Markers

[jhonenfreak]

I'm trying to convince myself to buy some quality alcohol-based markers, but I can't decide between Prisma or Copic. I hear that Copic is better, but it's twice as expensive. Also, I can't decide how many to buy. Do I need 2-3 shades of each color, or is it nessicary to have around 5-6 of each? I don't want to limit myself in the least, but then again I'm not made of money (keeping in mind that if I splurge on markers I can't afford Photoshop). Also, should I buy Copic, is the airbrush feature worth it? What would be best for lineart, just a black Copic or Prisma? A Sharpie perhaps? (Sharpies haven't failed me yet, but I'm not sure how it would react against alcohol-based markers and blenders.) Would India Ink and a fountain pen be better? How would these take to non-absorbent paper? (I heard it's best to buy a special non-absorbent paper if you wish to blend the inks.) And speaking of blenders, do they get real dirty? I know that if you run a yellow marker over a wet black area it will turn all dingy, so does the same go for the blenders? Would I need to buy a handful of blenders and use one for blues, one for reds, one for tans, one for grays, etc?

I hope someone here has some intensive marker experience that they might be able to lend me. I don't want to go blow 400 bucks and be unhappy with my purchase.
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[Brianhjh]

sharpie is alcohol based, so blender would work, but it's not like the blenders work in the first place anyway.


I have been using prismacolor markers for 3 years now, I was really disappointed in my experience with it initially, I was not used to one-touch, one-tone mechanism of markers and the old fine tip was horrible. But I found usage for it, I now use markers in two ways, base color for my pencil crayon work and on canvas paper. Prismas are cheap, and they last extremely long, and about 2/3 of the color lines have a pencil counterpart, I'm sure you use prisma pencils.

Copic however, has more color, has been observed to be brighter, and each color comes with replacement ink. But it is much more expensive and restock is not reliable, Japanese.

It is true that copic markers have airbrush capability, but the tools needed are expensive and you will rarely use it. much like how the primary aesthetics of watercolor comes from its transparency, people like marker drawings because gradient is done rather like cell-shading with different colors overlapping, not because it is a perfect gradient.

Furthermore, I have tried to use blender marker *many times over* but it is virtually useless in marker drawings. They don't blend well, even on non-absorbent surface (I use Canson canvas paper). And as expected, it gets dirty as well. It IS useful, however, in pencil/pencil crayon drawings, it will blend colored pencil wax (it lightly dissolves them) and take care of ugly white specks of paper not covered by the wax.

If you are going into design, why not look at things like gouache? it's cheaper, lasts longer, brighter, and "authentic".

In addendum, the new type of prisma color marker they have nowadays is awesome, with fine tip not unlike sharpie markers. It can actually be used to make quick sketches.

I would recommend Prismacolor because I use it (about a hundred) and I'm happy with it. And also, I really don't want to be associated with American girls who draws "anime" and shells out hundreds of dollars to buy copic markers without even looking at the alternatives.


BTW: No one ever mentiones Tria markers, in threads like this, ever. LOL
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[jhonenfreak]

I think I've heard of Tria, but not often enough to be convinced with it's quality.

What exactly is gouache again? Isn't that some type of paint, or is it a drawing medium? I know that you use it often, as you've mentioned in the WIP thread.

So you start off with an initial marker base and use pencils on top? Would you mind adding links to some of your works where you've done that? I'd like to see the final result of the dual medium. Would you mind posting some examples of your gouache as well? Which one do you prefer?

I was also considering watercolors because they are cheap and have that layered effect. Only problem is is that I suck at watercolors, so I'd have to do some major practicing first.
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[Brianhjh]

I can't use watercolors either, nor markers by itself. Because I can never do it right the first time. I put somethinr really substantial down on the paper and keep moulding and moulding and moulding.


[b]Markers + Pencil Crayon[/b]

http://forum.fanart-central.net//index.php...pic=1439&st=435

2nd, 3rd, and fourth post

http://forum.fanart-central.net//index.php...pic=1439&st=570

Last few posts

[b]Markers on Canvas Paper[/b]

http://www.deviantart.com/view/24930257/

[b]Gouache[/b]

http://www.deviantart.com/view/23820609/

http://www.fanart-central.net/pictures.php?pid=331990


I used to prefer Gouache but it is messy, so I've been doing dry media for a while... for two months. I'm starting to use gouache again, but the paint is two years old and drying out, I need a new set.
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[img]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v233/Brianhjh/emesprani151.gif[/img] "Sarah's future makes me sad." - Benk