Markers

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ReBob
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Markers

#1 Post by ReBob »

So I keep hearing people talk about stuff like copic markers for coloring, and I've seen some impressive coloring done with markers, so I thought I'd ask where some other artists may see and have some idea.

How good are markers for coloring, and what sort of brand should I look for? I know some brands of art supplies can range from cheap to for kids to cheap pro to good to really good. Can't afford to just waste money on something not even worth it in the end.

I'd love to produce some colored works eventually, and digital is far off from now when I have something able to handle software and a tablet in the first place, so traditional it is for now. Anyway, yeah, any thoughts on the matter would be grand.
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kiabugboy
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Re: Markers

#2 Post by kiabugboy »

I use koi markers to shade my pen drawings
You should definitely try it out

Though so far I only use light gray and other shades of gray to simply add shadows. I never actually tried coloring with markers

Copic is waaay too expensive where I am.

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ReBob
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Re: Markers

#3 Post by ReBob »

Well, the prices are definitely at odds. ~100 compared to ~25 dollars for a dozen colors, Koi looks very enticing on the cost front alone.

Lots of time for others to advise, but yours has been taken into consideration.
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Razmoudah
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Re: Markers

#4 Post by Razmoudah »

First, I need to state that I'm not an artist, just a rather broadly read aspiring author.

From the comments I've read from other artists over the years there are a couple of basic things I can tell you. First, when it comes to markers avoid everything in the 'priced for kids' categories (there are really two categories like this, not just one) like the plague if you want to do anything beyond simple amateur work. The markers themselves tend not to stand up, rarely have the degree of tip variety needed, and usually you can't blend the colors together. Just about every brand in the next price category up has those three features, and once you hit around two price categories up those are nearly treated as universal standards, and the differences mostly come down to the variety of colors available, the quality of the colors available, and how well they blend if you choose to blend them (to cover the colors they don't actually make).

Now, there are a couple of additional things I've heard, namely regarding Copic and Koi. Copic is nearly universally regarded as the best out there, at least for general/webcomic use. There are a couple of specialized brands that in their specialized area are better, but unless you're exclusively working in that specialized area Copic is the better deal (and even if you are intending to work exclusively in that specialized area until you can support yourself with it it is still recommended to avoid the specialist brands so you can reasonably take a few gigs outside the specialization). Koi is normally regarded as a good amateur to semi-pro transition brand. They are competitively priced for those who are on a limited budget, but have the quality and features needed for doing works for sale. Basically, there are better, but until you are making money from the art they aren't worth it unless you have a lot of money to spare, and even then until you need something better Koi is worth sticking with.


Finally, shouldn't this thread be in the Drawing Board? Most of the people you are wanting advice from post the most frequently there, and I have no idea how often they visit the other boards. I'll leave it to ReBob to ask it to be moved if he feels he'd get better advise there. I understand the reason for asking here, as this board is all about getting questions answered, but I'm just thinking of getting it brought to the attention of the people who can offer the advice.
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Hmmm......about what I expected when almost half of the questions I'd want to select a few of the answers not a specific one.

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ReBob
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Re: Markers

#5 Post by ReBob »

Well, I wasn't sure on if it would be acceptable to post it there. If it's allowed, then by all means a move would be fine. But I've already got two good responses here, especially yours with its in-depth info. I've barely touched markers (and then, it was years ago with the kid brand school supplies), so even second hand knowledge is very useful and appreciated.

I just feel that being limited to black ink on white paper is bad for growth and, while I feel I've coped creatively with these limitations, colors is a next step I need to be taken seriously. Especially if I ever want to consider making any sort of money on my work, which isn't my goal but would be amazing to achieve.

Thanks for your insight.
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Razmoudah
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Re: Markers

#6 Post by Razmoudah »

From the things I've heard once you start messing with 'real' markers (the not for-kiddies stuff) you'll be amazed at what you can do with them. A big part of the reason why there is such a vast spread of brands around, and why there are so many price tiers.
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Hmmm......about what I expected when almost half of the questions I'd want to select a few of the answers not a specific one.

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