Paint pens are probably the most low-maintenance and easiest tools to work with when it comes to painting on canvas. There are a lot of different paint brands out there, but not all paint pens work similarly to each other.
So, what are the best paint pens for canvas? The best paint pens for canvas should be acrylic or oil-based in order to be compatible with canvas and dry with a waterproof finish. You should also look for non-toxic options and ones which have the right sized tip for your project.
While most paint pens are comparable in nature, the paint and design of the pens can make a huge difference when you use them. Before buying, it’s important to consider the features and functionalities of each type to find the one that’s best for you.
Read on to discover some of our favorite paint pens for canvas and what to consider before making a purchase.
Paint Pens For Canvas – Buyer’s Guide
Before going into the different paint pen options that are available on the market, let’s take a look at some of the things you should consider before buying them.
1. Type Of Paint
There are so many different types of paint, but the best paint base for working with canvas is either acrylic paint or oil paint.
Acrylic paint is known for being highly versatile and easy to work with. The paint can dry very quickly, and it can dry hard and become semi-waterproof as well. As a water-based paint, you can easily clean wet paint off with water if you make a mistake.
Watercolor acrylic paint pens perform really well, although the colors can come out a bit lighter compared to oil paint. Acrylic paint is also non-toxic and very friendly to beginners, which is why it is beloved by both amateurs and professional artists alike.
Oil-based paint pens offer fuller paint quality. It has a thicker consistency that dries slowly, allowing you some time to work with the colors on the canvas before it’s dry. Oil paint is also known for its longevity, so this is definitely a great way to go if you are looking for a long-lasting paint quality.
Both of these types of paint bases are superior for canvas because they can dry to become waterproof and smudge-proof, which means you can layer one color on top of another (once a layer is dry) without having to worry about the colors bleeding or smudging.
The ink quality of acrylic and oil-based paint is also top-notch, so they always flow smoothly when you draw, making the quality of your artwork much better compared to other types of ink.
2. Color Range
Depending on the set you purchase, you can have plenty of color options ranging from basic primary colors to pastel colors and everything in between. In addition, you can select the finish for your colors, with options of matte or metallic finish.
3. Tip Type
The tip size of the pen will be the size of your lines when you use the paint pen. A bigger tip will allow you to draw bigger details and outlines in your painting, but for finer details, you will need to use a fine tip pen.
A fine tip marker is typically around 0.7-2mm. When used on canvas, these will allow you to create very thin lines, perfect for detailing work. Big lines can be created with markers with bigger tips (3-5mm), and these are also great for coloring work.
If versatility is what you need, then you can always purchase a set that offers several tip sizes; that way, you will have plenty of options when creating your artwork. In addition, there are also replacement nibs that allow you to change the size of the tip, so you can always look into those options if you want more versatility for your collection.
The tip of the pen is often made from nylon or other synthetic materials, which are designed to stay fresh and “sharp,” which is especially important for fine-tip pens. These tips are also washable, so if the paint has caused the tip to dry out, you can actually wash it with water or use a wet cloth to clean it, and the ink should be able to flow smoothly again.
4. Toxic/Non-Toxic Paint
While oil-based paint markers and acrylic paint markers are generally pretty safe, you should avoid those that have harsh chemicals which can be damaging to your health. This is especially important if the pens are going to be used by children. You should look for options that are xylene-free and acid-free.
5. Ease Of Use
The main advantage of using a canvas markers is that they’re very easy to use. You don’t need to learn how to use various strokes and techniques to get started, which you often do when using paintbrushes to work with acrylic or oil paint. This is why it’s super friendly to a painting novice.
The only downside of using paint pens is that it requires quite an extensive collection of colors and tip sizes to create a sophisticated piece of artwork.
Creating depths and details requires many different shades of the same color. Since it’s harder to manipulate the size of the stroke and mix the colors, you will need to buy many colors and tip sizes in order to create a truly detailed artwork.
That’s why you don’t see a lot of professional artists use paint markers to create complicated artworks – it’s much easier to mix the colors on a palette and paintbrushes to create whatever colors and stroke sizes they want.
On the other hand, unlike paintbrushes, markers are quite low-maintenance. Make sure to close the lid after every use and clean the nibs occasionally to prevent the paint from drying out. If the nibs of the pens are damaged, you can actually buy replacement nibs for the pens as well.
If you love doodling or creating very simplistic artworks to decorate your canvas bags or aprons, then these paint pens are probably the way to go. However, if you are actually painting on a painting canvas, then you should consider going the liquid paint and paintbrushes route.
Flooding or leakage issues are common when the pen gives out too much paint. In most cases, the excess paint can easily be wiped off, and you can continue to work with them as normal.
Best Paint Pens For Canvas
Now that you know what you need to consider before buying paint pens, let’s take a look at some of the best options on the market below.
Rank | Product | Key Features |
---|---|---|
1. | Nawod Premium Acrylic Paint Marker Pens | 35 set, medium and extra fine tip, non-toxic |
2. | Asani Paint Pens Acrylic Markers Set | 12 set, acrylic, fade-resistant, non-toxic |
3. | Moxix Colors Acrylic Paint Marker Pens | 32 colors, 2 sizes, water-based, eco-safe |
4. | Tooli-Art Acrylic Paint Markers Paint Pens | 18 colors, non-toxic, highly pigmented |
5. | PiziArt Acrylic Paint Pens | 15 set, water-based, acrylic ink, odor-free |
6. | Rosmax Acrylic Paint Pens | 24 set, extra-fine tip, replacement nibs |
7. | Artistro Acrylic Paint Markers | 42 set, non-toxic, highly pigmented acrylic |
8. | TFive Oil-Based Paint Markers | 12 colors, 2 sizes, oil-based, lightfast |
9. | Sharpie Oil-Based Paint Markers | 8 set, opaque, oil-based, fade-resistant |
10. | Artiqo Oil-based Fine Tip Paint Pens | 15 set, oil-based, water-resistant, non-toxic |
11. | Aroic Oil-Based Paint Markers | 48 colors, smooth flowing paint, non-toxic |
1. Nawod Premium Acrylic Paint Marker Pens
With 20 extra fine tip acrylic paint pens and 15 medium tip acrylic paint pens, this set of Premium Acrylic Paint Marker Pens is great for both detailing and filling large areas.
The clear body lets you check the color uniformity and volume of the ink, making these pens very easy to use, and the durable nylon tips are long-lasting and perfect for applying the colors on canvas.
Each paint pen is filled with 3ml/7ml of ink, which can actually last you quite a while. This set allows you to create vivid, smooth lines within both thick and thin strokes and even layer the colors without them bleeding.
These paint pens feature bright and long-lasting acrylic colors that are quick-drying, non-toxic, and odorless for a waterproof, sun-proof result.
2. Asani Paint Pens Acrylic Markers Set
This set of 12 paint pens come with acrylic, water-resistant ink that produces vivid and fade-resistant colors.
Each pen is filled with 3 milliliters of premium Italian acrylic ink, which can be applied with the extra-fine 0.7mm nylon tips for strong outlining and coloring.
Non-toxic and odorless, these acrylic pens are perfect for adding fine details to your canvas painting. Since the ink is acrylic, it is very quick-drying and can achieve a semi-water-resistant finish that is vibrant and long-lasting.
3. Moxix Colors Acrylic Paint Marker Pens
This professional artist paint marker set has 32 vibrant colors that are sure to give you quite an extensive collection. This set contains all kinds of colors, including 8 metallic, gold and silver, and 22 basic colors, so that you could create more vivid and stunning artwork.
The fine plastic tip comes in two sizes, 1mm and 2mm, which can give you both smooth and fine lines as well as bold lines and soft shading for exquisite painting effects.
The cap is tip-shaped, which is designed to be easy to carry and anti-rolling. They keep the markers well-protected and prevent the ink from drying out.
Acrylic paint is water-based and environmentally friendly, so these pens are non-toxic and odorless. When dry, the paint is sun-proof and waterproof. The pens are designed to prevent leakage, which means they can be useful in your collection for quite a long time.
4. Tooli-Art Acrylic Paint Markers Paint Pens
These paint markers are ideal for artists and crafters of all abilities and ages. Available in a range of vivid and light colors, these 18 paint pens give you variety in your artwork.
They feature non-toxic pigmented ink that creates vibrant, opaque coverage on almost any surface (including canvas!) and dries quickly to prevent smudging.
When you need the finest detail, you can rely on these pens with 0.7mm nylon tips, making them perfect for intricate outlining or creating precise details.
The innovative valve-action tip is easy to use and engineered to withstand pressure, so you don’t have to worry about the fine tips dulling and fraying over time. The paint is also acid-free and non-toxic, which makes it perfectly safe for adults and young children alike.
5. PiziArt Acrylic Paint Pens
This is another set of acrylic pens with extra fine (0.7mm tips), which are great for detailing work.
With a rainbow of vibrant colors to choose from, this set of 15 paint pens is a must-have for artists and creative types of all ages who aspire to express their talent on a variety of mediums, and these pens are perfect to use on canvas.
These water-based, odor-free, non-toxic pens are filled with a special mixture of quick-drying Italian acrylic ink for a smooth flow and a vivid finish.
The ink won’t smudge or bleed, making them very friendly to use, even to beginners and non-artists.
6. Rosmax Acrylic Paint Pens
This set comes with 24 vibrant acrylic paint pens with extra-fine tips (0.7mm).
What’s unique about this set is that it also comes with two replacement nibs, allowing you to transform the pens into ones with medium or thick line weight.
This definitely adds more versatility to your collection, allowing you to create more freely without the constraints of the tip size.
These acrylic pens offer everything you need for your projects, including non-toxic paint, easy application, and precise control. Quick-drying with fade-resistant color, these acrylic pens are ideal for art projects or doodling when you need to get inspired.
7. Artistro Acrylic Paint Markers
The Artist Paint Pen set is truly commendable in terms of quality and the diversity of colors.
This 42 piece paint marker set includes a diverse range of 40 assorted acrylic colors, as well as two bonus black and white markers.
The special non-toxic ink is odor-free and highly pigmented. Each color is formulated with high-grade pigments for a smooth, consistent flow and an opaque, glossy finish.
The made-in-Japan 0.7mm tips ensure their durability, which means they can stay sharp to help you create fine details in a wide variety of projects and on various surfaces such as canvas.
8. TFive Oil-Based Paint Markers
These oil-based paint markers are designed for precision, control, durability, and performance. This set comes with 12 vibrant colors, accompanied by 5mm round tips (and 2mm line thickness) that let you draw with smooth lines in great detail.
Although oil paint is often associated with strong fumes, these oil-based paint pens are made with dye-based ink, which creates brighter colors that are more opaque, water-resistant, and lightfast, but still acid-free, odorless, non-toxic, and xylene-free.
9. Sharpie Oil-Based Paint Markers
Sharpie is a really well-known and reliable brand when it comes to office supplies, and they do produce a line of medium-tip oil-based paint markers for all arts and crafts enthusiasts.
This set of Oil-Based Paint Markers includes 8 primary colors that are ideal for working with canvas, thanks to the high contrast colors that can create opaque and glossy marks that stand out on dark, light, and even reflective surfaces.
Although these pens have oil-based ink, the ink is still relatively quick drying and easy to work with. Once dry, it can resist fading or smearing, and it’s even waterproof, so your artwork will always maintain its quality.
10. Artiqo Oil-based Fine Tip Paint Pens
These oil-based paint markers offer versatile and reliable options for working with canvas. These artist-quality extra fine point paint pens come in 15 bright colors that are ideal for touch-ups and sharp, tiny details.
These are oil-based pens, so the ink quality is top-notch yet still pretty beginner-friendly.
The ink doesn’t bleed or leak while you work, and the ink flows smoothly, which makes doodling very satisfying. When dry, the paint becomes water-resistant while still maintaining its color quality, even after a long time.
Of course, this oil-based ink is non-toxic and odorless, so you can enjoy all the benefits of oil-based paint without having to worry about health issues.
11. Aroic Oil-Based Paint Markers
This is probably the most extensive set of paint pens we are recommending, with a range of 48 colors that are sure to significantly improve the robustness of your artworks.
These are medium-tip paint markers with oil-based paint that have excellent full-coverage colors. The ink is very smooth-flowing, which can significantly improve the quality of your artwork.
This oil-based ink is non-toxic and will dry to become waterproof and weather-resistant, so you don’t have to worry about the maintenance after completing your artwork.
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