Uncap Your Ballpoint Skills: Draw an Expressive Pen Portrait with Stinna Kristensen
Create a bold, expressive likeness using nothing more than a humble ballpoint pen.
In this pen portrait lesson (90 mins), artist Stinna Kristensen guides you through the process of creating a bold, expressive likeness using nothing more than a humble ballpoint pen.
Starting with a loose sketch and an emphasis on proportions, Stinna shows how to build soft, even values through light, controlled hatching, without pressing too hard or rushing the process.
Along the way, you’ll learn her techniques for drawing luminous hair without rendering every strand, adjusting features on the fly, and letting imperfect lines become part of the charm.
The lesson focuses on a masked reference, shifting the emphasis to the subject’s intense gaze and wild hair.
You’ll see how Stinna blocks in light and shadow to suggest depth, then refines areas like the eyes, hair, and mask to create a finished portrait that balances realism and stylization.
Whether you’re new to ballpoint or looking to develop a lighter, more intuitive touch, this lesson is both technical and relaxing—a meditative approach to drawing that embraces the process just as much as the result.
Ready to uncap your ballpoint skills with Stinna? Let's get started!
