Watercolor is a timeless style of painting and sketching. Using markers instead of tubes of paint, etc. is a quick, simple, and more mess-free way to explore this type of art! This blog takes you through the markers we have at Marker Supply that are dye-based and will easily blend with water (and with other colors) to create smooth color gradations, shadows and fading effects, and of course- watercolor art!
(*All of these markers are water-based and should not bleed through most papers. However, it is recommended that if you are blending them with water to create watercolor style art, you use a thicker paper designed to handle the moisture.)
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Zig Clean Color Real Brush Marker
Colors Available: 80
Sets Available:
–Set of 48 with Case and Bonus Water Brush
–Color Tone Sets of 6
–Color Scheme Sets of 4
–Set of 6
–Set of 12
–Shade and Shadow Set of 20
–Trend Set of 12
–Grayscale Set of 20
Tip Style: Single-Ended, bristle brush
Currently a very popular watercolor marker, the Clean Colors have been recently featured on many craft blogs. Its hair-like brush tip resembles more of an actual paint brush, which makes it easier to thin out the color as the stroke grows larger. Clean colors have awesome blending ability and plenty of light and dark colors to create gradation effects. Their color range also includes fluorescents and a variety of gray tones.
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Sakura KOI Coloring Brush Pen
Colors Available: 48
Sets Available:
–Set of 12 colors
–Set of 24 colors
Tip Style: Single-Ended, Rubber Brush
A newer marker from Sakura, the KOI comes with its own fun and unique color palette. The brush tip is more of a sturdy, rubbery feel, but still flexible- allowing you to make thin or thick lines- but will quickly spring back to its original shape. This durable tip also makes these markers great for working with rubber stamps.
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Zig Art & Graphic Twin
Colors Available: 80
Tip Style: Double-Ended, Fine Tip and Rubber Brush
A dual tip marker (like getting 2 pens in 1!) that has a rubber brush on one end, and a fine point on the other- a handy combo for coloring both larger and tiny spaces. Available in a wide variety of colors, very similar to the Clean Color range. The brush tip on these markers is a little longer and more “bendy” than the KOI. The ink is also very fluid when pressure is applied to the brush tip- making it a breeze to dab some color on a palette surface for blending just like real paints.
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Zig Calligraphy II Dye
Colors Available: 15
Sets Available:
–Set of 6
–Set of 12
Tip Style: Double-Ended, 2mm Square and 3.5mm Square
Another double-ended marker that features 2 square (flat-edged chisel) tips in different sizes, common with writing many calligraphy font styles. The dye ink in this marker makes it possible to add some unique shadowing and other effects to your lettering!
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Prismacolor Watercolor Colored Pencils
Colors Available: 36
Sets Available:
–Set of 12 in metal tin
–Set of 24 in metal tin
–Set of 36 in metal tin
Tip Style: Sharpened pencil point
These special colored pencils from Prismacolor are water soluble and can create incredible blended effects and watercolor works of art. The pencil tip lets you apply pressures and shading techniques while drawing and writing that differ from what is done with markers.
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Sakura KOI Pocket Field Sketch Box
Outside the world of markers is this handy watercolor tool- featuring 24 half pan watercolor paints, a water brush, dabbing sponges, and a detachable palette tray. It’s small and portable- perfect for painting anywhere you go! The lid forms an easel that holds postcard size paper- helping you capture the perfect little scene at the park, on the beach, or in the city!
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Blenders
All of the above markers can be used with regular paint brushes and water, or try using them with any of these convenient blending pens!
Zig BrusH20 Water Pens: A refillable pen that holds water- just squeeze the barrel and it flows out through the brush tip! Available in 4 sizes.
Zig Blender Marker: A dual tip rubber brush marker full of water-based blending solution. Works well for more subtle blending than using water.
Zig Art & Graphic Twin Colorless Blender: A dual tip (fine/rubber brush) marker, just like the other Art & Graphics, only this one has no color, just a clear blending solution.
Sakura KOI Colorless Blender Pen: A rubber brush colorless pen, great for blending and mixing colors. Sold as a pack of 2 pens.
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Techniques
There are several techniques you can use to paint with dye-based markers:
-Use the markers to sketch out your drawing, then blend with a water pen to give it a watercolor look.
-Add a little water to the paper first, then soak in some color in places over the top of it.
-Briefly soak the color tip in water until the tip lightens. Then as you color, the shade will gradually darken.
-Touch the tip of a lighter color marker into the tip of a darker color until a little soaks in, then draw with the lighter tip for a smooth color-changing blend.
-Color a section with a darker color, then use a lighter color to blend it out.
-Dab the wet tip of a water pen over the colored marker tip, then apply to the paper from the water pen.
There are plenty more ways to create watercolor with markers! Let us know your favorite tips and tricks, and send us some of your painted watercolor works! We love to see what you markers are making!!
Instagram #MarkerSupply
With the holidays approaching fast, we’ve begun putting together a few lists of marker projects for holiday decorating! Whether you are entertaining guests for dinner, needing fun projects for the kids, or just wanting to make your house or office a bit more festive- keep your eye on the Marker Supply blog! We’ll be highlighting products from several different brands, and a few ways you can use them this holiday season!
Our holiday decorating series continues with new ideas from our Pebeo products!!
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Imported from France, our Pebeo line has some special products that work great for holiday décor!
The greatest feature about Pebeo paints is that when used on surfaces that can be baked in an oven, the painted marks will become permanent after baking- so items like dishes can be washed and your artwork will stay put!
(Click here to see our blog about comparing different markers on painted dishes and what happens to each after washing..)
Remember to be patient with your Pebeo projects.. If you are new to glass/porcelain painting, it can seem a bit tricky at first. Have some “practice” surfaces if possible to try out your ideas on! Thrift stores and dollar stores carry lots of pieces you can get for cheap! Try different paint brushes/applying techniques as you learn how the paint works on these smooth, glossy surfaces. And keep in mind that you don’t need to have a crazy, elaborate design for every piece. Even simple markings- lines, dots, etc.- can have a beautiful look to them!
The various forms of Pebeo paint- markers, bottled paint, and outliner tubes!
Each available in a variety of colors!
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A few tips as you begin:
-Clean your pieces thoroughly before painting. Use soapy water or rubbing alcohol to fully clean and degrease, and then let fully dry, giving you the best surface to paint on.
-If you get these paints in a spot they aren’t supposed to be (marks outside of your design or paint dripped onto your table, etc.) you can clean them up with a little bit of rubbing alcohol. Try to catch them before the paint has dried for too long! Use tape or stencils to help mask off areas on your dish that you don’t want paint to go.
-For dish art: Pebeo paints are non-toxic, but aren’t recommended for use on the parts of dishes that come in direct contact with food. So make sure to keep your artwork on the outside, handles, edges, etc. that won’t be touching your food or drinks.
-During the colder months of the year, be careful when transporting or storing your Pebeo markers. Letting them freeze can damage them quickly. Don’t leave them in a car when it’s super cold, and make sure a package doesn’t get delivered then sit outside for too long if it has Pebeo markers in it.
Simple directions for baking painted pieces:
(For ornamental items that won’t be washed, handled a lot, etc., you won’t need to use the baking method. The marks will remain on your item after just air drying.)
-After painting your design on a clean, dry surface, let the paint dry completely (around 24 hours).
-Make sure your entire piece can withstand hot temperatures. (Remove all stickers, tags, ornament strings, etc.)
-Place item in a cold oven so it can heat up gradually. Sudden drastic temperature changes could damage the item. Heat to 350°F and bake for 35 minutes.
-Turn off oven and leave your item inside until the oven cools down. Removing the item while hot could cause the heated paint to smudge.
-Your painted design is now sealed on and should be washable, even in the dishwasher! To ensure it lasts even longer, you can wash your pieces by hand using mild soap, and avoid abrasive scrubbing pads.
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DISH ART
*Chalkboard name tags for drink glasses
Getting ready for a gathering of family & friends? To avoid getting people’s drink glasses mixed up with everyone else’s, try these fun ways of marking your holiday cups!
Paint a spot on your glasses with Pebeo Chalkboard Paint. Bake them to heat set the paint. Then each time you use a glass, mark who it belongs to with chalk or a removable chalkboard marker like the Marvy Bistro Chalk Markers! The chalkboard paint section will stay on when you wash it, and only the name will wash off- leaving it ready to be labeled again for its next user!
Make a reusable checklist to label multiple drinks just the way each person likes them!
Use Pebeo paint to make the permanent background and checklist, and then use a temporary marker to mark on it.
*Making custom mugs
‘Tis the season to be enjoying hot beverages! Why not design your own mug? Custom coffee cups make great gifts for people too! Grab a plain mug and let it be a blank canvas for any kind of design you can think of.
Draw or letter your own design!
Use the fine or medium tip Porcelaine 150 markers for more controlled writing & drawing, or try the Porcelaine 150 paints for more freestyle painting, stamping or stenciling, etc.
The Porcelaine 150 outliners work well for embellishing fine details! These marks will also add a raised effect.
Try painting with stamps, sponges, stencils- or a combination!
Let the kids scribble a special gift for someone!
Lots of kids just LOVE to color! Let them try something different than a piece of paper- how about making a mug! Pebeo markers are water-based, non-toxic, and do not contain harmful chemicals like Xylene- making them safer for kids to use (with supervision, of course!). Have them enjoy creating a fun keepsake piece for you, or a treasured gift for family members!
Special thanks to Laura, who shared with us the results of an awesome project she did with her 2 year old and Pebeo markers! What sweet mugs!!
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PAINTED CANDLE JARS
Candles are very popular over the holidays, and during the winter season in general. Give your candles a special, colorful glow by custom painting jars for them! Grab some empty glass mason jars, widemouth cups, vases, etc. and paint with the Vitrea 160 markers.
You might need to make several layers of paint to get the color to look bolder.
Wait until the first layer dries before doing another, or the paint could smudge away.
You can also “pump” the valve-action tip of these markers several times on a surface to be used as a palette- pooling a bit of the paint so it can be applied with a paint brush or other tools!
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ORNAMENTS
Making your own ornaments and decorations can be a fun craft for the whole family! With glass & porcelain ornaments being popular (and easy to find at craft stores!), the Pebeo paints and markers come in handy for coloring these too!
Our Certified Zentangle Teacher, Jamie, showed us how to transfer some Zentangle designs done on paper with the Sakura Micron pens, onto a porcelain ornament using the Pebeo markers. The fine line of the Microns was a little hard to mimic with the Pebeo markers, but the results still looked great! Using the “Ahh” and “Hollibaugh” patterns, (which sounded the most in-season!) she created this beautiful Zentangle-style ornament:
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See our previous blog for holiday decorating projects featuring Marvy Uchida products!
Stay tuned for one more blog in the Holiday Decorating Series, coming up soon!!
Have any holiday marker crafts that you / your friends & family like to do? We love seeing what creative ideas you guys come up with! Post/tag us on our social media pages or email us!
