When we talk about drawing applied to tattooing, we’re primarily talking about control, patience, and observation. These are all qualities that the ballpoint pen technique challenges like few others. That’s why, when we hosted the workshop with Matteo Felloni, a highly talented ballpoint pen artist, at Milano Tattoo School, we knew it would be an intense experience. However, we didn’t expect the overwhelming enthusiasm and participation: two days of study, experimentation, and pure passion for drawing.
Two Days to Rediscover the Mark
The workshop took place over a weekend, Saturday and Sunday, and focused on creating a complete portrait using only ballpoint pens. No pencils, no blending stumps, no possibility of erasing. Just the decisive, direct stroke of the pen. It was a challenge that initially intimidated some, but quickly transformed into a true discovery.
Working with a ballpoint pen forces you to think differently. Every line is final; every mistake must be managed, not hidden. It’s a way of drawing that trains attention, precision, and hand control—the same skills needed when operating a tattoo machine. And this is precisely why the workshop hit the mark: it combined artistic technique with a tattoo artist’s mindset.
Matteo Felloni’s Approach
Matteo Felloni is one of those artists who make something difficult look simple. With a ballpoint pen, he creates hyperrealistic portraits, rich in nuances and depth, built with hundreds of overlapping lines. During the workshop, he guided the students step by step, explaining how to construct a face, how to gauge hand pressure, and how to work with light and shadow while always maintaining the flow of the line.
He didn’t just teach technique; he also showed the philosophy behind the gesture. The ballpoint pen, Felloni says, “is pure truth.” You can’t go back, you can’t cover or correct: you can only accept the mark and carry it forward. It’s a principle that also applies to tattooing, where every line is a definitive decision. And the students understood this immediately.
Students at Work
From the first hours of Saturday, the classroom filled with concentration. White sheets, blue and black pens, absorbed faces. Only the rustle of the ballpoint pen on paper could be heard. After the initial line exercises, participants began to construct their portraits, observing lights, proportions, and expressions.
As the hours passed, extraordinary works began to emerge: realistic faces, lively gazes, incredible details achieved solely through pressure and hatching. Matteo moved among the desks, correcting, encouraging, and showing how to even use “mistakes” to give character to the drawing.
By Sunday, the works had taken complete form. Some students exceeded all expectations, creating portraits that looked like photographs. Others found their personal voice in the free and imperfect stroke. Everyone, however, discovered how powerful a tool the ballpoint pen can be for artistic growth.
Drawing as Tattoo Training
For a tattoo artist, drawing isn’t just the foundation; it’s the real daily training. And drawing with a ballpoint pen is one of the best ways to improve line control. It forces you to think before you act, to manage pressure, and to visualize the final result. It’s the same approach needed to tattoo clean and consistent lines on skin.
During the workshop, Matteo emphasized this point heavily. A tattoo artist must be able to anticipate the line, not chase it. They must have a clear vision of what they are building, exactly like a ballpoint pen artist. The hand becomes steadier, sensitivity increases, and drawing transforms into a fluid, natural language.
A Weekend of Growth and Inspiration
At the end of the two days, the classroom was full of portraits, but also energy. The students were tired but enthusiastic, happy to have pushed their limits a little further. Many of them said that this workshop made them “see” drawing in a different way. No longer as a task, but as a dialogue with the mark, a personal quest.
For us at Milano Tattoo School, it was a pleasure to see how such an experience can ignite such authentic passion. The workshop with Matteo Felloni was not just a drawing course; it was a moment of growth for future tattoo artists who want to build their artistic identity.
Discover Our Workshops Too
At Milano Tattoo School, we believe that every technique, even those seemingly far from tattooing, can teach something fundamental. That’s why we organize workshops with artists like Matteo Felloni, who bring new and stimulating experiences to our students.
Do you want to participate in upcoming workshops or enroll in the Tattoo Operator course?
Discover all the dates on the official Milano Tattoo School website and start building your career in the world of tattooing.