INKtober 2026 - ZIP
I hardly recognise my own account anymore. None of the things I was involved in not so long ago seem to be on my account now.
The prompt is ‘Zip’. You can interpret this however you like. As I’m writing this, I suddenly remember ‘Zip your lips’, wasn’t that some sort of hunger strike? The reason has escaped me, but it certainly didn’t make much of an impression, which is a good reason not to remember it.
‘ZIP’ can be interpreted in several ways, and I’m going with the fairy tale of The Little Mermaid. She longed to be human. Oh well, everyone has their dreams. Wanting to be someone else is a common desire; it’s why celebrities and influencers have so many followers. The sort of followers who quickly disappear as soon as the person they’re following stumbles. The Little Mermaid made that mistake too; she misjudged the situation. Instead of marrying her, the prince married the one he’d seen and whom he thought had saved him. There you are, just watching. You’ve given your voice to artificial legs that are useless when it really matters. Every step you take hurts terribly and feels as if a razor blade were cutting into your feet. And so, voiceless, in a body that doesn’t really fit you, you’re left to watch as the one you’re in love with makes out with someone else, only to eventually turn into sea foam.
I thought about giving my mermaid a zip for her mouth, but I reckon the fact that she’s clutching her throat says enough about the fact that not a peep comes out. I’ve put the zip elsewhere; after all, she’s undergoing a metamorphosis. The sort of change she hasn’t really thought through.
Incidentally, the word for a teenage girl in love in Dutch is ‘bakvis’, not very flattery, but this definitely applies to the Little Mermaid too. And for anyone wondering: I’ve no idea if there’s a similar word for boys in love.
As I was already a day behind yesterday and hadn’t even finished the drawing from the day before yesterday, I did the sketch whilst waiting on the platform for the train. I did this with the idea of finishing it once I got home. I chose a black ballpoint pen for this, but as it kept smudging, I gave up and went off to do something else. It’s not easy to draw in the dark, and I’ve also noticed that I see things differently then than when there’s more daylight.
So I finished the drawing today, and I reckon it took me a good four hours. I’m actually quite disappointed by how long it took, because at the start it all seems to go very quickly.
To be honest, I didn’t enjoy the work, especially the rocks. I don’t like all that scratching. Whilst I was scratching away, I did think about going over it with an ink wash or watercolour, but I didn't feel to get up off the sofa to take what is needed.
I just draw a few lines, fill in a bit here and a bit there, and that’s how the drawing took shape. As for this drawing, I also told myself it was time to stop, at a certain point it just takes too long, and I don’t feel it’s that great with a leaky ballpoint pen.
I’ve tried to hide the ink blots or incorporate them into the drawing, perhaps not ideal, but hopefully I’ll have more time in two days to work with the dip pen.
The Process
A part of the photos I took are so bad I will not invest time trying to upload them.
Issues
- My drawings are always bigger than intended.
- it takes too much time
- The BIC ballpoint leaks
- working in the dark blurted my vision
- if I make a sketch one day earlier most of the sketch is gone l.
Materials:
- sketchbook - bamboo paper
- pencil HB
- BIC ballpoint: black
27.10.26
INKtober prompt: ZIP
#artonsteemit #inktober #drawing #freewrite #inktober26 #creative #steemexclusive
You are good, that you are managing to keep a pace with the drawing, I missed once and then it just kept rolling, that was during my night shifts, I just skipped them, but will try to do some there are just few days left till end of the Inktober months.
I am glad that you made it happen here, you motivated people and you see that it is still active initiative.
I was thinking about Zip today I just could think about zip on the clothes, they could be short or long it could be a nice dress with a long zip in the back, that would be exposing beautiful back of a women or just zip on a bag that we open and shut so many times a day. My backpack zip is not working properly and I need to buy new bag soon.
I like the idea of mermaid and I love the story, although it is sad. I think when it comes to drawing, it is us, people who draw decide when the work is finished. Do not think about rocks and trees, you know about minimalistic drawing that is simple but beautiful “Less is more”. You did very good job, love the whole scene and this sad mermaid.
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My first thought was that zip-file, but no idea how attractive it is to draw that or how to implement it in a story.
The counted for "ram" also computer related, relic, and many more. It is just how you look at it.
Now you mention a broken zipper, if you ask me that is one of the biggest burdens, the one in a dress or pair of trousers included. Always open it not able to zip the coat. The quality of these things became bad.
I am not sure why I make those full drawings. Perhaps I find it more difficult to just place a few lines, although I have them in mind for "dumb".
It is hard to draw daily a complete drawing. Spread over a few days would be easier, now it remains hasty work in-between doing what has to be done. At least I can say I learned something.
It is good to see how active so many participated, although I believe it is already falling apart. At least we gave it a try.
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This is perhaps the most original interpretation of the Little Mermaid fairy tale... Andersen lived in a world that didn't yet know you could pull a zipper tab to unzip or detach something—though I suppose buttons already existed back then... but what about rivets? :)
Excellent execution of the drawing!
🤔 Perhaps glue made from bones, or Velcro. I suppose buttons already existed. I could have put the zip in place of her mouth, but I think that hand clasped around her throat already makes it clear enough that she can’t utter a word.
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In some old movie, I saw an opera singer warming up his neck and vocal cords before an aria :) Or maybe it’s the other way around... is a mermaid getting ready to perform something from Tosca—or perhaps Carmen? :)
Yes, you don’t hear much about warming up the voice these days either. I wonder what sort of voice Carmen has; if you work in a cigar factory, wouldn’t that affect your voice, or is that only the case if you smoke a lot?
Beautiful and quiet, like the sea witch most likely does the trick.
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When I was at the theater for Carmen, it was Maria Bieshu’s voice :)
AI:
A very interesting interpretation. But what is the name of "a girl in love" in Russian?
I have only the usual things from my youth in my head - a fool, an idiot. Maybe it sounds different in today's youth environment.
For a fish we fry or bake we would not use the word "bakvis". 🤔 No one would think of fish.
Who knows it means it is stupid to fall in love and you will be fried and consumed and next what is left thrown away?
That also means it is a warning and means boys/ men are not worth a girl's love and attention.
That's exactly the meaning I thought of.
The mermaid is a really good story that reflects the reality of life. People sacrificing so much only to end up being treated like that.