Tips for Using Alcohol Markers

 

What's not to love about using alcohol markers to draw? They require minimal preparation, are portable, and dry virtually fast. Because the colours are vivid and diverse, you may use them to create anything from hand lettering to anime. They can, however, be a daunting medium for artists because alcohol ink is permanent, so once you've created something, there's no turning back! We've compiled our top recommendations to get you started in the best way possible.

1. Select your paper with care.
The advantage of using alcohol markers is that they dry quickly, so you don't have to worry about tearing your paper even if you use numerous layers. The danger is that if you use the wrong paper, it will absorb far more ink than you want it to and will bleed through to the other side! That means you'll go through the ink in your precious markers much faster than you planned, and possibly more paper as well! We recommend using marker paper created expressly for this purpose. These sheets are typically thin and smooth (to allow for minimum ink absorption) and coated on the reverse side. An added benefit is that the colours of the markers will be more true, making it simpler to practise skills like blending! For the greatest results, look for paper that specifically specifies it's for use with markers/ink, but you may also try Bristol board and illustration board.

2. Avoid streaking.
Move slowly to ensure even coverage! Moving too quickly causes streaky lines in your drawings, which is especially noticeable with lighter colours. To add texture, experiment with different sorts of strokes across your drawing.

3. Understand your nibs
Different strokes for different folks, as they say. The most expensive brush nibs are Japanese because they are flexible like a paintbrush and lend themselves to creating beautiful soft lines. They feel great in your hand and are simple to use due to their forgiving nature. However, even with the stiffer, less expensive bullet nib, you can achieve terrific results and enjoyment. They're a little more difficult to learn blending with, but they're fantastic for little areas and precise work. To fill in huge areas, use the chisel nib on the opposite end of the marker.

4. Examine
Know your colours to avoid surprises! If you didn't follow guideline #1 (maybe you're adding a small amount of marker to a watercolor piece), you might end up with colours that look radically different than you anticipated. Don't wait until you're halfway through a drawing on toned paper to realise it's turning your blues green! It's always a good idea to make swatches and get acquainted with the colours in person. If you use our markers, we provide a free hex chart to assist you see the link between the colours you have. Another thing to keep in mind is that colours lighten when they dry. Testing the colours ahead of time will offer you peace of mind so you don't panic when a colour you thought was subdued becomes vivid when wet!

5. Master the art of layering
Here's an excellent video that will teach you how to mix. We advocate starting with the lightest tones (perhaps lighter than you need) and progressively adding richer ones as you go because you can always add pigment but not take any away with markers. Leave white spaces to generate highlights, or fill them in later with a white gel pen. Then, using a colourless blender, soften the edges and blend the colours together. Another instruction on how to shade with markers and combine with coloured pencils may be found here.

6. Begin with an outline.
Fine line inking pens can be used to produce your initial drawing, relieving you of the burden of getting the edges just right. Use a permanent ink for edges that will not budge, or a water soluble ink for softer edges.

7. Media should be combined.

Markers, like fine line pens, work well with a range of media. Colored pencils and markers go together like peanut butter and jelly, but markers also work nicely with watercolour (start with markers, then add watercolour as they dry), watercolour pens, and gel pens for highlights. It's usually better to start with permanent media and then add water-soluble or erasable media, but there's no reason you can't experiment with effects made by scribbling on top of water-soluble media!

8. Reduce Bleeding

Alcohol markers leak through paper because their ink is so fluid. It is preferable to place something permeable beneath your paper. As a result, the porous surface can absorb some of the ink and control surface bleeding. As previously said, heavier paper is preferable, as long as it has a smooth surface texture. The rougher the texture, the more difficult it is to produce distinct lines and the more damage soft brush nibs can sustain.

9. Properly store your markers

When markers are new and still have lots of ink, it is good to store them upright. However, as you use them and the ink inside runs out, store them horizontally, especially if they have double-ended nibs. If you store them vertically, all of the ink will sink to the bottom or in the direction of one nib (if they're double-ended). Regardless of which end you choose, horizontal storage will allow for a more effortless flow of ink.

10. Lighter colours should be used to blend harsh areas.

It is easier to mix and produce gradient effects by placing light colours beneath dark colours. Another tool can be used to correct an error or brighten an already dark area. Blender markers have no ink and no colour at all - they are completely translucent. A blender pen can be used for shading, blending, lightening overly dark areas, and correcting mistakes. Colorless blender markers can also be used as a preliminary phase, sort of like an underpainting, before adding any colour to the page. This is a simple approach to lighten your entire image or add highlights to portions of the paper that need to be lighter.