How To Use Watercolor Markers for Beginners

If you just bought your first set of Watercolor Markers you will amazed at what all you can create with these gems! In todays post I’ll show you how to use watercolor markers in a few easy steps

Watercolor markers are a fun and easy. They give you the control of a marker with the beautiful, soft effects of watercolor. You can draw, blend, and add water to create everything from simple illustrations to loose watercolor paintings.

I have been on the Tombow design team and have been provided these markers. My love for them and the ideas shared here are all my own 🙂

What is a watercolor marker?

A Watercolor Marker is a marker that comes with ink pigment that is water based. It can be a brush pen or just have a bullet or chisel tip. What is important is that the marker is filled with a water based ink that reacts with water and thus creates dramatic results! I have used mainly the Tombow Dual Brush Pens here today, but these tutorials will work with any watercolor marker you might have like Staedlers, Crayolas etc.

What paper do you use for Watercolor Markers?

The paper you use with watercolor markers matters very much. Choose a mixed media or watercolor paper that is thicker and allows the marker color to sit on the paper rather than be absorbed right away. Here is a selection of the best papers for watercolor markers that I have tried, tested and recommend.

How to use Watercolor Markers 3 Methods

1. Direct Method

In this method, you draw with the marker directly onto dry paper and then paint over it.

The direct method gives the biggest wow factor and is super satisfying!

Step 1: Apply your Watercolor marker color directly onto the paper. Add a small amount of color, to begin with, you don’t need much.

Step 2: Working quickly, dip your paintbrush in water and paint over the marker on the paper to spread the color.

Step 3: You can mix two colors to create a new hue directly on the paper to create depth to your illustrations.

2. Indirect Method

The colors you create by watercoloring indirectly will be much lighter than the ones you can get from the direct method.

Step 1: Scribble your Watercolor Marker colors onto a Blending Palette. If you don’t have a Blending Palette, you can instead use some kind of laminated surface, a Ziploc bag, or a ceramic dish too.

Step 2: Dip a paintbrush into water, pick up the color from the blending palette, and paint onto the paper.

Step 3: You can mix colors on the blending palette to create new colors!

The options are endless and there are so many techniques to try with these Watercolor Markers. I would say these watercolor markers are better than watercolors themselves- they are portable (no drips), super versatile and it is easy to control the amount of color you lay on the paper.

3. Layering Method

fadf

Step 1: Paint your design using either the direct or indirect method. Let the paper dry for a few minutes

Step 2: Layer another color or the same color on top to add dimension.

Tips on how to use watercolor markers

• The direct method takes a little figuring out- you basically need to test a few sketchbooks till you find one that works best for you.
• The direct method can also be used for layering. Just make sure that the paper is completely dry to the touch before apply a second layer of color on top.
• Always remember, the art you create using watercolor markers can be reactivated. If you paint over the dried artwork with water, the pigment could be reactivated
• Never dip your watercolor markers in water!!
• Try not to bring your watercolor markers onto wet paper. This is why they do not wrok well for wet on wet watercolor techniques.
• The indirect method works on basically ALL mixed media and watercolor papers. You can also use this method on thin printer paper to try it out. The paper will warp as it dries, but you can get a feel of the technique.
• The indirect method is a great way to use your watercolor markers in the Archer and Olive dot grid journals! The journal papers are thick and hold the water neatly.
• If you struggle with getting too much water on your paper, read my full guide on How to Use a Water Brush

---

How to Use Watercolor Markers Youtube

I have a whole playlist of videos on my channel demonstrating Watercolor Markers Technique. Enjoy this How to use Watercolor Markers Playlist.