Alcohol vs Water based markers: What is the difference between the alcohol based markers vs water based markers? Let’s explore and find out today!
As an avid crafter and artist I have amassed a large collection of markers and let me tell you, the ink in these markers can make a huge difference! Did you know you can use alcohol markers on fabric, and that there are many many incredible ways how to use watercolor markers? They are both unique markers with great features individually which I will list below.
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alcohol vs water based markers comparison video:
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alcohol based markers vs water based
In this post I will be Tombow Dual brush Pens against ABT Pro Markers.
1. Appearance:
The ABT Pro has a grey outer barrel and comes with a brush tip and a chisel tip.
The Dual Brush Pen has a black outer barrel and comes with a brush tip and a bullet marker tip.
They both have slim barrels that feel exactly the same in your hand. The bigger caps are colored; one has a circle shape indent the other a square.
2. Blending
The Dual Brush Pens come with a colorless blender pen- N00. The ABT Pros have a colorless marker PN00 which it isn’t really a blender pen because the alcohol markers don’t blend but instead layer. The blender pen can also lift off color which is a very fun technique in itself.
With the water based markers, if you layer color over and over the same area, the paper will start to pill. With the alcohol pens, the paper will not pill at all. However, it will soak through the paper and bleed onto the other side and will dry slower.
3. What papers to use
The Dual brush pens work best on mixed media and watercolor papers. So far I have used the ABT pros on Mixed media paper with a vellum finish and also in a marker pad. The smoothness of the vellum allows for the alcohol markers to blend easily with no streaks.
4. PAPER Bleed:
Alcohol markers will BLEED through to the other side. This will happen with almost all papers so make sure you keep this in mind while coloring into your sketchbooks. Water based markers do not bleed through most papers unless you apply way too much marker to paper.
5. Coloring in Stamped images
If you are a stamper and like to color in images with alcohol markers- you want to use water-based ink like Memento black ink to stamp your images.
To color in images with water based markers- you want to use solvent-based ink like Versafine ink to stamp your images. This will prevent your stamped black lines from bleeding. You can also create fun effects by Stamping with Markers.
alcohol vs water based markers Color Comparison
Always try to store your markers horizontally, especially alcohol markers
Most of the color numbers are exactly the same. A few exceptions like Tombow Dual brush pens olive green is 126 and brown in 899 whereas in the Tombow ABT pros they are P127 and P907.
5 reasons why I love using alcohol based markers:
- Alcohol based markers are better at coloring larger areas evenly, smoothly. The coloring might appear a bit uneven at first, but once the alcohol evaporates off of the paper, the color smoothes. Marker coloring with water-based markers always results in streaky, uneven areas.
- Alcohol-based markers can be used on not just paper, but also other surfaces like wood, metal, and fabric. You can easily personalize so many items with these markers. Water-based type of markers can be used only on paper and the pigment washes off of fabric.
- Alcohol markers dry quickly on paper and the colors have so much vibrancy! Also, there is no worry about water spilling on your artwork and ruining it.
- Alcohol based markers can be used to create excellent blending in portraits! They work great, especially with skin tones. Use 3 to 5 markers close in color range to achieve beautiful blended color results with smooth transitions.
- Alcohol based markers can be layered to create new colors on paper. You can layer as many colors as you want without ever pilling the paper. Water-based markers tend to moisten the paper and then the paper will pill and disintegrate.
ALSO READ: How To Use Alcohol Markers On Fabric Easily
5 reasons why I love using water based markers:
- Water based markers can be used as watercolor markers. Simply paint over with a little water to have the color spread, lighten and act like a watercolor. This means that with just one marker you can create lighter shades by just adding water or using a blender pen. With alcohol-based markers, you will need 3 to 5 markers in the same color range to create this effect.
- Water-based markers do not bleed onto the back of the paper like alcohol-based markers. This makes them much easier to use in sketchbooks, bullet journals, and planners.
- Water- based markers are usually more economical compared to alcohol markers. Alcohol based markers are generally considered as professional artist markers whereas the water based are hobby level markers.
- Water based markers are travel friendly, portable and easy to carry around instead of watercolor palettes or cakes.
- Water based markers can be used easily by anyone anywhere. Nothing beats its versatility. There are no alcohol fumes, so they can be used in small areas also.
Also read: The Very Best Metallic Pens and Markers
CONCLUSION:
In conclusion, there is no right or wrong answer when asking which wins- Alcohol vs Water Based Markers? Both the marker kinds are unique and awesome on their own.
I reach for the Alcohol Markers when I want to create layered color illustrations with greater details and also when I want to apply really vibrant marker color on paper. You can easily apply a huge block of marker color onto paper with Alcohol Markers- it’s quick and streak-free
I love my Water Based Markers more, simply because I have had them for longer and have used them more. I love how the colors spread with water and how I can quickly mix and blend colors.
Leave a comment below if you found this Alcohol Vs Water Based Markers comparison useful! I’d love to hear from you and so would our community.
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