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Everyday drawing

For the past twenty years I have been making drawings with a Bic ballpoint pen. I often draw the clouds I see daily, and when there are none, I turn to other subjects. Drawing is a direct, focused process — from mind to hand to paper — and a way to reflect on my own work and archive. Working with a ballpoint pen allows no erasing or quick solutions; every line counts. The slow, layered process creates depth, contrast, and subtle translations of mood. Drawing with a Bic pen brings a different rhythm to making, sharpening both attention and perception.

 

Window drawing with Securit chalkmarker

My palette has now expanded to include the chalk markers from Securit. Every day, I draw on windows with chalk pens. This medium brings a completely different approach. It requires a spontaneous, fast way of drawing, allowing me to explore various styles and techniques: graphic, painterly in layers, transparent, figurative, abstract, and monumental. The surface is not limited to windows; I also draw on mirrors, ceramics, or canvas and paper.

 

 

 © 2026 Ellen van Vollenhoven

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