There are many watercolour brush pens and markers on the market that perform differently to each other, this can be somewhat confusing for the novice or beginner who would like to add them to their art supplies in their tool box!  Thorough research is vital to save both time and money. 

A head start with your research!

Firstly watercolour brush pens and markers are very different from felt tips pens, alcohol Copic pens, or alcohol Promarkers. Alcohol Brush pens and markers require an alcohol solvent blender pen to create techniques such as gradients and blending, whereas Watercolour brush pens and markers only require water.

The Watercolour brush markers offer vivid colour saturation and translucency, and are very similar to traditional tube and pan watercolour paints. You can also create larger areas of washes of colours or can layer tones to create more opaque areas of your work if required. Most Watercolour Brush Pens and markers are non-toxic and do not contain any harsh chemicals and are odourless. However, always check the safety guidelines of the brand you are using. 

Watercolour Brush pens or Markers have been designed for all creative specialisms such as; colourists, illustrators, cartoonists, animators, fashion illustrators, designers. They are also used by watercolour artists for themes such as landscapes, seascapes and botanical work. They are an excellent tool for the crafter, creative card and calligraphy artists, great for journaling, and mixed media pieces etc... There are many brushes and Brands out there but you must find the one that caters for all your creative needs! If you need a specific Watercolour brush pen for calligraphy for example you will need a hard to medium brush pen nib opposed to a softer watercolour  brush pen used by colourists and landscape artists! 

Also don’t be misled by the word BRUSH pen or BRUSH marker. They may have a brush shaped fibre tip that acts like a brush in that it delivers a lot of pigment to the paper, but the ink doesn’t always act like paint! Only the Brands that specify that it is an ‘AQUA’ or ‘Watercolour’ brush pen or ‘AQUA’ or ‘Watercolour’ brush marker will allow you to add water to dilute the pigment which should then wash across your paper like traditional watercolour paints do. Using a watercolour blending brush that has a reservoir you fill with water or a traditional watercolour brush dipped in water is ideal for creating these sweeping transitions from line to wash.

A lot of watercolour brush pens and markers have dual nibs! This is such a bonus for all types of artwork or design work. Small nib for detailing and adding textural details, larger brush shaped nib for laying more pigment down for larger wash areas. They are easy to control and handle just like a pen or pencil. The most important thing to remember is the pressure you apply to the watercolour brush marker. Too much pressure will result in releasing too much pigment on the paper. It is recommended that you build up your layers with a softer touch until you reach your desired effect or tone rather than flood the paper with pigment which cannot be washed out with water. The beauty of these watercolour brush pens is that you can let areas dry, then layer up the same colour to darken an area or use other hues to create new palettes, glazes or gradients. 

The pigments used in the higher end more expensive watercolour brush pens are very saturated, lightfast and similar to the pans and tubes. Most will stain the paper. However these pigments can be lifted with water to create highlights, again similar to traditional watercolours. 

Always test the pens before using them in your work, ie; check colour palettes, staining qualities, mark making abilities, gradients from dark to light, blending, lifting ability, small nib and brush nibs.

Why watercolour brush pens are easier than Watercolours paints.

• Huge range of colours that don’t need mixing. (but you can blend colours if required)
• Are available singularly or in sets, with some palettes chosen for you and ready to go!
• Can be used in conjunction with traditional watercolours pans and tubes.
• Can be used in conjunction with watercolour pencils.
• Very clean and easy to use.
• Portable and lightweight.
• Vibrant and vivid colours.
• Can provide excellent precision and control for drawing and detailing using the finer nibs/brushes.
• Can be used to create washes to cover a larger area.
• Makes little mess.
• No prep time or clean up time.
• Most watercolour pens are dual ended so it’s like using two brushes at the same time.

How to use them! Watercolour Brush/Markers Techniques;

• Can be used for dry line drawing and sketching or blocks of colour. 
• Use for dry line drawing then wet out lines to create a soft diffused line.
• Use for colouring areas of block colour then add water to soften stroke marks to create a flat blended area of colour. 
• To create gradients of colour, use the brush tip to deliver pigment to one area, then with the water blender brush or a soft watercolour brush, brush the pigment with water and pull the diluted pigment down the paper. The more water you use the lighter your pigment will go. Work fast as the Watercolour brush pigments dry quickly.
• You can also work your Watercolour marker over a dampened watercolour paper to create an instant diffused area of colour.
• To create a multi coloured gradient, simply lay your desired palette of colours juxtaposed to each other then using the watercolour blender brush blend colours down the paper  in one direction. This can be done on dry or wet paper, depending on your preference.
• For calligraphy artists, create thin and thick lines by altering the pressure on the paper with your Brush pen, remember to turn your pen often so it doesn’t stay bent in one direction, there is no need to ever press really hard, if you have a fine nib and a brush nib even better use both.
• To create a smooth transition between colours in your calligraphy,  bring your dark colour to your light colour and touch nibs. Your light nib will turn the colour of your dark colour but when you begin to write your lettering will go from dark to light seamlessly without having to lift your marker off the paper. 
• You can also put down pigment onto a palette first and pick up pigment with a blender brush, traditional watercolour brush or another brush marker. Mix colours together or simply dilute them on the palette.

Additional equipment you may need;

• Smooth Hot press watercolour paper or a medium surface textured watercolour paper, or watercolour sketchbook block or pad.
• Masking tape. 
• Watercolour Palette.
• Watercolour brushes. 
• Water Pot
• Paper towel.

Dos

• Use watercolour paper, hot press, smooth works well for detailing. Medium texture surface if you want more of a watercolour effect.
• Store your watercolour brush pens horizontally, this will stop the ink from moving to only one of your nibs if it is a dual pen and drying out.
• Keep a clean paper towel at hand for picking up excess water.
• Create a colour palette chart before starting your project, this will help you understand the potential performance of your brush pen and help you to practise water dilution wash techniques. Along with choosing the right combination of hues.
• Let areas dry out before layering the next colour for subtle gradients.
• Work wet on wet for diffused gradients.
• Keep turning your brush pen around often to keep your nib from curling/bending to one side. 
• Use a hair dryer to speed up drying.
• Tape paper down to minimise movement whilst working or to stretch if your paper tends to buckle.

Don'ts

• Use paper that is too thin, this will ripple/warp if you use a lot of water.
• Use paper that is too rough, this will wear out your brush pens or cause them to shred/fray.
• Store your brush pens/markers  vertically.
• Store them near a source of heat! They will dry out.
• Press down too hard this will bend the nibs.
• Press too hard as this will deliver too much pigment.
• Scrub the paper when wet this will cause pilling.

Watercolour Brush/Marker Brands.

 

Faber-Castell 16 Albrecht Durer Watercolour Markers

The new Albrecht Dürer artists’ watercolour marker is the modern definition of watercolour painting: a high quality drawing instrument that supports spontaneous sketching as well as painting in watercolours. The water-based ink is always ready and is excellently usable with water.

The colours follow the Faber-Castell colour system and are therefore reliably combinable with other artist pencils from Faber-Castell. The versatility of the Albrecht Dürer watercolour marker convinces above all on its travels. Whoever likes to capture impressions while on the road will reach for this pen with relish. Two nibs – a brush nib and a fibre-tip – offer the artist flexibility in the personal drawing style. The ink lends drawings and preliminary sketches a high dynamic that is intensified through painting with water.