Dyes love to blend but they can only blend well when the dye particles are swimming in a generous ocean of lubricating solvent.
If you want to learn more, please visit our website IERS.
Alcohol makes an ideal solvent for dyes. There’s a slickness to alcohol and its molecular structure distributes dye particles evenly throughout the solution. The best blending marker on the market, Copic uses Ethyl Alcohol (see the MSDS sheet here, ingredients on page 2-3) to keep the dye particles loose and ready to blend.
Water is simply not as ideal. First off, there aren’t as many water soluble dyes available. “Soluble” is actually a misnomer; water-soluble dye do not actually dissolve into the solution. The undissolved dye particles have a tendency to settle over time which is why you have to shake some water-based markers or store them horizontally. There’s also a magnetism to water which draws the undissolved particles to the outside edges of the wet zones on paper, leaving noticeable drying lines.
Unfortunately, water-based markers do not blend as well as alcohol markers. Because it takes several minutes for water to evaporate, marker companies are forced to make water-based markers less juicy to prevent smudges and smears as you color. The dryer application is a problem for smooth-blending because there’s not enough moisture for the dye to smooth itself on the paper. This forces you to use manual friction (scrubbing) to make the colors blend. Low moisture is also why water-based markers are notoriously streaky.
So let’s look at the different kinds of coloring and which markers tend to work best in each circumstance.
Coloring Books: Coloring books are usually printed on manila style paper which frankly doesn’t work well for alcohol OR water-based markers. Because manila is a low quality, wood pulp paper which degrades easily when wetted with alcohol or water. Quality varies from book to book which leaves coloring book fans constantly disappointed when the images they love are printed on terrible paper.
Marker fans often trace coloring book outlines onto appropriate paper. I’ve even heard of Copic users taking pages to print shops to have them professionally reprinted onto their favorite marker cardstock.
Join a coloring book discussion group or search online for specific books printed onto better quality papers but at this time, I’m unaware of any coloring book printed on the ideal paper for Copic Markers. You’ll find books that aren’t too bad but nothing that’s perfect for markers.
BUST THE MYTH: I’ve heard coloring book people talk about “thick paper” as being the primary requirement for using alcohol markers in a coloring book. They also talk about “artist grade paper”. Yes, the best paper for alcohol markers tends to be thick but thickness isn’t what’s most important. It’s the type of paper fiber and the paper finish which makes a good marker paper, NOT THICKNESS. And “artist grade paper” tells you nothing. There are thousands artist grade papers and I’ll bet only 1% of them are suitable for alcohol markers.
For my favorite papers, see the recommend supply list here.
I recommend using water-based markers for coloring books. My reasoning is that they’re a dryer marker so you’ll see less bleed-through and less feathering (where the ink travels out farther than you intended). Plus, the coloring spaces tend to be small. Small spaces are easier to keep wet so you can usually get a nice look from water-based markers.
If you want to use alcohol markers in coloring books, I’d stick with a cheaper brand of marker. This is definitely a situation where the premium features of a Copic Marker provide no benefit if you’re coloring on manila.
Geometric Doodling and Mandalas: I’ve noticed that most “zen” or geometric doodling tutorials use Micron Pens first, the color is added later.
MICRONS ARE NOT SAFE FOR USE WITH ALCOHOL MARKERS. Read my article here about the danger of using Microns with Copic Markers. Stick with water-based markers if using a Micron pen.
BUST THE MYTH: Micron Pens are NEVER safe for use with alcohol markers. There is no amount of cure time, no amount of heat setting, no prohibitive paper, and no magic pixie dust which can prevent smearing. Microns use alcohol soluble ink, they will smear and drag color when they come in contact with alcohol ink. They also ruin alcohol marker nibs.
If you switch to a pen that’s safe for alcohol markers, then feel free to use any brand of alcohol marker including Copic. See my article here for a list of recommended Copic safe pens.
Note: unless you’re doodling/drawing on marker friendly cardstock, there is no benefit to using Copic Markers for these projects. See my article here for a list of recommended papers for use with Copic or other alcohol markers.
Card Making, Stamped Images, and Scrapbook Elements: Use whatever kind of marker you prefer. As long as you match your marker to the correct kind of paper, you’ll get great results from both water and alcohol markers, even inexpensive brands of alcohol marker work great.
That’s the beauty of coloring small images- it’s easy to get great results.
I get a lot of card makers in my Copic Marker classes and while I teach with Copic exclusively, I don’t think Copics are necessary to make beautiful cards. If you enjoy using Copics, go ahead; but don’t assume you need all 358 Copic Markers to make attractive cards.
Read my article here about the limitations caused by owning too many coloring supplies.
For stamped images, make sure to match your stamp ink to the type of marker you intend to use.
Do not use water-based stamp inks with water-based markers unless you want the stamp ink to bleed or melt away.
It is essential to use a stamp ink which is safe for alcohol markers. Unsafe inks will ruin the nib of alcohol markers.
Digital Stamps (small or full page size): If you’re printing small images to color, you can use any kind of marker you enjoy, including inexpensive alcohol markers. Just like with card making, when the image is small, it’s very easy to get great results with any product.
For larger digital stamps, especially full page images, you’ll need to step-up the quality of products you use. The larger the image, the more you’ll appreciate quality markers designed for large scale blending and coloring.
If you’re using water-based markers, you’ll likely want to add a paintbrush and clear water to get smoother blends or create watercolor like effects. Water-based markers are at a clear disadvantage when coloring large. You’ll also need to switch to water friendly paper which can resist buckling, warping, and pilling.
For alcohol markers, be sure to print on a quality marker friendly cardstock. This is where I’d definitely recommend Copic Markers.
And for both kinds of markers, make sure to use a printer with marker compatible ink!
Ink Jet printer lines melt on contact with water
some Ink Jet printers are safe for use with alcohol markers but test first to be sure!
toner printers are safe for both water-based and alcohol markers
Bullet Journals and Art Calendars: Like coloring books, you’ll have paper issues no matter which kind of marker you choose.
You’ll also encounter bleed-through issues with both kinds of markers, so thicker paper or one-side-only usage is definitely advised.
For journals, I’d recommend sticking to thin barreled water-based markers because thinner markers tend to be less juicy. I like these water-based brush nib markers or for a thin alcohol version, I really like these.
But I have to admit, I’ve seen amazing work with full sized alcohol markers. If the paper is right, you can get away with a juicy alcohol marker.
Art Journals, Sketchbooks, Urban Sketching, and Illustrative Journals: This is a hard one. Here, you’re drawing and coloring to your best ability so you’ll want the best blending markers you can find BUT you’re limited by the paper quality. Like coloring books, you’ll find a wide range of journals printed on tons of different papers.
It’s really up to the paper and your skills as an artist.
You can get great results from water-based markers, from cheap alcohol markers, or from Copic Markers IF you can match the paper to your markers.
What I can tell you is that most art journalers buy and try every journal they see or read about. They’re always searching for the best paper for their favorite marker. Once they find it, they buy a bunch and then pray that the brand doesn’t get discontinued.
I make my own marker journals using my favorite Copic friendly cardstock, binding it between these cover-boards using this binding machine. I’ve used the same binding supplies with watercolor paper to make lovely watercolor journals as well.
Comic/Manga Fan Art: Okay, I’m dividing this category. Here we’re talking about amateurs and hobby level fan art. If you’re a professional comic illustrator, you’re likely not even reading this article in the first place but the pros should skip ahead to the last “illustrator” category if you’ve lasted this far.
For more information, please visit OEM Alcohol Markers.
For the amateurs and beginners— this is a category of aspiring artists who are often held back by their supplies.
For professional looking work, you need 3 things: great paper, great markers, and great technique.
I highly recommend Copic Markers. If you’re trying to duplicate the style or look of your favorite artist, your best chance is to use the same supplies. Most professionals use Copics but if your hero is using fruit scented dollar store markers, you should be using fruit scented dollar store markers too.
Match your paper to the markers. I see a ton of fan-artists using expensive Copics on cheap copy paper. It’s a waste time and ink.
I’ve seen a lot of talented people stuck in this category. Stuck because they keep searching for the cheapest answer to everything. Water-based markers and Copic knock-offs won’t cut it at the level you aspire to.
For a budget friendly starter list, here’s my versatile starter marker shopping list. I teach beginner classes with this set and we ran classes for over a year without adding any new colors..
Line & Wash Sketching: I do a lot of this myself and I know the “wash” typically refers to watercolor.
But a lot of artists are doing this on the road or en plein air with water-based markers. I have Winsor Newton Watercolor Markers (which are actual watercolor rather than dye) and I’ve also enjoyed playing with Zig Clean Color brush pens (water-based dye).
There are many water-based markers which will work here.
And don’t forget, alcohol markers can work well too. You won’t get the same watercolory effects, it’s more of a Line & Swash look but it’s a lot of fun and actually harkens back to old school marker indication projects.
Designers— Storyboard, Fashion, Graphic Design & Logos, Product Illustration, Interior Decorating, Landscape and Architecture: Copic Markers, Copic Markers, Copic Markers. But you already knew that, right?
Production art requires professional grade materials. Copics are refillable and have replacement nibs. Every other marker will cost more in the long run. I’m preachin’ to the choir, right?
Illustration, Marker Painting, and Fine Art: We’re not even going to mess around with water-based markers now.
Once we’ve narrowed ourselves to alcohol markers, it’s all about the nibs. We need high quality, juicy, and expressive nibs for marker painting.
I’ve tried a lot of alcohol markers at this point and nothing compares to the Copic Super Brush Nib. It’s longer, springier, and more durable than anything else on the market. To be frank, the Super Brush Nib is why I don’t teach with anything else.
I know this will surprise some of my long time readers— after all, I teach Copic Marker classes, I’m a big cheerleader for the most expensive brand of alcohol markers…
But I don’t think everyone needs expensive markers. Cheaper markers can make very beautiful coloring.
Now I need to qualify that statement, there’s a great big IF coming.
And that’s the problem…
Do YOU have the skills to make bad markers look good?
Artistic skill, training, experience, and natural born talent makes any product easier to use with success. A pro can get away with using lesser markers, but honestly, when time is money, professionals know quality tools make art more efficient.
I know this sounds counterintuitive to a beginner.
A lot of people figure they’ll start with cheaper markers and upgrade later when they have enough skills to justify expensive markers.
I disagree.
Every hurdle you put in your way makes learning harder:
It’s harder to learn how to blend with ink that doesn’t want to blend
It’s harder to color smoothly with a marker that isn’t naturally juicy
It’s difficult to blend or cover large areas with a tiny nib
It’s difficult to control unresponsive nibs
I teach with Copic Markers because it’s easier to learn good technique with good markers. With quality markers, you focus on learning rather than fighting the marker.
Overall, I think alcohol markers are much better than water-based markers for coloring but there are times when a water-based marker really comes in handy.
Alcohol markers are preferred by professionals because they blend smoothly and come in a versatile range of mature colors. Copic Markers are especially favored by professionals because they’re refillable, offer replacement nibs, and individual markers can be replaced open-stock if necessary.
Water-based markers are a better fit for coloring books and journals because they’re less juicy than alcohol markers and thus less likely to bleed-through or feather. And when the coloring project is small, water-based markers often look just as good as their more expensive alcohol counterparts.
Quality tools make coloring easier but you can get great results from cheap markers if you have the knowledge and skill to overcome the quirks of inexpensive markers.
I know if this is the fist time you’ve shopped for markers, this whole question about which kind of marker to try and which brand to buy feels like a monumental decision.
But they’re just markers.
It’s just paper.
You’re just experimenting right now.
Go with the best marker you can afford and if that doesn’t work, you can always try something else. This is what artists do all the time, we play and experiment with a wide range of materials to see what works best and what feels best.
You’re not locked into this purchase forever.
Now go play with some markers!
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