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With Sarah, Phil, Ellen, Rose the dentist, and the granddaughter whose name I forget.

Robert Jones, Napa

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See the Gallery, I couldn't upload a reduced size of it here.  I have another example, but had more than enough trouble with this one. 

Jenny Harris

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Robert, does this help?

Edited
by Jenny Harris

IMG_0347

John Graham Inkson

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This is better still, like I said in the gallery, strong modern art flavour about it. Thanks 
With Sarah, Phil, Ellen, Rose the dentist, and the granddaughter whose name I forget.

Robert Jones, Napa

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Actually that version, while easier to see, is a bit stronger than  l'actualité - but it gets the point over more effectively, so thanks for that: and you can see why I don't  use ballpoints for drawing.  This was, as I remember (and it's at least 40 years old) a Bic pen; it probably wouldn't have bled through a really heavy cartridge, but was Rowney's 150gsm A5 cartridge. A pity I had to put it on the Gallery, but when I got  a new computer, it came with various bits of software on trial periods; so you could use 'em for a bit, then have to pay for them.  Well I'm not entering into long-term financial commitments, even small ones, at my time of life: oh dear no.... and  they keep popping up in place of whatever it was I had before, which worked - and can I remember what the old programmes were?  Of course not - so  having big problems with resizing  for this page.  I know that was more information than anyone needed to have, but I'm happy to blame John Inkson for my feeling that I ought to provide it; and my disquisition acts as a pressure valve in this instance.  (I'll give him "literature"! )
IMG_0347

John Graham Inkson

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I apologise Robert, oh sorry I know you do not like being all apologetic. Forgive me for twisting your arm then and making you go against your desire to keep the backside out of view. I take the blame and it’s such a burden on me now. As they say curiosity killed the cat. However I have a great title for it. Cat (backside) on a hot time roof. Everyone’s a winner.
With Sarah, Phil, Ellen, Rose the dentist, and the granddaughter whose name I forget.

Robert Jones, Napa

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 Yerss....'cept it was a rat.  I realize that wasn't peculiarly obvious.... Apology is for wimps, it's true that this is my view.  I prefer money in recompense.
With Sarah, Phil, Ellen, Rose the dentist, and the granddaughter whose name I forget.

Robert Jones, Napa

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In fact, that was the Great Ralph (TM), with his tail wrapped around his muzzle, presumably for warmth.  He  went to his Reward in 1997, but one has never forgotten him: a paragon among rat-kind.  
IMG_0347

John Graham Inkson

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I did wonder why the tail came round to its hooter. 

Martin Norford

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I been avoiding joining in on this biro topic because I can clearly recall been warned never use a biro. I was a trainee draughtsman and we worked on tracing sheets that were copied in a dyeline copier which didn't like the biro ink. So I have always felt guilty using it. Anyway I was very pleased with this impromptu sketch I previous posted using the back of a leaflet and a lottery pen. 😬
ME - Copy

George Cutter

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Martins being warned off using Biro reminds me of my school days in the late 1940's and 1950's. We wern't allowed to use Biro's or Fountain pens. Dip pens with scratchy nibs and scungy school ink only. Eventually I got to go to Technical College where we we had to use Biros or fountain pens but there was no provision for Dip pens. Instant life change. Memories, who'd have 'em.

Martin Norford

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I have just read up on biro ink.:- the ink in a "biro" (ballpoint pen) is distinctly different from other pens, utilizing a thick, oil-based paste that dries almost instantly. Unlike water-based rollerball or gel inks, ballpoint ink is highly viscous, resistant to water, and less likely to bleed through paper, making it ideal for standard writing. So if you want a quick drying ink. It's ideal.  And maybe you can add a wash?
With Sarah, Phil, Ellen, Rose the dentist, and the granddaughter whose name I forget.

Robert Jones, Napa

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You could certainly add a wash - I  used to add coloured pencil, or those sticks of brightly coloured liquid ink you used to be able to get; I've not seen them in years. It possible that the bleed factor is exacerbated  by a damp  environment, because the old stone built house I live in is ...well, a) stone, b) by the sea, c) the sketchbook was in an old bureau and had been there for some  considerable time - not the ideal environment.    Perhaps it wouldn't have bled with 300gsm paper - I don't know.   In any event, I'm not using ballpoints again - even though it has occurred to me that I could have sized/primed the other side of the paper, if I'd been aware the ink would bleed. 
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