This post explores ballpoint pen drawing for beginners across four distinct tutorials; viewers are introduced to the versatility and potential of this common tool in creating detailed art. From Ms. Cooper’s focus on proper pen maintenance and technique for smooth shading to Stevenson’s recommendations on the best pens for realistic work, each tutorial offers unique insights into pen drawing.
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5 Tips for Ballpoint Pen Drawing. Filling a Sketchbook Spread with Faces
In this video, Jess from My Sketchbook takes viewers through a tutorial on sketching with ballpoint pens, offering practical tips for creating impressive sketches with this simple tool. She suggests sketching without worrying about mistakes, noting that not being able to erase can actually spark creativity. Jess shares how to start with light lines, gradually building up to darker values, and demonstrates the versatility of ballpoint pens in achieving a wide range of tones. She recommends practicing on scrap paper to get comfortable with the pen and discover how to create light and dark lines effectively. Jess illustrates drawing faces, and shows how to layer lines to build form and depth, and even experimenting with adding color to sketches.
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How to Draw with a Ballpoint Pen (Basics)
In this video, Ms. Cooper’s art class explores the basics of drawing with a ballpoint pen, using a Paper Mate InkJoy as an example. The tutorial highlights the need to regularly clean the pen tip to prevent ink buildup and guarantee smooth shading. You can acheive smooth shading by applying gentle pressure and drawing lines closely together rather than cross-hatching. Ms. Cooper demonstrates starting with medium values and then adding dark and light areas to build up the drawing’s value scale gradually. She also experiments with adding another pen color, carefully overlapping to maintain smooth transitions without leaving gaps. The key to successful ballpoint pen drawing is meticulous line placement and pen maintenance, offering a straightforward approach for beginners to practice and improve their pen drawing skills.
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Simple Ballpoint Pen Shading Tips
By Alphonso Dunn
This video dicusses the affordability and versatility of the ballpoint pen for ink drawing, especially for beginners or those just wanting to experiment. The presenter highlights how, despite its low cost, a ballpoint pen can produce impressive ink artwork and is perfect for practicing pen and ink drawing fundamentals.
The tutorial shares three key advantages of using a ballpoint pen: the ability to vary line weight, create lines with different values indicating shadow through thickness, and merge lines to create even tones, mimicking the effects achievable with a pencil. This ability to blend lines for subtle gradations is unique to ballpoint pens compared to other ink drawing instruments, offering a way to practice creating smooth transitions and nuanced shading with a simple, everyday tool.
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MUST HAVE BALLPOINT PENS FOR BEGINNERS
By DeMoose Art
In this video, DeMoose from Demoose Art shares his favorite ballpoint pens for creating realistic art, all under ten dollars. He reviews several pens, starting with the BIC Crystal pens, which he appreciates for their high quality and thick 1.6-millimeter tip that covers large areas quickly. However, he mentions that the yellow color is more neon than standard, which might not suit everyone’s needs.
DeMoose then moves on to the BIC Soft Feel pens, his top choice for black ink due to their comfortable grip and consistent ink flow. He appreciates these pens for their affordability and effectiveness in detailed drawing.
Next, he discusses the Daiso Japan pens, notable for their fine 0.7-millimeter tip, perfect for intricate details. Although excellent, these pens are hard to find, as Stevenson purchased them on eBay.
Ryman Stationery pens are praised for their authentic yellow ink, a rarity in ballpoint pens. DeMoose highlights their affordability and quality, though they’re only available in the UK.
Lastly, his favorite pens are Staedtler pens for their comfort, ink flow, and variety of colors. He does wish Staedtler would include yellow in their sets to make them perfect.
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