A few months ago I showed you some Staedtler Pigment Brush pens – water-based markers that become permanent once dry. You might remember this one:
I was tickled to find out that while I was working on a freelance design project for one of Staedtler’s satellite offices, HQ saw it and was impressed. So much so they wanted to send me a pack of promo goodies!
It was so nice to hear their appreciation of my work; and though I didn’t know what would be in this promo pack, I looked forward to it. Just before Christmas a BIG box arrived, and I put it under the tree – so I’d have something to open on Christmas morning. Not only did I find the full line of 60 marker colors in it – they also included a 24-pack and a 12 pack of portrait colors – so read on for the giveaway later in this post!
Tutorial: Do these markers bleed through? (paper tests)
Watch the video below and scroll to the end to leave comments or questions — or click HERE to watch it on YouTube and leave comments over there. I read both dutifully!
SUPPLIES
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MARKERS
- Staedtler Mars Pigment Arts Pen 36 BLICK | AMZ | JACKSONS
- Staedtler Mars Pigment Arts Pen 24 BLICK | JACKSONS
- Staedtler Mars Pigment Arts Pen 12 flesh AMZ | JACKSONS
- Staedtler Mars Pigment Arts Black pigment liner pens set BLICK | AMZ | JACKSONS
- Staedtler MultiInk Blending Liquid
PAPERS
- Canson XL watercolor pad 9×12 BLICK | AMZ JACKSONS
- Copic Sketchbook 9×12 BLICK | AMZ
- Coco Wyo coloring book (cheap paper)
- Kanoko Egusa Symphony of Cute animals
- Johanna Basford Rooms of Wonder
Student grade watercolor paper
For years I’ve recommended student grade watercolor papers for water-based markers. There’s just something about how they “cling” to anything with too much cotton in them, so something a little slipperier is warranted to help the color move more easily.
I didn’t fuss over streaks – because I chose a subject that I could use the marker lines to my advantage. Always think about that when choosing a subject for a medium – or your medium for a subject. Some things are just better for one or the other.
In this case the veins were calling me….my neighbor thought I was crazy when I asked if I could take a photo of her houseplant, and proceeded to move it closer to the window and cleared a shelf for myself. HA! I knew I could also capture the thin stems of the plant, and tiny leaves. These markers have a nice small brush for that kind of detail.
There was zero bleed through on the back, which would be pretty obvious if you know this paper – it’s pretty thick!
Marker paper
While marker paper tends to be more slippery, it also isn’t made to have any flow; it’s not soft enough OR hard enough! (It would be FABULOUS for lettering with these pens though!)
To simulate a blend, there’s a few possibilities:
-create a line of a dark color, and next to it a line of a midtone, then a line of a light, and let the viewer’s eye “mix” it for them. You’d be surpised how well a graphic approach like that comes across to a person looking at your art!
-use blending liquid to smooth out areas – even just the larger ones that are large enough to wield a brush in them.
-pull out the colored pencils after it’s dry! Colored pencils love working on top of any flood of color, since the white speckles typically left behind are pre-covered by the marker ink, so blending is easier.
And after all the application of color, it’s pretty awesome this doesn’t bleed through.
Cheap coloring book paper
While the cheap paper Amazon prints on can work fine with colored pencils and alcohol markers (though marker bleeds like mad, so choose books printed on only one side)……the streakiness is pretty much off the charts! I couldn’t get the blending liquid to work at all on it.
Nicer coloring book paper
There’s much more possibility with a higher end paper. Streakiness is still present if the spaces are large, but much more controllable. Wide open areas is where it’s mostly in danger of showing marker lines.
Kanoko Egusa’s style is one I love, primarily because it has both small details and open enough areas to have fun coloring. Might not be best for this particular marker though.
As I said before though, with practiced lines it’s possible to make the lines on a large space like the face look like muscle. Blending liquid had some efficacy so try it out – but as always be sure you test in your own coloring book to see how different mediums will perform.
Nicer coloring book paper, smaller designs
If you’re a Johanna Basford fan, her work is really suited for these pens! Lots of tiny areas that you can cover quickly and easily with the pigment brush markers, and the fine details can be easily handled with the fine marker tip.
No bleeding through means you won’t lose any of the back sides of any pages!
Giveaway!
Staedtler sent me extra markers, and I’m thrilled to be able to get them out to some lucky folks to try out! And I’d like to target each of them to someone who will actually use them, so do me a favor and check off all three items on this list, okay? I’d hate to pay all that shipping cost to send out a pack you won’t touch!
To qualify to WIN, do all three:
- Leave a comment – and tell me which of the two sets of markers would work for you! Even though the “portrait” set is called portrait, it’d be fabulous for animals too!
- Sign up for my e-newsletter below; it’s free! It comes out every Saturday and I let you know what’s posted that week, so you won’t miss out on any creativity. Or the winner announcement next weekend!
- Subscribe to my YouTube channel! I mean cmon. Seriously. It’s free, too, right?
I’ll be picking winners on Friday night and will include the winners’ names in the newsletter. Go tell a friend or two about the giveaway, you probably know someone who likes using markers!
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145 Comments
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I just realized that Staedler has come out with more shades of these markers. I have the 36 pack but now there is a 60 pack available. Do you know if it’s possible to purchase just the newest 24 shades in a set or will I need to either purchase them all separately or buy the 60 pack set?
The 24 set should be the colors you don’t have yet… I’ll double check that but check the color list to be sure you get what you’re expecting.
Oops I mean the 36 ♀️
Sandy, I love your art! The Staedtler Mars Pigment Arts Pen 36 would be perfect for my art and the liner pens would compliment them well. I have been looking for the perfect watercolor pen that would stay permanent. I want art that I can send to my family in the mail and not be bothered by a little dampness. The blending solution sounds fantastic. My art resembles realism, so your transparent flowers were beautiful and spoke to me.
The set I would use the most is the portrait as I love to do mix media faces. I am new to using markers because I mostly use watercolour in my paintings, using that as the main base with pencil/marker on top to bring the highlights out. I am now loving designing in this style of media.
I am already signed up for the newsletter and YouTube for all things Sandy. 🙂
I enjoy your YouTube channel very much. I think that I would like the portrait set. I enjoy watercolors and feel that these would work wonderfully with them. Thank you for all you do Sandy!
Thanks for sharing your mad skills and thoughtful reviews of great products! I’m a landscape gal, so would love the 24 set with a broad range of colors if I’m so lucky to win. Wishing you and yours a happy January (I feel like January should get some love, too!)
the 24 set will be fab! you always have such an enegy, and love what you inspire in other artists
These would be very interesting pens to work with. Either set would be great, but I suppose the 24 set would give more color choice. Thank you!
The larger set, plz. I have Wholesetitis & thus would give me a good start.
love the look of these pens
I love what you did with this markers. I don’t care which set you want to gift to me. Whatever I will use and paint with it. Thanks for sharing all your knowledge.
I would love the larger set. I haven’t started portraits yet. I do color book art and mixed media also. These would be perfect! Thanks for the information about these. I was debating buying them, but I’m on a limited budget. I love your videos!
Thank you for your inspiration and encouragement! I would love either set! Maybe the 24 pen set? Blessings, Ann
Wow look a bit like those pencils that first water soluble and then when dry solid so you can build op those colors. Love the pencil and sure I love those markers. I would like the portrait set.
The colors of these markers are vibrant and beautiful. I would love to work with them to see how they work for me. If I had to pick a set I would start with the most variety of color.
Love these brush pens! I think I gotta have them!!
Would love to try the larger set with more variety of colors. I am looking for fine tip water based markers for adult coloring books. Thanks for the detailed review and field test.
Hello Sandy! I would love the main set. I can’t wait to try to make translucent flowers! Thank you for the tutorials!
I would love the multicolor set! As a card maker they would be perfect on a single layer card. As a budding artist, I am wanting to try out every medium to see which is my favorite.
As you inspired me to start to draw with color paints, it would be a good start with pis pens, especially the bold set. Love your loose style of colouring !
These look like great pens. I think the portrait colors would be really fun to work with. Love your videos Sandy. Thank you!
I would prefer the 24 set… I love brought, vibrant colors BUT I would accept either one. They look fantastic and I really would like to try my hand at Bible coloring with the couple of Inspire Bibles I’ve found second hand. I receive your newsletter and I am a You Tube follower as well. Thanks for all the inspiration Sandy ((hug)) ❤️❤️❤️
Sandy your artwork is always breathtaking and inspiring. These markers look fun and would love to add them to my collections. Thank you for all that you do and teach!
When you first released a video on these I thought, ‘Another marker set? Aren’t there enough? What makes these different than the 100s of other markers available?’ Then I saw your layered flower video… the can look so delicate!
I would prefer the main set- I Love Johanna Basford’s coloring books, and Kerby Rosane too- and these seem great for those tiny details.
I’ve been subscribed for YEARS (youtube and insta) since my beginning bible journaling days. Thanks for staying around and creating videos for us to enjoy.
I would prefer the main pigment set. These look like something new to try out. I love coloring with markers so his could expand my choice of markers
I would love to have the main pigment arts set because all of the beautiful colors would be great for my First Class Life coloring book! Also, I just created a pixelated year journal. So, lots of colors that don’t bleed would be perfect for this, too! If I win, I have to try to keep them away from my daughter, too! Haha! Thanks for this video!
I just recently found you on YouTube. Like what I’m seeing. You have a very pleasant voice!
Forgot to say I would like the set of 24 colors.
I absolutely love your work. I have been trying to create something that beautiful in my work. Really like the portrait set.
These seem like great markers. I like that they aren’t bleed through. I think the 24 colors would be more useful overall since I mainly color stamps. I’ve signed up for two of your classes, and I’m excited to get started now that the holidays are over. I love your newsletter, and I catch you on YouTube when I can. Just starting a new chapter of creativity, and I am soaking up everything!
Happy new year wishes! I’ve been a subscriber to your YT channel (as bluetkats) and have followed you on IG for a while and really enjoy your content. I’m currently working on a phenology wheel, although I think mine just may be a random mini-paintings wheel at this point. LOL I’ve loved watching you create with these pigment markers, with the latest transparent flowers being my favorite. My preference for the giveaway would be the 24 set, since I rarely do portraits in any medium but as others have stated, I would be thrilled to try any of them. Thank you for the chance to win a set and for all the wonderful content!