With their bright, vivid hues and ability to blend and layer tints and shades, markers are a popular choice with artists of all ages. But when it comes to the intricate and detailed illustrations found in adult coloring books, not all markers work the same. What are the best markers for coloring in adult coloring books?
What is the difference between children’s and adult’s markers?
Just as there are different coloring books for children and adults, there are also other color palettes of markers. While there is certainly nothing wrong with using a children’s coloring book, you may find more fulfillment in a more detailed and intricate book of illustrations meant for adults if that is what you most enjoy.
There are different styles of markers available for children and adults, as well as coloring books. Bright, basic markers are great for teaching kids their colors, but adults may enjoy working with a more sophisticated palette, giving you more options for the many details of your artwork.
Since the illustrations in adult coloring books tend to be much smaller and more intricate than those geared toward kids, adult markers have skinnier, more chiseled tips to accommodate the artwork. The markers themselves are sleeker than the thick, easy-to-grip magic markers produced for children. You don’t have to spend a ton of money for markers geared toward adults, either. Even the classic Crayola company makes Fine Line Markers created for use with adult coloring books that retail for around $12.99 per 40-pack.
Tips for Selecting a Marker Set
If you are looking for markers to use primarily with adult coloring books, you probably want to stick to ones with a fine point that can fill in tiny details and tight corners without going outside the lines. Look for one with many color options, and particularly one with colors that appeal to you. You may want to select a palette that will work well for your favorite coloring book. For instance, if you love to color seascapes, you may want to choose a marker set with lots of blues and greens.
Also, consider how you like to color and select an appropriate tool for the job. Do you love to blend color and create your gradient effects or shading? Look for a set that blends well. Do you want to use the markers for lettering or writing? Find a set with an excellent point that will double as a pen, such as the Sharpie ultra fine tip.
Ultimately the best tools to use are the ones that make you the happiest. If you prefer using an eight-pack of magic markers because it connects you to the fun you had coloring as a child, go for it. There is something to be said for unlocking your creativity by limiting your options, as too many choices can be overwhelming. But if you would like a more sophisticated palette to accompany the intricate illustrations in your favorite adult coloring books, here are some great options for all different price points.
Want to use your markers like a pro? Check out How to Color with Markers WITHOUT Streaks.
Types of Markers
Crayola Fine Line Markers Adult Coloring Set
These brilliantly hued and fine-tipped Crayola markers were explicitly designed for adult coloring books and effectively filled in tiny corners. They are also great for lettering. Since there are so many different tints and shades of the same basic colors, this marker set is excellent for blending and creating gradient effects and shadows.
As with most Crayola markers, these do tend to be a bit wetter than others. Use a light touch, leaving plenty of space between your hand and the paper so as not to oversaturate it, which could lead to wrinkles or tears. It also helps to work swiftly, not letting the marker linger in any one place for too long. If you print your coloring pages at home, you may also want to use thicker paper with some teeth.
As these Crayolas are non-washable, they are intended for ages 12 and up. They are non-toxic, however, and create an even and vivid color despite their fine points.
Crayola Brush and Detail Dual Tip Markers
For those seeking to add more dimension to their artwork by varying their medium, Crayola released these dual-tip markers. This set contains 16 markers, but each one includes a brush tip marker on one end and a fine-tip pen on the other, so in total, it contains 32 colors (half with a brush tip and half with an ultra-fine tip meant for detail work).
These markers come in a tin box, making them an excellent choice for mobile artists (and a lovely gift for the budding colorist in your life!). The fine tip is ideal for small detail work, while the brush tip works well for larger shapes and areas. A brush tip is also an excellent option for lettering or calligraphy. Try not to use too much pressure when coloring with the brush end to preserve the tip’s integrity.
Sharpie Electro Pop Permanent Markers, Ultra Fine Point
Sharpies are versatile markers with many artistic applications, but the classic tip tends to be a little heavy for most coloring books. Sharpie ultra fine tips or even Sharpie felt tip pens are better for coloring as they don’t have quite as much bleed-through as the classic width.
Regular Sharpies are also not the best at blending, but the ultra-fine tip makes it a bit easier to layer your colors. The finer tips tend not to have the strong smell of the traditional Sharpie either, making them easier to use for lengthy coloring projects.
The Electro-Pop ultra-fine point collection contains 24 markers in vivid colors that will make your illustrations pop, and it is a pretty good deal at just under $18. For comparison, two of the black markers retail for $3.33 on Amazon. This set is also great for those who do bullet journaling, as the ultra-fine points are slim enough to write well.
ColorIt 60 Art Marker Set
This set includes 59 dual-tip markers plus one colorless blending marker. Each of the alcohol-based markers has a broad chisel tip as well as a fine point nib. The set comes in a handy box with a lid that folds open into a stand for your markers, it has a cheat sheet so you can always find the right tint or shade.
The folks at ColorIt started out making adult coloring books that are incredibly user-friendly. Rather than being bound on the left side like a traditional book, all of ColorIt’s coloring books are spiral bound along the top for easy use. This marker set was explicitly designed with the adult coloring book enthusiast in mind. They have an even pigment and are easy to layer and blend.
Copic Markers
Many artists consider Copics to be the Cadillac of markers. Fans report that Copic markers are smooth with an even pigment, very blendable, easy to layer, and duel-ended, featuring both a fine point and a chisel tip. While they work very well with coloring books, they do fall more on the expensive end than some other options, averaging around $3 – $4 per marker. They are also rather delicate and do not travel particularly well. Right now, on Amazon, a set of 24 Copic markers costs just under $76.
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