iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Kullen @endivinity.bsky.social · 19/12/2025

I'd like to take a moment to lament the fineline ballpoint BIC pens I got in 2011, because they're finally running out and when I tried to replace them that decade and a bit of enshittification reeeeally shows (img 3). The ink is weak, flows poorly and even the pen molding is notably worse

A sketchbook page of various creatures and dragons in ballpoint pen, indicating both sketching, hatching, and linework capable in a variety of tones. The ink hatches down to black in places.

A sketchbook page of robotic felines from Horizon Zero Dawn in ballpoint pen with composition planning. The ink is shown to respond well to light and flowing strokes with good line economy.

A sketchbook page of various creature designs testing out a new pen. The ink is pallid, does not hatch or stroke well, and is a little more tacky, resulting in poor sketches. Another pen has been used to hatch over one of the sketches in places to make the lines darker.

A side-by-side comparison of two BiC fine point black ballpoint pens. The older model has crisp molding on the clip that embosses an edge around the flat surface, whereas the new one looks like a bootleg with only a slight, very softened indent on the clip.

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HolidayOpossum @thedoormouse.bsky.social · 19/12/2025

Man I hate the enshittification of staple art tools, it always blows. There's also no way to know until you get the new one and discover it's crap

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