Joer_B's Uploads

Bic4 Ballpoint Pen, Sanrio Novelty 10 Colour Ballpoint Pen on Archival 8.5" x 11" Paper.

Overwhelmed...started as a little tiny sketchbook sketch and turned into my statement about recent events. It complements my previous post "Fevered Dreams." Bic ballpoint pen on archival 9” x 12” paper, scanned into Photoshop where the text overlay was added. Model: Jose

The sketchbook doodle that turned into something special. To this day, it’s still one of my favourite drawings. Pencil, Charcoal Pencil, Pastel Pencils on 9” x 12” Strathmore Archival Sketchbook Paper.

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

Imagining a better future in the time of COVID isolation seems like a fevered dream. Bic4 Ballpoint Pen, Sanrio Novelty 10 Colour Ballpoint Pen on Archival 8.5" x 11" paper

Nat checking her email. The polar fleece blanket colour and texture didn't turn out the way I wanted it to. Bic4 Ballpoint Pen, Sanrio Novelty 10 Colour Ballpoint Pen on Archival 8.5" x 11" paper

Bic4 Ballpoint Pen, Sanrio Novelty 10 Colour Ballpoint Pen on Archival 8.5" x 11" paper. A breakdown of the Bic4 pen and No-name 10 colour pen layering that I’ve used. Drawing in a single direction instead of using back-and-forth movement alleviates some of the blotching that happens when using ballpoint pens. The back-and-forth method usually deposits the gunk that builds up on the tip of the ballpoint, smearing them in unexpected and unfortunate places on the drawing. When using the back-and-forth method, I usually have a napkin handy in order to clean the tip of the pen. Model: Meadhbh (Maeve)

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

Naomi grooving and swaying to some classic blues by Johny Hartman. Bic4 Ballpoint Pen, Novelty 10 Colour Ballpoint Pen on Archival 9" x 12" paper

Bic4 Ballpoint Pen, Sanrio Novelty 10 Colour Ballpoint Pen on Archival 8.5" x 11" paper Quick ballpoint sketch of Mr. Batman (that’s why it’s a little wonky).

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

A close friend recently lost their family pet, Joey. As a tribute gift, I did his portrait. I usually just draw people, so this presented quite the challenge for me. I have never attempted to draw animals/pets. Bic4 Ballpoint Pen, Sanrio Novelty 10 Colour Ballpoint Pen on Archival 8.5" x 11" paper

A challenging media—Crayola wax crayons! A self-portrait: I find that I’m grasping for something that always seems to be out of my reach. I didn’t bother to enter the official competition because I don’t have access to the specific colour set that they specified in the brief. I did enjoy drawing this self portrait with a medium I would not have considered. An awesome change of pace!

Bic4 Ballpoint Pen, Sanrio Novelty 10 Colour Ballpoint Pen on Archival 8.5" x 11" paper. Inspired by Charles Dana Gibson’s “Woman: The Eternal Question” (supposedly a drawing of his muse Evelyn Nesbit). I’ve always loved Gibson’s loose, graphical penwork. Working hard to be more ‘loose’ with my pen drawings. Model: Meadhbh (Maeve)

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

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.

Drawing Prompt Submission

From a wonderful photograph by Mr. Georges Courreges.

Drawing Prompt Submission

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

The one subject that I don’t like to draw, so I have to force myself to draw them. Whenever I do draw them, they end up looking weird.