Mark Powell Reuses Antique Envelopes to Create Amazing Biro Pen Portraits

London-based artist Mark Powell reuses old envelopes as his canvas, producing these incredible life-like drawings using only a Biro.

He often incorporates the original stamps and postage marks into the portraits and sketches.

Recycling the envelopes he his in some way preserving a bit of history and the story behind the sender. He says this is why his work - primarily portraits - focus on older characters that seem to tell a story through the very creases in their faces.

Powell has begun collecting antique black and white maps to reuse for future drawings, an evolution of his work which promises to be as interesting as his current portfolio.