How to Use Alcohol Markers



There are so many different types of fine-tip marker options available that it can seem confusing for a beginner artist. You can choose from water-based markers, oil-based markers, colorless blender markers, gel pens, and more.

One of the most popular options that artists choose is alcohol-based markers. If you want to know more about what alcohol ink markers are, how they’re best used, and the benefits that they provide, continue reading below.

What Are Alcohol Markers Best For?

Alcohol markers work for those who want to avoid strong odors when drawing. This is because alcohol-based ink doesn’t contain the strong ingredients that are found with solvent markers. 

Having said that, there is a faint odor of rubbing alcohol when it comes to using most alcohol markers. 

One of the main reasons people use alcohol art markers is because they create bold and smooth drawings that can be blended together with other colors. Being able to mix a range of colors from darker to lighter colors frees you up creatively to create smooth transitions with different shades from the same color family. 

Illustrators, Manga artists, and graphic artists commonly use alcohol markers due to how they can blend alcohol markers more easily and create art that’s more vivid. Copic markers are especially popular among art markers due to how their alcohol markers are reliable and have quick drying times. 

Alcohol-Based Marker Benefits

  • The quick drying effects of alcohol-based markers make them ideal for blending different shades and colors together on marker paper. 
  • The dual-end tips that are available with these pens include a fine nib and a thick nib. Therefore, graphic artists and other artists can save money on having to purchase multiple markers that have different nibs. 
  • Many professional artists find that using alcohol markers allows their transitions to be smoother. The fluid consistency of these pens also makes them reliable if you want to add layers to your art. Being able to add layers means that you can add texture to your work that makes it stand out more. Not to mention, you can create defined lines which improve your smooth transition skills.
  • The vibrant colors available when using alcohol-based markers also means that you can make your work stand out. These are great for drawing cartoons, as well as landscapes, portraits, and even architectural renderings. 
  • You can easily find refillable alcohol-based inks when using these markers. Therefore, you can always stay stocked up with ink so that you never run out. This also means that you can use the same pen and save on having to purchase new ones. You may also be surprised to find that you can replace the brush nib, brush tip, and chisel tip

Conclusion

So, that wraps up our post about some of the ways that people use alcohol markers. If you’re curious about using an alcohol marker for your own artwork, be sure to try them out and experiment! 

They’re great for hand lettering, creating highlights, and smooth transitions, and most artists swear by them for making a big difference in their marker art


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Written By Adam Rushton

Adam has made a name for himself in the illustration industry and is a passionate blogger and writer on the subject of art, illustration and graphic design.

His artwork has been featured in countless publications and used for very well-known media projects. As a professional illustrator for over 20 years, Adams media outlets, a wealth of knowledge, and experience enable him to consult and advise artists and illustrators in this country (from York and Manchester to Southampton and London) and all over the world.


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