Comment by LeratoAustini
7 days ago
Thanks for mentioning this. I'm just getting into ballpoints in my art (literally just posted my latest piece online this morning, using Schneider Slider pens which use ink conforming to ISO 12757-2) and have diligently sourced 'archival' inks without looking deeply enough into what it means (a lot of online discussions imply that it's the same as lightfastness).
About BIC, I thought I'd seens some tests online showing that over time the ink yellowed and eventually disappeared, so I've been avoiding them.
Clearly I need to look more deeply into it, especially for work I might sell.
With ball-point ink, I think (but haven't checked recently) that there is unfortunately no safe option.
Some contemporary artists sell digital prints, but if you are selling the real deal, at least ensure that it does not sit in full sunlight all day, because it will fade quickly.
In most museums original prints and drawings are often exhibited for short periods in darkened rooms. I think this takes away from the pleasure, and I prefer to see my art as perishables, which one can enjoy for a few years. An additional problem is that paper is terribly fragile stuff. Framing it (acid free paper) properly (with acid free tape) helps, but can be very expensive and will affect the aesthetics of course.
Some collectors of printmaking art store everything in a drawer and take it out once a year to enjoy it with a good glass of wine.