The marker is one of the most versatile tools for art, it can be used by just about anyone for almost any type of project. The best art markers aren’t necessarily pricey but they should be able to deliver colors with a flourish.
It doesn’t matter if you are just beginning your dive into art or have been at it for years, markers can help unleash your creativity. Here are 10 of the best art markers that you can use for different types of projects, for beginners to pros:
1. Best Art Markers for Professionals: Liquitex Vibrant Fine Paint Marker Set
Liquitex has been in the art industry since the 50s, the pioneer of the water-based acrylic. From the artists-trusted brand comes the Liquitex Vibrant Fine Paint Marker Set—it’s the same acrylic formula but now in the form of a marker.
You can expect the same quality of paint from Liquitex’s markers, solid colors that are water-resistant when dry. What’s more, the pigments are lightfast, so your artwork’s colors will not fade throughout the decades.
The Liquitex Vibrant Professional Fine Paint Marker Set has a 2mm nib that offers great control for artists. The marker set includes vibrant colors like Cadmium Yellow, Vivid Lime Green, and Brilliant Purple.
2. Doodler’s Best Friend: Paper Mate Flair Felt Tip Pens
Make doodles and other designs to your heart’s content with the Paper Mate Flair Felt Tip Pens. This set comes with 24 pens, all of which have a point size of 0.7mm.
You don’t have to worry about messing up your artwork with the Paper Mate Flair Felt Tip Pens as it has specially designed ink. Since the ink is water-based it can prevent smearing of any kind plus it won’t bleed through multiple pages on your sketchpad.
The ink of the Paper Mate Flair Felt Tip Pens is quick-drying. To keep the tips of your markers from fraying, all pens have a Point Guard.
3. For the Kids: Crayola Silly Scents Scented Markers
When we say beginner, we mean it! The Crayola Silly Scents Scented Markers is an excellent tool to start the path for creativity. Aside from helping with kids’ development, art is also an important bonding experience between parents or caregivers and children.
The non-toxic Crayola Silly Scents Scented Markers are safe to use by children as young as 3 years old. These whimsical markers have colorful scents like coconut, apple, and pineapple.
Let kids have their fun with the Crayola Silly Scents Scented Markers. If they make a mess, you don’t have to worry as the ink can be washed off from their skin.
4. Making Signs: Pentel Arts Wet Erase Chalk Marker Set
Get noticed with the Pentel Arts Wet Erase Chalk Marker Set. Wet erase chalk markers are perfect for making attention-grabbing window art or mirror displays. You can also touch up chalkboard and glass signages plus use it on other materials including plastic, porcelain, mirrors, and metal.
One of the best things about the Pentel Arts Wet Erase Chalk Marker Set is you can easily remove it. Maybe you’ve made a mistake or simply want to change up your work? Just wipe it off with a damp, not soaking, cloth.
Even if the Pentel Arts Wet Erase Chalk Marker Set is erasable it still offers a semi-permanent mark. For outdoor designs, these won’t be washed off easily even by rain as long as it has dried properly.
5. Best Markers for Art Coloring: STAEDTLER Double-Ended Fiber-Tip Pens
Who says coloring books are just for kids? Whether you have your own art to fill in or want to keep the colors within the line, the STAEDTLER Double-Ended Fiber-Tip Pens is your best bet.
The STAEDTLER has specialized in stationery products and writing instruments as early as the 19th century. Now, it continues to deliver high-quality products that are innovated to fit in the 21st century. Thanks to these double-ended pens, you get 2 markers in 1!
The Double-Ended Fiber-Tip Pens is perfect for drawing, coloring, and even writing. One end has a 3.0mm point while the other is between 0.5 to 0.8mm, depending on the color.
6. Best Art Markers for Beginners: PILOT FriXion Colors Erasable Marker Pens
When it comes to ingenuity and creativity, Japan is on a whole other level. Case in point the PILOT FriXion Colors Erasable Marker Pens. PILOT has been developing writing instruments since 1918 but it was only in 2006 that FriXion was launched.
This groundbreaking invention started out as erasable ink pens and now it comes in the form of markers. The PILOT FriXion Colors Erasable Marker Pens lets you color without fear. Make a mistake and just rub it away with the rubber on the cap of the marker.
Unlike a regular pencil and eraser, the PILOT FriXion Colors Erasable Marker Pens won’t leave residues or cause damage on paper. The markers have quick-drying ink and durable tips.
7. For out of the box ideas: Sharpie Oil-Based Paint Markers
Sharpie is best known for its black markers but not all may know that their range of products extend to innovative ones like the Sharpie Oil-Based Paint Markers. Since these markers are oil-based they can resist water, smearing, and fading.
The Sharpie Oil-Based Paint Markers is ideal for working on different types of media. You don’t need to look for the best art paper for markers for it to work. Create images and designs on wood, glass, and even rocks.
The quick-drying Sharpie Oil-Based Paint Markers deliver high-contrast colors. You can settle for an opaque finish or do layering for a more solid one. This set contains 8 colors, including black, white, pink, and aqua blue.
8. For Customizing Clothes: Faber-Castell Textile Marker
Not a fan of sewing? Not a problem. The Faber-Castell Textile Marker gives you the freedom of unleashing your creativity onto cloth without so much as picking up a needle.
With proper drying of ink, the Faber-Castell Textile Marker delivers colorfast results. Your designs will stay in place even if you put your shirt in the wash. It takes 24 hours for the ink to dry on textile. If you can’t wait that long, you can also iron your design at 60°F.
You don’t have to limit yourself to cotton shirts, the Faber-Castell Textile Marker will also work on polyester totes, canvas sneakers, denim jeans, and more.
9. Better Grip: BIC Easy Hold XL Magic Marker
A problem with some markers is they are too slim or thin and are quite hard to hold. Good thing there is the BIC Easy Hold XL Magic Marker. It’s good for both young and old as it has an extra-large barrel.
In case you forget to put the cap back on the BIC Easy Hold XL Magic Marker, the ink won’t dry out easily—in fact, most of the markers will last up to 90 days without a cap. Perfect for kids or scatterbrained artists!
Since the ink of the BIC Easy Hold XL Magic Marker is water-based, color smears on hands and clothes can be washed out. The marker also has a blocked tip so it won’t be pushed in.
10. Best Markers for Comic Art: Tombow ABT PRO Alcohol Markers
The gray palette Tombow ABT PRO Alcohol Markers is ideal if you are planning to make a greyscale comic panel. This marker has dual ends, one is a chisel tip while the other is a brush. You can easily make bold lines and fill in spaces with just one marker plus do techniques like streaking and feathering.
Tombow’s ABT PRO Marker is alcohol-based, which means the ink is fast-drying and can prevent smearing and smudging on your work. You can also expect vibrant and rich color blends with the markers.
Another good thing about the Tombow ABT PRO Alcohol Marker is it won’t pill paper, even if you layer on and shade color. You can also use these markers on plastic, metal, glass, and fabric.
Final Thoughts
It doesn’t matter if you have the best cheap art markers or the most expensive ones, what works for you will work for you. The best art markers should deliver colors flawlessly onto your chosen medium. It should give you control over hues and lines, more importantly, it should offer you the chance to unleash your creativity.
Did you find our tips on the best markers for art useful? Then be sure to check out our other articles, such as the best laptops for digital art and the best acrylic paint brushes! Thanks for reading!