How to Use Alcohol Markers: A Complete Guide for Beginners
Alcohol Markers: Why They're one of my Favourite Mediums (And Probably Worth Trying)
Alcohol markers are felt-tip pens filled with alcohol-based ink. They're vibrant, they blend beautifully, and they dry fast. If you've ever used highlighters, you'll recognise the basic shape. If you've ever tried to blend with them, you'll know how different they actually are. Alcohol markers are the serious cousins of everything you thought you knew about markers.
I use them constantly. In my studio, in courses, in demonstrations. And I've built two complete courses around them already, with more on the way. Here's why they've become such a big part of how I teach and create.
What Makes Alcohol Markers Different
The alcohol in the ink does three things that matter. First, it evaporates fast, so the colour sets quickly.
Second, it lets you blend. You can layer colours, use a colourless blender to soften edges, and move wet ink around before it sets.
Third, alcohol inks are genuinely vibrant. The colours are punchy and saturated in a way that feels different from pencil or watercolour.
The catch? Alcohol markers need proper paper. Regular printer paper won't work. You need paper thick enough and smooth enough to handle the ink without buckling or bleeding through to the back. Most sketchbook paper struggle wioth Alcohol Marker ink, although you can put a sheet of acetate underneath to stop the bleed though onto the next paper. Marker-specific paper (like Ohuhu, Strathmore or Canson) works beautifully. Bad paper will teach you a hard lesson, so invest in decent paper before you invest in expensive markers.
Why I Love Them
Speed. With watercolour, you wait for layers to dry. With coloured pencil, you build up slowly. With alcohol markers, you can create bold, finished-looking work in minutes. That matters for teaching, for building confidence, for showing people that they don't need to spend hours on a single piece to make something that feels complete.
They're also forgiving in a different way than pencil. You can't erase, which sounds limiting. But that permission to leave marks imperfect, to embrace the slight wobbles and bleeds, to work around mistakes instead of fixing them, that's powerful. Especially for people coming back to art after years away.
And the blending. Laying down two colours next to each other and then blending the edge with a colourless marker is genuinely joyful. It feels like magic every single time.
They work beautifully in combination with Colour Pencil too!
The Courses I've Built
I created the Pet Portrait Course using alcohol markers as the main medium.
This one's for people who've already got some drawing confidence. You learn to build dimension in animal faces, work with layering and blending, and handle the medium with real control. It's technical and rewarding.
Sweet Summer is my new course and this one's completely different. It's for absolute beginners. We start with simple subjects, simple colour palettes, and I walk you through exactly how to use the markers, how hard to press, when to blend, when to leave things alone. It's permission-based teaching, which is what I do best. we are using the combination of alcohol markers with coloured pencils. They work beautifully together. The markers give you bold colour and blending, the coloured pencils give you detail and control. Together they're powerful.
Brands and What They Bring
Not all alcohol markers are the same. I've tested a lot of them. Here's what I use and why.
Ohuhu markers are my workhorse. They're affordable, the colour range is massive, and they blend well. I use them for teaching because people don't feel guilty about "wasting" an expensive marker while they're learning. The nibs hold up reasonably well, and the ink doesn't dry out as quickly as some cheaper options. If you're starting out, Ohuhu is a solid choice.
Winsor & Newton Pro Markers are the serious investment. These are professional-grade. The colours are more refined, the blending is smoother, the nibs last longer. If you're someone who's going to use markers regularly, these are worth it. They cost more, but the quality is noticeable. I use them for my own work and for course demonstrations where I want to show what's actually possible.
Arrtx markers are a good more budget brand. The colours are good, the blending works well, although not as well as the more expensive brands and they feel like a sensible middle ground if you aren't ready to invest in pro-grade.
I've tested other brands too. Some are fine. Some are disappointing. The pattern I've noticed: cheaper markers (below Ohuhu's price point) tend to have nibs that flatten quickly and ink that separates (the colour and the alcohol split, which looks patchy). More expensive brands hold quality better.
Honest truth: you don't need the most expensive markers to make good work. You need markers that blend properly and nibs that don't flatten after three uses. Ohuhu and Artix do both of those things. Winsor & Newton does them better. Start where your budget allows.
How to Use Alcohol Markers
Alcohol markers work on the layering principle. Light colours first, dark colours second. Press gently. The ink will flow, and you don't need to force it. Once you've laid down a base colour, you can blend the edge with another colour, or use a colourless blender to soften and move the existing colour around.
Don't press hard. This isn't coloured pencil. Hard pressure just wastes ink and flattens the nib. Gentle, controlled pressure, and let the alcohol do the work.
And don't skip the paper. Good paper changes everything.
FAQ
Do I need to use a special paper?
Yes. Regular paper will buckle and the colour will bleed through. Get at least 140gsm sketchbook paper, or use marker-specific paper. It's not expensive and it makes a massive difference.
Can I blend alcohol markers with each other?
Yes. That's one of their best features. Lay down one colour, then apply a second colour next to it while the first is still wet, and the colours blend where they meet.
What's a colourless blender?
It's a marker with no pigment, just the alcohol-based liquid. You use it to soften edges, move colour around, or lighten areas. It's optional but genuinely useful once you get the hang of markers.
Are expensive markers worth it?
Better markers blend smoother, hold their nibs longer, and feel nicer to use. If you're going to use markers professionally, the investment pays off. If you're learning and playing, I'd start with Ohuhu.
Can I fix mistakes?
Not really. You can't erase. You can work around them, layer over them, or embrace them as part of the piece. That's part of the permission markers teach you.
