Alcohol markers are one of the most commonly-used art tools across the world. You’ve probably seen an animé illustration or some beautiful calligraphy art. And with the popularity of coloring books for adults, maybe you've seen people bringing black and white illustrations to life with vivid colors. These are just some examples of what alcohol art markers can do.
Because there are so many options out there, it can be difficult to choose. In this article, we will break down the points you need to consider when purchasing alcohol markers. We have also rounded up the best brands currently available in the market. Read on if you’re serious about getting markers of good quality.
Quick List - Top Alcohol Markers
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Alcohol-based markers, as the name indicates, contain a mixture of ink and alcohol. They are easy to blend, which is a must when doing professional illustrations. The tips of the markers are typically made of a mixture of water and powder.
The colors dry up really quickly and are permanent, although, of course, they are soluble in alcohol. You can even use alcohol to blend transitions between colors. Illustrators love using alcohol markers because they produce vivid colors, and they are able to layer different shades for more complex effects.
Alcohol markers are also one of the simplest and most convenient art tools to use. They are easy to store and involve practically no messy cleanups. Just cover your markers, pack them up in tidy cans, kits, or bags, and you’re good to go!
Purchasing alcohol markers is not confusing once you know what to look for. To get you started, here are the main factors to consider when buying alcohol markers.
If you are new to alcohol markers, it is a good idea to start with a basic set. That way, you can try out a brand without splurging too much. Most alcohol marker brands have simple sets of 8 markers for newbies, which is perfect for exploration. Once you've gotten to try a few and decided you would like to level up, then you can opt to spend more for sets of 24 and up.
Professional illustrators and colorists often make use of the wide color range of high-end brands, and by wide range, we mean wide. For instance, Copic offers a whopping total of 358 colors! Having more color options makes it so much easier to achieve smooth tonal gradation when blending colors.
Alcohol markers may come in different barrel shapes. You can choose between flat, triangular, hexagonal, or round barrels. It all depends on how it feels in your hand, so make sure you try them out first. A comfortable grip is essential when working with alcohol markers so you can avoid painful, cramping hands.
Tip or nib shape is the most important factor to consider when buying alcohol markers. The right type of nib will depend on the effects that you want to achieve. Below are the different types of alcohol marker tips.
The brush tip is a favorite among alcohol marker users because it is the most versatile. It functions basically like a paintbrush. You can vary the width of strokes with the right pressure. A light touch can create fine lines, while an angled technique can produce wide strokes.
The chisel tip is similar to the brush tip in its ability to create various widths as well. However, it is a bit more difficult to use since it requires more practice to angle and maneuver it precisely. Despite this, it is quite suitable for covering large areas because of its broadness.
Fineliner tips are perfect for getting into tight spaces and coloring them precisely. If you are using alcohol markers for coloring books, having a set of fineliners is extremely useful. Adult coloring book illustrations typically have intricate designs that require the use of fineliners.
Bullet tips are similar to the brush tips and create strokes that are thinner than a chisel tip. However, they are stiffer than brush tips, so the types of strokes they can produce are more limited. Because of their pointed tip, though, they can be used for some larger kinds of detailing work.
Some markers are designed with double-ended tips, which are a combination of the different types discussed above. For example, one end could be a brush tip, and the other end, a chisel tip. Double-ended markers are a huge space-saver, so they are travel-friendly and useful for coloring outdoors.
Not all markers offer this feature, but it is a really convenient and pocket-friendly one. Instead of buying a new marker, you can simply buy replacement tips and switch them out when the original ones become worn out.
Additionally, refillable markers are also more cost-effective. When your marker runs out of ink, you can purchase a separate refill ink pen and insert the contents into the barrel of the original one. Refills are much cheaper than buying a new alcohol marker. Usually, it is the higher-end markers that have this option.
Products | Image | Click to purchase | Key features | |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Copic Sketch 72 colors Set A | ![]() | Best Alcohol Marker for Illustrations | |
2 | Winsor & Newton Promarkers | ![]() | Offers Streak-Free Coverage | |
3 | Prismacolor Premier Illustration Markers | ![]() | Archival and Acid-Free Pigmented Ink | |
4 | Spectra Ad Basic Set | ![]() | Achieve Smooth Transitions Between Shades | |
5 | Zig Kurecolor Twin S Markers | ![]() | Vibrant Colors and Effortless Blending | |
6 | Copic Ciao Markers | ![]() | A Copic Set for Beginners | |
7 | Ohuhu Dual Tips Alcohol Art Markers | ![]() | Great Blending at a More Affordable Price | |
8 | Shin Han Art Touch Twin Brush | ![]() | A Solid and Affordable Alcohol Marker Set | |
9 | Touch Five 60 Colors Set | ![]() | Comes in a Handy Bag for Traveling | |
10 | Sharpie Permanent Marker Fine Roll Set | ![]() | An Oldie But Still a Goodie |
Copic has been at the top of the marker game for so long that its name is often used as a synonym for alcohol markers. It is considered the ultimate flexible graphic marker and has loyal users all over the world. Nowadays, it would be rare to find a professional illustrator without a set of Copics in his studio.
To begin with, Copic offers the widest range of color choices - with 358 colors available for the Sketch Markers variant, you definitely won't have any issues with blending. It is a dual-ended pen with brush and chisel tips, so you get a lot of value for your money. It really checks all the boxes for an alcohol marker.
However, the price is quite steep. So if you're a beginner, it is perhaps better to start with a lower-priced brand before you step up to Copics. Should you decide to splurge, though, it still would be quite a happy purchase - Copics are designed to last, so your new set will surely stay with you for a long time.
Winsor & Newton is a very well-respected name in the art world, and this set, Promarkers, is a favorite among many illustrators. This featured set is a basic one with only 12 colors, but Promarkers actually have a total of 173 colors in their bigger sets.
This brand offers flawless results with its streak-free coverage. The twin tips give you the freedom to switch easily from coloring larger areas to fine detailing.
The design of the barrel itself is streamlined and thoughtful. The overall look conveys an elongated bullet, and this actually serves a purpose. The bullet cap tells the user where the bullet tip is, and the squarish cap on the other end is for the chisel tip. This purposeful design eliminates any need for guesswork.
Prismacolor is known for producing high-quality coloring tools with the artist in mind. This basic set is a good example. It might be a bit pricey for a beginner set, but it does perform exceptionally and is archival and acid-free. The tip of the cap matches the ink color, although there might be some slight color differences between the cap and the actual shade on paper.
The barrel is super slim, almost pencil-thin, and is very light and easy to handle. The brush tips are not exactly made of bristles but of a felt tip shaped like a brush. However, it does create strokes much like a brush and is flexible enough for both thin and thick strokes.
Beginners will quickly find out what distinguishes this basic set from others. Because it is artist-grade, you can easily figure out how to blend smoothly and end up with a polished piece even if you haven't had much practice. This kind of result is difficult to achieve with products of lower quality.
These Spectra Ad markers have their own loyal following primarily because of their ease of use when blending. The unique octagonal barrel design makes these markers a joy to use. On top of that, with very little effort, you can achieve smooth transitions between colors.
Another plus is that the colors on the caps match the actual ink output. However, their brush nib is a bit rigid, so it can be difficult to get into tiny areas that need to be colored. They are better for use with coloring larger details.
Spectra also offers many color options; there is a total of 95 colors that may be purchased individually. The bigger sets also include a colorless blender which can be used to create gradients and custom colors.
Looking at the price of the Kurecolor Twin Set markers, you wouldn't think this set can offer a lot of value. But guess what? It is actually a professional-quality marker! For half the price of higher-end brands, this is truly a surprising find!
The bullet tip is a 1-mm. tip while the chisel measures 6.5 mm. You can refill the ink by simply dropping the ink refill on the top of the nibs. The colors are quite vibrant and easy to blend - perfect for cartoonists!
However, one downside is that the colors are indicated only at the very top of the caps. This can be a bit inconvenient since you can't see the color right away when you lay the pens flat on a table. An easy way around this, though, would be to simply prop them up in a pen holder for quick viewing.
This set is the student-grade version of the Copic Sketch Markers. Designed for students and beginners, it is a less expensive way to enjoy the high-quality ink of Copics.
Just like Copic Sketch Markers, it is formulated with premium alcohol and dye-based inks, and designed with the same type of nibs. However, it has lower ink content and a simpler design, which is what makes it a more economical option.
Available in 180 colors, it still offers a wide range to choose from, and is ideal for layering and blending. The barrel features the color codes, and the caps are child-safe.
If you are looking for a cheaper alternative for Copics or Winsor & Newton markers, this set of 40 Ohuhu alcohol markers might do the job. According to artists and colorists, they blend just as well as the pricier brands.
To achieve the best blending effects, the trick is to start with a lighter color. Then layer on the dark shades, and finally go over all of it with the light color, similar to the effects of a watercolor wash. The quick-drying ability lets you accomplish layering easily without creating smudges and blotches.
These markers are vibrant and highly pigmented. The caps are numbered and color-coded for easy reference. They also come in a compact black case for ease of storage and transport. For its price, it is definitely worth a try!
These double-ended markers from Shin Han are a wonderful option for those who are not ready to splurge on the more high-end brands. Shin Han is a South Korean brand that is well-known for making good quality yet affordable art materials.
With a distinct fine brush nib and a chisel nib on each end, users are able to create various styles and illustrating techniques. The colors are quite vibrant, and layering is easy. The nibs are well-built and have an innovative design that makes them long-lasting.
The drying rate is quick, so blending can be achieved in a fairly seamless manner. The flat barrel design is also convenient because it helps keep the pens stable on a surface instead of rolling around.
If you are into pretty pastels and bright colors, this set is perfect for you. With its wide spectrum of colors, you are sure to hit whatever effect you're aiming for. And don't worry about getting overwhelmed with the number of colors - the pens have color-coded caps to help you find the color you want to use quickly.
Touch Five also comes with a couple of different variants - the Animation set and the Sketch Graphic set. The set featured here is the Animation variant, which is best for manga artists. Each pen has a chisel tip and a bullet tip that leave smooth and seamless marks.
The barrel is flat and squarish, so it can take some getting used to. However, you have a choice of black or white for the barrels, which other brands don't offer. Packed neatly in a handy black bag, this set is a capable partner for coloring or illustrating outdoors.
The classic Sharpie was one of the first alcohol markers in the market and has stood the test of time for many reasons. Solidly built and generously filled with ink, it is such a long-lasting and sturdy pen.
The ink dries quickly and is waterproof and resistant to fading. It is also non-toxic. The round barrel gives it its classic look, and the clip on the cap serves to prevent it from rolling around.
This basic set is a good choice for people who are just trying out markers for coloring or illustrating, or just for labeling. The bullet tips produce thin lines on most surfaces, but the markers do tend to bleed on paper. Thus, a good match for this marker would be thicker types of paper and hard surfaces like wood or glass.
There are many other ways to create rich and vivid illustrations that catch attention. Here are some of our other article reviews of art materials guaranteed to make your creations jump out of the page!
10 Best Colored Pencils in the Philippines 2022 | Prismacolor, Polychromos, Faber Castell, and More
10 Best Highlighter Pens in the Philippines 2022 | Kokuyo, Staedtler, and More
10 Best Tempera Paints in the Philippine 2022 | Crayola, Lakeshore, and More
10 Best Watercolor Paints in the Philippines 2022 | Faber-Castell, Sennelier, and More
Using alcohol markers is a wonderful way to make illustrations come to life. Whether you are a professional illustrator, a coloring hobbyist, or a total beginner, there's a great alcohol marker set out there for you. We hope that our buying guide and Top 10 list have been helpful in your search for the best alcohol markers.
Author: R. Umlas
No. 1: Copic|Sketch 72 colors Set A
No. 2: Winsor & Newton|Promarkers
No. 3: Prismacolor|Premier Illustration Markers
No. 4: Spectra Ad|Basic Set
No. 5: Zig|Kurecolor Twin S Markers
View Full RankingThe descriptions of each product are referenced from content available on manufacturer, brand, and e-commerce sites.
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