My Favorite Drawing Tool

I use a ballpoint pen for sketching in my sketch books. I thought that artists used charcoal or pencil. And I tried each of them. The charcoal was too messy but makes great drawings. I like to use it occasionally for studio work. Pencil is probably my favorite. I grew up with a stubby pencil in my hand. A pencil can create an infinite range of values and textural effects. But pencil like charcoal smudges. Smudging is a great way to create soft lines and soft textures. However, pencil drawings all get smudged by the rubbing of the pages together as you carry your sketchbook around. You can use a fixative, of course, but that adds one more item to you drawing kit. I like to keep things as simple as possible. I carry a sketch book and a black ballpoint pen. It's easy to use and doesn't smudge. The ink is waterproof so I can add a color wash without bleeding. By crosshatching and stippling many effects can be produced including a full value scale can be produced. I've been using a ballpoint pen successfully in my sketchbooks for many years now. (the casino drawing is on 1/2 page of a 5.5 x 8.5 sketchbook)