Before investing on a larger set of markers, you should definitely try different ones out to see what works best for what you are trying to achieve.

Some others not listed here that have been recommended are Winsor & Newton orSpectrum Noir markers. The Original Copic has a squareish shape and comes with a bullet and chisel tip by default, though there are numerous other nib options you can swap in.

It does feel a little unfair to declare Copic the winner here since I haven’t personally tried most of the other refillable options, but given the age of most competitors, longevity is difficult to measure — no one can say they’ve used the same Arteza marker for 14 years because Arteza didn’t exist 14 years ago (they were founded in 2015). I think ShinHan Touch and Chartpak Spectra AD are the only other markers I looked at that’ve actually been around long enough to compare. The leftmost marker (T5) is one I’ve barely used. The other seven markers are all from my original 11; only the YR00 tip has been replaced and that was about three years ago. Tip wear can vary a lot. The C3 (second to the left) is my Most Used marker, but shows less wear and deformity than YR23 (rightmost), E15, and E33 (middle two), which have some slight pinching in the tip. (For the record, the ink stains on the markers are easy to clean off with rubbing alcohol or nail polish remover; I’m just lazy.) Comparison Table For basic illustrations, uncoated paper works pretty well. If you are using art markers in any sort of paper crafts like making cards, they typically won’t bleed through for 120 lb weight paper.

They revolutionised the industry in many ways and remain the gold standard for a reason. Most name-brand competitors can’t actually compete: not on quality, not on price, not on colors, or longevity. But if you know you’re gonna be in it for the long haul, then I can’t recommend Copic markers enough. The good thing about these markers is that you can layer the colors more so than you could with water-based markers without causing too much damage to the paper. Water-Based Markers Still, color availability, especially for greys, browns, and lighter skintones, can be really important depending on what you’re coloring, and there’s no harm in a wider selection, even if you don’t want or need them all. The chemicals found in this marker can produce a pretty strong scent that can be irritable to eyes and lungs so be cautious of that.They also offer four different types of markers including Prismacolor Premier Chisel|Fine Double-Ended Art Markers, Prismacolor Premier Brush|Fine Double Ended Art Markers, Prismacolor Premier Illustration Markers, and Prismacolor Scholar Art Markers. They are commonly used for craft projects since they can be utilized on a variety of surfaces, both porous and non-porous. Which Brand Should I Buy? Since these markers are water-based though, the ink isn’t permanent or waterproof and you’ll have to be careful to not get water on your artwork. Sharpies Here is a comparison of several brands — I included only dual-tip markers with a brush tip (the other tip is usually a chisel, but some are bullet tips). All listed prices are MSRP, or my best approximation thereof. Markers can also be double-sided with different tips. Generally, these markers will have a small tip on side and a large chisel or brush on the other.

Each company has their own specific formula of ink, but they’re all still alcohol-based inks, and therein lies the a majority of the benefits — blendability, vibrancy, saturation, etc. Some brands blend better than others, but not enough to really tip the scale in any direction. Most brush shapes are also relatively similar, and differences in flexibility and control are minor.Like the Prismacolor markers, Sharpies don’t have the luxury of having replaceable nibs or refillable ink. Crayola Ohuhu is reportedly working on making refillable markers and offering replacement tips, but in the meantime, it is possible to refill most non-refillable markers with another company’s inks if you can find a similar enough color. If the nibs aren’t removable, you can drip ink directly onto the nib — it will absorb into the nib and then drip down into the reservoir in the marker body. This is a super slow, annoying, and potentially messy process though. Prismacolor has since added a marker with a brush tip, and there are tons of other competitors these days. Nearly all alcohol markers are described as “Copic alternatives” though — not by the competing brands themselves, of course, but by everyone else. Is that just because Copic is the oldest incumbent on the market, or is it because Copic is actually still the best? Drawing of a ball python colored with Copic Sketch markers, available here. Copic VS The World Another great thing is that the markers don’t dry out in case you leave the caps off. They’re also available in 200 different colors! Who knew they hadmore than the 12 colors we were given in art class?!

The acid-free nature of the ink found in water-based markers also make them ideal for calligraphy and another type of artwork. Compared to the other markers, Sharpies aren’t available in a wide variety of nibs which make them difficult to use for coloring. These markers aren’t so great if you’re looking for fine detail because they have also been known to bleed a lot. I can’t speak to the longevity of other brands, but I still don’t understand why companies even bother to enter the alcohol marker space with products that aren’t refillable when their main and oldest competitor has had that option from the start. Disposable alcohol markers are just so wasteful, since their nibs will almost certainly outlast their ink supply. Winner (E-Commerce brands): Ohuhu Art Marker Comparison of Copic’s BV00, BV000, BV0000 and RV00, RV000, RV0000 — there are differences, but pretty much only when compared directly. Most coloring projects probably don’t require you to have 3 subtly different shades of very light pink, so the availability of these colors doesn’t present a huge advantage. LongevityPrismacolor markers are more affordable than Copics, however the ink isn’t refillable and the nibs aren’t replaceable. These markers have non-toxic, alcohol-based ink with replaceable nibs and refillable ink. Since they’re refillable, the high price tag on each marker isn’t a bad investment. The fine and extra-fine tips are great for technical and detailed illustration. However, the ink in these markers are both water and fade-resistant which can makethese markers appealing to many artists. To be honest, the actual performance difference between alcohol-based markers from quality brands is largely negligible.