Best Art Markers – A Guide to Selecting the Best Markers for Artists

Can you remember when you were younger using Crayola wax crayons, colored pencils, and markers, for coloring and drawing? This might give the impression that markers are associated with children’s art. However, as adults, we have often used them for coloring and sketching ourselves. Professional artists also make use of markers for their illustrations, sketches, and calligraphy. Drawing markers have also been found in the hands of architects and fashion designers. We will be discussing all the types of markers, the best art markers available, and a few tips and tricks along the way.

What Are Art Markers?

Art markers are alcohol-based sketching or drawing instruments that are used for creating art pieces. Many of the markers usually have double tips for ease of use and more of a choice in a single pen. Most of the products also come in art marker sets. However, why should you even consider an art marker?

Art or alcohol-based markers are recognized for their excellent coverage and diversity of colors they provide. Markers also dry instantly, leaving a brilliant, smudge-free, and durable sketch or drawing.

The regular, or water-based markers do not blend very well and leave you with a streaky look, and are unable to give your sketch or art piece that professional and smooth result. These types of markers are excellent for kids and families and are for everyday drawing and sketching. These markers are also harmless, and kids can easily use them. Unfortunately, they take a lot longer to dry and the colors are not as vibrant and clear as the artist markers.

Artist markers, on the other hand, provide you with excellent blending ability, allowing you to create that perfect art piece with a smooth and professional look. Artist markers have several special features such as replaceable nibs, double tips, and refillable ink systems, giving you the ability to produce art everyone will admire.

A Short History of Art Markers

Ever since 3200 BC, the ancient Egyptians were writing and drawing with ink. However, once pens were invented, this made ink application a lot easier, and it was not long after that when markers were created. The process all started in 1910 when Lee Newman had the very first felt-tip marking pen patented. Then in 1926, Benjamin Paskach invented the very first fountain paintbrush. It was only in the 1950s when Sidney Rosenthal created Magic Markers that art markers became popular. Magic Markers were being used for almost everything from posters to labeling, lettering, and all kinds of other uses.

Today, drawing markers are used by most professional artists, architects, and everybody else including children.

How Do Art Markers Work?

There are no special tools needed to get your art marker working. All you need to do is take off the cap and you can start sketching or drawing. Art markers do not have to be activated first before you can use them, unlike oil-based markers. The oil-based markers need you to press them down on the paper first before you can start drawing or sketching with them.

Most of the art marker sets come with a blending tool, which is a marker that is colorless and helps to spread your ink, giving you that high-quality blended effect.

The key difference between the types of markers lies in the type of colorant that is used. There are different types of colorants used in the markers and include ink, dye, and paint. These colorants are usually suspended in water, alcohol, or solvent-based mixture.

Art markers are used extensible by art enthusiasts, design professionals, students, architects, and of course children or anybody who enjoys coloring or sketching. This means that if you are a professional, or you enjoy art and coloring as a hobby, then you should have a set of art markers in your possession.

Different Types of Artist Markers

Art markers fall into three main categories namely water, alcohol, or solvent-based markers. This indicates the type of solution that is used with the dye or the ink. The best art markers have also been divided into two groups:

• High-quality markers that are used by professionals;
• The lower grade marker, which is usually a water-based marker and is used by kids, at school, or with the family.

Art markers usually have different options available. There are art markers that have nibs with a brush-like shape, very similar to that used by watercolor brushes, which are normally used by professionals who want to create a watercolor-like effect with their art pieces.

Then you can get art markers that have dual tips, one end of the pen has a bullet tip, while the other end has a fine tip. These markers can be used on any number of projects such as sketching, calligraphy, and adult coloring. There are also art markers that have a chisel tip, which is used to draw thinner, thicker, or sharp lines, and are mainly used in calligraphy.

Alcohol-Based Art Markers

Inside this marker, the ink is combined with alcohol that dries instantly and leaves a permanent mark. Due to the alcohol inside the marker, it has a very strong smell and may irritate your lungs and eyes, so it is advisable to use them in a well-ventilated area.

The alcohol-based markers are waterproof and, as they are soluble in alcohol, you will be able to blend the ink by using a blender marker, rubbing alcohol, or even another marker that has a similar color.

You must be cautious when blending, as it may leave streaks. To avoid this, you can saturate the whole surface of the paper with the color, or you can fill the whole surface of the paper with a blender before you start applying the color marker. You can easily layer your colors without causing damage to the paper, which is one of the best features of these markers. This is not the case with water-based markers, which have the opposite effect.

Water-Based Art Markers

Inside this marker, the ink is blended with water or there is a combination of water along with glycerin. The water-based markers are chemical-free and, therefore, odorless and are safe for children to use. These markers are also ideal for use in calligraphy and all types of art projects.

The water-based markers are waterproof, cloudy, or milky and they take longer to dry than the alcohol-based markers. When using these markers, you need to take care as it is easy to saturate and damage your paper if you use too many layers.

Apart from the water-based markers that are available on the market, there are also water-based pens that are ideal for use on heavy watercolor paper. When applying some water to your artwork piece, both the water-based marker and the water-based pen can produce amazing results. There is also the option of using your water-based markers together with your alcohol-based marker.

However, you need to use the alcohol-based marker first and then the water-based one, as the alcohol can dissolve the water-based ink if used last.

Solvent–Based Art Markers

The solvent-based, which also falls under the oil-based art marker, combines chemicals like xylene, butyl, isobutyl ketone, and methyl in the ink. These chemicals in the markers produce a very strong odor and can irritate your lungs and eyes, so you need to be careful and use them in a well-ventilated area. However, you can also now get the non-toxic and xylene-free options.

The ink in this type of marker is durable and waterproof but is not completely permanent.  The solvent-based markers are used mainly on arts and crafts projects and can be effective when used on non-porous or porous surfaces alike.

Comparison Table for Artist Markers

We have just covered the different types of art markers, which include water, alcohol, and solvent-based. However, to understand the different types better, we have compiled a table listing most of the properties of each type of art marker.

Things to Consider When Purchasing Your Art Markers

When you consider buying your art markers, it can be very difficult to choose the right one as there are many options available. Many times, you will only discover the right marker once you have used them. This is why we will be helping you with your choice so that you do not have to buy thousands of markers before you arrive at the best markers for drawing. Here are a few factors you need to take into account so that you do not spend money unnecessarily on markers that do not work for you.

Paper

The very first thing you need to consider has nothing to do with markers, it takes into account the type of paper you are going to use. When it comes to painting or drawing with your markers, the type of paper you use is very important as bonded or thicker paper can hold the layers of ink much better than a thinner type of paper.

You need to ensure that the paper you use will not cause the marker ink to bleed through but can hold the layers of the ink. Many artists make use of sketchbooks, and this type of paper helps to hold the layers of ink quite well. So, before you start to sketch or draw, make sure you have the right type of paper.

Type of Application

Each type of art marker brand has its particular characteristics, and the best choice of marker lies in the type or kind of artwork you are going to do. You may be a professional designer, an architect, or an artist; therefore, you will have different reasons for the type of marker you use. On the other hand, you may just be a child or an adult that wants to get involved with art, or you might simply enjoy sketching or painting.

No matter what your application, you need to buy the type of marker that suits your particular situation.

Even the professional markers differ from one person to the next, as one may be a Manga or comic book artist, yet others create architectural blueprints. Let us not forget the children who love to sketch or color. Each artist or person makes use of markers in different ways, and there are markers for each need, which is why you need to define your application.

If you are looking for certain effects to add to your artwork like pastels, watercolors, or deep coloring, you need to ensure you use the correct type of markers. The perfect marker will give you the effects that you are looking for in your artwork.

Ink Quality

The ink quality is very important, as no two markers are the same, and each has its pros and cons. The cost of each marker also depends on the ingredients. The ink in the art markers falls under three main categories:

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

Water-based markers are popular, especially amongst the kids as they have no odor, are waterproof, and do not dissolve in most of the solvents. Alcohol markers make blending colors a lot easier, and they are waterproof. However, they can dissolve in alcohol, which you use when blending or thinning your colors. They also have an odor due to the alcohol, however, this evaporates very quickly, leaving the permanent colors.

The solvent-based markers make use of three solvents, providing durable and bright colors, but the colors are not permanent. This type of marker, unfortunately, has a strong odor when used.

The quality of the ink is vital, as a low-quality ink will not be easy to blend, and bendability is important to give you a uniform look. A low-quality ink marker does not have a smooth application and overlaps are visible once you have applied it to the paper. Try to buy a marker that disperses the correct amount of ink.

Ink Color Choices

If you are a beginner, you need to choose an art marker set that has all the primary colors, and you can always build up your collection as you go along. You need to choose an art marker brand that offers you various shades of colors you can use. If you are a professional, then go for the professional markers that group their markers as per type. For example, markers that only have flesh tones.

This will save you a lot of money as you will not have to purchase a large set just to use the flesh tone options.

By choosing the alcohol-based art markers, you will be able to mix and thin the colors to create new shades, providing a great deal more choices. They also offer a larger range of color options with bright colors that will not bleed through. Remember, markers do not have to comply with lightfastness testing standards, which means even if the marker states it is permanent, it does not mean it will last forever and may fade over time.

You can buy multiple color packs at once, but if you do this, it is advisable to stick to the same brand. This is evident in some of the brands that sell a lot of different color packs but each one can differ in subject matter or style.

Marker Nibs and Tips

Art markers come in a range of tips including fine, brush, bullet, as well as a chisel shape. So, you need to ensure you know what type of drawing you are going to be doing, how you intend to use the marker, and what type of medium you are going to use.

Fine Tip

The fine-tipped markers are used mainly in detailed work where the space is limited, such as in manga or comic book sketching. These types of markers prove to be impractical when it comes to larger blocking of colors. This type of marker is ideal for creating detailed designs, writing, and simply doodling.

Chisel Tip

The chiseled tip markers are ideal for filling in blank areas with certain colors, allowing you a wide coverage with fewer strokes. Depending on how you hold the marker, you can draw different lines. The different edges of this type of tip can be used for different purposes, the wide edge is ideal for covering large areas, while the pointy side can be used for drawing thinner lines.

Bullet Tip

The bullet-tipped markers are the cheapest on the market and painting with them can be slow as it is not a very versatile tip. However, they are ideal for writing on fabric, drawing, and outlining designs. You can draw thicker lines with a bullet-tipped marker more easily and be precise because of the inflexible nib of this marker.

Brush Tip

The brush tip is the most versatile of all the tips, as you can use the point for thin lines or detailed work. When the tip is flattened to form a brush, it can fill in large areas of color. These tips are also suitable for shading, but they can be expensive. Some brands have the option of replacing the worn tips.

The markers we have discussed above all have single tips, but some markers come with dual tips. This means you have one type of tip on one end, and a different one on the opposite end.

Most of these types of markers have a chisel nib on one end and a fine nib on the opposite end. The dual-tip markers can save you money as you only have to buy one marker and have two different types of tips. They are also useful as you do not have to switch or change over markers in the middle of your work. The only disadvantage with the dual-tipped markers is that the ink runs out sooner. However, you can also purchase a marker with a bigger ink reservoir.

Grades of Markers

Colored pencils are divided into three grades or types; oil-based, water-soluble, and wax-based; there are also woodless pencils that consist of lead material and color sticks. The same applies to markers that also have quality grades, which fall into three categories: student, artist, and professional.

Student-Grade

The student grade markers are the cheapest of the options and are not designed for use by professional artists as they fail to give you the quality you need for your finished artwork. However, if you just want to draw or color as a hobby or get the whole family busy with some form of art, then the student grade marker is ideal.

Artist-Grade

The artist-grade marker is the one you need if you are serious about your art piece, as they are perfect for all types of applications as well as different projects. These artist markers are permanent and offer you a wide variety of bright colors but are more expensive than the student grade. You need confidence and ability or experience in working with professional markers.

Professional-Grade

Lastly, there is the professional-grade of markers that are high-quality and specially designed for professional artists. These markers give you a smooth application with a wide variety of brilliant colors. They are also double-sided and have a nib on both ends, with an ink reservoir between them. The reservoir is full of alcohol-based, high-quality ink that is non-toxic, low-odor, and streak-free.

These markers are permanent and can be blended and layered, making them the perfect choice for you to create your masterpiece.

Compared to the cheaper grade markers, which are discarded when the ink is finished, these markers can be refilled. The nibs are also replaceable once worn. Each professional-grade marker is hand-tested for color consistency and quality before it is dispatched, ensuring your marker is top quality, which makes them a lot more expensive than all other grades of markers.

Blendability

For the professional artist, it is important to choose a marker that can blend colors. This is where the alcohol and water-based markers differ a great deal. Water-based markers can leave streaks on your paper when you are blending colors, and you are never sure how the process will turn out as the water has different reactions with the dye, paper, and many other elements.

Alcohol-based markers are preferred when blending colors, as it dries much quicker than water-based markers. As the ink in these types of markers is to some extent transparent, you can layer different colors to get the effect you want. The process of blending is a lot smoother when using an alcohol-based marker than when using a water-based marker.

Cost

When it comes to cost, there is a huge difference as the price increases with the quality. So, if you are a hobbyist, or just sketching or drawing for fun, then the cheap art markers, which are the water-based type, is the answer. However, if you are a professional artist, then you need to consider a more expensive and better quality marker for your artwork.

Therefore, the alcohol or solvent-based markers are the ones you need when you buy your art markers. These markers offer you a wide range of brilliant colors and you also have the option of being able to refill them when the ink runs out. They also offer you more flexibility and are permanent, which means they will last for a long time.

Longevity

Irrespective if you buy cheap art markers or more expensive markers, you need to make sure that the marker does not run out of ink too quickly. This could be a major problem as it would mean that you would have to go out and buy another complete set of markers, making it more expensive and causing delays.

You need to make sure the set of markers you buy can hold a fair amount of ink, or better still, buy a set of refillable markers, leaving nothing to go to waste.

Best Art Markers

Art markers are very versatile pens to have around, as they are portable, and you can easily carry them around wherever you go. They also offer you a wide range of vibrant colors, and with the more expensive brands, you can also blend colors which gives you even more color choices.

Doing art is fun and can be enjoyed by everyone who loves sketching, drawing, and coloring. The art marker can also be used by the beginner, children, and professionals, and by buying the correct marker you can create an amazing art piece. We are now going to help you with your choice of the best marker for your project by giving you the three best art marker brand names available.