DrawWithMike.net

Hello all! I wish everyone a Happy New Year! I want to express my gratitude for this site, Mike, Linda, et al!

I've been busy knitting emotional support chickens, but I forgot that I needed one, too. It's time to get back into everything drawing.

I wonder if anyone has opinions about ball point pen drawing? I see lots of impressive hyperrealism done in ballpoint. I've tried it. The shading can be delicate and builds up.

It takes patience and a stroke set on paper is a commitment. Several fist-fulls of cheap pens later, I am wondering if this should be taken on for serious projects? Are they archival? Does that matter?

They surely are fun! I have several brands. I'm liking best of all Pentel RSVP fine and medium. Trust me, I have a lot of different brands - Bic, Papermate Ink Joy and everything unmarked I could grab around the house.

In the right hands, ballpoint can be an excellent medium - if rather unforgiving.

Take a look at Vincent's work. I've been running his website since 2004. It's now static as Vincent has retired to take up tattooing, and battling his cancer, but you will be impressed: RURAL-ROUTE-ONE.com. He has tutorials, too. Here's one taken randomly: I used to use the medium myself a lot during my school days and at college. I could never resist illustrating essays - so, homework consisted of a half hour essay with an hour and half illustrating it. They've demolished my old school to make way for houses, but this was the copse (small wood) and pond in the corner of the sports field:

Your teachers must have loved grading your work Mike! My first introduction to art was using pen and ink, so I can relate. Vincent’s work is absolutely stunning!

Thanks so much! I am impressed with both your work and Vincent's. I am actually blown away by his work. I'm sorry to hear that he is battling cancer. I'm inspired! I've seen some interesting work done with ballpoint. I have also seen some comment that it's not really fine art because it's not archival / lightfast. That said, watercolor might not always be lightfast, either. Looking at your work, I believe that the fine art aspect of any work has more to do with the artist than the materials used. Thanks so much!