It's fine – let's print
“This is fine” is a funny meme, but its humor is almost matched by the traditional financial system, which basically gave up its independence when the Federal Reserve was created in 1913.
Jerome Powell served from Feb. 5, 2018 to May 22, 2026.
US national debt: $20.5T → $39.1T +$18.6T, or +91%
The rise in debt and money creation has reached such absurd levels that hardly any reasonable person can take it seriously anymore. But this absurdity comes with real consequences: currency debasement, central planning, social upheaval, political misincentives, manipulation, and corruption.
The list goes on.
It’s not fine. Not even close.
"This is fine"
Intensive watercolor underpainting
With this piece, I experimented a little more than usual. I used a more intensive watercolor underpainting, which already established the overall look and mood of the piece. For the first time, I also moved away from purely black-and-white contrasts and introduced red and orange details.
Most of my work comes together through the fine detail I build up with a ballpoint pen. With this piece, however, the overall aesthetic and many of the visual elements were already defined during the earlier stages of the process.
01
Drawing book
I started and made this drawing in my drawing book. One day I will auction my drawing book.
02
Ballpoint Pen Drawings
The outcome of a ballpoint pen drawing can vary significantly depending on the paper's grain, the subject matter, and the scale of the piece. For instance, creating a small-scale portrait calls for paper with a very fine texture to capture delicate details. At the same time, achieving smooth transitions requires a sensitive touch - something that’s not always easy to master. When working on a larger motif with rougher paper, broader and looser strokes are not only possible but often necessary, offering a different kind of expressive freedom.
03
Caran d'Ache 825
I like drawing with the Caran d'Ache 825 1 mm ballpoint pen in black. This pen has become a familiar tool for me.
04
Fine paper
The paper used for this drawing is exceptionally fine and delicate, which is why I avoided heavy, dark shading. With ballpoint pen work, using paper that's too thin can cause it to warp or curl under the pressure of dense ink.
05
The Guy Fawkes Mask
I then moved on to the mask. Thanks to the quality of the paper, I was able to create smooth, soft gradients that enhanced the realistic, universal appearance.
04
Fine paper
The paper used for this drawing is exceptionally fine and delicate, which is why I avoided heavy, dark shading. With ballpoint pen work, using paper that's too thin can cause it to warp or curl under the pressure of dense ink.
05
The Guy Fawkes Mask
I then moved on to the mask. Thanks to the quality of the paper, I was able to create smooth, soft gradients that enhanced the realistic, universal appearance.