. It’s also capable of reaching out to your contacts, as long as there’s a hard line connection and the calls are local. Any long distance calls will incur some additional fees. The good news is that you’ll never forget a phone number.
DAY 12:
This is my next submission for March of Robots 2024. The prompt for Day 12 is CREATOR.
This Content ‘CREATOR’ ‘bot has one primary function: to grow its audience to a gazillion followers and become upgraded to Influencer ‘bot status. Too bad, nobody cares much about the daily life of a robot.
DAY 13:
This is my next submission for March of Robots 2024. The prompt for Day 13 is SHALLOW.
This model of ‘bot is only rated as water resistant, not waterproof. Full submersion is not recommended. You can understand its safety precautions, even when getting into ‘SHALLOW’ swimming pools.
DAY 14:
This is my next submission for March of Robots 2024. The prompt for Day 14 is HAND.
This detail ‘bot is programmed to ‘HAND’ wash and wax each vehicle to give them each a showroom finish. Sometimes it takes an extra scrub to get off that re-entry char.
DAY 15:
This is my next submission for March of Robots 2024. The prompt for Day 15 is DOLL.
Upon their arrival to the new planet, this ‘bot was impressed with the large number of ’DOLL’ houses that were available to play with. However, all of the included dolls seemed to scurry away before playtime began.
Halfway through this challenge and the ideas are starting to become a stretch.
DAY 16:
This is my next submission for March of Robots 2024. The prompt for Day 16 is TREASURE.
Keeping its loot close to the heart, this pirate ‘bot has redefined the idea of ‘TREASURE’ chest. Now, there’s no need to bury their booty and ‘x’ no longer marks the spot.
BTW, thanks goes to my wife, for helping me come up with idea like this, or at least, pushing me in the right direction.
DAY 17:
This is my next submission for March of Robots 2024. The prompt for Day 17 is ICE.
At the ‘ICE’ rink, this confectioner ‘bot serves ICE cream by the scoop, delivered at blazing speeds. Just don’t ask for the extra salted caramel. The drippings really messes with the rink.
DAY 18:
This is my next submission for March of Robots 2024. The prompt for Day 18 is PAINT.
It turns out, this master artist ‘bot isn’t as talented as the critics claim. Most of its works of art, were actually done with ‘PAINT’ by numbers.
DAY 19:
This is my next submission for March of Robots 2024. The prompt for Day 19 is EIGHT.
Even robots need a good ‘EIGHT’ hours of sleep at night. If not, their productivity goes way down.
DAY 20:
This is my next submission for March of Robots 2024. The prompt for Day 20 is GAME.
For this prompt, I couldn’t think of a appropriate ‘GAME’ from my childhood, better than Rockem Sockem Robots. And for a fun twist, I thought it would be funny to have them playing a round of the game Twister.
DAY 21:
This is my next submission for March of Robots 2024. The prompt for Day 21 is CLIMB.
This astronaut had to use a really tall ladder to ‘CLIMB’ to the head of this non-functioning, derelict ‘bot. He was hoping to figure out a way to reactivate it.
DAY 22:
This is my next submission for March of Robots 2024. The prompt for Day 22 is LEVEL.
Ever since the accident, this waiter ‘bot has had trouble keeping its serving tray ‘LEVEL’. Most drinks would end up getting served half full and the some of the food would end up on the floor.
DAY 23:
This is my next submission for March of Robots 2024. The prompt for Day 23 is CRAWL.
Even though St. Patrick’s Day was a week ago, this ‘bot has been doing a non-stop pub ‘CRAWL’, saving a few of the “souvenir” pint glasses. It’s not even Irish. The drink of choice is always the highest octane rocket fuel, but it certainly takes its toll.
DAY 24:
This is my next submission for March of Robots 2024. The prompt for Day 24 is STORY.
This typewriter ‘bot was inspired to write a ’STORY’ about flight. As it types out each page, they are sent via special delivery to the publisher.
DAY 25:
This is my next submission for March of Robots 2024. The prompt for Day 25 is BRIDGE.
This yoga ‘bot has every position programmed into its extensive memory, but it really likes to use all of its limbs to do the ‘BRIDGE’ Pose. Holding this posture, it finds perfect zen, while strengthening its core.
DAY 26:
This is my next submission for March of Robots 2024. The prompt for Day 26 is WILD.
I first learned about Peter Brown’s @peterbrownstudio book series of The Wild Robot, from the @dreamworks trailer for the upcoming movie based on those books. Since these are kids books (and my kids are grown), I don’t know much about them—or the main character Roz. However, I am fascinated by the idea of this ‘bot living in the ‘WILD’ and existing with nature.
I was inspired to do some fan art and make my version of #Roz as my solution to today’s prompt.
This is my next submission for March of Robots 2024. The prompt for Day 27 is SEED.
It’s an extremely slow process, but to make sure that every one has a chance, this gardener ’bot plants each ‘SEED’, one at a time.
DAY 28:
This is my next submission for March of Robots 2024. The prompt for Day 28 is BIRD.
When it’s not busy relaying long distance messages to the next solar system, this communication ‘bot spends its time doubling as a ‘BIRD’ bath for its feathered friends.
DAY 29:
This is my next submission for March of Robots 2024. The prompt for Day 29 is BOTTLE.
Running several calculations and complex equations, this ‘bot still can’t compute how they got this big ship into this ‘BOTTLE’. Obviously, it isn’t aware of the physics behind transporter technology—especially at this scale.
DAY 30:
This is my next submission for March of Robots 2024. The prompt for Day 30 is PLANT.
This newly vegan ‘bot still hasn’t grasped the concept behind a ‘PLANT’ based diet—which was clearly demonstrated its choice of food (fuel). This veggie burger was nearly impossible to consume.
DAY 31:
This is my final submission for March of Robots 2024. The prompt for Day 31 is BOAT.
Some of the most efficient forms of transportation for ‘bots are vehicles that are pedal powered. This hover ‘BOAT’ is a great example of that. With a few hundred spins of the pedals, and this bad boy will really start to move.
Here’s a quick recap of the work that I did for March of Robots 2024. Congratulations to everyone who was able to make it through the challenge as well.
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