Good markers?

[Xeom]

I'm looking to start drawing/coloring with markers and im wondering whats a good brand.I was browsing some sites and prices seem to vary wildly from $1 per parker to $5 per marker.I'm Just looking for a average brand if anybody could recommend me one.

For anybody with experience, is normal sketchbook paper(65lb) good enough for markers.

[Homeless Foxman]

I've only used Prismacolor markers so I'm not really going to be much of help besides saying that they are very good markers. you need a decent amount of colors to work with them right though. You also probably want to put some paper behind your page or a board or something so it doesn't bleed through to the next page, a lot of the good markers use alcohol that easily bleeds through the page. I just know that its probably not the best idea to use Crayola, :P sorry bad joke. Hope you get some other feedback to help.

[thesinfulsaint]

I'm a huge fan of Copic sketch markers. The brush tip can create effects that are really similar to watercolors. The only downside is that they can be hard to find and are very expensive. They tend to bleed through the page of normal sketchbooks, but the basic solution that I've found is to carry an extra sheet of paper with you to catch some of the extra bleeding. You won't be able to use the side of the page opposite to where you're coloring, but I've never really been bothered by that.

As a second choice, I would say Prisma colors. I don't think Prismas blend as nicely, and the tips are clumsy and tend to dry out fairly quickly. However, they're a little bit cheaper and much easier to find.

Another brand that I've found that's really nifty are Tria markers, but I think that they are really hard to find. They're pretty comparable to Prismas, but what makes them so nifty is that they have 3 different tips to choose from. There's a super fine, a fine, and then a wide tip. Really cool...but I still would put Copic sketch as my first choice.

[Xeom]

Yes the copics seem good but they are so expensive :X

I might just have to buy a max of 5-6 colors.

How long do they usually last?

[tensai]

I always hear the Copics are expensive, but at least you can refill them. So buy some ink bottles and you can also regulate how dry or wet you want your marker to be, you can mix your own inks if you want, and it's better to not keep on throwing those empty markers out.

Pantone also has a refill system. Copic is easier to get over here though.

edit - to the OP; I would buy a limited range of greys so that you can get used to working with marker, and to focus on good values which is more important for your drawings anyway. Then you can always add colours digitally. I would also skip a step in each range, so get 10% - 30% - 50% - 70% - 90%, or 20% - 40% - 60% - 80% 100% in either cool grey or warm grey. And a white pencil or gouache to add some highlights if you want.

Have fun.

[Serra]

Yes the copics seem good but they are so expensive :X

I might just have to buy a max of 5-6 colors.



Meh, I'm in the same boat! I've been thinking of actually getting some of those cheap-o crayola ones just to see if I LIKE markers, and if I do, then saving up/shelling out for a 12-pack of Copics.
I've calculated it and you don't seem to get a "deal" for buying them in packs so if you do get them, maybe buy them separately so you can pick and choose exactly what colors you think you'll need most. Some of the packs seem to have fifty million greys but not a huge range of colors I would use most, so... yes.

Copics are kind of hard to find but I think if you go to their website you can find a list of retailers. If you happen to live in Southern California, they carry them at a store in Chinatown ;)

--Serra

[Xeom]

I always hear the Copics are expensive, but at least you can refill them. So buy some ink bottles and you can also regulate how dry or wet you want your marker to be, you can mix your own inks if you want, and it's better to not keep on throwing those empty markers out.

Pantone also has a refill system. Copic is easier to get over here though.

edit - to the OP; I would buy a limited range of greys so that you can get used to working with marker, and to focus on good values which is more important for your drawings anyway. Then you can always add colours digitally. I would also skip a step in each range, so get 10% - 30% - 50% - 70% - 90%, or 20% - 40% - 60% - 80% 100% in either cool grey or warm grey. And a white pencil or gouache to add some highlights if you want.

Have fun.

Sounds like a good idea I think ill stick with the shades of gray for now.Ill be heading over to the nearest art store tommorrow copics website says they have some :D

[yarisgutierrez]

I can honestly say, from experience, that Copic markers are well worth it. Although they are a bit pricey, the fact that they offer replaceable tips and are refillable is definitely a big pro. As stated by tensai, go with the grey tones and fiddle with 'em a bit. They are one the most used 'tools' that I have.

[Rabid]

Use prismacolor if you feel like going mid range on expenses. Also, best paper to work with it would be beinfang 360.

[Blue]

I'm a huge fan of markers and ink in general. Everyone else covered a lot of good tips for ink, so i'll just toss out my recommendations for paper. I live for these notebooks and treasure them like they were printed with gold leaf. The prices aren't too horrible, but they are smooth, 90-108lb thickness so there is almost never ever bleed.

I have a 24 x 36 of the vellum which (aside from being massive) is great for mixed media, while I have a 14 x 17 paris paper that is more suited for heavier use of inks and takes ink from calligraphy pens and brushes much better.

They tend to last for some time too, but then again, i "sketch" a blister-load on 1 sheet of the vellum since it is so big and simply use the pads more for finished quality work.

(just grabbed these images off www.bordenandriley.com)

[Ilaekae]

Everything above sounds like it's helpful and all, but...

Is there actually such a thing as a GOOD marker? I'm asking from the viewpoint of someone raised with pencil, india ink and paint who always saw markers as impermanent.

[Blue]

Everything above sounds like it's helpful and all, but...

Is there actually such a thing as a GOOD marker? I'm asking from the viewpoint of someone raised with pencil, india ink and paint who always saw markers as impermanent.

Hey thats me. Well almost, I never thought any tool can hinder me. I guess for me, the perfect marker was one that didn't fade and lasted long. So... I dunno, brand-wise i've never found a silver bullet, but I have had some pens that treated me damned well. Without a sense of Irony though, the only marker i ever loved was opaque black. Faber-Castell (http://www.faber-castell.us/docs/index_ebene3_asp_id~17325_domid~1010_sp~E_addlasti d~0_m1~14785_m2~14794_m3~14804_m4~17325_suma~.htm) 's Black pens has been keeping me happy for some time. It is an Indian Ink set, so I use Indian Ink with a brush for larger areas to fill.

I haven't used their colored pens yet, but I've played around with the grey tones and they were actually pretty nice.

Edit: My dad says the colored pens are kick ass, so there you have it. We both purchased everything by individual pen though, never one of the sets on that page.

[dbclemons]

Yes, there is such a thing as a good marker, and some that work better than others, or a brand that satisfies one person more than another. The way they handle and the marks they make are unique. They're also damn convenient. You can get archival pigmented ink markers as well. Lots of options. I don't prefer them over other tools, I just use them to their advantages.

[PeggyChung]

i use both copics and prismas (i have more copics over prismas) but i have to say i like prismas more because the tip feels a lot firmer than the copics. also that it can go thin to super thick with the same nib. Copics can sorta do that but not as well. I have the whole refilable copics and what not, but they are a pain in the ass., really. Its less trouble to just buy prismas, cause with copics, I always have to bring my dang refills with me.

depends though, what are you using them for? You could aywas buy the odd numbered ones (for the greys)10, 30, 50, 70, 100 and thats pretty good IMO. For colors you dont use much you could just buy prisma ones. Also if youre going to buy a grey set, go for either cool grey, warm grey or french grey...the tone gray looks soooo dead.

marker paper- i suggest letra set or canson, theyre more expensive than bien feng but the quality is awesome.