You don’t often think of gel pens as a particularly effective tool for coloring, but illustrators and artists have always been using gel pens to express their creativity and bring their ideas to life.
You can find gel pens in so many colors and looks, including plain, glittery, and metallic. They are often highly effective in helping you produce amazing results for your artwork.
So, what are the best gel pens for coloring? The best gel pens for coloring are highly pigmented, quick-drying, long-lasting or refillable, and roll smoothly across the paper without producing patchy lines. Look for sets that offer a broad range of colors.
Read on to find what to look for when you want to buy the best gel pens option for coloring your next project.
How To Buy Gel Pens For Coloring
While gel pens may seem simple in design and color options, there are a lot of things you need to consider for the best results. Here are some of the things that you should be looking for when buying a gel pen set for coloring.
The most obvious first factor is the colors. Since gel pens come in so many colors with so many different looks – metallic, glittery, or neon – you will want a set of gel pens that can give your artwork the right look. If you’re using darker paper, opt for a set of highly pigmented pastels, which can give you an impressive contrast.
You will want to avoid gel pens with ink that bleeds on the paper, which sometimes can even bleed through the page and ruin your art.
This factor is especially important for coloring since the ink will cover a large portion of the page; you definitely don’t want the page to be completely soaked when you finish coloring. Instead, you can look for gel pens with quick-drying ink that don’t make a mess when you work.
Gel pens with a consistent and smooth ink flow can also significantly improve your coloring experience. Working with gel pens that tend to get clogged or dry up quickly will only cause frustration, not to mention your masterpiece won’t achieve the right look.
If you are planning to use your gel pens primarily for coloring, buying gel pens with bigger tips will help you cover larger areas in a shorter time. However, if you want to buy a more versatile set of gel pens that can be useful for writing and drawing, then you should opt for gel pens with smaller tips.
How To Use Gel Pens For Coloring
Artists and illustrators have plenty of creative ways to use gel pens to add color and some interesting touches to their artworks. Below are some easy and popular methods.
The first and most popular way is to use gel pens instead of markers to color an entire page. Since the ink is often creamier than marker ink, you can create depth and texture on your page.
When your ink is still wet on the page, you can blend it out to create a gradient effect. You can even use this technique to add shading and highlights to the artwork. In this case, quick-drying ink is not the best choice.
If you have colored the page with markers or colored pencils, then gel pens are great to help add depth and details, which can really elevate your artwork from flat to dynamic. You can use different colors to doodle in some accents or even use glittery or metallic gel pens to make your artwork sing.
Others use white gel pens to add highlights and subtle details that draw attention to certain aspects of their pieces. Experts can even use techniques like crosshatching or stippling to add shading using fine-tipped gel pens.
These techniques can help your artwork look more three-dimensional, and the gel pen ink adds an interesting texture to the page.
The Best Gel Pens For Coloring
If you’re convinced that you need a set of gel pens for coloring, here are some of our suggestions.
Rank | Product | Key Features |
---|---|---|
1. | Aen Art Gel Pens | 80 pens, plain, glitter, metallic, pastel, neon |
2. | Pilot G2 Premium Refillable Gel Pens | 20 pens, quick-dry, water-resistant |
3. | Paper Mate InkJoy Gel Pens | 8 pens, quick-dry, smooth, vibrant color |
4. | Aen Art Glitter Gel Pens | 100 glitter pens, highly pigmented, quick-dry |
5. | Sakura Metallic Gelly Roll Pens | 16 pens, smooth flow, metallic, vibrant color |
6. | Shuttle Art Gel Pens | 120 pens, no duplicates, long-lasting |
7. | Nylea Glitter Gel Pens | 36 pens, rubber grip, brilliant color, smooth |
8. | Vaola Art Color Gel Pens | 36 pens, bleed and smear-proof |
9. | Fiskars Gel Pen Set | 48 pens, acid-free, quick-dry, blendable |
1. Aen Art Gel Pens
Open up a world of artistic possibilities with the Aen Art Gel Pens. The set comes with 80 pens in 80 different colors, plus 80 matched refills – you will have quite an extensive collection of gel pens with just this one purchase!
You can choose from 11 Glitter, 18 Metallic, 18 Pastel, 18 Neon, 6 Rainbow, 9 Classic colors, plenty of options to be as creative as you’d like with your artwork.
You can create your own unique patterns and make detailed illustrations or just color with these vivid gel pens.
We love that these gel pens and refills come with 40% more ink than other gel pens, which means they will last longer in your collection. The thicker ink allows for more viscosity, providing a smoother color application, and you don’t have to worry about clogged ink that can ruin the artwork.
With 0.8mm – 1mm ballpoint tips, these pens are great for coloring or just doodling. The fast-drying acid-free ink has a creamy, pigmented flow, making it perfect for filling large areas with smooth color. The ink is also non-toxic, so it’s perfectly safe for young children as well as adults.
If you tend to get lost in your artwork, you will appreciate the slim pen design with a cushioned grip, which makes them ideal for longer use without hand fatigue. This set comes with five coloring sheets for practice and 1 Premium Carrying Case that helps you neatly organize the entire collection.
2. Pilot G2 Premium Refillable Gel Pens
The Pilot G2 Premium Gel Ink Pen is one of the smoothest gel pens on the market today, designed for writing, drawing, and even coloring. These pens feature a long-lasting, smooth-writing gel ink that writes like a liquid rollerball but dries like a gel.
These gel pens feature thin, 0.7mm ballpoint tips for finely detailed drawings, but the smooth gel ink still allows you to color with ease.
The quick-drying ink creates a bold, smooth coloring experience. The ink dries faster than the average gel pen, helping to reduce smudging, and it is even smear-proof and water-resistant when dry.
These vibrant gel pens combine the comfort of a rubber grip with the convenience of a retractable tip and a refillable ink tube, so you don’t have to throw the pens away when the ink runs out!
This set comes with 20 gel pens in 20 basic colors, which allow you to explore your creativity and advance your skills before experimenting with other colors or effects.
3. Paper Mate InkJoy Gel Pens
When it comes to drawing and coloring, the last thing you want is to not be in the flow. The worry that your ink won’t dry fast enough or smudge as you color can really disrupt your creative process. Paper Mate’s Gel Ink Pens have you covered, though.
The gel ink in these pens dries three times faster than traditional ink, which means less time waiting for drying and more time drawing, coloring, and getting lost in your creative flow.
These gel pens feature smooth-flowing gel ink that looks vibrant and bold on the page, so you can let your creativity shine.
Coloring with gel pens can take longer than using regular markers. These pens are designed with comfortable ergonomic grips that cover the entire body of the pens. Whether you are left-handed or right-handed, these pens will feel comfortable for extended use.
These 0.5 mm ballpoint pens are perfect for coloring and especially great if you want to add fine details to your artwork. This set comes with eight vibrant colors, which makes it a great starter set for those who want to practice coloring with gel pens.
4. Aen Art Glitter Gel Pens
If you want to add a bit of spice to your artwork, then you can’t go wrong with these Glitter Gel Pens.
The Aen Art Glitter Gel Pens are 3-time more pigmented and have 30% more ink for long-lasting coloring. You can use these pens to color or add highlights and shadows to your artwork with fine detailing.
You can choose from 100 fun, vibrant glittery colors and create your own dazzling masterpieces. You can add sparkling, vibrant touches to your artworks using these glitter gel pens, so you can unleash your creativity on whatever paper or media comes to mind.
The tips have been designed to offer you a precise and even application, while the 0.8mm – 1.0mm fine points ensure precision so you can easily apply intricate details on your page. Every pen is fitted with a cushioned grip, making them comfortable to hold for a long time without giving you hand cramps.
These pens feature quick-drying ink that won’t bleed through paper or smudge across the page, which makes them perfect for coloring. The ink is acid-free and non-toxic for safe, long-lasting use. We can’t think of a more perfect addition to your gel pen collection!
5. Sakura Metallic Gelly Roll Pens
Sakura’s Gelly Roll pens are the first choice of artists because they are known for their silky smooth ink and long-lasting beauty. When it comes to coloring, this set of 16 metallic gel pens will make it so easy to add sparkles to your design.
These Gelly Roll pens are made with specially formulated ink that is archival quality, waterproof, and fade resistant.
The ink has an intense color saturation with a beautiful hint of metallic, which helps you create special artistic effects. The vibrancy of the colors gives a sense of richness and realism that makes them irresistible.
These pens are especially great for coloring because they produce rich, vivid colors that blend smoothly without smearing or bleeding through most paper. The smooth-flowing Gelly Roll pen has a unique 1mm rollerball tip that produces creamy smooth ink that feels so satisfactory in your hand.
If you want beautiful, vibrant metallic colors with a comfortable coloring experience, then you should definitely consider this set of Gelly Roll.
6. Shuttle Art Gel Pens
Artists, students, and anyone seeking to add a little color to their world will appreciate the magic of these pens.
This set of Color Gel Pens come in 120 unique colors in seven different styles: glitter, neon glitter, metallic, neon, pastel, swirl, and standard. Whatever design and effects you can think of, you can create with this extensive set of gel pens!
Once you’ve tried these Color Gel Pens for coloring, you won’t want to use anything else! With long-lasting, brilliant colors and a smooth application, your creative juices are sure to flow.
Even better, the ink is non-toxic and acid-free, which makes them very safe even for young children.
The pens have a sleek ergonomic design with a thumb rest on the grip, which makes them comfortable to hold. The 0.8 – 1mm bullet point tips, perfect for detailed coloring, and the gel ink ensures the pen glides without skipping.
If you want versatility as well as function, then this set of color gel pens is definitely a worthy candidate to add to your collection.
7. Nylea Glitter Gel Pens
Create dazzling designs with this set of Nylea Glitter Gel Pens! The set comes with a truly versatile variety, with 12 glitter, 8 metallic, 6 neon, and 6 pastels, and 4 classic color pens, which ensures that you find the perfect pen for each project.
The 0.8 – 1mm medium tip allows for smooth and precise application of glitter and pigmented gel ink. With a comfortable rubber grip intended to provide comfort, you need not worry about hand cramps or fatigue while creating your artwork.
Not only are the colors beautiful and brilliant, but the ink also does not bleed or skip, making your color-filled creations as pristine as the initial sketch. The ink is long-lasting and smooth-flowing, which makes coloring all the more enjoyable.
If you want a not-so-basic yet essential set of gel pens for your collection, this set is the one!
8. Vaola Art Color Gel Pens
The Vaola gel pen line is designed to meet the needs of the most demanding artists. You can choose from 36 gel pen colors, including vibrant shades of primary and pastel colors, as well as metallic and glitter textures.
Even better, these pens feature a smooth writing gel ink that won’t bleed or smear on paper and dry quickly so you can color in bold, vibrant strokes.
These gel pens have an ergonomically designed grip for comfort and control. A long, sleek barrel gives you the perfect amount of control while coloring to make your designs seamless and precise.
Each 0.8 to 1mm tip is precisely designed to provide excellent color gradation for smooth artwork creation while reducing pressure on your hand and fingers. Its ink is non-toxic and safe, and you can enjoy 70% more ink thanks to the thicker ink rod, which means these pens will last longer in your collection of gel pens.
If you love a smooth gel pen that is comfortable to use, then you should definitely give these gel pens a chance!
9. Fiskars Gel Pen Set
Create and color your own masterpieces with these Fiskars Gel Pens. From bold, vibrant colors to stunning swirls and dimensional effects, the advanced-color gel ink will delight and inspire you.
This set features 48 colors, including glitter, neon, metallic, swirl, and two black gel pens, enough to help you create whatever artworks you have in mind.
These gel-ink pens provide a smooth, crisp application that makes coloring fun and worry-free. The ink is free-flowing, acid-free, and fast-drying for added control and precision, without smudging or bleeding.
The deep color and 0.8-1.0 mm tips are perfect for coloring in larger areas as well as creating fine lines for detail work. The colors mix easily, blend well together, and lay beautifully on paper for fantastic coloring results. Plus, the comfort grip allows you to color for hours without hand cramping.
This set is a perfect blend between vibrant colors and ergonomic design, which is a top choice for any artists hoping to create brilliant effects on their artworks.
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