The Original Chartpak AD Markers, Tri-Nib, 25 Assorted Landscape Colors in Tabletop Cube, 1 Each (L)

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These markers have non-toxic, alcohol-based ink with replaceable nibs and refillable ink. Since they’re refillable, the high price tag on each marker isn’t a bad investment. Yeah, I know you remember these bad boys. When you graduated from using crayons, you were given these bright, colorful Crayola markers. Chartpak markersare pretty big markers but they hold tons of ink so it can last you for a while. These markers have a xylene-based, water-proof marker that come in 130 different colors. Markers can also be double-sided with different tips. Generally, these markers will have a small tip on side and a large chisel or brush on the other.

These markers are juicy and last an extremely long time when the cap is applied securely. There is no mistaking the scent of a xylene marker, and for this reason, we always suggest using them in a well-ventilated area. Some others not listed here that have been recommended are Winsor & Newton orSpectrum Noir markers. Prismacolor has since added a marker with a brush tip, and there are tons of other competitors these days. Nearly all alcohol markers are described as “Copic alternatives” though — not by the competing brands themselves, of course, but by everyone else. Is that just because Copic is the oldest incumbent on the market, or is it because Copic is actually still the best? Drawing of a ball python colored with Copic Sketch markers, available here. Copic VS The World The acid-free nature of the ink found in water-based markers also make them ideal for calligraphy and another type of artwork. Even with blending, these markers may still show streaks. Streaks can be preventedby saturating the entire paper with color or by filling the paper with a blender before applying color.

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I can’t speak to the longevity of other brands, but I still don’t understand why companies even bother to enter the alcohol marker space with products that aren’t refillable when their main and oldest competitor has had that option from the start. Disposable alcohol markers are just so wasteful, since their nibs will almost certainly outlast their ink supply. Unlike Copic or Prismacolor markers, they actually don’t have that strong of a scent which is always a plus! Tombow markers also have self-cleaning tips that are definitely helpful if you are blending quite often. Another great thing is that the markers don’t dry out in case you leave the caps off. They’re also available in 200 different colors! Who knew they hadmore than the 12 colors we were given in art class?! You can also use water-based markers with alcohol-based markers. Just make sure you use the water ones on top since using alcohol last will affect the water-based ink.

Like colored pencils, colorscan actually be blended which is another great advantage for artists. However, unlikecolored pencils, it can be extremely difficult to correct mistakes. What’s Inside Art Markers? It does feel a little unfair to declare Copic the winner here since I haven’t personally tried most of the other refillable options, but given the age of most competitors, longevity is difficult to measure — no one can say they’ve used the same Arteza marker for 14 years because Arteza didn’t exist 14 years ago (they were founded in 2015). I think ShinHan Touch and Chartpak Spectra AD are the only other markers I looked at that’ve actually been around long enough to compare. The leftmost marker (T5) is one I’ve barely used. The other seven markers are all from my original 11; only the YR00 tip has been replaced and that was about three years ago. Tip wear can vary a lot. The C3 (second to the left) is my Most Used marker, but shows less wear and deformity than YR23 (rightmost), E15, and E33 (middle two), which have some slight pinching in the tip. (For the record, the ink stains on the markers are easy to clean off with rubbing alcohol or nail polish remover; I’m just lazy.) Comparison Table Glossy paper can also be used with art markers but you won’t have the same effects as non-glossy paper. As I recall, the only other contender in the alcohol marker space in the 2000’s was Prismacolor, but the comparison debate was barely worth having. The only category Prismacolor won in was price. Prismas weren’t refillable. You couldn’t replace the nibs. They didn’t have a version with a brush tip at the time. They weren’t available in as many colors. And they smelled horrible while Copics only had a light odor.Since these markers are xylene-based, you can guess that they have a pretty strong scent that can be irritable to the eyes and lungs. The markers also only come in one standard size chisel tip. They also offer four different types of markers including Prismacolor Premier Chisel|Fine Double-Ended Art Markers, Prismacolor Premier Brush|Fine Double Ended Art Markers, Prismacolor Premier Illustration Markers, and Prismacolor Scholar Art Markers. Winner (E-Commerce brands): Ohuhu Art Marker Comparison of Copic’s BV00, BV000, BV0000 and RV00, RV000, RV0000 — there are differences, but pretty much only when compared directly. Most coloring projects probably don’t require you to have 3 subtly different shades of very light pink, so the availability of these colors doesn’t present a huge advantage. Longevity Theycan also be professional-quality as illustration-grade or used for kids as school-grade markers.

For basic illustrations, uncoated paper works pretty well. If you are using art markers in any sort of paper crafts like making cards, they typically won’t bleed through for 120 lb weight paper. Ohuhu is definitely an attractive option for that, and I think the risk of a poorer quality product straight-up isn’t that important when you’re just messing around. The low cost of entry makes the experimentation worthwhile. You aren’t likely to be able to tell the difference when you’re first starting out anyway, even if you did a side-by-side comparison — this was the case for me and watercolors for a long, long time. The first two double-ended markers feature an alcohol, dye-based, non-toxic ink that’s comparable to the typical Copic art markers.Synthetic substances, such as tuluol and xylol, have been used as solvents but can be pretty toxic. In some markers, these toxics have been substituted with much safer chemicals. Types of Markers The Original Copic has a squareish shape and comes with a bullet and chisel tip by default, though there are numerous other nib options you can swap in. Winner (E-commerce brands): Ohuhu Art Marker Building a collection slowly, a few markers at a time, really worked out well for me. This is the priority 72-case of markers I’d bring to conventions to work on commissions with, so there are among my most-used colors. It took me years to fill this case. Pre-curated sets are nice, but you often don’t need as many markers as you might think. Color Availability