Felt-Tip Pens

Markers and pens enable quick color drawing without mixing on a palette. Different ranges vary in their ink base, tip shape, coverage, and blending ability. The same tool is not suitable for a coloring book, professional illustration, and permanent marking. Choose the paper together with the marker.

Water-based, alcohol-based, and acrylic ink

• A water-based marker is suitable for general drawing and light layering.
• An alcohol-based marker creates gradients on paper intended for this ink.
• An acrylic marker creates an opaque layer on surfaces specified by the manufacturer.
• A permanent marker is intended for more durable marking, not automatically for archival artwork.

Build gradients from the lightest tone

Apply the lighter color first and add the next shade while it is still at a suitable stage of drying. Do not repeatedly move the tip over a saturated area, as the paper may begin to pill. Add the outline after the colored area if you do not want it to bleed.

When to move to the broader category

More specialized tips and inks are grouped under Markers / Pens / Highlighters. When choosing a set, check whether shades can be purchased individually and whether the paper can withstand the planned number of layers.

Storage and restoring ink flow

Cap each marker until you hear or feel the cap seat properly. Do not restart a dry tip by pressing hard. With a refillable system, combine only refills and tips specified by the manufacturer.