Markers for Drawing: How to Choose a Good One?

Markers for Drawing

Each of us in childhood loved to draw on album sheets and decorate black and white pictures in special coloring books with bright felt-tip pens. Years have passed, we have grown up, and now, our children are already enthusiastically using felt-tip pens, which help to transfer their favorite cartoon character, toy, and even mom and dad onto paper.

During this time, not only you and I have changed, but also our first artistic instrument. So what is it, a modern felt-tip pen or, to put it correctly, a marker? We study the issue in detail!

History of the marker

You will be surprised, but the idea of ​​​​creating such a writing tool came to the mind of the ancient Egyptians.

It is known that it was in this country that the first hollow copper tubes appeared, into which ancient inventors inserted a reed impregnated with a special paint. They were used in the work of chroniclers who applied letters to papyrus. As they dried, the old reeds were replaced with new ones.

Well, why not a replaceable core of a modern marker ?! Millennia passed, and in 1942 the invention of the ancient Egyptians again reminded of itself. Very soon, felt-tip pens became the hallmark of the Japanese company “Tokyo Stationery Company”. In Europe, the first markers were introduced by the Edding brand, which managed to significantly expand the range of markers.

What is the marker made of?

The design of this drawing and writing tool is quite simple. It includes only a few elements: hollow metal or plastic case; a rod filled with a porous material impregnated with paint; tip protected from drying out by a cap. Modern markers are strong and durable, and the refilling process of some models is provided for by the features of the tool, and not at all by its shortage.

Tip: choose the right one You can never tell by the appearance of the tip of the marker that its choice is really important.

Meanwhile, much depends on its shape and thickness. We propose to start acquaintance with this detail by studying the forms. So what could be the tip?

Flat is a suitable option for filling the background. Such a tip is great for graphic images, architectural sketches, etc. The flat nib is used with markers for highlighting text and notes, as well as a calligraphy tool.

A brush is a tip, the shape of which is almost completely identical to the shape of the most popular painting tool. At the same time, the material for their manufacture is not a pile at all, but a soft porous material. The brush tip is the best solution for mixing paints and creating halftones. The bullet is the most common type of tip.

The reason for this popularity lies in the versatility of the round marker. The fact is that with this form, it is not at all necessary to adjust the angle of inclination of the tool to obtain a straight line. The thickness of the markers is even more variable than the tip shape. In the assortment of manufacturers of professional tools and household markers, there are models with a tip thickness from 1 to 60 mm.

A universal option is tips with a thickness of 4-10 mm, thinner ones are suitable for linear drawing of small details, and thick ones for creating a background. Separately, I would like to mention interchangeable tips. They are not found in all manufacturers, so before choosing a brand, ask if the model you like has such an opportunity.

Classic marker refills

Despite the emergence of new products, the lion’s share of the range of modern markers belongs to two categories – water-based and alcohol-based tools.

Water based markers

Images made with water-based markers are a lot like watercolors. With their help, masters create exactly the same transitions and glazing as when using watercolors. Another similarity is that ordinary water can be used to create the desired effect on paper or cardboard, which blurs the base. That is why most often water-based markers are used to create illustrations.

Alcohol markers

Their masters call it a universal tool that can be used in tandem with pencils, ink and gel pens. The difference in the texture of the images helps to give them expressiveness and correctly place accents. Alcohol markers work great on paper. In this case, it is best to use special paper with a smooth surface for sketches. Remember that alcohol paint dries quickly, and under the influence of ultraviolet light, it is prone to fading.

Both water and alcohol markers are used by craftsmen to create sketches, which means “quick drawing” in English. Unlike a sketch, a sketch is a finished work, so the use of a marker in this case is more than justified.

Acrylic and oil markers: features and scope

The scope of a modern marker is truly extensive, and all thanks to the use of a wide range of fillers. Acrylic based markers This artistic tool can be called acrylic paint, well known to masters, but in a more convenient package. You can create transitions and mix shades only until the paint dries. In work, acrylic markers are often combined with aerosol paints designed to create graffiti.

Oil based markers Another novelty of the modern market, the application of which was found in such areas as construction and trade. Oil markers are used for indelible writing on glass, ceramic, concrete, plastic and rubber surfaces. An example of using the tool is tire marking in a car service.

To remove such an inscription, only special solvents are used. It is noteworthy that among the mentioned markers, only the water-based and alcohol-based tool has a rod. In acrylic and oil markers, the filler is located directly in the body, and in order to avoid pigment settling, a glass ball is placed inside the marker.

Classification by purpose

Having dealt with tips and fillers, let’s once again dwell on the classification of markers by purpose. In general, they can be divided into 3 large groups: art markers designed to create drawings, illustrations, sketches, sketches and full-fledged paintings on a paper basis; decorative markers used for decorating non-standard surfaces – ceramics, glass, fabrics, etc.; industrial and office markers , with the help of which the marking of finished products, equipment or tools is carried out.