Sketching with a Pen? 3 Reasons to try sketching with a Ballpoint Pen

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VIDEO DESCRIPTION:
A pen does not allow us to erase but it also liberates us from being fixated on mistakes. In this video tutorial I share some simple tips that shows how a ballpoint can be a very effective tool for sketching and is a unique pen and ink drawing instrument.
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GENERAL DRAWING MATERIALS:
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SOCIAL MEDIA:

[juditthoma]

"It helps you be okay with making mistakes and moving on". I need this in my life. I'll try ballpoint pen sketching right now.

[brotdw]

Progress is truly more important than perfection!

[tommatthews]

I just wrote "Progress is more important than perfection" in huge letters in the front page of my sketchbook. I started drawing in pen about a year ago, because the idea of being able to draw has always excited me, but I'd only ever tried using pencil. I have a horrible habit of re-doing everything 10-15 times, and would usually barely make it beyond having a few lines on the page, due to constantly erasing what I'd drawn. Drawing with pen makes me think about what I'm going to do, and after it's done, I have to commit to it. You can't erase what you've done, so if you make a mistake you just have to keep going around it and improvise. Removing the crutch of feeling like every line had to be perfect is what let me actually enjoy sketching for the first time in my life, and I'm so glad it did.

[ndeyedraws]

Yes! Couldn't agree more with everything you said in the video! I used to sketch with pencil back then but since a year ago, I challenged myself to sketch with ballpoint pen instead and boy oh boy do I looovvveee that feeling of the scratchiness every time you draw a line on the paper. I've been sketching with pens ever since. I find the results of sketching with ballpoint pen really attractive, too. Plus they're crazy cheap, I bought a pack of 8 ballpoint pens for just a dollar, and they'll last you like forever! But I still got a lot to learn regarding those line weights, so thank you for the tips!

[MohamedAKarim]

I just LOVE watching the blank paper gets filled with some lines, and all of a sudden, a beautiful drawing is brought to life in front of your eyes.
Thanks for the beautiful videos

[Lisapizza]

I have both books. Very very helpful. I’m an artist all my life but have not been doing art for about five years. Your books were very helpful in helping me get that muscle memory back. Thank you.

[rich]

Thank you for another wonderful video! My wife and I are both inspired by your tutorials and books. We purchased both as wonderful additions to our drawing library. I'm going to try out some ballpoint pen sketching today! Thank you again for all of your marvelous contributions to art instruction!

[chrisbutters]

I started pen drawing recently (getting serious about drawing in general relatively recently) because it makes me not over think anything. I just go for it. I had no idea that pen drawing was such a thing. The book and this channel have been invaluable in this journey. Speaking of cheap, I also love that some of the cheapest pens do allow for better control and value ranges than some expensive ones too.

[shynebox]

Excellent vid, thanks. Always love using the orange Bic 0.5mm black ball points.

[jonli]

Excellent tutorial I just bought your book. Your great instructor tips are simple to follow that help enhance my art. Thank you very much

[eddieniven]

Hi Alphonso, it's so good to have you back. I love your tutorials, you are so good and I often just let your videos told through the evening just listening to what you have to say. You books are on my birthday list and I look forward to reading them. Thanks so much and please please please keep producing because they keep me going.
Chris

[LordZontar]

I've been doing more of this lately. Going for straight drawing with a ballpoint or gel pen without pencil guides, working without the net as it were. It's a great exercise especially as I've been experimenting with ways to speed up my drawing processes, and it forces me into a different decision set when I'm starting on a sketch in the book.

[effie]

I never know what to say because you have became one of the most important tools and persons in my journey to learning and improving my drawing. I have tried to use a ballpoint pen haha ugggg so difficult but being left handed I find I don't drag thru the ink like pencil unless its a crappy boogery pen. I have started to draw (practice) daily and wanted to thank you once more for all you have taught me and helped me to overcome. peace and joy always Effie (aka) Rainey.

[vocaloidsrock]

I use ballpoint pen mainly because it is the cheapest and most readily-available inking instrument. I usually start my drawings with pencil. I make the initial line work with pencil, and then i retrace my drawings' pencil lines with ballpoint pen.

[puppeli]

i like to be able to see my construction lines, so that i can later look back and see how i constructed my drawing. With pencil, the lines are not permanent, they will smudge. So i like to use a not too darkly colored ballpoint pen to sketch (like in pink, red, or turquoise) and then go over that with a black ballpoint pen to do the finished line art. I dont do that every time, only occasionally. But its nice to see how i used to construct my drawings years ago. Also ballpoint pens are an inexpensive way to make waterproof drawings. You can safely lay some watercolors on top of a ballpoint pen sketch.

[toequantumspace]

I got your first book finally!! It's superb and cool, perfect companion to your video tutorials!!

[waggy]

I've been on a wonderful drawing journey for the last few years in large part because of you alphonso. Hugely appreciate you ❤️🙏🙂

[syedsultan]

I learnt sketching because of ball point pen especially black n red it really developed my sketching skills also lighting n shadows

[kamisart]

I've been struggling with pencil, it's always not good enough to me. so I decided I'll draw only with pen in 2021, I wanna give a chance to my imperfection and feel my art. btw, great video, you're awesome

[booster-b]

I find your tutorials so helpful, you really inspire me te go pick up a pencil and start drawing