The Original Chartpak AD Markers, Tri-Nib, 25 Assorted Landscape Colors in Tabletop Cube, 1 Each (L)

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Compared to the other markers, Sharpies aren’t available in a wide variety of nibs which make them difficult to use for coloring. The body, cap and plugs of the marker are typically made out of a plastic resin while the reservoir (the part that holds ink) is made from polyester. For basic illustrations, uncoated paper works pretty well. If you are using art markers in any sort of paper crafts like making cards, they typically won’t bleed through for 120 lb weight paper. I actually have this 64-color set of pip-squeak Crayola markers (pictured on side) for creating some basic illustrations.

Still, color availability, especially for greys, browns, and lighter skintones, can be really important depending on what you’re coloring, and there’s no harm in a wider selection, even if you don’t want or need them all. Here is a comparison of several brands — I included only dual-tip markers with a brush tip (the other tip is usually a chisel, but some are bullet tips). All listed prices are MSRP, or my best approximation thereof. Prismacolor markers are more affordable than Copics, however the ink isn’t refillable and the nibs aren’t replaceable. Unlike Copic or Prismacolor markers, they actually don’t have that strong of a scent which is always a plus! Tombow markers also have self-cleaning tips that are definitely helpful if you are blending quite often.Some others not listed here that have been recommended are Winsor & Newton orSpectrum Noir markers. Prismacolor has since added a marker with a brush tip, and there are tons of other competitors these days. Nearly all alcohol markers are described as “Copic alternatives” though — not by the competing brands themselves, of course, but by everyone else. Is that just because Copic is the oldest incumbent on the market, or is it because Copic is actually still the best? Drawing of a ball python colored with Copic Sketch markers, available here. Copic VS The World

Still, if we class all long-standing brands together and all newcomer brands together in terms of quality, the rest just comes down to price, color availability, longevity, and to a lesser extent, marker design, ergonomics, and comfort. Winsor & Newton Promarker Brush VS Copic Sketch. W&N actually blends a bit better than Copic, but they’re non-refillable, which is a dealbreaker for me. Price Copics have been known to be a bit more durable and longer lasting but many artists still prefer these to Copics.Prismacolor markers are available in 200 different colors, a bit more limited in choices when compared to Copics. Tombow But if you know you’re gonna be in it for the long haul, then I can’t recommend Copic markers enough.

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Before investing on a larger set of markers, you should definitely try different ones out to see what works best for what you are trying to achieve. Besides Crayola, other common brands for water-based markers include Sakura, Staedtler, Tombow, and Windsor-Newton watercolor pens. Solvent-Based Markers I can’t speak to the longevity of other brands, but I still don’t understand why companies even bother to enter the alcohol marker space with products that aren’t refillable when their main and oldest competitor has had that option from the start. Disposable alcohol markers are just so wasteful, since their nibs will almost certainly outlast their ink supply.