I didn’t plan to fall in love with drawing with a ballpoint pen—it just kind of happened. I was sketching during a lunch break with no pencil around and grabbed the only thing I had: a cheap blue pen. Something clicked. The ink felt smooth, the pressure control was surprisingly nuanced, and I couldn’t erase anything, which forced me to commit to every mark. Since then, ballpoint pen drawing has become one of my go-to techniques when I want to draw freely but with purpose.
If you’re curious about drawing with ballpoint pen techniques, I’ll walk you through some of the practical tips I’ve picked up, how I approach different types of drawings, and why this humble pen is actually one of the most versatile tools in my kit.
Table of Contents
Key Points
- Use pressure control to vary line weight and build subtle shading.
- Embrace the fact that you can’t erase—it builds confidence and forces creative decisions.
- Layering and crosshatching are essential techniques that look beautiful with ballpoint.
Why I Love Ballpoint Pens for Drawing
Ballpoint pens are cheap, portable, and weirdly elegant to draw with. The ink flow is responsive to pressure, which gives you the ability to go from whisper-light lines to deep, bold marks—all with the same pen. Unlike markers or gel pens, ballpoints are great for subtle layering. That’s why they work so well for shading.
I’ve used ballpoint pens for everything from quick gesture sketches to full, detailed portraits. It’s also my favorite tool for expressive drawing sessions and messy drawings where I want to loosen up and let go of control.
Drawing with Ballpoint Pen Techniques That Actually Work
These are the key techniques I rely on the most when drawing with a ballpoint pen. Each one has helped me build confidence, control, and texture in my sketchbook work over time.
Pressure control and layering
One of the best things about a ballpoint pen is how it responds to touch. If you draw very lightly, the ink barely shows—great for building layers.
I usually start most drawings by sketching the lightest lines I can. Then I slowly build up form by going over the areas that need more depth. It’s not quite like using a pencil—it’s closer to etching or engraving. You build value in tiny steps, often without realizing how rich it’s getting until you stop.
If you draw very lightly, the ink barely shows—great for building layers. I usually start most drawings by sketching the lightest lines I can. Then I slowly build up form by going over the areas that need more depth. It’s not quite like using a pencil—it’s closer to etching or engraving. You build value in tiny steps, often without realizing how rich it’s getting until you stop.
Crosshatching and scribble shading
Crosshatching and scribble shading have become second nature to me with ballpoint.
The ink doesn’t smear much, so I can hatch lines in different directions without worrying. I often curve my hatching lines to follow the form—around a cheekbone, over a bent knee—and it makes the drawings feel more sculptural. Scribble shading comes in handy when I want a soft gradient but don’t want the drawing to feel too tight. to me with ballpoint. The ink doesn’t smear much, so I can hatch lines in different directions without worrying.
I often curve my hatching lines to follow the form—around a cheekbone, over a bent knee—and it makes the drawings feel more sculptural. Scribble shading comes in handy when I want a soft gradient but don’t want the drawing to feel too tight.
Mistakes become part of the process
I used to be terrified of making mistakes with a pen. But once I stopped trying to avoid them and started seeing them as part of the process, I actually became more confident.
Now, if I mess up, I just work with it—turn it into a shadow, redraw the line darker, or build something new on top. That shift helped me loosen up, and honestly, it made drawing more enjoyable. with a pen. But once I stopped trying to avoid them and started seeing them as part of the process, I actually became more confident. Now, if I mess up, I just work with it—turn it into a shadow, redraw the line darker, or build something new on top. That shift helped me loosen up, and honestly, it made drawing more enjoyable.
Experimenting with paper and surfaces
Ballpoint also looks incredible on toned or textured paper. I’ve drawn on brown paper bags, cheap gray sketchbooks, and even over gessoed paper. When I’m feeling experimental, I’ll do a watercolor wash first, then draw on top once it’s dry. The contrast between the flowing paint and sharp pen lines is really satisfying.. I’ve drawn on brown paper bags, cheap gray sketchbooks, and even over gessoed paper. When I’m feeling experimental, I’ll do a watercolor wash first, then draw on top once it’s dry. The contrast between the flowing paint and sharp pen lines is really satisfying.
Combining ballpoint with other tools
Over the years, I’ve started combining ballpoint with other tools. Sometimes I’ll sketch with a pencil underneath and go over it in pen. Other times, I’ll add color with watercolor or colored pencils, or even toss in a highlighter for contrast. Because most ballpoint ink dries fast and doesn’t smear, it’s a great anchor for mixed media.. Sometimes I’ll sketch with a pencil underneath and go over it in pen. Other times, I’ll add color with watercolor or colored pencils, or even toss in a highlighter for contrast. Because most ballpoint ink dries fast and doesn’t smear, it’s a great anchor for mixed media.
Using ballpoint for quick gestural studies
One thing I love about ballpoint is how quickly I can get into a flow with it. If I only have a few minutes, I’ll do a gestural sketch of someone at a café or a loose contour drawing of something in front of me. The pen’s smooth ink lets me move fast, and the limited pressure makes it easy to vary line weight on the fly. It’s great for warming up, especially if I don’t feel ready to commit to a big piece.
Ballpoint also forces me to be more decisive with each mark—and I’ve found that when I use it regularly for gesture practice, my observational drawing gets noticeably stronger. If you're just starting out, or looking to build consistency, I also recommend reading these beginner sketchbook tips. They helped me stay grounded when I wasn’t sure how to make sketching a regular habit.
Where Ballpoint Fits in My Sketchbook Practice
I carry a ballpoint pen with me everywhere. It’s what I reach for when I want to draw without overthinking, especially when I’m sketching in public or waiting for an appointment. It’s the tool I trust when I’m doing non-dominant hand drawing or making fast visual notes from life.
Sometimes I’ll use it to sketch over old pencil drawings, to create layered value studies, or to rework a scene with more commitment. I also like using it to explore outlines and subtle implied shapes—things that feel more gestural than exact.
When I flip back through my sketchbooks, the ballpoint drawings often stand out the most. They age well. They hold up even when they’re imperfect. Some of my most meaningful pencil drawings actually started with a pen.
More Inspiration and Practice Ideas
If you want to go deeper with ballpoint sketching or just find new ways to use it, here are a few resources that have helped me:
- Outlining in drawing changed how I think about defining form.
- Drawing on black paper showed me how powerful contrast can be, especially with white highlights.
- Mark making and materiality reminded me that not every drawing needs to be clean or precise—texture is part of the story.
- How to preserve your drawings has been essential for protecting pages that I want to last.
And if you ever get stuck, sketchbook challenge ideas can help you break through those blank-page moments.
What kind of ballpoint pen is best for drawing?
I’ve found that the classic cheap ones—the kind you get in packs of ten—work surprisingly well. I use BIC Cristal pens most often. What matters more than the brand is how it feels in your hand and whether the ink flows smoothly without skipping.
Can you erase ballpoint pen?
Technically, no. But you can lighten areas by layering over them with white pencil or white gel pen. I’ve also used correction fluid when I really needed to recover an area—but honestly, I try to just work with mistakes instead of hiding them.
How do you shade with a ballpoint pen?
I build up tone slowly with light pressure and layering. Crosshatching is great, but so is gentle scribble shading. Think of it more like sculpting the drawing over time than getting it right in one pass.
Is it okay to draw directly in pen?
Yes! That’s actually one of the best parts about it. It trains your confidence and decision-making. I was hesitant at first, but the more I drew in pen, the more I learned to trust my eye and hand.
Does ballpoint pen fade over time?
Some inks can fade, especially if exposed to sunlight. I try to store my sketchbooks closed and out of direct light. When I want a drawing to last, I’ll scan it or use a fixative spray to help protect the surface.