7 Tips for Working with Alcohol Markers
What's not to like about drawing with alcohol pens? They don't require any prep work, they're portable, and dry almost instantly. The colors are vibrant and versatile, so you can create anything from handwritten fonts to anime. However, they can also be an intimidating medium for artists, as alcohol inks are permanent, so once you've painted something, there's no going back!
We've rounded up 7 of our favorite tips below to get you started in the best possible way.
Choose your paper carefully
The positive aspect of alcohol markers is that they dry quickly, so even if you use multiple layers, there is no huge risk of tearing the paper. The risk is that if you use the wrong paper, it will absorb more ink than you want, and it will seep into the other side! That means you'll get through the ink in your precious marks faster than you expect, and possibly more paper! We recommend using paper specially designed for marking work. These papers tend to be thin and smooth (to minimize ink absorption) and have a coating on the reverse side. An added a bonus is that the colors of the markers will be more realistic, and it's easier to practice skills like blending!
Avoid streaks
For even coverage, move slowly! Moving too fast can make your drawing look streaky, which is more noticeable in lighter colors. Try using different types of strokes throughout the drawing to add texture.
Know your nib
As they say, different strokes are used for different strokes. Japanese nibs are the most expensive because they are as flexible as brushes and can create beautiful soft lines. They feel great in your hand and are easy to use because they are more forgiving.
However, you can still get good results and satisfaction out of a harder, less expensive bullet tip. They're harder to practice blending and stuff like, but they're great for small areas and detail work.
The chiseled tip on the opposite end of the marker is great for filling large areas.
Swatch
Know your color so no surprises! If you don't follow the rules (for example, you might be using a marker to add a small amount to your watercolor work), you may end up with colors that look nothing like what you expected. Don't wait until you're halfway through your palette to find out that it makes your blues look green! It's always a good practice to create swatches and get acquainted with the colors yourself. If you use our markers, we have a free hex chart that can help you understand the relationship between the colors you have.
Another thing to be aware of is that the color fades as it dries. Testing the color ahead of time will give you peace of mind so you don't panic because what you think is a pastel color comes alive when wet!
Learning layering
We recommend you start with the lightest shades (probably lighter than you need) and work your way up to richer shades, as you can always add paint, but with a marker, you can't take away any color. You can leave blanks to create highlights or add them later with a white gel pen.
Start with an outline
Fine line inking pens can create your initial drawing to take off the pressure of getting the edges right. Use permanent ink for edges that don’t budge, or if you want softer edges, you could use one that’s water soluble.
Combined media
In addition to fine line pens, markers work well with a variety of media. Colored pencils and markers go together like peanut butter and jelly, but markers also work well with watercolors (start with a marker and add watercolor as it dries) and watercolors and gel on top for highlights.
It's usually best to start with a permanent medium and then build on it with a water-soluble or erasable medium, but there's no reason you can't try the affects you create with a marker on a water-soluble medium!
