Best Art Markers – Professional Marker Brands and Sets

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Do you remember when you were a kid and you used Crayola wax crayons, markers, and colored pencils, to do all your drawing and coloring? This may make you think that markers are only associated with children’s artwork. However, as an adult, we can also make use of markers for sketching and coloring. Markers are used by professional artists for an assortment of techniques, ranging from calligraphy to illustrations and sketches. Other industries which make use of markers include fashion design and architecture. This article will provide you with insight into the best art markers available and offer some tips and tricks to assist you in using them.

What Are Art Markers?

Art markers are defined as alcohol-based drawing or sketching instruments that are used to form artworks. A lot of markers have double tips which provide you with more selection than a single pen. The majority of markers are available to purchase in art marker sets.

Art (or alcohol-based) markers are known for their stunning coverage and the diversity of color which are available. Art markers dry instantly, providing you with a gorgeous, durable, and smudge-free drawing or sketch.

The water-based, or regular markers do not blend well and give a streaky look, so you will be unable to achieve a smooth and professional finish when using them. These types of makers are perfect for families and kids and are primarily used for day-to-day sketching and drawing. These markers are safe for use by children, thanks to them being non-toxic. Sadly, they take much longer to dry and the colors are not as clear and vibrant as the artist markers.

When using artist markers, you will have amazing blending ability. You will be able to produce stunning artwork with a professional and smooth finish. Artist markers provide the user with a variety of features like double tips, replaceable nibs, and refillable ink systems, offering you the ability to produce art that will be admired by all.

A Short History of Art Markers

Ancient Egyptians have been using ink to write and draw since 3200 BC. However, as soon as pens were invented, ink application became significantly easier, and not long after that, the marker was created. In 1910 Lee Newman started the process when he had the first felt-tip marking pen patented. In 1926, Benjamin Paskach created the first fountain paintbrush. However, it was only in the 1950s that Sidney Rosenthal made the Magic Markers that caused art markers to grow in popularity. Magic Markers are utilized for so many things from lettering, and posters, to labeling and many other uses. Today, markers are utilized by everybody from architects and professional artists to children.

How Do Art Markers Work?

To get your art markers working you will not require any specific tools. All you have to do is remove the cap and you can begin drawing or sketching. You do not have to activate an art marker before you can use it, unlike oil-based markers. When using an oil-based marker you have to press the marker on the paper to activate it before you can begin sketching or drawing with them.

With the majority of art marker sets, you will receive a blending tool. A blending tool is a colorless marker that assists you in spreading the ink, providing you with a high-quality blended effect.

What type of colorant is used is the primary difference between the types of markers. There are a variety of different types of colorants utilized in markers from paint, and dye, to ink. The colorants are normally suspended in alcohol, water, or a solvent-based mixture.

Different Types of Artist Markers

There are three forms of art markers, being solvent-based, water-based, or alcohol-based markers. This stipulates the type of solution that is incorporated with the ink or dye. There are two groups when it comes to the best art markers:

• Professional-grade markers: These are utilized by professionals
• Student-grade markers: Usually, these are water-based markers and are normally used by children with the family or at school

There are normally different options of art markers available. You can purchase art markers that have brush-like shaped nibs. These are very similar to watercolor brushes, which are often used by professionals to create stunning watercolor-like effects with the artwork.

You can also purchase dual-tipped art markers, one end of the pen has a fine tip, while the other end has a bullet tip. The markers can be utilized on an assortment of projects such as adult coloring, calligraphy, and sketching. There are also markers available that offer a chisel tip. This allows you to draw sharper lines, thinner lines, and thicker lines, making them ideal for calligraphy.

Alcohol-Based Art Markers

Within these markers, the ink is mixed with alcohol that will dry instantly and provide a permanent mark. The alcohol in the marker has a strong smell and can irritate your eyes and lungs. We recommend you only work with them in a well-ventilated space.

These particular markers are soluble in alcohol and are waterproof. You can blend the ink using either the blender marker or some rubbing alcohol. You can alternatively use a marker of a similar color to blend.

You need to be careful when blending as you run the risk of leaving streaks. To avoid this happening, you can saturate the entire surface of the paper with color. Another option is to cover the whole surface area with a blender before you begin to apply the color. You can layer your colors without damaging your paper, which is a great feature of these particular markers. Sadly, water-based markers have the complete opposite effect.

Water-Based Art Markers

The ink is blended inside this marker, with water, or with a combination of glycerin and water. These markers are chemical-free which means they have no odor and can be used by children safely.

The water-based markers are milky, cloudy, or waterproof and they take a lot longer to dry than the alcohol-based markers. You need to be careful when using these markers, you run the risk of saturating the paper if you apply too many layers.

You can purchase both water-based markers and water-based pens that are designed for use on heavy watercolor paper.  If you apply water to your artwork, both the water-based pens and water-based markers will provide you with stunning results. You can also potentially use a combination of alcohol-based markers and water-based markers in the same art piece.

If you choose to use both types of markers you will need to apply your alcohol-based markers first and then use the water-based markers. If you were to apply them the other way round, then the alcohol-based markers can dissolve the water-based ink.

Solvent-Based Art Markers

The solvent-based markers (which fall under the oil-based art markers) consist of a combination of chemicals (methyl, xylene, isobutyl ketone, and butyl) in the ink. Due to the combination of chemicals in the markers, they give off a strong odor that can irritate your eyes and lungs. You will have to ensure you are working in a well-ventilated space. It is good to know that there are xylene-free and non-toxic options available.

The ink in these types of markers is waterproof and durable but is not completely permanent. These markers are normally used in art and craft projects and work effectively on both porous and non-porous surfaces.

Comparison Table for Artist Markers

We have put together the following table to summarize the different types of markers, which include solvent-based, water-based, and alcohol-based, and their properties.

Things to Consider When Purchasing Your Art Markers

When you are deciding which art marker to purchase, it can seem very overwhelming as there are so many options. A lot of the time you will only determine which is the correct marker once you have used them. This article will help you select the correct marker for your needs so you do not have to spend a fortune buying thousands of markers. We have put together a few aspects you should consider when making your decision on which marker to purchase.

Paper

The first thing you will need to consider is the type of paper you will be using. When it comes to drawing or painting using your markers, the type of paper you have selected to use is very important. The thicker or bonded paper will hold significantly more ink than thinner paper.

You want to ensure that the paper you have selected will be able to hold multiple layers of ink and the marker ink will not bleed through the paper. A lot of artists choose to use a sketchbook, and this type of paper works well in holding the layers of ink.

Type of Application

Each brand of art marker has its characteristics. It all depends on what kind of artwork you will be doing to determine the best choice of marker. If you are an architect, professional designer, or artist you will each have different reasons for the type of marker you have selected. On the other hand, you might be an adult or a child who is looking to do some painting or sketching.

You should purchase the type of marker which best suits your artistic requirements. Even professional markers differ from one to the other, some are best suited for use in creating architectural blueprints, while others work well for a comic book artist. Each person or artist uses their markers differently, so you must determine your application before selecting your markers.

If you are hoping to add a particular effect to your art pieces like deep coloring, pastels, or watercolors, you will have to use the right type of markers. The right marker will aid you in achieving the effect you are looking for.

Ink Quality

No two markers are the same in terms of ink quality. So, the quality of the ink is also an important aspect to take into consideration. What ingredients are used in each marker that impact the cost of the marker? There are three categories when it comes to the ink in art markers:

• Water-based
• Alcohol-based
• Solvent-based

Thanks to them giving off no odor, and being waterproof, water-based markers are particularly popular. They are especially popular with kids and will not dissolve in the majority of solvents. If you are looking to blend colors then we recommend alcohol markers. While alcohol markers are also waterproof, they do dissolve in alcohol, which can be used when thinning or blending color. While alcohol-based markers do have a slight odor, it evaporates relatively quickly.

There are three solvents in a solvent-based marker that ensure you get bright and durable colors; however, the colors are not permanent. A solvent-based marker has a very strong odor that does not evaporate.

The marker’s ink quality plays a big role. You will struggle to blend low-quality ink and to achieve a uniform look you rely heavily on blending. You will not receive a smooth application when using low-quality ink and any overlapping will be visible. You ideally want a marker that will dispense the right quantity of ink.

Ink Color Choices

If you are new to using art markers, you should select an art marker set that offers you all the primary colors, and you can then build up your collection from there. You want to select an art marker brand that provides you with an assortment of colors, in different shades. If you are a professional, we recommend you only look at professional markers that group their markers as per type. For example, markers that only offer flesh tones. You will save yourself a lot of money as it will not be necessary to buy a large set just to have access to flesh tones.

If you select alcohol-based art markers you will be able to thin out and mix the colors creating an assortment of new shades. This means you will have even more colors to choose from. Alcohol-based markers are also available in an assortment of bright colors that will not bleed through.

Keep in mind that markers do not have to adhere to lightfastness testing standards. What this means is that if the marker states that it is permanent, it may still fade over time. You do have the option to purchase a few color packs at once, but we suggest if you are going to do this, that you stick to one brand.

Marker Nibs and Tips

You can purchase art markers with a variety of tips from a chisel, to fine, bullet, and brush shape. You will need to know the type of drawing you will be doing, how you plan to utilize the marker, and which medium you wish to use.

Fine Tip

If you are doing more detailed work with limited space (like comic book sketching or Manga), then the fine-tipped markers are perfect. These markers are not practical when you have to tackle large blocking of colors. A fine-tipped marker is perfect for doodling, creating detailed designs, and writing.

Chisel Tip

If you need to fill in the blank areas using a particular color, then the chiseled-tipped markers are perfect. They offer you wide coverage in just a few strokes. You will be able to draw different lines, depending on how you choose to hold your marker. You can use the different edges of the chiseled-tipped marker to do different things. If you need to cover a large area then you would use the wide edge. If you need to draw thinner lines then you can use the pointy side.

Bullet Tip

The bullet-tipped markers are the most affordable on the market, but for good reason. They are not very versatile as a tip, but are ideal for drawing, outlining designs, and writing on fabric. Thanks to the inflexibility of the nib of the marker you can be more precise when drawing thicker lines.

Brush Tip

Of all the tips, the brush tip is the most versatile. You can do fine and detailed work using the point, or when you have flattened the tip to form a brush you will be able to fill in larger areas of color. These tips are ideal for shading, but they can be quite pricey. Certain brands offer the option to be able to replace any worn tips. We have discussed markers so far that have single tips, but there are certain markers available that have a dual tip. Each end of the marker has a different tip.

The majority of dual-tipped markers have a fine nib on one end and a chiseled nib on the opposite end. You will save a lot of money buying dual-tipped markers, as you only have to purchase one marker but have two kinds of tips. When working with a dual-tip marker you do not have to constantly change markers if you want a different tip, you simply just turn the marker around. The one negative of a dual-tipped marker is that the ink runs out a lot faster. This can be avoided by buying a marker that offers a larger ink reservoir.

Grades of Markers

Much like colored pencils, which are graded into three types (oil-based, water-soluble, and wax-based) the same applies to art markers that also have quality grading divided into three categories. The categories are namely, student, artist, and professional.

Student-Grade

These markers are the most affordable of the options and are not created to be used by professional artists. They unfortunately will not provide the quality finish to an artwork, required by a professional. If you are however looking to take up drawing as a hobby, then student-grade markers are perfect.

Artist-Grade or Professional-Grade

If you are serious about your artwork, then the artist-grade marker or professional-grade marker is what you require. They are perfect for many different projects and types of applications. They are available in an assortment of bright colors and are permanent. They naturally cost more than the student-grade markers.

These markers have been specifically designed for use by professional artists and offer a high-quality finish. They are dual-tipped with an ink reservoir located between the two tips. The reservoir contains high-quality, non-toxic ink that is alcohol-based. The ink is also streak-free and only gives off a low odor. You can layer and blend with these permanent markers, making them ideal for use by professional artists.

Unlike the cheap art markers which once the ink runs out need to be thrown away, professional-grade markers can be refilled. You also have the option to replace the nibs once they have been worked down. To ensure color consistency, each professional-grade maker is tested before being sold. As you can imagine these markers are considerably more expensive than the other markers.

Blendability

As a professional artist, you will require a blendable marker. This is where there is a significant difference between water-based and alcohol-based markers. You may find that your water-based markers leave streaks on the paper when you attempt to blend the colors. There is no certainty how the process will turn out as it is hard to predict how the water will react with the dye, paper, and an assortment of other elements.

When it comes to blending colors, alcohol-based markers are your best option. Alcohol-based markers dry a lot faster than water-based markers. There is an aspect of transparency to the ink in these types of markers. This means you will be able to layer different colors to create the effect you require. It is a lot easier to blend the colors when you are working with alcohol-based markers in comparison to water-based markers.

Cost

In terms of cost, there is a massive difference in the price. As the quality of the markers increase, so does the price. If you are someone who is drawing as a hobby, then purchasing cheap art markers, which are water-based, is the way to go. If you are a professional artist you will have to look at the pricier options to ensure you have a better-quality product for your art piece.

You would need to look at either the solvent-based or alcohol-based markers. These markers provide you with an assortment of brilliant colors to choose from and are refillable when the ink runs out. They are also permanent and provide you with more flexibility, meaning they will last longer.

Longevity

Regardless of whether you purchase a cheap art marker or a pricey marker, you want to ensure that you have a marker that doesn’t run out of ink quickly. You ideally want a marker that holds a decent quantity of ink, or even better, a refillable marker.

Our Recommendations for the Best Art Markers

As a pen, art markers are extremely versatile. Thanks to them being portable they are easy to be carried around. They are available in an assortment of bright colors, and the more expensive brands allow you the option to blend your colors providing you with additional color choices.

Creating art is a lot of fun and can be enjoyed by everyone. Art markers can be used by professionals, beginners, and even children, and by purchasing the right marker you will be able to create a stunning piece of art. We have put together a list of some of the best markers available to help you in choosing which is the right marker for you.

Best Water-Based Markers: TOMBOW Brush Set

This dual brush set contains water-based ink and should not be considered as an alternative to an alcohol-based art marker set, but rather a writing tool that has a completely different purpose – the ink is not permanent but is odorless, non-toxic, and fast-drying. In the set, you will also receive a colorless blender that can be used to create a watercolor effect.

This set has been referred to as a watercolor set, in pen form and will effectively blend watercolors. The markers also dry relatively quickly. With the water brush, you will be able to create custom colors and will also be able to create stunning smooth blends. Each pen has two tips, a fine bullet tip on one end, and a flexible brush tip on the other end.

We suggest buying these markers in a set of ten colors, and you can later build them onto your collection. There is however a set of 96 colors available. These sets are significantly cheaper than other brands available on the market, so this is the perfect option if you are a beginner. All the markers in the set have color-coded caps, this will help you when organizing your pen set.

This set of markers is very blendable, however as it is water-based ink, you will need to mix your colors on a palette first. Once blended, you can then take your blending brush and apply the ink to the paper.

You will have to use a paper that has been designed to work with water-based ink in order to ensure that the ink does not bleed through. These markers are easy to maintain, as once you have finished blending, they clean themselves.

Sadly, these markers are not refillable, and you are unable to change the tips. When the tip has worn down or the ink is finished, you will have to replace the marker. You can use the nylon brush tip to create medium and bold strokes, while the fine bullet tip can be utilized to create detailed designs and fill in details.

TOMBOW Brush Set

• Suitable for art, lettering, calligraphy, illustrations, journaling and more
• Ideal for blending with self-cleaning tips
• Nylon brush tip for variable strokes and fine tip for consistent lines

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Best Alcohol-Based Art Markers: COPIC Markers Basic Set

This set has been specifically designed to boost your art marker collection. Copic art markers are available in several hundred colors, but this particular set of 12 pens is ideal for creating stunning sketches. This is a great set to start with, and simple to use. You can expand on this set whenever you want. If you would prefer to buy a larger set of Copic markers, there is a 36-pen set available. This larger set offers you the option of more tone variations and additional neutral colors.

Each marker has a refillable tube that is robust and durable. You are also able to replace the nibs when required. This has the added benefit that you can change the tip without having to also change the color. These alcohol-based markers provide you with permanent ink that will not fade over time. The colors are bright and give you a smooth finish once applied, you can also blend your colors when using these markers. The ink dries quickly and gives you a finish that will not streak or smudge.

These markers last long, with some artists who have used them for over 25 years. The fact that they are refillable also means you can use them for a long time. You will be able to use these art markers to edit your sketches and not spoil them. You are able to make changes once the ink has dried. You just have to wet your sketch and you will be able to make any required changes. This is unfortunately only an option if you are working on an uncoated paper.

COPIC Markers Basic Set

• Set includes primary and secondary colors commonly used in design
• Includes two replaceable Standard Fine and Standard Broad nibs
• Suitable for sketching, drawing, and beginning a larger marker collection

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Best Solvent-Based Art Markers: SHARPIE Oil-Based Paint Markers

This set of five colors works well on practically any surface, from pottery, plastic, glass, stone, rubber, and many more. The oil-based paint is released by a valve and offers amazing control on application. The paint is permanent. You receive four tips with the markers, so you can try several different techniques.

This set comes with fine points which are great for creating fine lines and bold lettering. As the markers are non-toxic, they can be used by children. The paint will not fade over time.

SHARPIE Oil-Based Paint Markers

• Permanent, non-toxic, oil-based ink is water, abrasion, and fade resistant
• Suitable for metal, pottery, wood, rubber, glass, plastic, stone, and more
• Valve-action fluid-control nib ensures smooth ink application

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Art Marker Brand Comparison Table

To assist you further we have put together a table that lists the better-known brands and indicates the types of markers you will be able to purchase including solvent, water, and alcohol-based ink.

How to Use Art Markers

How can you use an artist marker? This might seem like a silly question, as it is just a marker, is there a right and wrong method? Some people do not know how to use art makers properly.

Drawing With Art Markers

To ensure you are using your art markers correctly you need to ensure you have the correct marker for your project. You will need to look at all the features, if they are comfortable to hold, how they work. You will also have to think about their consistency, particularly if they are alcohol or water-based. While alcohol-based markers are durable, they do tend to bleed through the paper. Water-based markers are washable and odorless.

Taking note of this specific feature will assist you in selecting the right type of paper. If you are using alcohol-based markers you will need heavy-weight paper, while water-based markers require light-weight paper.

When working with drawing markers, we suggest you begin with lighter tones and outline the main shapes. Then you continue using the darker tones, but ensure you confine your drawing to a small area. If you feel you do not need to add any additional colors you can then move on to the next area, and continue until your picture is complete.

The majority of artists would then shade the whole picture, which can be done using a shading or blending tool, alternatively, you can make strokes of varying widths. If you will be using a tool first, make sure it is compatible with the markers you are using, or should you be making strokes, try not to overdo the same type of strokes all the time. To achieve the best results, you would need to experiment and practice until you have achieved the perfect technique.

Coloring With Art Markers

Before you are coloring you should plan what shades you plan to use, then portion the whole area into smaller sections. Determine what shades you will be using in which segment. When you are finished doing this you can begin coloring. Always begin using the lighter tones and then move on to the darker tones, using another shade or layering the same tone. Continue till you have worked through all sections.

Remember to stop as you work and see if you are achieving the effect you are looking for; if not, stop and fix what needs to be fixed.

Water Coloring With Art Markers

When using art markers, you will be amazed by the effect you can create on paper. However, your markers need to be working correctly to be able to achieve these effects. You can create a watercolor effect using certain water-based markers. To achieve the watercolor effect, you will begin by applying the markers and then using a wet brush or a blender to cover the colors you have applied.

You will see that the edges will disperse and dissolve over the entire surface. You can also experiment a little when doing this by applying the water first, and then using the water-based art markers to paint over the water. However, the best option is to apply some colors next to the water and combine the two using a blender or paintbrush.

Blending With Art Markers

The techniques one uses to create the watercolor effect are very similar to the techniques required to blend. The main difference is determined by the number of markers you use. If you are only using one marker to blend you can blend the entire area by altering the pressure you exert on the pen’s tip. If you are using a water-based marker you can prepare a solution of water, or if you are working with an alcohol-based marker you can use a solution of rubbing alcohol.

You can achieve this by dipping the tip of the marker directly into the solution and blending the area by adjusting the pressure you use. If you are using two markers that are of similar colors but varying tones, you will need to apply the lighter tone first and then apply the darker tone over it.

Sketching With Art Markers

The main issue with using art markers to be used for sketching is that you might end up making a mistake or creating a mess. A lot of artists prefer not using art markers to sketch as they worry that they will not be able to correct or erase any mistakes. If you choose to use art markers to sketch you need to be confident in what you are doing, and if you make a mistake do not let it throw you off, rather be creative and cover it up.

Shading With Art Markers

When you use art markers to do shading, you will use the same technique as when you do shading using colored pencils or pencils. To create darker lines, you can change the tone, and if you are working with just one marker, you can create a mesh-like pattern by doing cross-hatch lines. This will assist you in creating shadows and texture. You want to try to avoid applying too much ink in one spot as it could potentially ruin your drawing.

We suggest you begin experimenting with shading, using a pencil, and then once you are feeling more confident you can try shading using art markers.

Rendering With Art Markers

Art marker rendering is an artistic approach that focuses on impressions and illusions. You will be able to visualize a three-dimensional image on two-dimensional paper. To begin with, you will have to form the borders of the item you intend to render, and then begin applying your previously selected colors. For details that do not have bright colors, you can use a lighter shade of grey which will add bulk to the details.

If your image requires blending or you find some gradients, then you can cover the lighter tones using darker tones, you can then apply the shading method referred to above that combines two colors.

Coloring Without Streaks

This can be a little difficult as you cannot always ensure consistent lines or position your hand in the right position all of the time. We recommend that you do not press too hard on the marker’s tip, as this will cause it to fray and can potentially create streaks. With practice, you will avoid these problems.

Tips and Tricks When Using Art Markers

Whether you are just starting out using art markers or are a professional artist with a lot of experience, you will need to adhere to certain principles to produce the art piece you are looking to create. We have put together a few ticks and tricks to assist you.

• It is a great help to have a good understanding of how the different tips work when held at different angles. It will take practice to understand the impact of the angle you hold the marker, and how it will perform. It is also advantageous to have different types of tips.
• Try using different strokes, work patiently and carefully and take note of your stroke quality, and then you can speed up.
• Always begin with the lighter tones of ink as you will find them easier to fix or cover over.
• You can always use colored pencils to provide you with additional depth and precision.
• When you change your paper before you begin drawing, take some of the colors you were using on the previous paper and compare them with the new paper.
• Once you have done a color swatch, do not start using the drawing markers right away. Wait a couple of minutes, as the colors often get paler as they dry.

We hope this article has assisted you in selecting the best art markers for drawing and sketching. As you can see artist markers are a lot of fun to work with and there are art marker brands that can be used by anyone, from children to professional artists.

Frequently Asked Questions

What Is the Best Art Marker Brand?

There are a variety of different professional markers brands available. Copic and Prismacolor remain amongst the most popular brands. The Copic brand is particularly sought-after as you can refill the ink, and can replace the nibs.

What Are the Best Markers for Artists?

You may wonder which are the best markers for artists? When buying professional markers, the easily refillable Copic brand is very popular amongst designers, while Prismacolor is the go-to brand for artists, mainly due to their dual-tips, and alcohol-based, high-quality ink.

What Are the Best Markers for Drawing?

The best markers for drawing should have either a bullet or brush tip. Not only do these provide for expressive mark-making, but you can also easily blend with both these tips. At the same time, you will also be able to draw crisp lines without concerns of spreading or streaking.

What Markers Should Beginners Choose?

When starting, you want to find a brand that fits your creative style. We suggest you choose one or two pens from three of the top brands and then you can experiment and select the right one for you. When you have chosen a brand, start by purchasing a small set, and then with time, expand your set to reflect your preferred palette.

How Do You Apply Art Markers Correctly?

You can use an art marker much like you use a pen, but you will need to ensure you have the correct tip for the right job. Art markers are available with two different types of tips, the chisel tips can be used for filling purposes, and the fine tip can be used for thin or detailed lines. You will receive a colorless blender with all your art markers. This can be used to blend your ink to provide you with a uniform and smooth finish. You want to begin your drawing using thick paper first.

How Long Do Art Markers Last?

The majority of art markers are fairly durable and will last a few years. Of course, they will last even longer if they have a nib that can be replaced and the markers are refillable.

Can You Apply Art Markers on Glass?

Certain markers can be used on glass, but you will have to consult the manufacturer’s label which will advise which surfaces that particular marker will work on effectively. We recommend you use a fade-resistant marker if you want your design to last on the glass surface.

How to Organize My Art Markers Sets?

We suggest you organize your markers by their color family in their carry case. You want to ensure that the caps are visible, so you can quickly see the color you are looking for.