Tasty Bitcoin–
or Magic Internet Money
This is one of my earliest drawings using a ballpoint pen. The idea to use it as a medium came to me while I was reflecting on the doodles I often make during work—those spontaneous sketches we all know too well, born during long meetings or phone calls. They're seemingly random lines, patterns, and shapes, yet there's something captivating about them, almost like a form of meditation.
I also recalled a classmate from school who used to create amazing drawings with just a ballpoint pen. Back then, I found it amusing, but now I truly appreciate the technique. Ballpoint pens, surprisingly, are powerful tools for crafting visually intriguing and unique artwork.
I just wanted to make a few cool sketches
My first drawings began in a sketchbook, though that wasn't my original plan. I simply set out to create a few cool sketches, but as they grew more detailed, I decided to embark on my first major piece. "Tasty Bitcoin" is one of those early works, making it particularly meaningful to me. Once the sketchbook is filled with completed Bitcoin-inspired artworks, I might even consider auctioning it off someday.
01
Ballpoint pens work completely differently to pencils
I always start my drawings with a rough pencil sketch. Occasionally, I find myself liking the pencil version more than the initial stages of the ballpoint pen drawing. Working with ballpoint pens feels completely different from pencils. You can't fill in areas as quickly with a pen—at least not in my style.
02
"Accessible" Bitcoin art
"Tasty Bitcoin" is one of my earliest works in this style and one of my first Bitcoin-themed pieces overall. The inspiration came as I noticed more and more Bitcoin art circulating, especially on X. I wanted to create a Bitcoin image that feels approachable—something that captures the essence of Bitcoin without diving too deep into its complexities. It's a piece that anyone can display in their home, even if they haven't fully ventured down the Bitcoin rabbit hole.
03
Dynamic lines
I enjoy incorporating movement into my artworks, embracing dynamic lines, shapes, and textures. Elements like wind, storms, and gravity heavily influence my creative vision. I'm also drawn to the emotions a face can convey. "Tasty Bitcoin" is a fusion of both these worlds, blending motion with expressive emotion.
04
High contrast
This 30x40 cm picture took me about 10-15 hours. I think it's because I'm still unskilled with the ballpoint pen.
It is not easy to portray faces with soft gradients using a ballpoint pen. It takes a lot of practice and a skilled, gentle pen stroke.
I like the sharpness created by the ballpoint pen drawings. The high contrast between highlights and shadows brings an interesting plasticity to the artwork
05
The final image
To begin with, I drew the first rough shapes and elements with a pencil. Then I painted on a little water-soluble gouache paint as a base for very dark areas. Since I make my drawings with a ballpoint pen, large dark areas are not easy to hatch.
The gray-white base makes it a little easier to achieve the overall lighting mood.
Ballpoint pens are underestimated tools, just like Bitcoin.
I love when people ask, 'Was that really made with just a ballpoint pen?' The answer is, almost entirely, yes. Pens are everyday tools most wouldn't think of using for art. Yet, this simple instrument creates a unique, sharp, high-contrast effect and offers incredible versatility. Similarly, Bitcoin is often underestimated, though it touches on so many intriguing subjects—from finance to psychology.
Tasty Bitcoin–
or Magic Internet Money
This is one of my earliest drawings using a ballpoint pen. The idea to use it as a medium came to me while I was reflecting on the doodles I often make during work—those spontaneous sketches we all know too well, born during long meetings or phone calls. They're seemingly random lines, patterns, and shapes, yet there's something captivating about them, almost like a form of meditation.
I also recalled a classmate from school who used to create amazing drawings with just a ballpoint pen. Back then, I found it amusing, but now I truly appreciate the technique. Ballpoint pens, surprisingly, are powerful tools for crafting visually intriguing and unique artwork.
The original picture is part of a drawing book and is not for sale.