So we're all familiar with ballpoint pens, but do most of us ever consider it as a medium used in drawing? Firstly, I'll bore/interest you with some background info.

The History

It took three different inventors and almost 60 years to develop this modern writing (art) instrument. The first patent for this invention was issued on October 30, 1888, to a man named John J. Loud. His ballpoint pen consisted of a tiny rotating ball bearing that was constantly coated with ink by a reservoir above it. While this invention worked, it was not well suited for paper because it leaked and caused smearing. Two other inventors, Ladislas Biro and his brother Georg, improved on Loud's invention and came up with their own version. Their one became the first commercially significant ballpoint pen. These pens still leaked, but not as badly. They became popular worldwide, reaching the height of sales in 1944. The next year another inventor, Baron Marcel Bich, finally solved the leakage problem and began manufacturing Bic pens in Paris.

Other background

The ballpoint pen was developed as a solution to the problems related to writing with a fountain pen. Fountain pens require the user to constantly refresh the pen by dipping its tip in ink. This is not necessary with a ballpoint pen because it is designed with its own ink reservoir, which uses capillary action to keep the ink from leaking out. At the tip of the pen is a freely rotating ball seated in a socket. Only part of this ball is exposed; the rest of it is on the inside of the pen and is constantly being bathed by ink from the reservoir. Pressing the tip of the pen on the writing surface causes the ball to roll. This rolling action then transfers ink from the inside of the pen to the writing surface.

While different designs of ballpoint pens are available, many of the components are the same. Common components include a ball, a point, ink, an ink reservoir or cartridge, and an outer housing. Some pens are topped with a cap to prevent it from leaking or having its point damaged. Other pens use a retractable point system for the same reason. Here a small spring is attached to the outside of the ink reservoir, and when a button is pushed, the point is either exposed or retracted. Still other varieties of ballpoint pens have multiple ink cartridges, making it possible to write in different colors using one pen.

Info credits: [link]

Anyway, biro art hasn't received the same praise as other mediums such as graphite or digital. Some don't consider it a proper tool to draw with and others love the control they have when using a biro. However, it's been believed the ballpoint pen has become a popular art medium in recent years. Some say it's the low price and the simplicity of using one tool and needing little preparation compared to other media such as painting or charcoal.
The drawings that I have discovered on dA have taken my breath away because of the talent and the skill each artist has. I hope you enjoy them as much as I do! Feel free to comment and fav these sensational pieces and thanks to all the artists for allowing me to showcase their drawings!
If you are interested in viewing more realistic biro art off dA, I suggest you visit these links:

Ferran Serra Ferrer: [link]
Jerry Stith: [link]
Juan Francisco Casas: [link]
Emma Cox: [link]
Darren Bayley: [link]




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