Popular among cartoonists, animators, architects, and designers, blendable alcohol markers enable users to create gradients by combining two, three, or more colors. No matter how many layers are applied, the alcohol-based ink can evaporate in an instant to prevent oversoaking the blending paper.
You don’t need to blow your budget just to get the best alcohol based markers in the market. If you’re looking for a set to practice with, make sure it has the following features:
Color quality and pigmentation:
Opt for markers that can deliver high opacity and vibrant colors in a single stroke. Also, make sure that they can lay down smooth colors—no streaks or smears.
This way, you will never have to fix the shading by layering on more ink in an attempt to cover those hideous blotches. Remember, oversaturating your blending card can create a pool of colors that paper will not absorb well.
Nib type:
Most brands sell dual tips to give you two kinds of line thickness. While there is no rule as to how these nibs should be used, I recommend choosing markers with brush tips if you like to blend and color large surfaces.
The chisel tips are most useful for drawing lines or laying down colors evenly, while the bullet nibs are excellent for sketching.
High-quality ink:
To create smooth gradients, you need to use markers that dispense ink continuously and mix with different colors seamlessly.
But since each brand formulates alcohol-based inks in their own way, don’t expect all these markers to perform identically. Before buying a set, read reviews like this one to know which product can help you achieve your desired result.
Copic has perfected alcohol markers, and you have probably heard a lot about it. However, let’s check out other brands in this review. Don’t forget to scroll down to the other sections to learn other factors to consider when buying markers. We also answered your burning questions about these tools.
3 Premium-Rated Picks
Ohuhu Y30-80400-24-OH
Number of pens: 48 colors + 1
Tips: Brush and chisel
Tip size: 1mm to 6mm
Shuttle Art Dual Tip Alcohol-Based
Number of pens: 50 colors + 1
Tips: Bullet and chisel
Tip size: 1mm and 7mm
Caliart 100 Colors Dual Tip
Number of pens: 99 colors + 1
Tips: Bullet and broad chisel
Ink refill: Not applicable
Table of Contents
- 8 Top-rated Alcohol Based Markers
- 1. Ohuhu Y30-80400-24-OH Alcohol Markers
- 2. Shuttle Art Dual Tip Alcohol-Based Art Markers
- 3. Caliart 100 Colors Dual Tip Art Markers
- 4. Bianyo 72 Alcohol Markers Set
- 5. Prismacolor Premier Double-Ended Art Markers
- 6. ARTEZA ARTZ-8759 EverBlend Alcohol Markers
- 7. Anngrowy A-7gen Alcohol Markers
- 8. Taotree Alcohol Markers
- Factors to Consider When Buying Alcohol-based Markers
- Which Brand is Most Trusted for Alcohol Markers?
- How Do You Color Smoothly With Alcohol Markers?
- Are Alcohol Markers Permanent or Can the Colors Fade Over Time?
- Can Alcohol Markers Be Refilled?
- Conclusion
8 Top-rated Alcohol Based Markers
1. Ohuhu Y30-80400-24-OH Alcohol Markers
- Number of pens: 48 colors + 1 colorless blender
- Tips: Brush and chisel
- Tip size: 1mm to 6mm
- Ink refill: Available
- Nib replacement: Available
I was ecstatic when Ohuhu announced that it now offers ink refills! Besides that, it also sells replacement nibs. Because of that, this set will not end up in the trash when the ink runs out or when the nibs fray.
As a long-time alcohol blending marker user, I always loved how this brand makes blending and layering multiple colors a breeze. The result always looks smooth and vibrant.
Apart from that, the color range is quite diverse as the set includes light, mid, and dark tones of warm and cool hues, a few skin tones, and some grays in addition to the colorless blender.
These markers are designed mainly for coloring, since the nibs included are brushes and chisels. But I also find them particularly useful for sketching lines with varying widths. More importantly, they are quite durable, so I don’t have to replace them very often.
I like that the set comes with a carrying case, swatch cards, and a plastic sheet that I can place underneath the paper when I’m blending. This way, I don’t need to buy these items separately.
However, the marker caps are inconsistent with the actual ink colors. Knowing that it is hard to remember what all the 48 hues look like on my blending card, I made sure to make swatches.
- Refillable with replaceable nibs
- Long-lasting and offers smooth, vibrant hues
- Makes blending and layering multiple colors a breeze with brush and chisel nibs
- The color range is quite diverse (dark, light, with a colorless blender).
- The set comes with a carrying case, swatch cards, and a plastic sheet.
- The marker caps are inconsistent with the actual ink colors.
2. Shuttle Art Dual Tip Alcohol-Based Art Markers
- Number of pens: 50 colors + 1 colorless blender
- Tips: Bullet and chisel
- Tip size: 1mm bullet and 7mm broad
- Ink refill: Not applicable
- Nib replacement: Not applicable
When it comes to sketching and coloring, this set of dual-tipped markers from Shuttle Art fits the bill. The 1mm bullet nib is useful for sketching lines with a uniform width and adding subtle highlights and shadows. Meanwhile, the 7mm chisel tip allows me to cover large surfaces with colors.
Each marker is filled to the brim with ink, so much so that it can draw a 300-meter line nonstop. What’s more, the quality of the acid-free ink promotes smooth blending and long-lasting vibrance.
The triangular barrel is also a nice touch, since it is more comfortable to grip, especially when working for long hours. At the same time, the shape prevents the marker from rolling off slick surfaces.
What I don’t like about this brand is that its color naming convention is confusing. In this set, I got three markers labeled “Cool Grey,” and the only way to tell them apart is through the number codes—CG1, CG3, and CG7.
I would remember the distinction better if the manufacturer gave them unique names instead. Aside from that, the fabric case is a bit flimsy. Once I unzip it, the markers would lean outward and fall.
- 1mm bullet nib for drawing uniform lines and adding subtle highlights
- The 7mm chisel tip allows me to cover large surfaces with colors.
- Promotes smooth blending and long-lasting vibrance
- Comfortable to grip and unlikely to roll off slick surfaces
- Enough ink to draw 300m nonstop
- Its color naming convention is confusing.
- The carrying case doesn’t hold pens well once unzipped.
3. Caliart 100 Colors Dual Tip Art Markers
- Number of pens: 99 colors + 1 colorless blender
- Tips: Bullet and broad chisel
- Ink refill: Not applicable
- Nib replacement: Not applicable
Offering 99 colors in addition to the colorless blender at abudget-friendly price sounds a bit too good to be true. Much to my surprise, the quality of Caliart ink is very close to high-end brands. Even if I don’t build layers, the colors are vivid and opaque on paper. Moreover, they also work on other types of porous and non-porous surfaces like glass.
Each marker features a unique color. As a whole, the set gives me a wide range of cool, warm, and earthy tones, which are all labeled so that I can find them easily. Whether I’m making landscapes, realistic portraits, or cartoon characters, I have ample hues to experiment with. So far, they bleed only minimally on my blending cards.
Based on my observation, the nibs are durable enough to withstand constant use. I also like that the manufacturer included a fine-point nib alongside the chisel nib. This way, I can use one end to color and the other to sketch intricate details.
Compared to other brands, however, the inks seem to dry way too fast. For blending, this can be an issue, since I need wet ink to combine two different colors.
- Offering 99 colors in addition to the colorless blender at a budget-friendly price
- Vivid and opaque on paper with minimal bleeding
- Works on other types of porous and non-porous surfaces
- Wide range of cool, warm, and earthy tones with labels for quick selection
- The nibs are durable enough to withstand constant use.
- Use one end to color and the other to sketch intricate details
- The inks seem to dry way too fast.
4. Bianyo 72 Alcohol Markers Set
- Number of pens: 72 colors + 1 colorless blender
- Tips: Bullet and broad chisel
- Ink refill: Not applicable
- Nib replacement: Not applicable
Suitable for kids and adults, this Bianca set boasts a low-odor and nontoxic formula. At the same time, its vibrant ink makes the markers perfect for coloring. They can stay wet while I’m layering multiple colors, yet they also dry as soon as I lift the nib off the paper. Hence, I don’t have to deal with smudging and bleeding issues.
With the bullet and chisel tips, I can use these markers for adding details and inking large areas faster. Design-wise, I think the square-shaped barrel is very easy to grip while also preventing the pen from sliding across the table.
Providing the user with self-adhesive labels, in my opinion, is extremely helpful. I can apply the color on the label and stick it to the marker, so I can tell what the shade looks like at a glance. Besides, no one can remember the difference between “Y106” and “Y107,” right?
Let me also add that the bag can hold the markers upright, thanks to the polyester fabric lined with some sponges. Unfortunately, the color selection lacks diversity. Out of 72, 14 markers are in shades of blue—that’s nearly 20%! I guess it’s not an issue if it fits the artist’s style.
- Suitable for kids and adults, low-odor and non-toxic
- No smudging and bleeding issues
- For adding details, blending, and inking large areas faster
- Quick to dry and convenient with self-adhesive labels
- The square-shaped barrel is very easy to grip and prevents the pen from sliding.
- The bag can hold the markers upright.
- The color selection lacks diversity.
5. Prismacolor Premier Double-Ended Art Markers
- Number of pens: 12 colors
- Tips: Fine and broad chisel
- Ink refill: Not applicable
- Nib replacement: Not applicable
Sitting in between low-cost and high-end, Prismacolor is the kind of brand that both novices and pros would enjoy using. I think this set is a nice starting point for those who want to dabble in adult coloring or illustration. Although it only contains 12 different markers, I can produce new colors by combining two or three hues.
Besides that, I can make gradients without any blotches or hard lines. But what impressed me the most is that they can be layered with other alcohol-based marker brands like Copic and Spectrum Noir.
Given that these markers have chisel and fine nibs, I can draw complex details and create cool hand-lettering with varying line widths. I also think that the tips are highly durable as they managed to maintain their shape despite heavy usage. The chisel nib, in particular, helps me color a large area a lot faster. Sadly, the caps are tough to get off at first use. It takes a while for them to loosen up and become easier to remove. I also wish the ink were refillable, though the whole pack is affordable enough as it is
- A nice starting point for those who want to dabble in adult coloring or illustration
- Produce new colors by combining two or three hues
- Make gradients without any blotches or hard lines
- Can be layered with other alcohol-based markers like Copic and Spectrum Noir
- The tips are highly durable.
- Two nib types for complex detailing and coloring
- The caps are hard to get off at first.
- These markers are not refillable.
6. ARTEZA ARTZ-8759 EverBlend Alcohol Markers
- Number of pens: 59 colors + 1 colorless blender
- Tips: Bullet and broad chisel
- Ink refill: Not applicable
- Nib replacement: Yes
Admittedly, the beautifully-designed carrying case was the main reason why I bought this Arteza set impulsively. Knowing that I like to travel to different places, having a secure storage bag for dozens of markers is essential. And as for the pens, they didn’t disappoint either!
With juicy inks, I can soak the drawing surface wet while mixing colors. Once I’m done, they dry almost instantly. As such, I manage to create seamless blends of colors without making a mess.
Of course, the sturdy chisel and bullet tips make my job a lot easier—the nibs’ ability to retain their texture enables me to draw crisp lines and fill in shapes with clean edges.
Another nifty feature that’s worth mentioning is the barrel’s triangular form. It offers better ergonomics as it feels less painful to hold the marker for long hours. Aside from that, the design also has the color names on the caps, so I can pick them out after familiarizing myself with the tints.
Perhaps the only thing I don’t like about these markers is that I’m forced to throw them away once they run out of ink. I don’t always complain about the lack of refills, but when I do, it’s normally because I love the inks. Other than that, I think this set is terrific!
- Beautifully-designed carrying case
- Seamless color mixing by getting the surface wet
- Dries almost instantly
- Nibs retain their shape and produce crisp lines and shapes with clean edges.
- Offers commendable ergonomics with triangular barrel
- Color names on caps
- Unusable once they run out of ink
7. Anngrowy A-7gen Alcohol Markers
- Number of pens: 80 colors + 1 colorless blender
- Tips: Fine tip and chisel tip
- Ink refill: Not applicable
- Nib replacement: Not applicable
Despite its affordable price tag, I’m impressed that the quality and performance of these markers can rival the ones made by name brands. In my experience, blending and layering different alcohol-based inks is a breeze. At the same time, the colors can become waterproof once dried.
This way, I will not ruin my artwork if I accidentally spill water over it. Even better, the pigments are non-toxic, which makes them appropriate for kids and adults alike.
Whether I’m working on landscapes, portraits, or manga-style illustrations, I have enough warm and cool hues to experiment with and some nice skin tones to boot! Meanwhile, the colorless blender helps me erase the inks that went over the lines and lighten up parts of a shape to create highlights in addition to blending different colors.
Like most dual-tipped markers, this one has a fine nib for precise and detailed sketching. On the other hand, its chisel tip allows me to work on my coloring books at a faster rate.
That said, the ink works best with thick paper. Using these markers on thin sheets may result in unwanted color transfer to other drawings, especially if the artworks are on top of each other.
- Blending and layering alcohol-based inks is a breeze.
- Can become waterproof once dried
- Appropriate for kids and adults, versatile due to the many warm and cool hues
- The blender helps me erase the inks and lighten up colors to create highlights.
- Has a fine tip for precise and detailed sketching
- Its chisel tip allows me to color large spaces faster.
- Not for thin paper
8. Taotree Alcohol Markers
- Number of pens: 100 colors + 1 colorless blender
- Tips: Fine tip and chisel tip
- Ink refill: Not applicable
- Nib replacement: Not applicable
Taotree has become my go-to brand of markers for rendering streak-free gradients. For one, its colorless blender does a great job of smoothing out the inks. For another, the set offers a substantial number of light, mid, and dark tones of nearly every hue.
As for the ink quality itself, I think it is generally juicy and well-saturated. More importantly, the inks dry rather quickly, and this keeps them from getting smudged.
Whereas a standard chisel tip measures between 6 to 7mm, this brand features a 1 to 2 mm wedge nib. Its fine nib is also extra-thin, measuring 0.4 mm only.
In conjunction with the high-opacity ink, the markers are excellent for covering small details with color. If I want to sketch, I just flip the pen over and use the 0.4 mm bullet nib. It’s pretty convenient, since there is no need to buy another set for outlining artwork.
Now, here’s the catch when buying this set of 100 markers: A few colors look nearly identical! The other problem is that the manufacturer labeled the markers with number codes but did not include the color names.
Because of that, I would just look at the shade, since it’s impossible to remember a specific hue or tone by its assigned number.
- Its colorless blender does a great job of smoothing out the inks.
- The set offers an impressive number of light, mid, and dark tones.
- Well-saturated and not prone to smudges
- The inks dry rather quickly.
- Thin nibs that are excellent for sketching
- A few colors look nearly identical.
- It’s impossible to remember a specific shade or tone by its assigned number
Factors to Consider When Buying Alcohol-based Markers
Option to replace nibs and refill inks
One of the reasons why some brands could sell the cheapest markers is that you have to discard them as soon as the ink runs out or the nib wears down. This is not a problem if you don’t make money making illustrations.
If you’re a professional artist, however, consider getting markers with ink refills and nib replacements. The upfront costs might be higher, but you save money in the long run by using extra parts.
Color selection
When choosing sets of alcohol ink markers based on their color offerings, a good place to start is to think about the kind of illustrations you make. Of course, there is no harm in trying out hundreds of colors if that’s the kind of work you do as an artist.
But if you have a more defined style, go for a set that provides the colors you need instead of getting hundreds of markers that you might not even end up using. Think of it this way, architects would select their color palette based on the buildings and landscapes they design while portrait artists often use skin tones.
Marker design
Since you will be working on illustrations for hours, consider getting markers with an ergonomic design. This way, you can grip the pen’s barrel and maneuver it without having to deal with pain and discomfort.
Ink quality
Essential characteristics of markers include their blendability and resistance to fading. It’s vital to select inks that can mesh together well to create various shades, particularly if you’re buying a small set.
Whether you intend to keep or display the artwork for a long time is another factor worth considering. In this case, choose markers with waterproof and lightfast pigments.
Which Brand is Most Trusted for Alcohol Markers?
Based on consumer reviews and the results of my tests, Ohuhu, ShuttleArt, Caliart, Bianyo, Prismacolor, Arteza, Copic, and Taotree are among the most reliable alcohol marker brands.
How Do You Color Smoothly With Alcohol Markers?
First of all, keep the paper saturated with ink. That’s because laying color on top of dried ink creates hard lines. That said, this trick can only work if you use blending cards and cardstock, since they take a while before they fully absorb the pigment.
Another solution is to start from one side and make your way toward a single direction instead of moving your marker all over the drawing. This way, you don’t accidentally go over the same area twice.
Are Alcohol Markers Permanent or Can the Colors Fade Over Time?
Since alcohol-based markers are made of dyes, they can fade over time. To make a piece of alcohol marker art more long-lasting, I strongly suggest spraying it with archival varnish.
Can Alcohol Markers Be Refilled?
It depends on the brand. Pricier ones like Copic and Ohuhu design their markers in a way that allows the users to refill them with inks or replace their nibs several times. However, the more affordable sets are mostly disposable.
Conclusion
For beginners, expensive refillable coloring sets may not be an enticing option, since these users are not sure if they want to commit to drawing and sketching regularly.
On the flip side, professional artists would pay a premium to buy the highest quality alcohol markers as they cannot afford to run out of ink in the middle of work. With this in mind, I included eight of the best alcohol based markers in this article. This way, people with different budgets, levels of experience, and personal styles have several options to choose from
Hi, I am Eveline Kessler, a content creator. My love for colors and arts draws me here to join the Intermediarts team with Leilani. I am responsible for testing new products and techniques with her and providing honest reviews and tips based on our experience. I have gained a lot of knowledge from this, and I believe you will find her suggestions to be invaluable as well.
