Mogens Balle, 1966
Stop and examine this drawing to see how Mogens Balle uses just two ballpoint pens to create a surprisingly complex and energetic abstract world, full of movement and intriguing, half-formed shapes.
This small drawing, made with red and black ballpoint pens, presents a vibrant, almost chaotic energy. Abstract forms, reminiscent of organic shapes or perhaps fragmented figures, intertwine and overlap across the ivory tracing paper. The lines are fluid and spontaneous, suggesting a rapid creation process that captures an immediate thought or feeling. Notice how the two colors, red and black, are used to create depth and distinction, with the red often appearing to push forward while the black recedes or defines edges. The work feels like a glimpse into a subconscious landscape, where recognizable elements are just out of reach, inviting the viewer to piece together their own narrative from the dynamic interplay of lines and color.
The way red lines seem to vibrate against the black ones.
Look for faint, ghost-like shapes emerging from the tangled lines.
The deliberate pressure variations in the pen strokes.
Stop and examine this drawing to see how Mogens Balle uses just two ballpoint pens to create a surprisingly complex and energetic abstract world, full of movem…
Mogens Balle, a Danish painter, created vibrant, abstract works, often exploring the spontaneous and experimental.
Read Mogens's full story in Art Whisper