Study of Grace
by Myrna Galloway
Hand-drawn entirely in ballpoint pen, Study of Grace by Myrna Galloway is an intimate exploration of elegance captured through simplicity. Every line is deliberate, building layers of depth and texture that reveal both strength and delicacy in the subject. The piece reflects Galloway’s mastery of patience and precision—transforming a common writing tool into a medium of fine art. The portrait carries a quiet dignity, a reminder that true grace is found not in embellishment, but in the subtle beauty of presence itself.
 
Ballpoint Pen on Paper

Ballpoint pen is a deceptively simple yet highly demanding medium. What begins as an everyday writing tool becomes an instrument of remarkable precision and expression when placed in the hands of an artist. Each line is permanent—there is no erasing or undoing. Every mark must be intentional, guided with patience and control.
 
Intricate works in ballpoint are built through thousands of layered strokes. By varying pressure, speed, and direction, the artist achieves subtle gradations of tone, from the lightest whisper of a highlight to the deepest, most velvety shadow. The process is meticulous, requiring not only a steady hand but also endurance, as large drawings can take countless hours to achieve their depth and refinement.
 
The medium’s limitations are also its strength: there is a raw honesty in ballpoint work, where every decision is visible on the paper. The artist is constantly negotiating precision with fluidity, discipline with spontaneity. The result is artwork defined by extraordinary intricacy and striking contrast.
 
 
12″ x 16″ (Vertical)
16″ x 20″ (Vertical)
18″ x 24″ (Vertical)
20" x 24" (Vertical)
24" x 30" (Vertical)
24" x 32" (Vertical)
Canvas width, in
12.01
15.98
17.99
20.00
24.00
24.02
Canvas height, in
15.98
20.00
24.00
24.00
30.00
32.00
Canvas depth, in
1.25
1.25
1.25
1.25
1.25
1.25
Frame depth, in
1.75
1.75
1.75
1.75
1.75
1.75