How to use markers

Wow. These are amazing.

Oh, hi.

I was just looking at some artwork done with markers.

Or as they used to be called, felt tips.

This artist likes to use markers that are half dried up.

Lots of manga and comic book art is made with markers, and this artist uses a black marker for their sketch and then used paint to provide the colour.

There are lots of different types of marker to choose from: alcohol markers, water-based markers, acrylic paint markers, solvent-based markers, and they might all have different types of tip, such as a brush tip, chisel tip, or fine tip, and they all produce different results.

But the thing I love most about markers is how bright and vibrant the colours are, and how dark and definite the black lines are.

I just love drawing patterns and colouring them.

There is just something so satisfying about it.

I could fill whole pages with these shapes and make incredible abstract pictures.

They're also great for lettering.

I really like to use them for posters.

Pretty eye-catching, but there is so much more to markers than meets the eye.

You can use them to create all sorts of effects.

This one is called stippling, where you use lots of individual little dots to create a picture, or you can draw them close or far away to show light, and you can introduce another colour to give the illusion of a new colour.

Another way to show light and shade is to use hatching. This is lots of lines going one way, and then the other.

This is just black and white, but it looks like they're shades of grey, and if you want to work from light to dark, you can layer colours to create a 3D effect.

And you can also use markers a bit like paint. I'll use a permanent marker to draw my outline. That means it doesn't run.

Then I can use a brush and some water to blend the colour that I want.

That really is a beautiful heart. Martha, did you paint it?

Oh. Hi, Trevor. Actually, it was done with markers.

Markers? Felt tip pens.

Well, you really are so talented, Martha. And the symbol of a heart. Oh, it really is a beautiful thing, don't you think?

I do, Trevor. I do indeed.

So the next time you pick up a marker, take a moment to think about all the different options you have to create beautiful patterns, posters, and even paintings.

I asked some of my friends to send me the best work they've done with markers. I think you're going to love them.

I'll see you back in the art shed very soon.