marker art – Dena Ackerman

I have been absolutely loving my new drawing materials… something I have never tired before: paint markers!

All the fun of painting without all the hassle! I’ve only been using them for a few weeks, but I wanted to share a review and some of my new art!

POSCA marker drawing. Photo inspiration @iddavanmunster (IG)

I am using a set of 15 colors with a medium size (5m) nib.

😍 PRO’s

You get the opaque look of acrylic or gouache paint, without the hassle of getting all my painting supplies out, arranging them, finding and mixing the right colors. This is a big deal when you just want to relax and have fun without the pressure of using “real” paint.
I have a set with only 15 colors, and that the “limited palette” is so freeing! I make do with only the colors I have, without over-thinking my color choices.
You can mix and blend colors while wet! You have a few seconds before the paint dries on the paper, so if you grab a brush with a bit of water, you can blend the color or create a gradient. It’s perfect for adding softer shadows or mixing two colors together.
They layer beautifully with colored pencil on top, for a more textured and detailed look.

Posca marker underpainting, with Prismacolor pencils on top. Copy of a painting by Abbott Thayer

👀 CON’s

These markers are rough on paper… they tear up my watercolor paper very quickly. Bristol paper works better, as does a coated cardstock (I’ve been using the back of overstock art prints that I no longer sell). But I have yet to find the perfect paper for these markers.
The limited number of colors may be an issue for some people, but you can always buy a larger set. I don’t actually see it as a problem… I like the challenge!
I’ve been using the medium size nib, which can be a bit cumbersome, but I also bought a set with smaller nibs for finer details. So that’s not really a con for me either!

Here are some more small experimental drawings, getting the feel of these markers. I’ve been having so much fun with them!!