Brush & Marker Pens | InsideMyNest

7 July 20257 July 2025

A Quick & Easy Step-by-Step Tree Drawing for Beginners

Want to learn how to draw a tree without feeling overwhelmed? Whether you’re just starting out or looking for a simple creative break, this beginner-friendly guide will walk you through an easy step-by-step method to draw a classic tree — no fancy tools or skills needed — it’s just one I made digitally on my phone whilst waiting for an appointment!

Step 1: Draw the Tree Trunk

Start with two slightly curved vertical lines. These lines form the base of your tree trunk.

Tip: Curved lines give a more natural, organic look than perfectly straight lines.

Step 2: Add Branches

From the top of the trunk, extend a few lines outward and upward — these will be your tree’s main branches. Keep the lines thinner as they go out, and don’t worry about symmetry; nature is beautifully irregular!

Step 3: Add Texture to the Trunk

Add some quick, light vertical lines inside the trunk to give it a bit of wood-like texture. You can even add a small oval or spiral shape to suggest a knot in the wood.

Step 4: Sketch the Tree Canopy (Leaves)

Now, draw a large fluffy, cloud-like shape around the top of the trunk and branches. You can do this using soft, bumpy lines that form a rounded canopy. Think of drawing a large cotton ball or broccoli top.

Step 5: Optional – Add Ground or Colour

Draw a simple patch of grass or ground under the tree to ground it in space. Then, grab your coloured pencils or markers to add greens for the leaves and browns for the trunk.

Final Touches

Erase any extra or sketchy lines and darken the outlines.

Why This Method Works for Beginners

This approach keeps things simple by breaking the tree into three main parts: trunk, branches, and leaves. No complicated shading or anatomy — just basic shapes and a bit of creativity.

Drawing trees is a great way to relax and practice your sketching skills. Once you’ve mastered this basic tree, you can experiment with different styles — from tall pines to sprawling oaks.

Struggling with The Tree Branches?

To draw the branches, start by sketching a long, slightly curved line to represent the main structure. Then, add smaller lines branching off from it at various angles to mimic the natural, uneven growth of real branches. These offshoots should gradually taper and become thinner as they extend outward. Avoid making them too symmetrical or straight—branches often twist and turn slightly. You can add texture by drawing small, jagged lines along the surface to suggest bark, and include tiny offshoots or buds at the ends to give it a more realistic touch. Using light pencil strokes at first can help with shaping before committing to darker, final lines.

how to do a tree branch easy step by step

Conclusion

Drawing a tree may seem challenging at first, but with this quick and easy step-by-step guide, even beginners can create a natural-looking tree with confidence. By starting with simple shapes and gradually adding details like branches, leaves, and texture, you’ve learned how to draw a simple tree. Remember, every tree is unique—so feel free to experiment with different styles, shapes, and shading techniques as you continue to practice. With time and creativity, your tree drawings will only grow stronger ;).

21 May 20253 July 2025

Sketching Quick Bare Trees: A Quiet Winter Ritual

There’s something quietly poetic about the silhouette of a bare tree. Without its cloak of leaves, the tree stands—honest in form, revealing every branch and limb like veins under translucent skin. For nature diary keepers, sketching these skeletal trees can be a gentle way to connect more deeply with the landscape and sharpen one’s eye for structure and simplicity.

Here’s how I approach quick sketches of bare trees when I’m out walking with my notebook and a soft pen or pencil tucked in my coat pocket.

1. Begin with Presence, Not Precision

Before pen meets paper, I take a few moments to simply look. Winter trees are all character—some stand like sentinels, tall and proud; others sprawl and twist. Observe the tree’s personality. Is it neat and vertical like a poplar? Or does it have a broad, reaching posture like an old oak?

photo of bare trees with branches and no leaves

These first impressions shape the feeling of the sketch far more than exact detail.

2. Light Pen, Loose Lines

Start with a light stroke to block out the general shape. Think of the tree as a living structure: a trunk that divides into large branches, which split again into finer limbs. Don’t worry about being exact—this is a sketch, not a blueprint.

I usually mark the direction of the main branches first, like spokes from a hub, and build outward with smaller lines. Keep your hand relaxed. Let the pencil wander a little. Trees aren’t symmetrical, and their beauty lies in their imperfections.

3. Use Line to Suggest Texture

The bark of a bare tree holds stories—ridges, scars, sometimes smooth stretches depending on the species. While a quick sketch doesn’t require detail, using varied pressure in your pencil strokes can hint at texture. A heavier hand along one side of the trunk can suggest shadow and weight. A cluster of short, jagged lines might evoke gnarled bark or lichen.

If you’re using ink, a fine-liner or pen can give your lines a clean confidence, though it leaves less room for corrections.

4. Focus on Form Over Foliage

With no leaves to draw, the focus shifts to structure. This is your chance to train your eye on how a tree actually *grows*. Notice how branches rarely shoot straight out; they curve upward or droop slightly with gravity. Some trees hold a crown shape; others are more wild and asymmetrical.

Sometimes I only sketch half the tree—especially if the light is catching one side beautifully. In a nature diary, suggestion can be more powerful than completeness.

5. Adding Additional Trees: Creating a Natural Composition

Once your main tree is sketched, consider adding a few neighbouring trees to suggest a fuller scene. These don’t need the same level of detail—just faint outlines or simplified forms can give the impression of a woodland or hedgerow beyond. Vary the shapes and sizes slightly to mimic nature’s irregularity. A distant tree might be just a thin trunk with a suggestion of branching, lightly drawn. Layering trees like this not only adds depth to your sketch but also evokes the quiet companionship found in winter woods, where no tree truly stands alone.

hand-drawn image on how to draw trees with branches quick easy step by step

6. Add Notes, Not Just Lines

Once I finish a quick sketch, I like to jot down a few words around it: what the wind felt like, whether the bark smelled damp, how the birds flitted through the empty canopy. These small observations turn a simple drawing into a memory—a record of a moment spent paying full attention.

hand-drawn sketch of trees with hand-written notes around it inside a nature journal

Final Thoughts

Quick sketches of bare trees are less about skill and more about slowing down. In winter, when so much of the world is resting, drawing trees can feel like a form of quiet listening. The more you sketch, the more you’ll notice: how each species holds itself, how branches speak of storms weathered and seasons passed.

So next time you’re out walking, take a moment to pause, pen in hand. A single tree, standing bare against a pale sky, may offer more than just a drawing—it may offer stillness.

Sketch often. Write freely. Stay curious.

A Quick & Easy Step-by-Step Tree Drawing for Beginners
Want to learn how to draw a tree without feeling overwhelmed? Whether you’re just starting out or looking for a simple creative break, this beginner-friendly guide will walk you through an easy step-by-step method to draw a classic tree — no fancy tools or skills needed — it’s just one I made digitally on my … Read more
Sketching Quick Bare Trees: A Quiet Winter Ritual
There’s something quietly poetic about the silhouette of a bare tree. Without its cloak of leaves, the tree stands—honest in form, revealing every branch and limb like veins under translucent skin. For nature diary keepers, sketching these skeletal trees can be a gentle way to connect more deeply with the landscape and sharpen one’s eye … Read more
The Beginner’s Guide to Nature Journalling
Welcome to the Stillness In a world that spins fast, where screens flicker and notifications demand constant attention, the quiet rhythms of the natural world offer something profoundly rare: stillness. When we step outside, even for a few minutes, we begin to feel it—the slow turning of the seasons, the subtle shift in light, the … Read more
Meet the European Robin: A Fact-Packed Guide to This Beloved Bird (With A Free Watercolour Illustration)
The European robin (Erithacus rubecula) is one of the most recognisable and beloved birds in Europe. With its red feathers and cheery song, this small songbird has become a symbol of winter, frequently appearing in festive imagery, holiday cards, and even folklore. Despite its common presence in gardens, parks, and woodlands across Europe, there is … Read more
From Birds to Pages: How My Birding Journal Tells a Story (With Examples & Free Printable Colouring Page)
Birdwatching is more than just an activity—it’s a passion, a deep connection with nature, and a way to capture fleeting moments that often go unnoticed. Over the years, I’ve discovered that one of the best ways to truly appreciate and immerse myself in this hobby is through journalling. My birding journal is not just a … Read more
Tea with a Robin: Notes from the Garden Fence
By A Humble Observer of Feathered Folk This morning, the garden was draped in its usual misty shawl, dew clinging to the grass like tiny stars from the sky. I settled on my favourite bench with a mug of tea and a biscuit of questionable structural integrity, when — as if summoned by the steam … Read more
The Sleeping Habits Of A Robin: How Many Hours Do Robins Sleep For (With A Free Sleep Log Template)
European robins (Erithacus rubecula) are one of the most beloved and recognisable birds across Europe, known for their red feathered chests and cheerful songs. But aside from their charming appearance, there’s much to learn about their daily behaviours, including their sleep patterns. If you’ve ever wondered how many hours a robin sleeps, and how you … Read more
Robins & Their Favourite Foods: From Worms 🪱 to Berries 🫐 (With Free Printable Hand-Illustrated Art)
Robins are one of the most familiar and beloved birds in gardens and parks. Their vibrant red feathers at the front and cheerful song signal the arrival of spring for many people, but what really brings them to your backyard? The answer is simple: food. Robins are omnivores, and their diet is both varied and … Read more
Where Do Robin Fledglings Go When They Leave the Nest? 🪹
As spring blooms and the sound of birdsong fills the air, one of the most exciting events in the lives of many bird enthusiasts is the appearance of robin fledglings. These young birds, often seen fluttering awkwardly around the yard, represent a major milestone in the life cycle of a robin. But once they leave … Read more
How Robins Choose Their Sleep Spots: Insights Into Their Night-time Behaviour 🌜
Robins are one of the most beloved and recognisable birds, often seen hopping around backyards, parks, and gardens. With their vibrant red-orange chests and cheerful songs, they’re a favourite among birdwatchers and nature enthusiasts. But have you ever wondered where robins sleep? While these birds are quite active during the day, their night-time behaviour is … Read more
Are You Seeing a Male or Female Robin? Here’s How to Tell
While male and female robins may look quite similar at first glance, there are subtle differences that can help you tell them apart. In this post, I’ll guide you through the key signs that distinguish male and female robins in the UK, making your next birdwatching experience all the more exciting. Read more: 1. Colouration: … Read more
The Robin’s Song 🎵
Upon the branch so high and freeA robin sings to wake the treeWith feathers of red and voice so brightIt calls the world to morning lightThrough budding spring and autumn’s hueIt flits beneath the sky so blueA streak of warmth in winter’s chillA herald bold, yet soft and stillIt hops upon the garden bedWhere worms … Read more
What Do Robins Do All Day? A Day In The Life Of a Robin (With A Free Printable Hand-Illustrated Clipart)
While we may be familiar with the cheerful sight of robins hopping around our lawns or perched on tree branches, their daily routines are far more intricate and fascinating than we often realise. To get a more personal look at the life of a robin, let’s take a step into their world and explore what … Read more
Digging Deeper: How Do Robins Know Where to Find Worms? (With Free Hand-Illustrated Clipart)
If you’ve ever watched a robin hunting for food, you’ve likely been mesmerised by its quick, determined movements as it pecks at the ground. It’s as if the bird knows exactly where to look for a tasty worm, and it doesn’t take long for the robin to find its prize. But how do robins find … Read more

27 April 20253 July 2025

Drawing Nature’s Details: A Simple Twig Tutorial

There’s a quiet magic in sketching the small, often overlooked elements of nature. Twigs—those unassuming branches underfoot—can become beautiful, meditative studies when you slow down and capture their form with care. In this tutorial, we’ll explore how to draw a simple twig using 0.5mm and 0.1mm brown and gray fineliners, tools that bring precision and subtle contrast to your sketch.

What You’ll Need

0.5mm brown or gray fineliner (for structure and mid-tones)
0.1mm brown or gray fineliner (for delicate detail)
Sketchbook or smooth drawing paper
Optional: A pencil and eraser for light underdrawing

Step 1: Find Your Twig

Step outside and find a twig with personality—maybe one with a few little offshoots, a curve, or visible buds. Even the tiniest branch can hold a wealth of character. Bring it inside or set up comfortably where you can study it with minimal distractions.

Step 2: Light Underdrawing (Optional)

If you like planning your composition, start with a light pencil sketch – I used a brown coloured pencil. Use simple lines to map out the twig’s main stem and any smaller branches. Keep it loose—this is just your roadmap.

how to draw sketch a twig of a tree branch drawing

Step 3: Lay the Foundation (0.5mm Brown Fineliner)

With your 0.5mm brown fineliner, begin tracing the main structure of the twig. Use steady, clean lines to outline the form. This thicker pen helps define the silhouette and gives weight to the sketch.

Tips:

Let your lines taper slightly at the ends to mimic how twigs naturally thin.
Vary pressure subtly to create organic flow, even with a fineliner.

Step 4: Add Fine Detail (0.1mm Fineliner)

Switch to your 0.1mm brown or gray fineliner to draw the smaller twigs, bark texture, and natural imperfections—like tiny knots, bud scars, or broken edges.

Use short, fine lines or stippling to suggest rough bark.
Let the linework follow the twig’s form—curving and wrapping slightly.
Alternate between brown and gray for visual interest and realism.

Step 5: Shade & Suggest Depth

Use hatching or subtle cross-hatching with the gray 0.1mm fineliner to build shadows. Focus on areas where:

Smaller branches emerge from the main twig
One side is in shadow due to your light source
Bark texture causes dips and ridges

The contrast between line weights and colours will naturally give your twig depth without needing graphite.

Step 6: Final Touches

Now step back. Adjust your linework where needed—maybe thicken the base of a branch, or darken a shadow.

You can also:

Add a soft drop shadow beneath the twig
Label it with the type of tree (if you know it), or note the date/location

These little details turn your sketch into a moment captured in time.

Twig tree drawing sketch tutorial step by step

Step 7: Adding Colour (Optional)

Once your linework is complete, you can add a touch of colour if you wish. This step is completely optional, but it can add warmth and more depth to your sketch—especially if your twig has buds, lichen, or a slight reddish tint to the bark.

Recommended tools:

Watercolour pencils or light watercolour washes
Coloured fineliners (in muted earth tones: olive green, sienna, ochre, soft reds)
Brush pens (for subtle blending, if using water-soluble ink)

How to do it:

Apply colour sparingly—let the fineliner work shine through.

Use light, dry strokes to tint the bark and emphasise depth.
Add a wash of muted brown or gray to the shaded side for more dimension.

Remember: The goal is to enhance, not overpower. A few thoughtful strokes can be more effective than full coverage.

Why Use Fineliners For Drawing?

Using brown and gray fineliners instead of standard black brings warmth and softness to natural subjects like twigs. The 0.5mm tip gives structure, while the 0.1mm allows for delicate, intentional marks that mimic the fine textures of bark and bud.

Final Thoughts

Drawing a twig might seem like a humble task, but it’s a powerful exercise in attention and artistry. With just a couple of fineliners and a quiet moment, you can turn something ordinary into a thoughtful, beautiful sketch.

twig tree branch sketch drawing illustration

26 April 20253 July 2025

How to Draw A Bare Tree With Branches Using Coloured Pencils & Black Ballpoint Pen

Materials You’ll Need:

Your nature journal, or any sketch/drawing paper
Coloured pencils (variety of browns, yellows, and other earth tones)
Black ballpoint pen
Eraser and sharpener (if needed)

Step 1: Light Sketch with Coloured Pencil

Begin by lightly sketching the basic outline of the tree with a brown or light grey coloured pencil. Focus on:

The trunk and main branches
The general shape of the canopy
The direction and flow of secondary branches

Keep your lines loose and organic—trees are naturally asymmetrical.

how to draw a tree with branches step by step

Something to keep in mind is the shape and structure of tree branches are typically hierarchical and fractal-like, meaning they follow patterns that repeat at different scales.

SHAPE:

Tapered: Branches usually get thinner the farther they are from the trunk.
Irregular but patterned: While they may appear random, branches often grow at predictable angles and split repeatedly.
Arched or angled: Some trees have upward-reaching branches (like oaks), while others spread out horizontally (like maples).

STRUCTURE:

Main trunk is the central support.
Primary branches grow out from the trunk.
Secondary branches grow from the primary ones, and so on.
The pattern often follows a self-similar structure – smaller branches resemble the larger ones.

Step 2: Define Structure & Texture

Using your coloured pencils:

Layer darker browns on one side of the trunk and branches to define form and direction.
Use lighter browns or yellows for highlights where light would naturally hit.
Use short, quick strokes to suggest bark texture and cross-hatching technique for depth.

How to draw sketch a tree with branches with coloured pencils pen pencil

Step 3: Cross-Hatching with Ballpoint Pen

Now bring in your black ballpoint pen to add cross-hatching for depth and shading.

Make an outline of the tree, including the branches.
Use diagonal and curved lines to follow the form of the tree.
Cross-hatch in shadowed areas—under branches, one side of the trunk, and where limbs overlap.
Vary the spacing of lines: closer lines for darker areas, wider apart for lighter tones.

How to draw sketch a tree with branches with coloured pencils pen pencil cross-hatching examples

Step 4: Add Final Details & Adjustments

Step back and assess your drawing:

Add more contrast with additional pen lines in the darkest areas.
Enhance colour vibrancy by lightly reapplying coloured pencils over some areas of pen hatching.
If needed, use an eraser to lift off excess colour or soften overly dark spots.

drawing sketch of a tree with branches using coloured pencils and black pen in a nature journal page

Tips

Practice cross-hatching on scrap paper to get control over pressure and direction.
Use the ballpoint pen sparingly in highlight areas to keep the drawing from becoming too heavy.
Combining coloured pencils with pen creates a nice balance between softness and structure.

Final Thoughts

Combining coloured pencils with a black ballpoint pen offers a unique blend of softness and precision in your tree drawings. Cross-hatching adds depth, transforming a simple sketch into a textured, dimensional piece of drawing. Whether you’re a beginner or honing your style, this technique invites you to observe nature closely and express it with your own creative touch. Don’t worry about perfection—each line and layer brings character to your tree. Keep practicing, and soon, your branches will grow with confidence on the page.

24 April 20253 July 2025

3 Pattern Doodling Tutorials for Your Birding Journal

Your birding journal isn’t just a place for checklists and sightings—it’s a space to celebrate the beauty of the wild, feathered world around you. Adding simple doodles can be such a calming experience, whether you’re sketching beside a trail or reminiscing at your desk. In this post, we’ll explore three quick and charming pattern doodles—featuring birds and branches—that you can use to decorate your entries, and to add a touch of creativity to your observations. No art skills required—just a coloured pencil ✏️ , a pen 🖊 of your choice, a bit of curiosity, and a love for the little details in nature 🌳🪶🐦‍⬛.

1. Doodle 1

birds branches patterns doodles drawings sketches for birding journal birdwatching

Start with a sketch of a branch with leaves 🍃 and outlines of a couple of birds sitting on the branches.

Then, start filling in the outlines with a coloured pencil of your choice.

Doodle 2

Sketch an outline of a bird sitting on a branch with a coloured pencil of your choice.

Once you’re happy with the outline, go over it in a ballpoint pen.

Then colour it in with a ballpoint pen. I used the cross-hatching technique to fill it in.

Doodle 3

Draw some lines as above with a coloured pencil.

Then some outlines of birds sitting on the lines.

Once you’re happy with the sketch, go over them with a ballpoint pen.

Colour them in with a coloured pencil of your choice.

You may also colour in the background with some coloured pencil crayons of your choice. I used coral pink, tan brown and dark gray colours and coloured them in using the cross-hatching method.

Conclusion

Doodling in your birding journal is a simple, joyful way to connect more deeply with what you observe. These three pattern doodles are just the beginning—once you start, you’ll find inspiration in every fluttering wing and twisting branch. Whether you use them to frame your notes, mark a special sighting, or just to relax with your pens, let your creativity take flight alongside the birds you love. Happy journalling—and even happier birdwatching!

4 September 20243 July 2025

A Beginner’s Journey into the World of Alcohol-Based Markers: Tips and Tricks

If you’re looking for a new tool to add to your collection of artistic mediums, alcohol based markers might be just the addition you’re looking for. Alcohol based markers, also known as art markers, are a relatively new sight on the scene for those looking to enter into ink designing and artworks, often used by a variety of artists, from architects to graphic designers, tattoo artists and professional product manufacturers producing blueprints for new ideas that they’re drafting.

The choice to use these markers, and their notoriety as the preferred tools of industry artisans, comes not only from their versatility and ability to draw both narrow and wide lines, but also their reliability and great creative reach.

Alcohol based marker describes any number of pens, both brand name and generic, being that the name does not describe one method of creating a marker, but rather the main medium used to deliver the ink. That being, of course, alcohol, which dries faster and more evenly than that water used in water-based markers, that can smudge or wrinkle the paper as they dry.

The most commonly mentioned brand of artist marker that is alcohol-based is the notorious Copic marker, though there are many, many other choices in the market that are just as reliable and might actually be better suited for you, often with a much more manageable price tag.

What are alcohol based markers?

Alcohol based markers provide streak-free coverage in order to produce flawless artwork that’s seen in whimsical artwork. The colour dyes used in them provide an even colour lay down, with lovely vibrancy and tonal variation. They can be layered, merged and blended to create varying depth, multi-tonal colours, opacity and a versatile range of shading effects. Alcohol-based markers are not limited to paper, but can also be used on a variety of surfaces, including perspex, glass and even wood.

Another staple of alcohol marker is their reusability – some artists tend to have favourite markers, which can assist in producing repeatable designs, and with most alcohol markers worth their salt, there’s the option to swap out the nib at either end of the marker, and to refill the alcohol and ink, so that you don’t have to toss out your markers as soon as they dry out, saving both on plastic waste and allowing you to keep your lucky pens on hand. Speaking or either nib: many of these markers are actually double-sided, with a brush tip at either end, usually a fine-tipped one for line work and calligraphy, and a broad or chisel-shaped nib at the other end for thicker lines and colouring in linework.

alcohol based markers art — Alcohol-based markers art

Pros of using alcohol based markers

The main appeal of using these markers, at least for most designers, is their vibrant colours, which can be as delicate as watercolour or as saturated as printer ink, drying quickly on the page to create smooth, professional-looking designs. Because of their variety in both colour and line thickness, artists may use them for both lineart and for calligraphy, and, in the period of time before the ink dries, they can be blended easily and with minimal effort.

There are few ways in the art world to feel like a project you’re working on is moving as quickly as you like it to be, and if an alcohol based marker is the desired effect you’re going for, it can make progress feel like an absolute breeze.

Cons of using alcohol based markers

The flip side to using these fast-drying markers is that uncapped markers will dry quickly, and unlike other pens, this dehydration goes not only for the nib, but also for the cartridge, so you need to treat these markers with more aftercare and consideration than you would with normal markers. Cap them whenever they aren’t in use, even while you’re working using several pens at once, and cap them well, making sure that they are tightly sealed.

Similarly, while they do dry very cleanly on the page, they can dry quickly, meaning that you have to be confident in your choices, sometimes working faster than your normally would desire, and their highly saturated, almost unnaturally vibrant colours call for a thick, adequate quality paper or parchment to work on to prevent blotting through. That does mean, however, that streaks are almost never a concern, meaning that your design, once complete, will have the look and feel of a final draft after only a few strokes of the marker.

How to use Alcohol based Markers

So, now that you have everything you need to know about the makeup of the marker, its upsides and its downsides, how can you incorporate it into your designs? Well, they can pretty much be added to everything you can think of, as long as it is of appropriate thickness and quality. So, if you’re a fan of watercolour, which already requires high quality, thicker paper to paint on, you can mix it up by using both watercolour and alcohol markers on the same artwork.

Because these markers aren’t water soluble, it is very unlikely that water-based pigment will interfere or cause smudging in the marker section, making the two an unlikely pairing that goes very well together. Consider, for example, the confident, sharply-defined lineart of alcohol based markers, balanced against the loose shapes and interplay of light and translucence granted by watercolour.

If you’d like to try an exclusively alcohol based marker piece, however, you may also try out calligraphy or word art. Entering calligraphy through ink and brush can be rewarding, but it’s also a bit scary to jump straight into it without much knowledge of how to control or monitor brush strikes to achieve desired results. Trying calligraphy out with an alcohol based marker can be a more approachable start to a new and invigorating field.

Calligraphy with alcohol-based markers — Calligraphy with alcohol based markers

Something else that artist markers can be used for is to recreate the strong linework of, say, comic book or Manga art styles, which can be achieved by first sketching out a design on paper, and then recreating it in marker. You can even print out linework, or templates, and then add colour to it using a set of colourful alcohol markers.

As you can see, based on the variety exemplified here, there’s very few things you can’t do with alcohol based markers! With such a unique look and a robust repertoire, if you have an idea in mind, it can almost certainly be adapted to alcohol based markers, just as long as you know how to handle them, and are using the correct methods!

15 July 20243 July 2025

8 Uses for Graphic Markers

Graphic markers (also known as art markers) are an art medium preferred by many for uses such as illustrating, sketching and calligraphy. They are typically a large brush-tip pen, with a large internal tubing to hold the ink.

Art markers come in three different forms: alcohol-based, solvent-based and water-based.

Alcohol-based markers use ink that has been combined with alcohol. While these markers have a great durability and are waterproof, they dry out relatively quickly and have a strong smell to them which can be irritating to some. They can be blended together effectively using rubbing alcohol or by layering them.

Solvent-based markers use ink that has been combined with a solvent, most commonly xylene, methyl isobutyl ketone, or butryl acetate. This form of graphic marker is durable but not quite as long-lasting as alcohol-based markers. They have a much stronger chemical smell that some find irritable to the lungs and eyes.

Water-based markers use ink that has been combined with water. These chemical-free graphic markers are ideal for children because they don’t contain irritants, and are great for blending colours. They don’t dry down as quickly as alcohol-based and solvent-based markers, making them a great tool for those learning how to illustrate and draw. They create vibrant, colourful drawings and are extremely opaque when used on paper.

Why Use Graphic Markers?

Graphic markers are a great alternative to other art media such as watercolour, paints, pencils and biro.

Advantages

There are endless advantages to incorporating graphic markers into your art work. Firstly, they’re very beginning-friendly. They’re generally very straightforward to use, and don’t require a lot of practice to get used to so they’re ideal for those learning how to illustrate and draw. Depending on the type of marker, they are usually easy to blend, and can be used on virtually any surface (especially solvent-based markers).

Graphic markers are easy to store (as long as they’re capped and in a cool, dark place) and there is virtually no preparation time when you sit down to draw. On top of that, they’re portable and pretty much mess-free to use, so you can take them with you on-the-go.

Many art markers are also refillable which makes it easy to top them up when they run out. They’re also quick-drying, which is excellent if you get slightly impatient waiting for your art work to dry!

Disadvantages

The fact that they’re quick-drying can also be a disadvantage, especially for beginners learning how to illustrate. It means that it’s not as easy to correct mistakes as it would be with coloured pencils, for example.

You also don’t have the ability to mix colours before they hit the paper, which can prove limiting if you have quite a small collection.

In addition to this, markers (especially alcohol-based markers) tend to bleed through paper, so it’s important to protect your work surface or pick a thicker paper to work on. Graphic markers also have a tendency to fade in sunlight, so they aren’t great for displaying your work.

Uses for Graphic Markers

There are many brilliant uses for graphic markers. Here are a few of the most common.

1. Calligraphy

Graphic markers are the perfect tool for calligraphers. Their flexible brush tips mean that a varying amount of pressure can be used to create varying thicknesses of line, which is perfect for elegant brush calligraphy. From wedding invitations and name card design, to brand font design and logo creation, art markers help beginner and expert calligraphers alike achieve their desired effect.

2. Lettering

Lettering is another great use for art markers. Lettering is the art of writing single letters in any style, and, similarly to calligraphy, it can be used for a variety of things. Signage, logo design, illustrations, murals and font creation are all fantastic uses for lettering using graphic markers.

3. Illustrations

Illustrating is another area where graphic markers really shine. Their permanence and vivid colours make them the perfect tool for book, comic and magazine illustrations. When learning how to illustrate, art markers are an excellent tool as they are fairly forgiving and are easy to use.

4. Sketching

Art markers are an invaluable tool if you love to sketch. Anything that you draw will benefit from a brilliant pop of colour, as art markers add a vibrancy that can’t be achieved with watercolour or coloured pencils. If you’re learning how to draw and how to illustrate, art markers are the perfect art medium for you.

5. Adding Depth and Colour

One of the reasons that graphic markers are such a fantastic tool that pair really nicely with other art media. They are brilliant for adding depth and colour to line drawings drawn with felt-tips or biros, or for combining with watercolour paints and acrylic paints.

Art markers add another layer and dimension to an art piece that is difficult to replicate with other media.

6. Costume and Product Design

If your job involves designing costumes or clothing, then graphic markers are a great addition to your collection. They’re easy to use, making them a great resource if you’re learning how to illustrate clothing, and are quick to set up and dry down which makes them ideal for getting your ideas down quickly on paper.

They’re also brilliant for product design as their blend-ability means that a variety of shapes and colours can be instantly drawn to reflect your idea.

7. Scrapbooking

Graphic markers are perfect for scrapbooking and journaling, especially if you love experimenting with colour. If you want to create lasting mementos of your holidays and special occasions, or make a great gift for a family member or friend, art markers are an essential part of your toolkit. Especially in combination with your photos, sketches, and lettering, markers are a brilliant tool for creating beautiful designs.

8. Note-Taking

If you’re at school or university and struggle to take in lots of information when it’s writtem in solid paragraphs, then graphic markers will be a great tool for you! Separate out your revision notes with brightly coloured titles and diagrams, and inject a bit of fun into exam revision!