: Smooth, heavy paper works best to prevent the ink from bleeding or tearing the surface. Exercise: Building Value Draw a long, narrow rectangle. Divide it into five equal squares. Leave the first square white.
: Follow the object's curve to show three-dimensional shape. Stippling : Use dots for soft gradients or grainy textures.
Ballpoint pen sketching is a rewarding medium because it forces you to embrace "mistakes" and build texture through layering. Since you cannot erase, your focus shifts from perfection to capturing form and value. Core Techniques
Fill the middle squares with increasing layers of ink to create a smooth gradient.
: Wipe the pen tip frequently on a scrap paper to prevent ink blobs.
: Use "ghost" lines (barely touching the paper) to map out proportions first.
Fill the last square as dark as possible using cross-hatching.
Specific you want to sketch (portraits, landscapes, or objects) Interest in color (classic blue/black vs. multi-color sets)
