James Mylne (artist)

James Mylne
James Mylne on BBC London news, 2014
Born	(1981-05-05) 5 May 1981 London, England
Nationality	British
Education	B.A. Drawing; M.A., 2006
Known for	fine art and illustration drawn in ballpoint pen, mixed-media
Website
http://www.jamesmylne.co.uk, http://www.birodrawing.co.uk

James Mylne is a British contemporary artist known for his drawings in ballpoint pen. His technical abilities with this unorthodox art medium have earned Mylne recognition in Europe and the UK, where he's considered among the leaders of the genre and reportedly emulated by art students.^[1] Mylne's photorealist likenesses of iconic celebrities have garnered the most attention. The artist also creates mixed-media works adding spray paint and magic markers to his ballpoint originals.^[1]

Art education

James Mylne attended foundation courses at Chelsea Art College, London, in 2002. Studies there were followed by 3 years at Camberwell, where he received his BA in drawing in 2005 and his MA in 2006.^[2] College instructors were unsupportive of his ballpoint usage, and dismissed his work as 'pretty pictures'.^[3]

Ballpoint usage

As with many other bored students — artists or not — Mylne doodled in biro (as ballpoint pens are known in the UK) during secondary school.^[4] Although he has spoken of original aspirations to be a painter and was still painting at the age of 18,^[5] James had already begun giving ballpoint pens greater consideration as an art medium since he was 16, or 'around 1996'.^[4] Of his choice of ballpoints as a preferred medium, James credits the pen's capabilities of precision and distinct contrast. He has said that 'biros' appeal to him because of the concentration required,^[6] adding separately, "you find them everywhere."^[5] He notes that, as there is little room for error, it forces a certain level of focus which has meditative qualities. Mylne now also applies spray paint and magic markers to add colour to his black ballpoint pen-work.^[1]

Upon completion of formal studies, he launched a website dedicated to disseminating information of ballpoint pens as an alternative art medium. He continues to run a blog with the same purposes,^[7] and his ongoing YouTube contributions have attracted a following.^[5]

James Mylne Polo Pony 1; ballpoint pen on paper.

Art career

Solo exhibitions of James Mylne's photo-realistic ballpoint drawings began in 2001. The female form has appeared frequently in the artist's work.^[2] Other photorealistic subject matter includes wildlife (shown at right) and urban landscapes.^[8] James began to replicate iconic photos of entertainers and artists from Britain and America; Audrey Hepburn and Jean-Michel Basquiat were among the earliest.^[9]

Kate Moss' visage has appeared prominently in James Mylne's artwork. Two of the artist's photorealistic ballpoint likenesses of Kate were chosen as art magazine covers, the first in 2009^[10] and again in 2012, which also featured an interview with Mylne.^[11] One of these Kate Moss drawings reportedly required six weeks to complete.

Reworked collaborative exhibitions

James Mylne participated in the first two of an exhibition series titled Reworked which were produced by Rook & Raven gallery, London. As suggested by the exhibition title, a select group of artists was given a choice of photographs lensed by a featured photographer, to interpret as they wished.

Terry O’Neill was the featured photographer of the inaugural Reworked exhibition in 2010. James Mylne was chosen as one of six artists to collaborate with the renowned photographer for Terry O'Neill, Reworked. As his choice, James opted for a vintage photograph of Sean Connery as his James Bond character,^[12] shot during filming of Diamonds Are Forever.^[13] James used only black ballpoints, but produced a limited-edition print with background colour and other minimal tints.^[9] Terry O'Neill made an appearance with the artwork (and the photograph from which it was copied) on British television, expressing amazement at the four weeks Mylne spent working on his contribution.^[14] With the popularity of the exhibition, photographs of Mylne actually drawing the piece also began appearing in British newspapers and magazines.^[15]

The second instalment of the Reworked exhibitions was held in March 2013, featuring the photography of Bill Wyman. The bass guitarist and founding member of The Rolling Stones has always been an avid photographer, and was introduced to Rook & Raven by Terry O'Neill, a "great friend" who'd photographed the rock band since their early years. James Mylne was among five artists selected for Bill Wyman, Reworked, and contributed reworkings of two Wyman photos.^[16] One of James' contributions was his black and white reinterpretation of a colour photo Wyman had taken of American model Jerry Hall, a former wife of bandmate Mick Jagger.^[17]

Vermeer replica

James Mylne participated in a 2010 Bic Challenge campaign sponsored by the pen company, for which he created a replica of Vermeer’s Girl With a Pearl Earring using a single black Bic pen as part of the challenge.^[18] James appeared on British television to discuss the artwork,^[19] noting the 90 hours of drawing spent toward its completion.^[4] The artist and his artwork received media coverage throughout Britain at the time,^[20] and internationally via the internet.^[4]

Vintage Vogue exhibition

James Mylne's Vintage Vogue is the artist's first solo exhibition of merit, receiving publicity in his native Britain and on the internet. Displayed during October, 2012, the central theme of the exhibition drew on 'the elegance and style' of celebrated icons of the 1940s, 50s and 60s.^[21] In regard to his chosen theme, Mylne complimented the 'genuine serenity in the poise and personality of models and actresses from the mid 20th century', as opposed to what he feels as "forced" contemporary aesthetics aided by computer enhancement. He expressed a desire to bring that effortless style 'into the now'.^[1] Among the celebrities illustrated in this collection were Coco Chanel and Steve McQueen,^[6] as well as a portrayal of Audrey Hepburn which is said to have taken a hundred hours to complete.^[1]

Style & Technique

James Mylne prefers to use only black ballpoint pens to create his intricate artwork. The works are so finely inked that they are often mistaken as photo prints^[4] and have been likened to 'beautifully painted canvases'.^[1] Mylne has been described as a 'master technician'.^[3] Reviewers have commended the 'stunning likenesses' he portrays, which 'gain a lifelike presence'.^[22]

In defence of occasional criticism about lack of depth in his work, James counters that true fans of his work are "taking it at face value" and, as his work is not intended to serve any deeper purpose, he's 'fine with that'.^[3]

The artist explains that most of his source-images are found online. Often, he has to 'infer' details into his own drawing to compensate for loss of detail which occurs when "scaling-up" small, inferior data into larger, detailed artwork, describing the process as 'almost creating a new image'.^[5]

Facial details, hair and skin tones are achieved by controlled spacing of parallel ballpoint lines, all the while referencing his source material. In some instances the artist mixes mediums, using paint pens to fill large areas of black such as dresses or details such as black sunglasses. Prior to all of this, Mylne may sometimes mask off the silhouette of a figure he'll be drawing, and apply a flat field of background colour using spray paint.^[5]

James Mylne work-in-progress (UK) 2010

Personal

Mylne acknowledges some artistic influence from street art during the early 2000s, owing to disillusionment by the sensationalism of the YBA generation prevalent at that time.^[5]

Tibetan Buddhism is a continuing inspiration to the artist.^[8]

James Mylne is represented by Rook & Raven gallery, in the historically bohemian Fitzrovia neighbourhood of London.

See also

• Ballpoint pen artwork
• Terry O'Neill (photographer)

References

External links

• James Mylne’s artists page at Rook & Raven gallery