Ballpoint pen: my first post
 

Well I don't know if this is going to post twice. My attachment was too big and I had to crop it down. But just in case it does not, the image is a close-up front, full-front, and back of a piece I did last year. I've always dreamed of becoming a full-time artist, however having the time is a different story. I only do one picture a year; not that it takes me that long, it's just the time, not enough hours in a day. This piece is in the neighborhood of 24" x 36". It's a standard medium point Papermate, on illustration board; total drawing time is 150 hours. My trademark is to frame the pen I used to draw it with inside. I would appreciate any and all comments

Robert Cowie

Robert,

Excellent illustration. I can offer no criticism but I wonder if the ink in the pens you are using is lightfast, archival etc. It would be a shame if the drawings eventually faded.

Ink?
 

I dont really understand what you said about the ink, The pens are just a standard Papermate med pt that you find in any office. I haven't yet seen any fading happen yet, friends have pictures I did ten years ago, when I first started using ballpoint. But Im used to it now, I like the smooth flow a ballpoint gives me verses a rapidograph or something else. Thanks for your comments

Robert,

What you can do to test for lightfastness is make up a sample drawing (or scribble) on your regular paper, cover half of it with solid black card and put it under glass in a sunny spot for a few weeks. Examine it every so often and if there is no fading after a reasonable period of time, you know you have a product that will stand the test of time.

Usually you don't notice fading if the whole piece fades because your eyes adjust to the changes.

The other thing you need to consider is the paper you draw on because if it has an acid content, it will yellow and go blotchy in a few year (old newspaper being the best example). Also if the ink base in the pen is acid it can cause problems.

You will probably find that the pens are OK. I am a bit pedantic about this subject because I have lost a few pieces along the way through inadvertently using inferior materials.

Thanks again for your help, I will try that test piece as soon as I get a chance. I do use acid free board, as well as frame it under UV protecting glass. But I will say that if you have any piece you either buy or created for yourself, you should try and keep it out of direct sunlight anyway. But you got me thinking, I wonder if those older pieces I did so long ago ARE in fact faded and I just don't notice it. How depressing. If so I will have a series of invisible people sooner or later.