Markers Review for Artists

Table of contents:

• -Intro & Info-
• Alcohol-based markers:
• W&N Promarker Brush
• W&N Promarker
• ShinHan TOUCH
• .Too Copic
• Spectrum Noir Illustrator
• Ohuhu Honolulu
• Ohuhu kaala
• Water-based markers:
• Kuretake Zig Real Brush
• Talens Pantone
• Sakura Koi
• W&N Promarker Watercolour
• Faber-Castell PITT
• Acrylic-based markers:
• Liquitex Paint Marker
• Uni POSCA

Markers are an easy and affordable medium for drawing.

Below are my recommended markers.

Disclosure: some links in this article are affiliate links, meaning, at no additional cost to you, I will earn a commission if you choose to make a purchase.

Many markers have a high level of transparency, so they are quite light.

Adding more layers of the same color makes it more opaque, and therefore darker.

Different nib types are suitable for different tasks. Which to use, is a matter of personal preference and the type of task.

When in need of straight lines and hard edges, a chisel tip is perfect.

I drew the marker below with chisel tips, and the cast shadow with a pencil.

If realistic drawing is new to you, visit my realistic drawing guide.

For filling areas (coloring), a brush nib creates a smoother surface:

A bullet nib is suitable for drawing or creating fine details, while a real brush is great for mixing colors or combined with water (for water-based markers).

Marker caps can be very helpful.

Some brands have the number and color of the marker written on the top part of the cap.

Many markers come with two different heads.

Some brands have two different cap structure, while other have a dark mark to indicate a specific head (for example brush).

Few marker brands have a body that does not roll on the drawing surface (like Copic Sketch, Spectrum Noir and Touch).

For round markers, there is either a small cap brake to prevent rolling:

Or a clip:

You can use markers for almost any drawing or painting style.

I use them for drawing cartoon characters for my daughter.

Here is my guide on how to draw accurately from photos (and draw your favorite comics).

For my tutorial on how to draw treasure maps.

And, as one of my (realistic) render styles, when drawing concept art and product design.

More on that, you can find in my guide on how to draw from imagination.

Alcohol-based markers are usually higher in quality and price, and are better for drawing comic books and manga.

You can use different brands of alcohol-based markers together.

Winsor & Newton Promarker Brush (formerly known as Brushmarker) are alcohol-based markers.

They are great for painting, and they blend with other brands of alcohol-based markers.

Color range: 72.

Nibs: One flexible brush nib and one broad chisel.

Note: Carefully close the cap in order to avoid damaging the brush nib.

Pros:

• Each marker is wrapped in a colored sticker that allows quick identification of the hue.
• Affordable price and very good performance.
• Smooth texture.

Cons:

• A limited number of colors.
• A cylindrical structure that causes rolling of the marker on the work surface.

Conclusion:

• I love these markers. They are fun to use and work well with other alcohol-based markers.

See on Amazon

Winsor & Newton Promarker are alcohol-based markers.

Color range: 173.

Nibs: Twin-tipped, with a broad chisel nib and fine bullet nib.

Due to their bullet nib, they are great for drawing. The chisel nib can be used to fill large areas.

Pros:

• A sharp, stiff head that is suitable for drawing.
• There is an ultra-thin nib that can be purchased, unique to Promarker, which is great for precise details, a bit like a technical pen.

Cons:

• A cylindrical structure that causes rolling of the marker on the work surface.

Conclusion:

• I prefer a brush tip, but these are quality, affordable markers, with a hard tip for accuracy.

See on Amazon

TOUCH Twin brush markers are excellent alcohol-based markers.

Color range: 204.

Nibs: Fine brush nib on one end and a medium-wide chisel nib on the other.

Pros:

• Caption on the top part of the cap to quickly find the desired color.
• These paint markers come in a wide variety of colors.
• Beautiful, comfortable and rectangular design that prevents the marker from rolling on the work surface.
• Refillable ink and replaceable nibs (4 nib types).

Cons:

• Not as lightfast as some other brands (more on that later).

Conclusion:

• High-grade markers with comfortable structure. An affordable substitute to Copic markers, though not as lightfast.

Copic markers are professional, alcohol-based markers. They are highly regarded by many artists.

Color range: 358!

Nibs: Medium broad and flexible brush nib combination.

All types of Copic markers are refillable.

Replaceable nibs.

Keep in mind: Opening of the cap should be gentle. Otherwise, the paint may squirt.

Copic sketch is the most popular among Copic markers, and it comes in the widest range of colors (358):

Copic Ciao is the most economical of all Copic markers. They deliver the same quality but at a more attractive price.

They come in 180 colors.

On the Copic Ciao, there is no caption on the cap, and its cylindrical structure causes it to roll on the work surface:

Using the broad nib for painting:

A third model, Copic Classic, has a hard pointed (bullet) nib.

Copic Classic comes in 214 shades.

It has a massive square structure that prevents it from rolling on the work surface, but is less comfortable to use.

As mentioned above, Copic markers are refillable.

Copic ink has a new design.

I like to drip on the chisel nib, when a marker starts to get dry (20+ drops).

Pros:

• Copic Sketch has the largest number of shades, 358.
• They have an ovular, comfortable structure that prevents them from rolling on the work surface.
• Caption on the top part of the cap to quickly find the desired color.
• All Copic markers are refillable.
• Copic nibs are of the highest quality, and are replaceable.
• They offer many light brightness values options (important for realistic drawing).

Cons:

• Copic markers are quite expensive. However, when using the refill bottles, they are worth the investment.

Conclusion:

• These are my absolute favorite markers!

See on Amazon

Spectrum Noir Illustrator are alcohol-based markers for drawing and painting.

Color range: 216.

Nibs: One brush and one fine bullet nib.

Pros:

• Large range of colors.
• According to Spectrum Noir, these markers are non-toxic and safe to use.
• Refillable.
• Ergonomic barrel design that is fun to use, plus they will not roll on the work surface.

Cons:

• Caption on the top part of the cap to quickly find the desired color. On the other hand, the color name and number is not written on the barrel.

Conclusion:

• Fun to work with and a nice range of colors.

Ohuhu Honolulu Art Markers are super affordable, quality, alcohol-based markers.

Color range: 320.

Nibs: One brush and one chisel.

For their low price, their performance is surprisingly good.

They arrive with a case, which is great for storage, and to carry the markers.

I like to arrange the markers in color groups.

In addition to a case, and a brochure with details, they come with color charts with the name of the colors already written.

I recommend filling them in, to use as color reference (to find the desired color quickly).

If accidentally you damage your brush tip, you can reverse it.

Grab it with pliers, and rotate it gently while pulling, reverse the tip and push it back, while rotating.

Pros:

• Huge range of colors.
• The cap brake is big enough to prevent rolling on the work surface.
• Case for storage, and to carry anywhere.
• Color charts with the number of colors already written.
• Reversible brush tip.

Cons:

• Color number and name not written on the barrel (but clearly written on the cap).

Conclusion:

• The most affordable markers I have used, yet they are high quality. In addition, they come with a case to carry and keep them organized. Recommended!

Ohuhu Kaala are alcohol-based markers.

Color range: 150.

Nibs: One chisel and one fine bullet nib.

These markers work perfectly with pens.

They mix well and have a good range of light and dark colors, including saturated and less saturated colors, which is great.

I prefer the Ohuhu Honolulu series, because the color range is larger, and they have a brush nib.

That said, the Kaala series is amazing, and the bullet nib gives more control.

Pros:

• Large range of colors.
• Chisel nib for filling areas, and bullet nib for details.
• They mix smoothly and are fun to work with.
• Affordable price.
• Body structure that prevents rolling on the work surface.

Cons:

• It is a bit difficult to take the markers in and out of the box.
• There is no set that includes the full color range.

Conclusion:

• Highly recommended for artists who like bullet nib for accuracy and details.

Water-based markers are less suitable for painting on a regular drawing paper.

They work best on non-absorbent paper.

Zig Clean Color Real Brush are water-based markers and can be used together with water and a brush, like painting with watercolors.

Color range: 90.

Nibs: One real brush from synthetic bristles.

The advantage of having a real brush with bristles is that you can draw many effects.

I like to use them combined with other markers. In the example below, I added some sand texture marks with them.

Pros:

• Relatively cheap price, yet high quality performance.
• The synthetic bristles, allows for the coloring of especially narrow areas, but also large areas, depending on the degree of pressure applied.

Cons:

• Small caption makes it difficult to find the desired marker.

Conclusion:

• My favorite water-based markers.

See on Amazon

Talens | Pantone are quality water-based markers.

Color range: 108.

Nibs: Brush & chisel nib.

A cooperation between Talens and the Pantone Matching System. These markers are pigment-based with rich, vivid colors.

They are of high quality, and refillable.

They work well with pens.

Pros:

• Pigment-based.
• Refillable.

Cons:

• Expensive.
• Body covered with a sticker makes it look cheap.

Conclusion:

• These are quality and refillable markers, yet they are expensive, and they do not offer light colors or less vivid colors.

Koi Coloring Brush Pen are water-based markers.

Color range: 48.

Nibs: One brush nib.

Pros:

• Koi marker cap is equipped with a clip, which stops the marker from rolling on the work surface.
• They are fun to work with on paper designed for water-based markers.

Cons:

• A limited number of colors.

Conclusion:

• Affordable markers for the art hobbyist.

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Winsor & Newton Promarker Watercolour are water-based markers that can be used for drawing and painting.

Color range: 36.

Nibs: Two nibs, one brush and one bullet.

Pros:

• Two quality nibs for drawing and painting.

Cons:

• A limited number of shades.
• A cylindrical structure that causes rolling of the marker on the work surface.

Conclusion:

• Although limited in color range, I love working with these markers. Super fun brush.

See on Amazon

Faber-Castell PITT artist pen are water-based markers.

Color range: 60, including 11 gray shades that are equipped with a soft brush.

Nibs: One brush nib.

Markers with durable ink that contain pigments, and can be purchased individually or as part of a set.

In addition, PITT artist pen are available with a big brush for quick coloring of large areas.

These markers come as individuals or as part of a set.

The black PITT artist pen big brush marker is great for silhouettes. (The small details are drawn with a fineliner).

White markers are great for highlights.

Pros:

• The PITT marker cap prevents the marker from rolling on the work surface.
• In the Faber-Castell PITT Series, there are also technical pens, big brush markers, and calligraphy markers.

Cons:

• A limited number of shades.

Good to know:

If you like drawing trees, make sure you visit my guide for drawing realistic trees with pens.

Operating Instructions:

• Shake the marker slightly before use.
• Then press the marker head on the drawing surface several times until the paint begins to flow toward the top of the marker.
• Wait a bit and let the paint spread over the marker nib, and then start painting.

Liquitex Paint Marker are made from acrylic, water-based ink, which is lightfast due to the pigments it is made from.

Color range: 50.

Nibs: Flat, stiff nib.

The Liquitex markers come in two sizes: 2mm by 4mm and 8mm by 15mm.

Pros:

• The wide nib, 15mm, is suitable for filling a large area.
• Due to the durability of the pigments, they can be used to paint external murals.
• Can be used for drawing a base layer for acrylic paints or oil paints.

Cons:

• Less suitable for filling out coloring pages or drawing small and accurate details.
• These paint markers are intended for covering and not blending.

Uni POSCA are opaque, water-based markers.

Color range: 55.

Nibs: Bullet, they come in many sizes.

Pros:

• These markers can paint on metal, plastic, wood, fabric, glass, ceramic, paper and canvas.
• POSCA markers come in 8 sizes and 5 shapes.
• Small nib sizes are great for details.

Cons:

• These paint markers are intended for covering and not blending.

My favorite covering markers are Uni POSCA: See on Amazon

Lightfastness is the durability of paint (pigment or dye) to resist fading when exposed to light.

All markers in this review are of high quality and by well-known brands. I had no issue with any of them when it comes to fading, as long as they are kept away from direct sunlight.

Direct Sunlight Test:

Paints from most markers in this article were exposed to direct sunlight for 10 days.

The results:

Conclusion:

The markers that did not fade from direct sunlight are POSCA, W&N Pigment Marker, Faber-Castell PITT, W&N Watercolour & Liquitex.

It is a good practice to hang drawings and paintings away from direct sunlight. If they are not displayed, they should be kept in a drawer, cupboard or any storage that protects them from light and moisture.

Example:

Here is my Smurf drawing after exposure to direct sunlight, for more than a year.

Some colors are completely gone, while others are highly desaturated.

Paper:

For alcohol-based markers, I use quality drawing paper, or mixed media paper.

For water-based markers, you can use paper for markers, or for watercolor.

Here are my recommended Paper brands for drawing.

Pen:

I use technical pens (also fine liners), when I draw comics.

This is my guide for drawing pens, including drawing examples.

Other:

Most marker brands provide a blender marker that is actually a marker with colorless liquid for mixing colors.

For beginners, this is my guide on drawing depth.

*The markers review is based upon my personal experience. All markers in this guide are owned and tested by me, and all drawings were made by me.