Tips for Using Alcohol Markers
Whether you're just getting started with alcohol pens or want to improve your art skills, here are some helpful tips for using art pens.
Work With Your Lightest Colors First
Artists like to use alcohol markers because they are easy to mix and color. While they're easy to manipulate and layer, applying your colors in a specific way can make a big difference in the work you get done.
If your goal is to create a realistic effect, apply the lightest color first. It is much easier to add layers of color on top of existing colors to deepen and increase contrast than to lighten darker areas that are already dry.
Another technique you can try is to pick two or three markers in the same color family and stack them on top of each other to build up your hue. Apply the lightest color first, then use the darkest color in small areas or create defined lines. Finally, use a medium tone on top of the dark colors to soften those darker areas.
In addition to how the color is layered, it can also help to define larger areas first and then focus on the detail areas after applying most of the color.
Blend Harsh Areas with Lighter Colors
It's easier to blend and create gradients by layering light colors under dark ones. To fix mistakes or lighten areas that are already dark, you can use another tool.
A blender pen.
The blender marks don't have any ink at all or contain any color - they are transparent. You can use the blender to color, blend, lighten, and touch up errors in areas that are too dark.
Colorless blender marks can also be used as a first step for various base colors before adding any color to the paper. This is an easy way to lighten an entire image or build highlights into areas of the paper that you want to look brighter.
Remember that mixing with alcohol markers requires the ink to be wet. That means you need to work fast.
Some alcohol markers dry out in seconds, which is why it's easier to apply a lighter shade first. You can always layer more colors on top of them to make them darker.
