Joer_B's Uploads

Imani standing akimbo with hands on her hips. One detail and several in-progress scans. Model: Imani.

Meadhbh massaging her neck kink after posing. Bic4 Ballpoint Pen on Archival 9” x 12” paper. Model: Meadhbh (Maeve).

Meadhbh standing while clasping her forearm. Two drawing details along with two in-progress scans of my technique: red Bic pen layer first, then green layer and finally the yellow ink layer. Bic4 Ballpoint Pen on Archival 9” x 12” paper. Model: Meadhbh (Maeve).

Hand pose 8 with one detail and work progression shots - started with the red pen layer, then green and finally the yellow ink (feature image).

I’m often asked about my Bic pen drawings and how I do them. It starts with a good foundational drawing, the ballpoint pen part is just trying to colour within the lines. I try to do my best to explain the process, but the best way to show my progress is by posting my efforts to master pen drawings over the span of 3 or so years. I have been doodling/drawing with ballpoint pens as far back as I can remember - they were cheap, readily available and always lying around the house. It wasn’t until I was bored during a particularly long team meeting-conference call (around 2016-17) that I started to think about the possibilities of ballpoint pens as serious portrait illustration tools. My first experiments with full colour ink portrait drawings were rather crude, but that’s the point of learning new techniques—as long as the curiosity and the love of drawing is there, you can transfer that skill and passion into any medium. Remember, the most exquisite drawings and paintings you see didn’t materialise fully formed, they started out as failed experiments. Failure after failure after failure. It’s important to remember this when you get discouraged (I've failed spectacularly over the years). The only difference between the accomplished artist and the beginner is hundreds of hours of practice. Talent can only get you so far. It’s the hard work that you do behind the scenes that makes your work look effortless. Keep doodling. Keep learning. Stay curious.

Imani seated, massaging her neck and shoulders. I may have overworked this one. Charcoal pencils on 9” x 12” brown sketchbook paper.

Model Ruth resting on a platform covered by red bed sheets. Bic4 Ballpoint Pen on Archival 9” x 12” paper.

Drawing Prompt Submission

Abandoned drawing of Ellie wearing a black turtleneck. The lighting in the room was terrible and the black fabric hid a lot of the shadow detail of the folds and it frustrated me. That’s my excuse anyway… Model: Ellie.

Quick sketchbook portrait of Yolanda. Bic4 Ballpoint Pen, Yellow Micron pen on Archival 9” x 12” paper.

Meadhbh sitting on a bar stool and twisting to her right. Bic4 Ballpoint Pen on Archival 9” x 12” paper. Model: Meadhbh (Maeve).

Situational awareness is important these days. Pre-pandemic, I sometimes take my doodles to coffee shops during my lunch breaks and relax for half an hour or so by mindlessly scribbling/shading with my Bic pen. People usually leave me alone but this drawing made me realise that not everyone wants to see a man drawing a naked man. A few people took exception to my subjects’ lack of clothing and made their displeasure known by telling me. Suffice to say, I try not to go into coffee shops anymore while working on subject matter that might offend anyone. Bic4 Ballpoint Pen on 9” x 12” Archival paper. Model: Malik_E

Hand and drapery sketchbook drawing. This combo never gets old for me. Faber-Castell PITT pastel pencils, charcoal pencils on 9” x 12” Strathmore Toned Grey sketchbook paper.

A few more sketchbook drawings of my hand.

Second drawing of Amy with her arms up. Based on an earlier sketch that I’ve posted. Bic4 Ballpoint Pen, Hello Kitty 10 Colour Ballpoint Pen on 9” x 12” Archival paper. Model: Amy_D

From a wonderful photograph by Mr. Georges Courreges.

Bic4 Ballpoint Pen, Hello Kitty 10 Colour Ballpoint Pen on 9” x 12” Archival paper. Model: JessicaW

A drawing of Amy with her hair braided and tied with a red silk sash.

A charcoal study of Gian Lorenzo Bernini’s last known work and his masterpiece. An appropriate post for today.

Another sketch of my hand