Mastering how to blend with Prismacolor markers artistically is better than a messy application. Blending is a technique that allows you to easily create shades and highlights in your artwork.
Prismacolor markers are alcohol-based markers which means it is easy to blend. However, the trick to blending markers is knowing not every color can be blended from each other.
It takes some time to get the hang of this, but it’s worth learning! If you are looking for ways to blend the markers, here are several steps you can follow.
Table of Contents
Best Way to Blend with Prismacolor Markers
What to prepare
To level up your art, you can learn techniques to blend with or without blender marker. It requires practice to master techniques to blend, with these tools you will achieve it.
- Prismacolor Markers
- Prismacolor Colorless Blender Marker
- Marker Papers
- Scrap Papers
- Rubbing Alcohol
- Cotton Balls or Swabs
#1: Use Marker Paper
To start with your blending, you must have the right materials for your artwork. There are specific mediums for certain artwork; hence, in blending markers, you should also use marker paper.
It is specifically used to hold colors of markers with alcohol so they won’t bleed through. Also, it is suitable for easier blending of professional art markers such as Prismacolor markers.
Despite being thin, marker paper doesn’t absorb ink since the opposite side of it has been waxed to prevent bleeding while coloring with the markers. Make sure you consider the thickness and smoothness of the paper.
#2: Choose Two Prismacolor Markers
Now, it is time for you to choose two colors of your markers that you want to blend. Pick colors that compliment one another. For instance, you can choose one light color and one dark color.
It can be from the same color family or you can use a color wheel to know more about primary, secondary, and tertiary colors. Try to develop a color palette for your art so that the colors will go together.
To ensure that colors blend well together, you can also do swatches on scrap paper. It can serve as a color guide to your future artworks.
Also, try to search for palettes on the internet and get some inspiration. However, don’t forget to include your own unique art style, not just copy others!
For instance, you can try to blend red and yellow markers. An illustration of a sunflower or the sun can be enhanced with this fiery color gradient from the combination of red and yellow colors.
#3: Practice a basic blending technique
After preparing your art materials, you can start to practice blending basic shapes and patterns. In this way, it helps you to try other Prismacolor markers techniques.
Next, you can use scrap paper to practice shading and blending the colors you want to use. You will use this time to do trial and error with the color of markers you have.
To create more intricate artwork, you must know the basics. After that, you can let yourself blend colors into more detailed shapes or art.
Here are some techniques you can use as you practice blending Prismacolor markers:
- Light colors to dark colors
In blending lighter marker first, this will let you prep your paper before adding dark colored markers. If you want to create a gradient effect with two colors, this is the best technique you can choose.
- Dark colors to light colors
This is a great technique if you want to show realistic shadows. When coloring with dark color means the element is far from the light source and the light color means it is near the light source.
- Textures and patterns
You can create zigzags, swirls, or lines by blending two different colors. Also, you can create realistic textures like water textures. Sketch your artwork with water elements. Then, you can slowly move your marker around and use colors from light blue to dark blue and vice versa.
- Tip-to-tip blending
In this blending technique, you have to use light and dark color markers. Take your light color marker and use it as your brush.
Then, slowly put a little bit of dark marker or it depends on your preference to the tip of your lighter marker. Use the same color family or the opposite like yellow and violet.
You can try using this technique in natural objects like flowers with detailed petal patterns. Also, if you draw human characters try coloring the hair with this technique applying two or more colored markers.
#4: Use Prismacolor Colorless Blender Marker or Alcohol To Blend
After you have chosen two colors, you can proceed to the fun part! It is time for you to blend those two colors.
Important note: the markers are quick-drying. To achieve color consistency, the ink must be wet to blend well.
Picture a shade in your mind and create it using a Prismacolor blending pen. It is a colorless marker that helps to blend two colors flawlessly.
Take the first color of your chosen marker and swipe it gently to your marker paper. Then, swipe the second color next to your first color.
You can leave a small gap between the two colors so there is room for blending. In that small gap, you use the blender to blend the colors.
However, if you don’t have a blender, it’s not a problem. You can use rubbing alcohol to blend color with Prismacolor markers.
Keep in mind that you need to have a basic knowledge of color in order to achieve desired results in blending. Between the gaps between the two colors, you add the cotton ball or swab that is soaked with alcohol.
Make sure to blend the colors carefully so that it does not leak into other areas.
#5: Clean Your Prismacolor Blender
Lastly, after you use your Prismacolor markers blender, you have to clean it. Use the clean side of your scrap paper to wipe the nib of the blender.
To keep the ink from building up on your nib, it should be done regularly. It is a good way to preserve your art materials so it lasts longer.
Once you are done using your art materials, tidy everything up and store it in its proper places.
Conclusion
After following the steps above, you should already have ideas on how to blend with prismacolor markers. Now, you can create impressive artworks as you keep improving your ability to combine colors using your prismacolor markers.
Take your time to practice the basic blending and proceed to expert-level if you are confident enough. There are numerous ways to create a shade with prismacolor markers, just choose the right blending technique to achieve them.
You don’t need to be the best in blending colors to enjoy creating them. Surely, your passion and taste for wonderful color mixtures are enough!
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.
