Whether you are an artist, or an aspiring one, surely you have experimented with using markers in your work. There are really a lot of different types of markers that artists can use.
While there are several different types of markers for art and a number of different brands to choose from, it’s still important to get a product that is going to work best for you and your artistic sensibilities.
So, what are the best markers for artists? The best markers for artists are professional-grade, feature alcohol-based ink for easy blending and smooth application, are easy to hold over a long period of time, are highly pigmented, and include a long-lasting ink reservoir.
In this article, let’s learn more about how to buy the best markers for your next art project.
Types Of Markers
There are a few different types of art markers, which are categorized based on the colorant content: alcohol-based ink, water-based ink, or solvent-based ink.
Let’s take a look at each of them below.
Alcohol-Based Markers
Alcohol-based markers use alcohol-based ink that can create a durable and permanent result when applied. Most’ art markers’ are actually alcohol-based markers. This is because alcohol-based markers are known for their blendability, vibrant colors, and fast-drying, permanent result.
As a side note, you should know that these markers have a strong smell that can be unpleasant to work with, and it’s generally not safe for children.
Alcohol-based ink can produce a permanent result when used on dry surfaces, but it can usually be wiped away using rubbing alcohol or acetone.
This type of ink is pretty easy to blend using a colorless blender or just rubbing alcohol, allowing you to layer the colors or create interesting effects using different blending techniques.
Even with blending, alcohol-based markers can still show streaks. These can be prevented by covering the entire paper with the colorless blender to create a ‘base’ to allow the alcohol-based ink to perform better on the paper.
Water-Based Markers
Water-based inks are usually mixed with water and glycerin. Because of this, they are odorless and non-toxic, making them perfect for classroom projects.
Water-based markers are quite popular for artists since the colors are often more opaque and also dry waterproof. Acrylic paint markers and chalk paint markers are common water-based markers that you can find in the art store.
Compared to alcohol markers, water-based markers can take a long time to dry and can damage your paper, especially if you use too many layers.
Solvent-Based Markers
Solvent-based markers use solvent-based inks that are made with a solvent such as a xylene, butyl acetate, or methyl isobutyl ketone. The result is a very long-lasting color that is semi-waterproof and durable.
Solvent-based markers can be quite toxic, so it’s less friendly to kids. It is usually more popular when you want to paint on things like fabric, plastic, or glass, as it can work on a wide range of materials.
Buying Markers For Art
When it comes to choosing the right art marker, there are many options on the market, and it’s difficult to tell what will work for your particular project.
Below are some of the factors that you should consider when buying markers for your art project.
Material
The very first thing that you should do is determine the intended material you’ll be drawing on.
If you are using paper, then the thickness of the paper can affect how many layers of ink it can handle without breaking or losing its structural integrity. In this case, choosing a type of ink that won’t harm the paper is the key.
Ideally, the paper should be thick enough so that the ink wouldn’t bleed through to the other side, especially if you want to blend or layer the ink. When choosing the type of marker, these factors are important to help you choose the right type of marker.
If you are drawing on other materials such as glass, plastic, or fabric, you will also need to choose the right marker for those materials too. Chalk markers can work for a variety of materials, but solvent-based markers are usually more durable for most materials.
Purpose
How are you going to be using the markers? Are they for doodling, sketching, or detailing artwork?
Artists can use different markers for different applications to create different effects. No matter what type of paper or application you are working on, the type of marker you choose can be hugely important.
If you are an artist, then it is important that you choose the right type of marker to achieve the effects that you want in your work. It can take some experimentation to develop a preference, and you will know exactly what type of marker you’ll need to use to create the desired effect.
Colors
A good marker set should have all of the primary colors that you need. You can also build up your collection by choosing different marker sets that provide a spectrum of colors to create various effects.
For professional artists, it is usually better to buy markers that are specifically made for different purposes. For example, you’ll see marker sets that just have flesh tones, which are perfect for portrait artists. Doing so saves you a lot of money and avoids buying a large set.
If you are working with blendable ink such as alcohol-based markers, you will be able to create new shades just by blending the colors.
Tip Design
Art markers come with various tip designs. Before you start drawing, make sure that you know what type of drawing you intend to perform and what medium you will use to choose the right tip design to get just the right effect.
Below are some common tip designs that you can find in your markers. Keep in mind that some markers have dual tips, which allow the markers to have more than one type of application.
- Fine Tip – Fine-tipped markers are commonly used for creating detailed drawings, doodling, or writing. They are not ideal for creating large blocks of colors since the tips are very small and precise.
- Chisel Tip – Chiseled tip markers are great for filling in blank areas as well as drawing thinner lines, depending on how you angle the marker. Many artists prefer using chisel tip markers as they are quite versatile.
- Bullet Tip – Bullet-tipped markers are very useful for drawing and writing on various materials. They are very stiff and can be used for drawing big lines with greater precision.
- Brush Tip – The brush tip is the most versatile type of tip, and it is especially beloved by calligraphy artists. It can be used for drawing thin lines and also filling in large areas of color, depending on the angle that you hold the marker, as well as the pressure that is applied when you use the marker.
Marker Grades
Similar to other types of art tools, markers also come in a few grades: student-grade, artist-grade, and professional-grade.
- Student-Grade – Student grade markers are not designed to work for professional artists; they are commonly used by those who are just learning. Student-grade markers are usually more affordable since the ink may contain less pigment or the ink is not as blendable as markers developed for artists.
- Artist-Grade – Artist-grade markers are often used by those who are exploring different media for art. The ink is usually permanent, colorfast, and very durable. Artist-grade markers are usually more expensive than student-grade ones, so make sure you are confident in your abilities before investing heavily in a pricey marker set.
- Professional-Grade – For those who are hoping to sell their artworks, professional-grade markers are designed to have permanent, colorfast results with a very smooth and blendable ink quality. Professional grade markers are usually very expensive, which is why they are often designed to be refillable, and the nibs can be replaced as well, so you don’t have to invest in a new set when one color runs out.
Blendability
One of the most important factors that a professional artist should consider is the blend-ability of the ink. Water-based markers can sometimes leave streaks on the paper, while alcohol-based inks have a smooth quality that can be easily blended using a blender.
For those who love blending colors or creating different shades from an existing palette, then opting for alcohol-based markers is the better choice.
Longevity
When you invest in a set of markers, you don’t want the markers to run out of ink or dry out too quickly. The markers should be designed in a way that can prevent the ink from drying out.
As mentioned, some marker brands also sell refillable markers with replaceable nibs, so you can always refresh the markers when needed without having to buy a whole new set.
Best Markers For Artists
What are the best markers for artists? Well, that depends entirely on the application and the effect that you are looking for.
Artists love to experiment and come up with new techniques in their crafts to create new styles and looks. In this case, you should look for marker sets with dependable performances that can help you try out different styles.
Below are our recommendations for the best ones on the market!
Rank | Product | Key Features |
---|---|---|
1. | Copic Marker Classic Markers 36-Piece Basic Set | 36 colors, high quality ink, fade-resistant |
2. | Tombow Dual Brush Pen Art Markers | Two nibs, brush tip, non-toxic, 10 colors |
3. | Shuttle Art 30 Colors Dual Tip Art Markers | 30 colors, fine bullet tip, non-toxic, alcohol ink |
4. | Prismacolor Premier Double-Ended Art Markers | 72 colors, bullet and chisel nib |
5. | Arteza Alcohol Brush Markers | Odorless alcohol-based ink, non-toxic |
6. | Ohuhu Alcohol Markers | 48 colors, vibrant, alcohol-based |
7. | Caliart 81 Colors Alcohol Based Markers | 80 colors, colorless blender, alcohol-based |
8. | Arrtx Markers | Alcohol-based, 90 colors, waterproof |
9. | Erin Condren Designer Colorful Dual-Tip Markers | 6 colors, vibrant, water-based ink |
1. Copic Marker Classic Markers 36-Piece Basic Set
The Copic classic 36-piece basic set comes with an array of vivid colors and replaceable nibs for versatility.
The markers feature high-quality ink and chisel nibs that will not bleed through paper and resist fading.
The alcohol-based ink is permanent, odorless, and non-toxic, making Copic markers ideal for both artists and those who are just learning.
Made for a wide range of skill levels, this classic set includes every color essential to begin creating your artwork, from detailed layering sketching to coloring.
The refillable markers are designed for use with the Copic Airbrush System. Each marker has a replaceable nib and comes with a large color barrel that can last for a long time.
2. Tombow Dual Brush Pen Art Markers
Tombow Dual Brush Pen Art Markers are the perfect tool for creating a fun and unique look! Whether your artistic style is traditional or experimental, Tombow has the perfect brush stroke for you.
Each marker is two pens in one, a brush and a pen. With the durable nylon brush tip, it can create fine, medium, or bold strokes; and with the fine tip, it gives consistent lines. It’s great for drawing, lettering, and illustrations.
The ink is non-toxic, blendable, non-bleeding, and odorless for a long-lasting fine art look. The included colorless blender pen is formulated to soften and blend the colors, creating a watercolor effect, ideal for professional fine art and craft.
This set comes with 10 color markers and is available in a wide range of colors that can really help you find the right aesthetic for your art.
3. Shuttle Art 30 Colors Dual Tip Art Markers
The Shuttle Art Dual Tip Art Markers is a versatile marker set available in 30 beautiful colors.
Each marker has dual tips: a 1mm fine bullet tip for detailing and a 4mm broad chisel tip for quick coverage, so you can create your work of art with ease.
These alcohol markers can blend endlessly for a variety of looks and leave no brush strokes or heavy residue when blended.
When dry, the ink is permanent, non-toxic, and acid-free, making them safe for use for a variety of applications. The alcohol-based ink is fast drying and smudge-proof, making it great for on-the-go artists.
4. Prismacolor Premier Double-Ended Art Markers
Prismacolor Premier Double-Ended Art Markers let you express your artistic side. Find the perfect balance of creative expression and crisp, precise lines with this set.
These art markers feature a double-ended design that gives you the best of both fine point and chisel tip art markers.
The fine point is designed to sharp lines while the chisel tip creates multiple line widths. This single source of ink guarantees color consistency at both ends.
This set features 72 art markers in brilliant colors that let you explore your style and create impressive drawings and sketches. The ink formulation ensures richly saturated color and superior blend-ability to help create your best artwork yet.
5. Arteza Alcohol Brush Markers
Arteza Alcohol Brush Markers are quite revolutionary in that they are alcohol-based ink that is odorless and non-toxic.
The markers are highly blendable, which is practical for a variety of art applications while being safe to use.
These markers have double-sided tips – a chisel tip and a soft brush tip – that can create strong, vivid, clean, and well-pigmented colors and are perfect for coloring, journaling, or drawing.
You can create perfect blends of colors with no smudging with these alcohol-based markers.
This set comes in 12 colors, and you can get them in a wide range of tones that are suitable for your art project.
6. Ohuhu Alcohol Markers
The Ohuhu Alcohol markers set includes 48 vibrant colors and a colorless blender.
Each marker comes with two tips: The slim chisel nib creates thick and bold marker lines, while the brush tip gives you a wide range of stroke widths for thinner lines or areas of shading.
With 48 vibrant colors, you can add depth and dimension to your work with a few strokes of the brush pen.
The alcohol-based ink can dry instantly to create a permanent result, which means easy blending and no smudging, allowing a professional look that is perfect for artists.
7. Caliart 81 Colors Alcohol Based Markers
The Caliart Markers set offers a set of beautiful and vibrant alcohol-based markers you can use to bring your art to life.
This set includes a selection of 80 colors and a colorless blender, which makes it a must-have for all artists, students, and lovers of color.
The markers have a dual-tip design, which means that each marker contains both broad tip (1-7mm) and fine tip (0. 7mm) nibs, making it great for illustration work, as well as detailing.
The alcohol-based & permanent markers feature excellent smudge-proof and waterproof qualities for a great variety of different media, which makes them perfect for those who love experimenting with their art.
8. Arrtx Markers
Arrtx Markers are a solution that is suitable for all types of applications. These markers are high-quality alcohol-based markers that offer superb blending and shading capabilities.
Each marker contains dual tips: a broad chisel tip for large areas and a fine tip for detail work. The markers are filled with alcohol-based ink, which is lightfast, permanent, and waterproof.
The best part is that you get 90 highly pigmented colors to choose from, which means you’ll find yourself reaching for this set in whatever art project that you have!
9. Erin Condren Designer Colorful Dual-Tip Markers
This Erin Condren Designer Markers set contains six ergonomically shaped dual-tip markers for coloring your world.
With vibrant, water-based ink, each marker contains a fine tip (0.6 mm) for detail work and a medium tip (1.2 mm) for broad strokes, so you can color large areas or create intricate designs.
These bold markers offer rich, opaque color and smooth laydown. The dual tips provide versatility, allowing you to create thicker or thinner strokes.
For those who are building up their art marker collections, then this is definitely an excellent starter block.
Up Next: How To Draw With Copic Markers – Complete Guide