Intro to Art Markers
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Coloring a dreamcatcher coloring page from my Free Spirit coloring book with Copic Sketch Markers
Markers are definitely my favorite art supply for coloring in my coloring books! Markers allow you to quickly fill in large spaces with bold, vibrant colors, and best of all you can layer on top of them with other media like paint pens, gel pens and colored pencils, which is perfect for adding details or extra shading.
Over the years I’ve been asked a ton of questions about my favorite coloring supplies, specifically art markers, so I’ve just created a long detailed page about markers that’s written with total beginners in mind. If you’ve only ever used Crayolas or Sharpies and you’d like to up your marker game to the many artist-quality markers that are out there, I hope my article helps demystify by process by explaining things like the important differences between water-based and alcohol-based markers, as well as topics like tip shape, blending, brands, costs and more. Check out my article by clicking on the pic below!
Read my detailed guide to Art Markers to learn all about the different marker options available for artists and colorists
My favorite markers are Copic Sketch Markers, which are alcohol-based, which means they can be blended to create nice gradients and ombrés. They’re available in 358 colors, and over the years I’ve been collecting them until I finally acquired all 358, which you can see in the pic below!
My collection of 358 Copic Sketch Markers
I colored in the Christmas tree below using mostly Copic Sketch Markers, which I first apply as a base color. Then I added some details on top using Prismacolor colored pencils to add some texture to the green portion of the tree as well as the brown trunk. Lastly I finished off this coloring page by adding some extra details on top with gel pens and fineliner pens (my faves being Sakura Gelly Roll and Staedtler Triplus Fineliner, respectively).
Christmas tree coloring page from my small portable-size Color Christmas Coloring Book
In the pic below I’m giving this flower mandala a yellow background using a Copic Sketch Marker. I also used Copic for the base color on the green leaves, which I then went over lightly with Prismacolor colored pencils to add some texture and shading.
Coloring a page from my Flower Mandalas Coloring Book
If you’d like to learn more about markers, be sure to check out my detailed beginner’s guide to art markers! In the future I plan to add more articles about things like the best papers to use, blending tips and techniques, and step-by-step tutorials, so stay tuned!
Recently, I got the urge to play with paint. I also wanted to try something I've never done before, so I got out my acrylics and paint markers, and spent over 50 HOURS painting this life-sized llama! 😍