Alcohol markers

Alcohol markers contain ink dissolved in alcohol that dries quickly and leaves no smudges or streaks. You can layer and blend colours right on the paper, which is why they are used by illustrators, manga and comic artists, designers, architects and people who simply draw for fun. Here you will find Copic markers from the Sketch, Ciao and Classic ranges, sold individually and in sets of 3, 6 and 12, plus Ohuhu sets and Chameleon shading markers. When a Copic shade runs dry, you can buy it separately by its colour code.

Which Copic alcohol markers should you choose: Sketch, Ciao or Classic?

• Copic Sketch – oval barrel, a Super Brush brush nib and a Medium Broad chisel nib. It comes in more shades than Ciao or Classic, and the nibs are replaceable. Well suited to illustration and manga.
• Copic Ciao – round barrel and the same two nibs as the Sketch, with a smaller colour range. A good choice to start with.
• Copic Classic – square barrel that won't roll off the desk, a thin Fine nib and a wide Broad chisel nib. For technical and architectural sketches and for filling larger areas.

Ohuhu Honolulu sets have a brush nib and a chisel nib, while Kaala sets have a fine nib and a wide flat nib. Chameleon markers have a chamber of colourless blending solution at the other end: when you place the nib in it, the colour lightens and then gradually returns to its full tone as you draw, so a single marker lets you create a gradient from light to dark.

What paper should you use with alcohol markers?

Alcohol ink soaks deep into paper, and on ordinary office paper it bleeds and seeps through to the next sheet. So draw in a marker pad with smooth paper, such as the Copic Marker Pad A4 or A3, and put a backing sheet under the page. You will find pads and paper among our sketchbooks. Draw outlines with a pigment ink fineliner, for example the Copic Multiliner from our technical pens, and let the line dry – the alcohol marker will not smudge it afterwards.

Alcohol or acrylic marker?

An alcohol marker is translucent: colours blend into each other and a darker shade comes from adding another layer, which is handy for shading in illustration. It is not opaque, so a light marker won't cover a dark surface. For wood, stones, glass and dark surfaces, reach for acrylic markers. Cap your alcohol marker straight after drawing, as the alcohol evaporates quickly from an open nib.