The best markers for sketching

When deciding which company is better to choose markers for sketching, novice illustrators often face the problem of finding really high-quality products. There are expensive options for consumables on sale, but the affordable market segment is abundant. To understand the features of the different options, study the ranking of the best budget markers for drawing sketches and top premium brands.

For an artist who is just gaining experience in sketching, it is difficult to immediately acquire professional tools. But the best and highest quality sketching markers can be found in the budget segment as well. There are a lot of firms that produce inexpensive versions of such products.

Among them there are options that have earned the most flattering reviews from professional illustrators.

• Letraset Markers. The recognized market leader in budget markers is a renowned British company that produces high quality sketching tools in a range of 60-200 colors. The company has a series of Letraset Tria with unique products containing 3 types of tips at once. Double-sided markers are presented in the Flex Markers line, there are oil-based Promarkers and watercolor Aquamarkers. The big advantage of the brand is the ability to refill its products with ink.

• Finecolour. Inexpensive factory-made sketching markers from China with eye-catching design and double-sided design. Tools include a beveled chisel and a brush. There are more than 240 colors and shades in the brand's palette, but the gradients with them are not very smooth. The average cost of a marker does not exceed 110 rubles, in sets they cost 2-3 times cheaper.

• Potentate. A Chinese brand with a good reputation, the manufacturer produces water and alcohol-based products, offers sets of 12 to 120 markers (with a full set of available palettes) with an average cost of 130 rubles per piece. All products have a double-sided brush and chisel design. The brand is famous for its good combinatorial shades to obtain a gradient, but the markers are disposable, it is impossible to purchase a refueling for them in Russia.

• Touchfive. Chinese manufacturer with budget prices and a wide color palette. Markers draw well, but they are inferior to professional markers in the clarity of the contours, smoothness of gradients. There have been cases of erroneous labeling.

These brands have already been tested by sketching enthusiasts and professional illustrators. They are really helpful for taking the first steps in drawing, they are suitable for mixing, creating gradients and clear paths.

Quick drawings or sketches are colorful, bright, color variety. This is why professional illustrators choose to use tools that allow them to fully display their artistry.

The South Korean brand ShinHanart has been one of the world leaders in sketching tools for almost two decades. The company is focused on professional artists working in the field of design, illustration, cares about the ergonomics of products, adapting them for long continuous work. Distinctive features of markers from Touch Twin include:

• stylish design;
• convenient mixing of shades;
• alcoholic hypoallergenic base;
• double-sided design with thin liner and wide element for gradients and painting;
• a palette of 204 bright shades;
• Detachable nib design for easy refueling.

The cost of the brand's products depends on the number of units in the set - there can be from 6 to 60. These markers are also sold by the piece. In addition to the classic line, the Touch Twin Brush series is also availablein which the "bullet" is replaced with a brush tip.

This brand is a recognized leader in the global production of specialized markers. They are produced by Too Corporation from Japan. The products are not divided into classes, they are equally well suited for novice and professional artists. The clear advantages of Copic Ciao markers include:

• a wide range of shades, 358 of them, and the collection is growing;
• ergonomic body design;
• eco-friendly alcohol ink;
• 2 tools at once - a brush and a beveled nib;
• paints do not spread on paper;
• a wide range of sets from 6 to 72 pieces;
• economical consumption.

The only drawback of Copic Ciao markers is their high cost. The minimum set costs from 1,500 rubles, the largest can be purchased for more than 30,000 rubles. You should also be careful when buying. Popular markers are often counterfeited.

These professional markers are ranked # 3 in the impromptu premium product rankings. The brand belongs to an American company known among professional sketchers and illustrators. Products, unlike other markers, are refilled with oil-based ink.

The features of Chartpak sketching products include:

• bright ink;
• high durability of pigments;
• creating a 3D effect on paper;
• one-sided design with a wide chisel;
• rich palette of 130 shades.

In this case, professional tools of an artist and designer are much cheaper. They are sold in sets and by the piece, the average price of 1 marker reaches 275 rubles.

It is not so difficult for a beginner to draw a child or an adult to choose the first set of markers for sketching. You just need to decide on the basic parameters of such tools. For example, for painting on different surfaces, only oil-based options are suitable. For paper, you can choose alcohol options or water-based watercolors, which, after drying, give a very interesting effect on the surface of the sheet.

You will also need to pay attention to the following points.

1. One-sided or double-sided. Depending on which drawing style you selected in your sketching, you may need a bullet or brush tip to create paths and a chisel for hatching and shadows. If you do not want to purchase separate tools, you can immediately take double-sided markers with the desired type of elements.
2. Primary colors. Here, too, much depends on what kind of drawings are to be created. You can rely on the seasonal range: green, blue and sand are considered summer, gray, gold, scarlet, spring colors are always pastel, pink and turquoise are present, autumn colors are orange-red and brown. It is imperative to purchase basic markers. They are presented in a palette of gray tones - from warm to cold.
3. Additional shades. In each range, you must have 2-3 shades in addition to the base one. By mixing them, you can create volume in the picture.
4. Body shape. It is quite difficult to find rounded options in professional lines. Most often these are triangular or tetrahedral cylinders that do not roll off the table. They are the most convenient to work with.

In addition to the markers themselves, a beginner sketching enthusiast will also have to stock up on paper or a special notebook, as well as organizer boxes for storing accessories. With such a base, you can confidently try yourself in drawing.