Theo Nash
Alcohol-based markers are a popular choice for artists due to their unique qualities. The main difference between alcohol-based and water-based markers is the solvent used: alcohol or water. Alcohol-based markers are known for their vibrant, smooth colours, quick drying time, and blending ability. They are often used for creating layered illustrations with vibrant colours and smooth gradations. However, they tend to bleed through paper, so thick paper or lining paper is recommended. Additionally, alcohol-based markers are more expensive than water-based markers due to higher production costs. When choosing alcohol-based markers, popular brands include Copic, Prismacolor, and Ohuhu.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Solvent | Alcohol-based markers use alcohol as their solvent, while water markers use water. |
| Dye | Alcohol-based markers consist of dye suspended in alcohol (usually ethanol). |
| Price | Alcohol-based markers are more expensive than water-based markers. |
| Brands | Copic, Winsor & Newton, Ohuhu, Twinmarkers, Touch markers, Prismacolor, and Bic Mark-its. |
| Storage | Alcohol-based markers should be kept away from heat and direct sunlight as alcohol is flammable. |
| Paper | Alcohol-based markers are best used on thick paper to avoid bleeding. |
| Lightfastness | Sketches made with alcohol-based markers tend to fade over time. |
| Blending | Alcohol-based markers are good for blending and layering. |
| Streaks | Alcohol-based markers do not cause streak marks. |
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What You'll Learn
Alcohol-based markers are more expensive
Alcohol-based markers are highly versatile and produce ink that is permanent, vibrant, and highly saturated. The fast-drying nature of alcohol allows for smooth and vibrant colours, making it perfect for blending and layering. Additionally, alcohol-based markers have excellent blendability, with a wide range of hues to choose from. This makes them very popular in the paper crafting universe.
However, one downside of alcohol-based markers is their tendency to bleed through paper. This is due to the fluid ink in alcohol markers, which can cause colours to bleed heavily to the other side of the page. To avoid this, it is recommended to use heavyweight paper or put something porous underneath the paper being used.
Alcohol-based markers are also not as lightfast as desired, meaning that sketches made with these markers will slowly but surely fade over time. Consequently, it is not advisable to hang alcohol-based marker sketches in a well-lit room. Instead, it is best to keep them in a folder or sketchbook, away from direct exposure to light.
Despite the higher price tag, alcohol-based markers offer advantages that appeal to both beginners and professional artists. For instance, some affordable brands like Ohuhu offer budget-friendly alcohol markers that are very good quality, making them a popular alternative to more expensive brands like Copic. Additionally, alcohol markers from most companies have refillable inks and replaceable nibs/tips, which can help balance the cost over time.
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They are better for blending colours
Alcohol-based markers are highly versatile and are commonly used for blending colours due to their unique properties. The ink in these markers is made up of dye pigments suspended in alcohol, which gives it its distinguishable characteristics. Alcohol-based markers are known for their vibrant and highly saturated colours, and because the alcohol base dries very fast, they are perfect for blending and layering.
The process of blending colours with alcohol-based markers is quite simple. The idea is to use a lighter colour first and then apply a darker colour over it, mixing them to create a smooth gradient. This technique works best when the colours are blended while the paper is still wet. If the ink dries before you can blend, you can re-wet it by adding a new layer of colour. It is important to note that alcohol-based markers tend to bleed heavily onto the other side of the page, so it is recommended to use heavyweight paper to avoid this issue.
To create a smooth gradient, it is best to use very close tones of the same colour. While it is not necessary to create a perfect gradient, you want to see the difference between the tones in your blend. Additionally, using paper specially made for markers or paper with a smooth surface can enhance your blending results.
Alcohol-based markers are ideal for layering and blending indefinitely because they do not fill the tooth of the paper. This means you can layer and blend colours as much as you like without worrying about the paper becoming saturated. For larger areas, you can use ordinary rubbing alcohol, which behaves similarly to the alcohol in markers but evaporates slightly slower, giving you more time to blend.
Overall, alcohol-based markers are excellent for blending colours due to their fast-drying nature, vibrant colours, and ability to layer and blend indefinitely. With the right tools and techniques, artists can create beautiful and seamless blends with these markers.
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They dry quickly and smoothly
Alcohol-based markers are highly versatile and produce vibrant, beautiful art. They are made of dye pigments suspended in alcohol, which gives them their unique qualities. The use of alcohol makes the colour vibrant and smooth, and it dries quickly, making it perfect for blending and layering.
Alcohol-based markers are ideal for creating smooth gradations of colour, either from light to dark or from one hue to another. The wide range of colours available allows artists to create realistic artworks, as well as use highlights and shadows to great effect in non-realistic art. They are also excellent for hand-lettering, calligraphy, and graphic design. The colours do not appear streaky, and the markers are known for their blendability.
The fast-drying property of alcohol-based markers is one of their standout features. The alcohol solvent evaporates quickly, leaving the pigment on the paper. This makes alcohol markers ideal for layering and blending colours to create sophisticated artworks. The quick-drying nature of alcohol also means that it does not ruin paper, as it evaporates instantly. This is in contrast to water-based markers, which can cause the paper to pill if layers of colour are applied repeatedly to the same area.
However, it is important to note that alcohol-based markers do tend to bleed through paper, so it is recommended to use thick paper or place an extra sheet of paper underneath. Additionally, alcohol-based markers are more expensive than water-based markers due to the higher production costs associated with using alcohol as a solvent.
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They are more vibrant and fade-resistant
Alcohol-based markers are highly versatile. Their ink is made up of dye pigments suspended in alcohol, which gives the markers their unique qualities. The colours are vibrant and fade-resistant. The alcohol makes the colour vibrant and smooth. It dries quickly, which makes it perfect for blending and layering. The fast-drying property of alcohol-based markers also makes them fade-resistant.
Alcohol-based markers are highly desirable due to their notable features. They are low maintenance and require very little effort to use. They dry quickly and blend smoothly, which are important features for many art processes. Alcohol-based markers are also preferable for colouring techniques that require smooth blending between colours. The wide range of colours available allows artists to create realistic artworks and use highlights and shadows to great effect in non-realistic art.
However, it is important to note that sketches made with alcohol-based markers are not entirely lightfast. If you take a photo of your sketch and then another one a year later, you will see a difference. Marker sketches will slowly fade over time. Therefore, it is not recommended to hang them in a well-lit room. The best option is to keep them in a folder or sketchbook, away from light exposure.
When using alcohol-based markers, it is also important to use the right type of paper. Alcohol-based markers tend to bleed through paper, so it is recommended to use thick paper or lining paper to avoid getting ink on other pages or surfaces. Watercolour paper or thick cardstock paper can also be used. Additionally, it is advisable to place a piece of porous paper underneath to absorb any excess ink.
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They bleed through paper
Alcohol-based markers are highly versatile and capable of producing vibrant, beautiful art. They are distinguished from water-based markers by their use of alcohol as a solvent, which gives them unique qualities. The dye pigments suspended in alcohol create a permanent, vibrant, and highly saturated ink. This ink dries very fast, allowing colours to remain vibrant and facilitating the blending process.
However, one notable downside of alcohol markers is their tendency to bleed through paper. This is due to the intensity of their colours, and it occurs with almost all types of paper. To prevent bleed-through, it is recommended to use thick paper or lining paper. Watercolour paper or thick cardstock paper are ideal options to address this issue. Additionally, placing an extra piece of paper underneath can help catch any ink that may bleed through.
The thickness of the paper is indicated as g/m2 (grams per square meter). For example, 75 g/m2 is considered thin paper, which is smooth and pleasant to draw on but more prone to bleed-through. On the other hand, 160 g/m2 is classified as thick paper, which has a slightly rougher texture and effectively reduces the likelihood of bleeding.
When choosing paper for alcohol-based markers, it is essential to consider the thickness and quality to minimise the chances of ink bleeding through. Thick paper, such as watercolour paper or cardstock, is generally recommended to avoid unwanted bleeding. Additionally, some papers are specifically designed for alcohol-based markers, ensuring optimal performance and reducing the risk of bleed-through.
In summary, while alcohol-based markers offer many advantages, their propensity to bleed through paper is a notable consideration. To mitigate this issue, artists should select thicker papers, utilise specific types of paper designed for alcohol-based markers, or simply place an extra sheet of paper underneath to catch any stray ink. By taking these precautions, artists can fully enjoy the benefits of alcohol-based markers while minimising the negative impact of ink bleeding through the paper.
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Frequently asked questions
Alcohol-based markers use alcohol as their solvent, while water-based markers use water. Alcohol-based markers are also highly versatile, with permanent, vibrant, and highly saturated ink that dries very fast. They are also excellent for blending and layering colours. Popular brands include Copic, Prismacolor, and Ohuhu.
Alcohol-based markers are highly versatile and can create vibrant, beautiful art. They are also excellent for blending and layering colours, and they dry quickly. They are also low maintenance and require very little effort to use and maintain.
Alcohol-based markers tend to bleed through paper, so they are not recommended for use in journaling or double-sided colouring books. Sketches made with alcohol-based markers are also not very lightfast, meaning they will fade over time. They are also more expensive than water-based markers.
