As most artists know alcohol markers are like no other art medium out there, unlike watercolors or oil paints, alcohol markers offer the possibility of a seamless blend of colors, allowing for smooth transitions and gradients that are hard to achieve with other mediums. Their fast-drying nature ensures that artists can layer colors without waiting for long drying times, making the creative process more fluid and spontaneous.
Moreover, the range of colors that go from soft pastels to vivid, deep hues ensure that there’s a shade for every artistic vision. Though more frequently used by architects and designers, after the introduction of the brush tip they became insanely popular within the whole creative community. Due to that popularity, many brands have emerged with new alcohol markers sets, one after the other which has made finding an alcohol markers set that checks all the marks almost impossible.
In this article, we want to help you identify the best qualities when looking for alcohol markers, learn how to differentiate between the high and low quality brands and help you find the markers that might suit your style the best.
How to Find the Best Alcohol Markers
Presentation and Color Range
Unless you’re buying separate units each time, alcohol markers always come in sets or as a part of a collection. Depending on the brand, said collection will either be a set of selected colors from their color range based on a theme (pastel, skin tones, spring, autumn, etc) or a small version of a larger set (12 pcs, 36 pcs, 72 pcs). If you’re planning on going steady with a brand, it’s always a good idea to first check their sets and presentations.
A hallmark of a top-tier alcohol marker set is the diversity of its color palette, from delicate pastels to deeply saturated hues, the range should cater to your needs and style. Additionally, the availability of various shades of a single color, including highlights, mid-tones, and shadows, can significantly enhance your experience with alcohol markers taking away the guesswork and trial-error process.
Nib Type and Quality
Markers come in various types based on their tips, there are bullet, fine, chisel, calligraphy, and brush tips. Each type has its own special purpose, but the brush tip is especially popular among artists because it works a lot like a paintbrush (or a waterbrush if you’re familiar with watercolors).
While many markers have chisel or bullet tips, the brush tip is preferred for its ability of blending colors smoothly. A quality brush tip can create both wide and narrow lines, depending on how much pressure you apply, some markers even have two tips, like a brush on one end and a chisel on the other, making them versatile for different art tasks, from filling in large spaces to adding detailed touches. Choose carefully since one set might have a bullet and a chisel, a brush and a bullet or some other a different combination, so look for what you feel would suit your style the best.
Ink Quality
The essence of an alcohol marker lies in its ink, premium markers have ink that is consistent in flow which ensures that the color lays down evenly without bleeding or streaking. High quality ink should also be fade-resistant, with a high lightfastness rating, ensuring that artworks remain vibrant over time.
One of the standout features of alcohol markers is their ability to blend seamlessly and create smooth transitions, and this characteristic is inherent to high quality ink, so when testing markers, observe how easily two analogous colors blend into one another.
Durability and Refills
Investing in alcohol markers means seeking products that stand the test of time. The markers should be robust, with caps that seal tightly to prevent premature drying. The tips, especially the brush tip, should resist fraying even after extensive use. Furthermore, the maker’s body should be ergonomically designed, ensuring comfort during prolonged drawing sessions.
Additionally, a brand that offers refills adds a plus to the experience of new and experienced artists, since there’ll always be colors we use the most and we end up running out of it faster than the others.
Price
When shopping for alcohol markers, the price is often a major consideration. The price variety within the alcohol markers sets and brands is vast, ranging from affordable options for beginners to high-end brands for professional artists, however not all the prices reflect the quality or the grade of a set.
You can find affordable and high quality markers and also expensive but disappointing markers, and let’s not forget about Copic, the peak of marker brands, which, while offering exceptional quality, is also obnoxiously expensive. Instead of looking at the full price of a set vs the other, look at the price per individual marker and reviews where you can see how they perform. Due to their popularity, many youtubers and content creators have reviewed and tested most brands, which makes the selecting process easier.
How to Identify Low Quality Markers
- Not all markers are created equal, and there are several telltale signs of subpar quality, one of the most prevalent issues with inferior markers is bleeding, where the ink seeps beyond the intended area, ruining precision and detail. Additionally, inconsistent ink flow can lead to patchy coloring which looks quite bad and gives an unprofessional finish.
- Low-quality markers tend to dry out much faster than their high-quality counterparts, this can be due to poorly designed caps that don’t seal properly or inferior ink formulations. A marker that dries out quickly not only becomes useless but also results in wasted money and resources.
- While a vast color range isn’t the sole indicator of quality, inferior marker sets often come with a very limited palette, and we all know that in alcohol markers, variety is key. Moreover, the colors might not be as vibrant or true-to-life as those from premium brands.
- One of the primary advantages of alcohol markers is their ability to blend. However, low-quality markers often struggle in this department.
- One of the most common and frustrating features of low quality alcohol markers are the tips, which fray or split easily, especially with regular use; this not only affects the precision of the strokes but can also lead to uneven ink distribution. A frayed tip can make it nearly impossible to achieve fine details, severely limiting the marker’s utility.
- While alcohol markers inherently have a distinct smell due to the solvents used, low-quality markers might emit a particularly strong or unpleasant odor, this can not only make the drawing process uncomfortable but lead to headaches or nausea and dizziness.
The 5 Best Alcohol Markers for Artists in 2023
- Best Alcohol Markers Overall — Ohuhu Alcohol Markers Brush Tip.
- Best Premium Alcohol Markers — Copic Sketch Basic Marker.
- Best Budget Alcohol Markers — SANJOKI Alcohol Markers.
- Best Alcohol Markers for Designers — Copic Ciao Start.
- Best Alcohol Markers for Beginners — Art-n-Fly Dual Tip Alcohol Markers Set
1. Best Alcohol Markers Overall — Ohuhu Alcohol Markers Brush Tip
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Selection Criteria
- Color Range: 481 colors.
- Our Score: 9/10
- Nib Type: Brush & Chisel.
- Our Score: 9/10
- Ink Quality: High quality.
- Our Score: 910
- Refills and Replacements: Yes.
- Our Score: 9/10
- Price: $39.99
- Our Score: 9/10
About the Ohuhu Alcohol Markers Brush Tip
The Ohuhu alcohol markers have gained a lot of popularity in the past few years, coming strong as the most serious contendant for COPIC and taking the place of many other brands that were second or third on the quality scale, and not without good reason.
Ohuhu has proven to be an affordable, yet very high quality brand with a huge color range, which makes it the favorite of many professional and beginner artists and crafters, while the overall quality and range are close yet not equal to COPIC, Ohuhu’s success isn’t just a fluke. Their markers are known for their durability, consistent ink flow, and the ability to blend colors seamlessly which has made them a go-to choice for those who want COPIC-like performance without the hefty price tag.
Moreover, Ohuhu has been responsive to user feedback, frequently updating their products based on customer reviews and needs.
Pros
- Vibrant colors
- Affordable price
- Durable brush tip
Cons
- Limited color range
- Caps mismatch some colors
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2. Best Alcohol Markers Premium — Copic Sketch Basic Marker
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Selection Criteria
- Color Range: 358 colors.
- Our Score: 8/10
- Nib Type: Brush & Chisel.
- Our Score: 9/10
- Ink Quality: Very High quality.
- Our Score: 9/10
- Refills and Replacements: Yes.
- Our Score: 9/10
- Price: Refillable $118.99
- Our Score: 8/10
About the Copic Sketch Basic Marker.
COPIC has been present in the alcohol marker world since day one. This brand is what made alcohol markers popular in the first place and, through time, has solidified its position as the gold standard in the industry. One of its standout products is the COPIC Sketch marker, renowned for its dual tips. On one end, it features a broad chisel tip perfect for wide strokes, while the other end boasts a flexible brush tip, ideal for details and blending. The COPIC inks merge seamlessly, allowing artists to create smooth gradients and transitions, which is especially appreciated by illustrators and comic artists. With a color palette of over 350 shades, the COPIC However, this premium quality comes with a much higher price tag. While some might hesitate at the cost, many artists see it as a worthy investment given the unparalleled quality and performance of COPIC Sketch markers.
Pros
- Superior blendability
- Wide color range
- Refillable
Cons
- Expensive
- Availability issues
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3. Best Budget Alcohol Markers — SANJOKI Alcohol Markers
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Selection Criteria
- Color Range: 120 colors.
- Our Score: 8/10
- Nib Type: Brush & Chisel.
- Our Score: 9/10
- Ink Quality: Average quality.
- Our Score: 8/10
- Refills and Replacements: No.
- Our Score: 6/10
- Price: $43.90
- Our Score: 9/10
About the SANJOKI Alcohol Markers
One of the most recent brands that have captured the attention of the artistic community is the Sanjoki Alcohol Makers, and not any set but the largest one (120 colors) which comes at a fraction of the price of COPIC and any other brand.
What makes this set stand out, aside from its vast color range, besides its affordability are their vibrant pigments and smooth application. The inks blend well, allowing for the creation of beautiful gradients and shades, a feature that’s essential for illustrators and designers.
The set comes in a practical carrying box and includes a sketching pad with paper specially made for alcohol markers and a protection sheet so your markers don’t bleed on other pages.
Pros
- Very affordable
- Good color variety
- Decent quality
Cons
- Non-refillable
- Less durable tips
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4. Best Alcohol Markers for Designers — Copic Ciao Start
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Selection Criteria
- Color Range: 180 Colors.
- Our Score: 8/10
- Nib Type: Brush & Chisel
- Our Score: 9/10
- Ink Quality: Very High quality.
- Our Score: 9/10
- Refills and Replacements: Yes with Copic Ink.
- Our Score: 9/10
- Price: $197.86
- Our Score: 8/10
About the Copic Ciao Start.
The COPIC Ciao markers have carved a unique niche, specifically designed to be a more affordable alternative to their premium counterparts, the Ciao markers offer a lot of the features that have made COPIC a household name among artists. The COPIC Ciao collection is available in 180 vibrant colors and while they might come at a lower price point than other COPIC markers, they don’t skimp on quality. What they do skimp on is content, since these hold much less ink than the Sketch collection and don’t offer refills either.
While the Ciao markers are an excellent entry point for those new to the world of alcohol markers, they are still on the expensive side of the price spectrum for alcohol markers, however they are a great way to try the brand without investing a considerable amount from the start.
Pros
- Professional quality
- Dual-tipped
- Blendable ink
Cons
- Still expensive
- Limited Color Range
- Round shape bound to roll
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5. Best Alcohol Markers for Beginners — Art-n-Fly Dual Tip Brush Pens Set.
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Selection Criteria
- Color Range: 124 colors
- Our Score: 7/10
- Nib Type: Brush & Fine.
- Our Score: 9/10
- Ink Quality: High quality.
- Our Score: 8/10
- Refills and Replacements: No.
- Our Score: 7/10
- Price: $69.95
- Our Score: 10/10
About the Art-n-Fly Dual Tip Brush Pens Set.
For those who want affordability, quality and durability, the Art-n-Fly markers are the best choice, good for both beginners and professionals, these markers are designed with the user in mind. They offer vibrant and easy to blend colors that come in a marker praised because of its ergonomic design which helps you easily differentiate between their dual tips.
One end boasts a brush tip, perfect for dynamic strokes and detailed work, while the opposite end features a fine tip for precision and intricate designs, which is rare in contrast to all the other brands that offer a broad tip along with the brush one.
These makers are available in 24 pcs sets, and since they are non-repetitive, you can get one first and then the others if your budget is tight or if you want to test the brand first.
Pros
- Beginner-friendly
- Dual-tipped
- Affordable
Cons
- Limited longevity
- Caps can be hard to remove
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Conclusions
In the ever-growing world of art and art supplies, alcohol markers have emerged as a favorite medium for many artists, their unique ability to blend beautifully, couplеd with a widе array of colors, has made them indispensable. In this article wе vе dеlvеd dееp into the realm of alcohol markers, from thе rеnownеd COPIC markеrs, to thе budgеt-friеndly brands likе Ohuhu and SANJOKI, thеrе’s a markеr sеt out thеrе for еvеry artist and еvеry budgеt.
Whilе pricе and brand rеputation arе important, it’s crucial to considеr your spеcific nееds, stylе, and level of expertise when choosing the pеrfеct sеt. Whether you’re a professional illustrator or somеonе just starting on thеir artistic journеy, thеrе’s a world of color waiting for you in thе form of alcohol markеrs.
Happy painting!
