How to Use Blog
What Are Alcohol Based Markers and what are their advantages?
According to instructor and artist Pooja Kenjale-Umrani's work Alcohol markers differ from the traditional markers due to the fact that the colour is suspended in alcohol, rather than glycerin or water.
Many artists prefer the use of alcohol-based markers instead of water-based ones because of their precision in vibrance, durability, and vibrance.
What paper do you use For Alcohol Markers?
When learning how to use alcohol-based markers, it's important to need special paper. The stores selling arts and crafts offer pads to use alcohol markers, made from thick, texture-free paper that ensures your color doesn't leak through. The paper is also free of acid and will preserve the quality of the lines and colors.
Alternately, you could choose to use cardstock, or any other type of paper that's smooth textured as well as acid-free and of a heavy weight--something that will ensure that your work is in good hands from beginning to end.
How to Get Started Using Alcohol Markers
Learn how to use alcohol-based markers for artists with just three simple steps.
1. Pick Your Tools and Materials
In the beginning, you'll require markers made of alcohol, paper, and an area to work--and that's it!
When you begin to learn how to use alcohol ink markers, it's easy to get overwhelmed by the number of choices there are. There are a variety of famous marker brands like Copic, Ohuhu, TouchNew, Caliart, as well as Shuttle Art, to name several. These markers are also available in various sizes and amounts.
A basic set with double-ended markers with primary colors, and some gradients is perfect. As you advance in your art, you might want to master the use of Spectrum Noir alcohol markers which is a more specific kind that utilizes numbers to show the amount and depth of pigment within each marker.
It is recommended to choose a set with a clear marker for blending, making mixing easier (more on that in a moment). If your set doesn't come with a blender, you can also use an ointment-soaked cotton swab, dipped in a bit of isopropyl rubbing alcohol.
Next, select your paper--again, thick paper that's acid-free and has no any texture. Marker paper comes in all various sizes, amounts and grades, but for those who are just beginning out, a basic, inexpensive pad is ideal.
Last but not least, it is essential to have a peaceful place for do your work! When you're learning something brand new, like how to use alcohol markers, it's best to work in a space which allows you to focus your attention on your learning.
2. Practice Drawing and Blending
Before you dive into a project, take some time to practice methods of art using alcohol. Most artists suggest beginning with basic shapes or something you already know how to draw because the emphasis is more on how to use markers that are alcohol-based rather than drawing the actual artwork. Explore drawing using the various nibs by pressing them gently and firmly to get a handle on the way that markers function.
An excellent way to get familiar with yourself with the markers you have and experiment with mixing is to draw a color chart. A few marker sets have a chart you can make, but you can easily make your own.
Lay out your marker set, making groups of similar colors. From there, take the blank marker paper and make small squares for each color and leave a little gaps between them.
When you've got an appropriate color square with each marker, fill the space between with two colours on the opposite side. You can then use your blending marker to combine them. This method not only assists you understand color saturation--the strength, the depth and purity of color achieved when applying different thicknesses of the marker, it can also help you understand what is going to happen when you use two different colors in your artwork.
Now, the real excitement begins! Once you've spent some time swatching colors and practicing blending and drawing, it's time to start sketching.
3. Pick a Project
Utilizing the photo in the class as a reference photograph, draw the outline of your tree using pencil. Draw some shading in order to show where you'd like to add more color or saturation of color, or to make plans for shadows.
Once you're happy with your sketch, select your color and draw using markers. It's possible to fill in your sketch with pencils or take the sketch as a guide and then recreate the tree using your alcohol markers. In either case, it's best to begin with lighter colors and layer darker colors to finish the look.
Finally, you can combine a couple of colors to create an illusion of depth, depth, and the appearance of texture. It is also possible to return with the fine tip of a marker to make definition in the bark, branches, leaves and even the leaves.
At the end of the exercise, you will have a beautiful tree drawing as well as your first art with alcohol markers at hand!
Test Your Skills with Alcohol Markers!
Alcohol Markers: A Complete Beginner's Guide