In the vast world of artistic techniques, some seem to defy the rigidity of traditional categories, positioning themselves with agility and fluidity halfway between different creative realms. Taking the "borderline" area, for example, where painting and drawing meet, the art forms of marker, pastel and ballpoint pen immediately come to mind.
In fact, the distinguishing characteristic that unites the above techniques is precisely that of mixing elements, both of drawing and painting, each in its own peculiar way. The marker, with its fluidity and the possibility of creating defined and vibrant lines, offers a vivid color range and a feeling of movement typical of painting. Crayons, on the other hand, with their soft texture and ability to blend colors directly onto the surface, allow the artist to explore depth and shading, just as in a painting. Finally, the ballpoint pen, with its precision and talent for creating fine detail, offers a similar experience to drawing, but on a wider range of media and with the ability to experiment with various textures and "painterly" styles.
Therefore, it is now good to explore the history and evolution of the art techniques in question, highlighting those elements that come from, both drawing and painting, by hanging some works from Artmajeur's collection as models.
Artmajeur Works Involving Marker, Pastel, and Ballpoint Pen
Markers and Creativity
A marker is a writing and drawing tool that features a porous tip, releasing ink onto various surfaces such as paper, plastic, glass, and metal. It contains its own ink source within the pen's body and is available in various shapes and sizes, offering a wide range of creative possibilities.
Markers have a rich and interesting history, dating back to 1910 when Lee Newman patented the first felt-tip model. Throughout the 20th century, the marker underwent significant evolution, with key milestones like Benjamin Paskach's 1926 patent for a "fountain brush" and Sidney Rosenthal's introduction of the Magic Marker in 1953. In 1962, the modern fiber-tip marker was developed by Yukio Horie of the Tokyo Stationery Company, heralding a new era of artistic expression and writing.
Markers are essential tools in every artist's arsenal, as they offer a vast array of sizes, shapes, and colors designed to allow for experimentation and creative freedom. This variety is largely due to the tip of the instrument, which can be fine for precise lines or broad for wider fill-ins. Moreover, many markers feature special inks, such as water-based or pigment-based, again intended to provide greater expressive possibilities.
Referring to its rich language, markers are employable both in drawing and sketching, ideal for creating precise outlines, intricate details, and quick-execution artworks. Furthermore, in terms of coloring and filling, this tool allows for the coloring of large or small areas with a wide range of hues available. Notably, markers are also suited to mixed media techniques, where they are used alongside other artistic languages to create complex, layered, and unique and innovative artworks. Finally, in the world of street art, markers are predominantly used to create graffiti and murals on urban walls and surfaces, turning them into open-air art galleries.
Briefly returning to the marker-painting relationship: technically, the right pressure and angle of the marker modulate the intensity of the color, allowing for gradual shading similar to that achieved with watercolor or acrylic paint. Additionally, markers can be overlapped or mixed directly on the surface to create new hues and blending effects that add depth and dimension to artworks. Some artists even use techniques like pointillism or blending with markers, applying small dots or fine lines to create textures and nuances. This approach can yield results similar to those of oil or acrylic painting, where the surface is gradually built up through a series of small touches or shades.
Concluding with some notable examples of markers, over the years, numerous artists have used this tool as a means of expression to create iconic artworks, such as those by Keith Haring, Banksy, and Quentin Blake.
MADAME RÊVE (2022)Painting by Jean-Humbert Savoldelli
JE L'AI ADOPTÉ! (2022)Painting by Johanne Proulx
Exploring the Potential of Markers
Contemporary artworks often convey a visual dialogue between traditional techniques and modern artistic expressions, with artists venturing into the exploration of new media and forms. Two striking examples of this fusion between painting and the use of markers can be found in the works "Madame rêve" by Jean-Humbert Savoldelli and "Je l'ai adopté!" by Johanne Proulx, both from 2022.
"Madame rêve" combines acrylic and markers on canvas and exemplifies the painter's transition from hyper-realism and Trompe-l'oeil to a freer, more abstract expression. The core of the artwork features human figures and scenarios painted with a palette knife, while the surrounding ornamentation, rich in colorful motifs, is executed with Posca markers and acrylic paint. This visual contrast not only accentuates the depth of the composition but also reflects Savoldelli's desire to evoke fantasy and dream through art. His style is distinguished by its rich coloration and the dynamics of shapes, often enhanced by the use of circles and spheres to suggest a certain visual balance.
"Je l'ai adopté!" on the other hand, presents a more intimate visual narrative, highly introspective and spontaneous. Proulx, a Canadian painter, explores a rather emotional and physical relationship with her materials, ranging from handmade paper to painted surfaces. The work, which combines painting and markers, is characterized by broad gestures and pronounced textures that manifest naturally on the support. Lastly, the combination of vibrant colors and direct manipulation of materials are intended to reflect the artist's personal approach, designed to transform her art into a biographical text.
Thus, both works become a manifesto of how markers, commonly associated with sketches or preliminary drawings, can also rise to the status of a full-fledged painting medium, especially when combined with more traditional techniques. Indeed, the two artists in question have leveraged their versatility to add intricate details or create contrasts in texture, thereby expanding the expressive range of contemporary painting.
Expressions in Pastel
Pastel is an artistic tool used for drawing and painting, characterized by solid color made primarily from pigments, chalk, or a combination of both, bound together by a binder. It is generally shaped into sticks but can also be found in pencil form. It is known for its versatility and the ability to create vibrant colors and delicate shades.
The use of pastel dates back many centuries, with historical evidence dating to ancient Egypt and the Roman Empire. However, the pastel as we know it today has its roots in the 15th century when European artists began using pigments mixed with chalk to create dense and vivid colors. Over the centuries, pastel has continued to evolve, becoming a favored medium for many masters due to its ease of use and ability to create visually impactful artworks.
Pastel offers a multitude of technical possibilities, proving ideal for outlining, detailing, complex compositions, and quick sketches. Thanks to its soft texture, artists can achieve precise, delicate, simple, and articulated lines with ease, creating drawings rich in expression and personality. Moreover, with a wide range of colors available, pastels allow artists to fill large or small areas with multiple vibrant and saturated hues. These can be overlaid or blended directly on the support surface, where they can originate soft shades and smooth transitions between colors. Artists are also able to mix colors directly on the surface, using simply their fingers as well as specialized tools.
These features are exploitable in various forms of art: in drawing and painting, either by applying in thin or thick layers the matte texture, as well as in combination with other artistic techniques such as watercolor, ink, or tempera.
Pastel can be considered a midpoint between drawing and painting due to its hybrid nature and multiple usage possibilities. On one hand, pastel offers the precision and control typical of drawing, allowing artists to create defined lines, detailed contours, and quick sketches. On the other hand, thanks to its soft texture and subdued yet strong color, pastel can be employed to create paintings rich in nuances and textures, similar to those achieved with painting.
Among the famous artworks created with pastel, masterpieces by artists like Edgar Degas, Mary Cassatt, and Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec stand out. Degas, in particular, is known for his masterful paintings and drawings of ballerinas using pastel, capturing the grace and movement of the subjects depicted. Mary Cassatt used pastel to paint intimate and delicate portraits, while Toulouse-Lautrec created vibrant posters and illustrations, aimed at immortalizing the liveliness of Parisian nightlife.
DU LIMONCELLO? NON JE NE CONNAIS PAS (2024)Painting by G. Carta
Artworks Created with Pastels
The two selected works, "Le Ballet des Éclats" by Ivan Colas and "Du Limoncello? Non je ne connais pas" by G. Carta, offer an intimate view of the harmony achieved between pastel and painting, demonstrating how these mediums can merge to create profound and engaging artistic expressions.
"Le Ballet des Éclats" by Ivan Colas, created in 2023, explores the vibrant interaction between light and color on paper through the use of pastels, acrylics, pencils, and charcoal. Each square of the artwork represents a celebration of life, intended to manifest through the use of bold and luminous colors that seem to emerge from the cracks of darkness. As a result, the pastel becomes a symbol of how nature presents itself unexpectedly and beauty triumphs despite all adversities. Indeed, "Le Ballet des Éclats" is effectively an invitation to the viewer to reflect on resilience and rebirth.
"Du Limoncello? Non je ne connais pas" by G. Carta, on the other hand, reflects a different but complementary approach. Using oil pastels on paper, the artist has constructed rich textures that capture and reflect light, giving the work a sense of depth and complexity. This method, which requires caution because oil pastel does not dry completely, enhances the emotional fluidity of the artwork, where each stroke contributes to telling stories of human moments steeped in emotion, humanity, sharing, and hope.
It becomes evident that these two works can be interpreted as symbols of the affinity between painting and pastel, two mediums that, when combined, offer amplified expressive freedom and a flawless fusion of textures and colors. This synergy not only captures visual attention but also emotionally engages and directly involves viewers, transporting them into a profound artistic experience.
Ink and Imagination
The ballpoint pen, often simply called a "biro," is a writing tool featuring a small rotating ball at the tip, intended to distribute ink while the plastic body glides across the surface. This mechanism allows for smooth and even writing, making ballpoint pens a popular choice both in artistic realms and for various everyday writing tasks.
The origin of the ballpoint pen dates back to the late 19th century, though it was not until the mid-20th century that the modern ballpoint pen was born. Hungarian journalist László Bíró, along with his brother György Bíró, patented the first successful ballpoint pen design in 1938. This revolutionary invention replaced the messy and unreliable fountain pens of the time, quickly gaining popularity worldwide.
Ballpoint pens are available in various colors and tip sizes, offering versatility for different writing and drawing tasks. In the art world, ballpoint pens are valued for their precision and control, allowing artists to create intricate details and fine lines. Nevertheless, artists experiment with different ways of using the ballpoint pen, using it also to create cross-hatching, shading, and unique textural effects.
More generally, the ballpoint pen is typically used for preliminary sketches and drawing precise outlines. Artists also use cross-hatching and stippling techniques to create shades and nuances of gray. These techniques allow for tonal variations and realistic textures, adding depth and volume to drawings. Ballpoint pens are also used to create shadows, allowing for three-dimensional effects and shaping the form of the drawn objects. This execution mode requires a steady hand and precise control of pressure on the pen to achieve smooth transitions between colors.
Among the most popular subjects created with the ballpoint pen are certainly portraits, as the precision of the technique allows for finely capturing distinctive facial features, from facial lines to the details of the eyes and lips. Ballpoint pens are also commonly used to depict urban and natural landscapes, often intended to render detailed drawings of buildings, streets, trees, and other landscape features. It is precisely the variety of lines and textures that can be achieved with the ballpoint pen that makes it possible to capture the complexity and depth of this last subject. Finally, regarding another famous genre in art history, the ballpoint pen is often used to create still lifes, depicting inanimate objects with refined contours and details, aimed at giving life to balanced and realistic compositions.
Regarding the ballpoint pen-painting association, firstly, the ballpoint pen can be used to create artworks that feature a variety of styles and approaches, just as with painting. Indeed, artists can play with lines, shapes, and shades to create unique artistic effects, ranging from realistic representation to abstract experimentation, just as they would with brushes and colors. In addition, the permanent nature of ballpoint ink can lead artists to work in layers, reminiscent of the painting technique of layering. Lastly, the ballpoint pen offers greater control compared to other drawing tools, such precision allows artists to capture the nuances and facets of their subjects accurately, creating artworks that can be comparable to paintings.
Concluding with famous examples of the ballpoint pen technique, we can mention some well-known artists who have significantly contributed to defining the aesthetics and potential of this medium, such as Juan Francisco Casas, Lennie Mace, and the less contemporary Alberto Giacometti.
VENICE. GRAND CANAL (2022)Painting by Maria Susarenko
ACADEMIC DRAWING. FANTASY (2022)Painting by Marat Myrzakhmetov
The Art of the Ballpoint Pen
The works of Maria Susarenko and Marat Myrzakhmetov provide an intriguing example of how the ballpoint pen can be used not only as a writing tool but also as an artistic medium of high aesthetic value. These artists demonstrate how the ballpoint pen can coexist harmoniously with other artistic techniques, creating rich and complex visual compositions.
"Venice. Grand Canal" (2022) by Maria Susarenko, crafted with a combination of acrylic, gel pens, markers, and pencils on cardboard, captures the vibrant and historic essence of Venice. The artist uses cardboard, a less popular and textured material, to produce fluid lines and a mixture of colors and shades intended to reflect the movement of the water and the complex architectural dynamics of the city. This results in a scene that is as chaotic as it is harmonious, where the mixed-media technique allows Susarenko to add fine details aimed at emphasizing certain structural and luminous aspects of the composition, showcasing the versatility of the ballpoint pen in representing both architectural and aquatic elements.
"Academic Drawing. Fantasy" (2022) by Marat Myrzakhmetov adopts a more surrealistic and symbolic approach. The work, primarily executed with ballpoint pen on paper, demonstrates the medium's adequacy in meticulously exploring organic shapes and precise geometries. In fact, Myrzakhmetov's "interlocking" composition includes both natural and artificial elements, designed to meet in a parallel dimension where they create a visual dialogue between the real and the imaginary. In this context, the use of the ballpoint pen is crucial for defining precise lines and adding details that almost blend together, showing the ability of this tool to evoke a deep and varied emotional range.
Ultimately, it becomes clear how the works of Susarenko and Myrzakhmetov, through their unique styles and subject choices, highlight the ballpoint pen's capability to be as expressive and versatile as more traditional painting techniques. Their works not only celebrate the aesthetic qualities of the artistic medium in question but also open up new possibilities for its application in the visual arts, challenging traditional perceptions and encouraging a new openness towards more innovative creative experimentation.
Olimpia Gaia Martinelli
