How To Draw Confidently with A Ballpoint Pen

[@cosmickittens7237]

I started drawing with a ballpoint pen about 12 years ago. I've tried going back to pencil but it's not happening. There's just something very satisfying about using a ballpoint pen

[@RapNeverDie]

What is the best Ballpoint pen?

[@cosmickittens7237]

I like to use the bic orange original fine point 0.8mm. Not sure if its the best, but its done me good. ​@Maarv15

[@JONSEY101]

As an artist myself, both in the traditional sense and digital, I love using a ballpoint pen to draw with. I've done so for many years now. For those who start out with it, you might feel a little anxious, but it will pass. Avoid trying to create perfection. You'll improve greatly over time. Also, avoid the whole, drawing very slowly or what I call furring. That's when you draw, say, a line or circle with little scratch like movements. Doing so will make your edges look a little like fur rather than nice, confident lines. Keep things loose and relaxed. With practice, it's very possible, if that's your aim, to create very realistic drawings with a ballpoint pen. I do so myself, and you can find other artists who do too. It takes time and practice, definitely getting a feel for the pen and what it's capable of us important too. I have found, as have many artists, Bic pens to be really good for drawing. One, because they are relatively cheap to buy, but there is something about the way the ink flows and the control you can have once you master it. You can also get them in a few different sizes too, including a fine one, which can be helpful. When using one, it's important to use another piece of paper from time to time so that you can whipe the tip as it gets a build-up of fine paper fibres. Avoid using kitchen towels to clean it as that can cause more problems as it's a soft paper. Use normal paper, tilt the pen tip at an angle, and wipe the part that holds the ball in place. That way, you avoid some terrible marks or smudges being made by the pen as it builds up ink on those fibers, which then gives you less ink flow control. A great video and love watching them. You have a fantastic art style which I enjoy seeing how you achieve things in the way that you do. Remember, in art, you are always learning.

[@jillanasanger]

as someone that first saw your art about a while back, i screamed "HOW DOES HE DO THESE PERFECT THINGS WITH PEN?!?!", gladly you made this, and it helped lol.

[@artunblock9433]

I think it's a great thing to change your art medium from time to time

[@ПетърТрифонов]

Keep up the good work man !! Your videos are really educational !!

[@carlosseijas7596]

Really cool piece as always!

[@legendinmysparetime985]

Love this channel! Thank you for all of your great content and wonderful tips!

[@cozmoznova]

I swear to god u can read minds, I was just looking for a way to make my lines for confident lmao. Perfect now i can watch yours.

[@julianab03]

I'm a 20 y/o girl and I really like sketching with pen but I get sad because I can't draw like you or other artists, then I remember your years of experience and that gives me hope, thank you for the advice!

[@birdcrossing]

in my experience its all repetition, yet still going out of your comfort zone. once you get comfortable with one thing onto the next thing.

[@n_arf]

I Love dragons!! thanks for sharing your process

[@mercuriodev5663]

Thanks man, it was a really therapeutic session. I really enjoy it. lt would be cool have a way to share all the sketches people did here. Thanks a lot.

[@mariabrown6890]

I too love to sketch. In watching you work i find tremendous satisfaction. That in itself leaves me to ponder the unimaginable feeling our creator must get at all of his work.

[@edgymarshmellow8493]

I turned to your videos because they’re very relaxing, and honestly I’ve learned more about concept art from you than most other places. I agree with you 100% you can’t take shortcuts if you want to learn correctly, and by using a pen I found it way easier to see where I am lacking experience and how to correct it better next time. It’s also very relaxing.

[@shadowsofnightmares8347]

Beautiful dragon drawing and great tips as always. You are my favorite art channel! Always makes me feel better

[@rynsart]

ive been doing a study on kentaro miura while listening to 3 of your vids (might be the best thing ive ever made). Your commentary is engaging and fun to listen to, your art is great too. Really love the way you draw.

[@ProjectKhopesh]

I tell everyone I mentor in the arts to sketch with ballpoint pens, at least, sometimes. You learn more stroke control, confidence and flexibility to roll with "happy accidents" with permanent mediums like ink and paint than you ever will with pencils or CRTL-Z digital art. Erasable pencil is fine for some things, and I love working with Undoable layers and masks, but pens greatly help with some skill development. Great video!

[@lanigirognithemos]

When drawing a creature you should always start with the head and end with....... defeat........ get it? 🤣🤣🤣 btw I found that drawing dragon/bat wings in perspective is one of the hardest things to figure out because the fact that, unlike bird wings, bat wings have fingers and it makes the wings way more agile and the impact of the wind when the wing is in action makes it go in all kinds of ways so it's very hard to figure out in perspective! Still working on it though cause I'm starting to figure it out :)

[@dwbpicture]

I am Enjoy your Drawing Sir

[@asassin0735]

At the moment. really big help for me. I have somewhat of an burnout from digital art so I am sketching and I do like to sketch while watching these

[@Procione07]

This is absolutly my favorite youtube channel. I didn't miss a video in the last 6 mounth i guess. I saw every content uploded but i still want to see and improve this style and technics. Ty Bob for ur art and for ur lessons.🙇🏻

[@diegokioshi]

Man, please post more videos woth a full sketch art. Full length videos. Its great to see your creations.

[@armandblake]

I really struggle with colours but I know my way with ball pen and values. That’s because at school I was always drawing next to taking notes and the pen was all I had.

[@prix_Ilustração]

Amazing, gonna try ball point pen and see what comes out...

[@the_Kukuland]

This is a really cool video. Committing to lines is definitely something I have to work on. As always your designs are amazing I would love to see a video of your process on making humanoid creatures.

[@dennis96369]

Jou the "drawing feels like a job" part hit different... im gonna start to draw again. But i feel like im gonna do it different. Thank you very much ❤

[@ArgadoMarak]

Ouuuhhhh yeaah😂😂 so enjoyabel the explanation and all

[@Grumpydude78]

I really enjoy watching you drawing. The mix between explaining thoughts and slow drawing and timelapse keeps my interest of watching the whole thing. The only thing I kinda dislike is that the drawing isn't finished. Quite unsatisfactory. But apart from that: keep it up, I' ll watch it.😎👍

[@GeekNinj4]

Thanks for another great video! I especially enjoyed your talk on "Sketching freely" ( 23:30 ), I often find myself struggling because I am trying to "draw perfect" but forget my best works came from drawing freely and working with what works.

[@blakeharp2255]

Absolutely inspiring! I’m running out to get a new sketchbook now. :-)

[@Eltemplodelermitano]

Gracias maestro! Aprendo y motiva muchos verte dibujar!

[@colinreid325]

wow, I see the value of visits to natural history museums. The other ballpoint I like is the Staedtler Stick pen.

[@ryancurry1457]

An excellent creature and video.

[@chewedgum3001]

Sir, I have every reason to believe that you are the Bob Ross of creature design

[@oo-jj9xv]

Nothing beats pen!!

[@arthurtenorioarts]

In the video u made of Milanote, the thumbnail is actually some Houses and structures you made. Is there a chance you make a video on how to construct those and even props for concept art? Id like to see your "loose sketching" method constructing those! Cheers, Bobby!

[@ghost2031]

Lovely Video. Please make a Digital Drawing/Painting tutorial.

[@EdDIE-lt5wu]

I prefer a round point medium bic pen myself great video 💯

[@nonifuji1566]

I think I struggle with managing multiple objects that have different perspectives, especially when it's either the shape or the angle that gets crazy. Is that just my anxiety with drawing or is there any useful tip for that?

[@taylorcouz526]

What if you drew the wall rider from outlast😢?

[@Oblivionator100]

Painting and sculpting are art, but that isn't aside from the idea of commitment to chaos. The reason its better to paint with a brush or sculpt with rough tools is that they introduce chaos, and you have to learn to accept that chaos and embrace the fact that sometimes randomness in the physics of a system can inspire a better design than the perfect picture in your head. Even in digital sculpting, getting the overlaying texture of actual shaped brushes gives randomness, and I often use that randomness to inspire shapes and details.

[@InkRebellion]

ooo i want to draw a dragon now :)

[@famberlight]

I want to try it with Micron 005 (0.20mm), would the same technique apply to a non-ballpoint pen? Is there any difference in approaching drawing with it?

[@bobbyrebholz2183]

Microns are best for inking comics. It's a different kind of liquid ink and depending on the thickness, you won't be able to shade with it nearly as well as having a ballpoint.

[@Samuell8]

Nice work! What's the song you used for the last bit of the video?

[@bobbyrebholz2183]

Thanks! It's a licensed song from the KZbin audio library called "Satya Yuga" by Jesse Gallagher.

[@kyststudio-epicartadventure]

Have you ever used those erase-able ballpoints that turn permanent in a few days/hours?

[@bobbyrebholz2183]

I may have. Can't remember.

[@xell1312]

THX❤❤❤ I'll share your recordings.

[@emmanuelmartinez3217]

Amazon type shit you can find it all type art tips 🎉 you underrated

[@natanel398]

More ballpoint pen!

[@nailbomb420]

Once again petitioning for you to show the end picture ;)

[@bobbyrebholz2183]

I promise those are coming😃

[@Ilsecannon-w9r]

I am a rank beginner, saw beast drawing and would like to sign up beginning with the first. You have charm, talent and are a fine teacher, Funny, too. I would appreciate a response. thanks, Ilse

[@bobbyrebholz2183]

Hi Ilse, first of all, thank you! Please join our Discord. Also check out the workshop website.

[@businessmanperson7874]

Can you try a video with a brush pen

[@charleslanphier8094]

Sharpening a pencil changes the line too much. This is interesting.

[@bobbyrebholz2183]

No, your hand changes the line. Sharpening it just helps you make it look better.

[@titanmesozoicgd6943]

claws are fun tbh

[@Husain5XG]

My school desk is just full of pen sketches, so i guess that's how i practiced with it lol Edit: i also figured out some of the tricks while doing that, like graphite trick you would see in pencil,

[@captain.awesome4172]

Im more confident with a pen than a pencil. I make a mistake with pen...then thats it its a mistake, carry on. Pencil i rub it out and try and make it better over over more accurate....drives me insane lol

[@bobbyrebholz2183]

It's crazy, right?! It's almost like you're holding the tool that could cause you the most anguish and yet, it sets you free because it forces you to concentrate more.

[@matthewcapriglione2648]

How often in a real world situation will a client ask for a traditional sketch/drawing opposed to a digital one? And how would you suggest going about improving one’s skills traditionally to transfer and be beneficial to digital applications?

[@bobbyrebholz2183]

When it comes to clients, they really don't care how you go about the design process. But if they specifically ask for a digital illustration at the end, then you have to honor that. Creature designers such as Stephen Oakley(Santa Monica Studio) still sketch traditionally. Then he scans it in to add digital touchups. As far as improving skills, you must draw every day. Check out my videos.

[@kool4209]

I always laughed at that "how do i draw from imagination?"..........uh its all reference....there are no real dragons so you combine a Komodo Dragon and a Crocodile......etc etc The Pegasuses, is a horse with either angel like wings or bat like ones. So to draw from imagination go look at the world....take in all forms of visual ques because something will stand out, maybe a perspective you find interesting, now you have the setup for the Shibuya Incident.... The things you imagine are based off reference.