There are a huge range of art pens available online and sometimes the amount of choice can get a bit confusing. We’re here to help you find the perfect artist markers for your drawing style and requirements.
There are a few things to consider when choosing art pens: do you want it to be permanent? Do you want to blend colours? What surfaces will you be drawing on?
So to help you narrow down your choices, we’ve divided our list into four sections. Use the links below to jump to the artist markers you’re looking for or read on for our full selection.
Best markers for artists
Paint markers
1. Posca Paint Markers – set of 8
Posca paint markers have become the industry-leading artist marker for use on almost any surface. These permanent markers use a non-toxic, alcohol-free water-based paint that’s bleed proof, giving you smooth lines and solid rich colours.
But it’s the versatility of these markers that make them so popular. Whether you’re using them on traditional artist surfaces like paper, board or canvas, designing window art on glass or signs on wood, or even drawing on metal, plastic, stone or even cement – Posca pens will work on almost any surface!
On porous surfaces like paper or fabric Posca markers are instantly permanent, but on smooth shiny surfaces like glass or metal it’s possible to scrape it off if you make a mistake. Alternatively, you can permanently fix your drawing in place using different techniques depending on the surface (most require a spray with clear varnish).
- Buy Posca paint markers set of 8 in the UK from Amazon (from £24)
- Buy Posca paint markers set of 8 in the US from Amazon (from $19)
2. Liquitex Pro Paint markers – set of 3
If you don’t require loads of colours and want to try experimenting with paint art pens, then these Liquitex Pro paint markers are a brilliant and affordable choice.
This 3 pack comes in Cadmium Yellow, Cadmium Red and Cobalt Blue, with 2-4mm tips which are also replaceable. The size of the mark made depends on which side of the nib you use, meaning you essentially have two line thickness options in one pen.
We also like the fact that these paints are water-soluble when wet, so you can create blends by working one colour over another, but are fully permanent once dry, allowing you to overpaint cleanly.
- Buy Liquitex Pro paint markers in the UK from Cult Pens (from £6)
- Buy Liquitex Pro paint markers in the US from Cult Pens (from $7)
3. Derwent Paint Pens – set of 5
Paint markers are great for larger artworks and creating thick smooth lines, but if you want to make more intricate linework then these Derwent paint pens are perfect for you.
They feature 0.5mm high-quality Japanese break-resistant nibs, which will help you to create incredibly fine drawings with bright acrylic paint. The paint is permanent once dry and can be used on fabric, glass and wood.
We think they’d be brilliant to use alone, but would also be a great tool to use for adding an extra level of detail to brush paintings.
- Buy Derwent paint pens in the UK from Cass Arts (from £16)
- Buy Derwent paint pens in the US from Amazon (from $26)
4. Pentel Paint Markers – set of 7
Bullet-point paint markers are particularly well suited for use on a range of different surfaces, as they’re strong and sturdy so are less likely to be damaged.
This set of seven Pentel paint markers feature a valve controlled tip that will create a 2.5- 2.9mm line, and are ideal for using on metal, wood, plastic, rubber and glass. They’re also great for rock painting and drawing on thick card.
There’s two colour sets available, one features bright colours, while the classic colour combo includes gold and silver metallic shades along with black, white, red, green and brown.
- Buy Pentel paint markers in the UK from Cult Pens (from £18)
- Buy Pentel paint markers in the US from Cult Pens (from $20)
5. Posca Paint Markers – set of 54 in case
If you like the idea of being able to draw on almost anything, but you’re an artist that is all about colour and likes to use varying line thicknesses in your artwork, then have we got the artist marker set for you!
This 54 pens set of Posca Markers is one for the pros! You get five different sizes in the set, going from the ultra precise and calibrated PC-1MR which features a 0.7mm extra-fine tip, through three increasing sizes of bullet-point tip markers, right up to the super chunky PC-8K chisel-style 8mm tip.
All of these are contained within a handy and organised official Posca case. It comes with a pretty hefty price tag, but if you’re serious about your art and want the best, you can’t beat this amazing marker set.
- Buy the set of 54 Posca paint markers in the UK from Cult Pens (from £155)
- Buy the set of 54 Posca paint markers in the US from Cult Pens (from $175)
Paint marker masterclass
Check out our guide on how to use paint pens to find out more on how to get the best results from these fun paint markers!
Chalk Markers
1. Amazon Basics Chalk Markers – set of 10
It’s amazing how many products you can find on Amazon, and we were particularly surprised to find out that they even have chalk markers in their Amazon basics range!
These chalk pens are suitable for use on chalkboards, glass, ceramics and more. They can be wiped clean with a damp cloth and come in a range of muted/pastel colours. The pens also have a reversible tip to enable you to switch between a bullet point or chisel tip.
It’s a shame that the colours aren’t brighter, but if you’re after an affordable set of chalk pens for sign writing, window art or just to experiment with, they’re well worth a try!
- Buy Amazon Basics chalk markers in the UK from Amazon (from £11)
- Buy Amazon Basics chalk markers in the US from Amazon (from $14)
2. Uni Chalk Markers – set of 4
This set of four markers by Uni-ball are both low-cost and top-quality artist markers, containing blue, red, yellow and classic white chalk markers.
They feature a bullet tip which produces a 1.8mm to 2.5mm line, making smooth opaque markings in vivid and vibrant colours.
- Buy Uni chalk markers in the UK from Cass Art (from £11)
- Buy Uni chalk markers in the US from Amazon (from $14)
3. Pentel Wet Erase Chalk Markers – set of 7
If you’re after a set with a range of bright colours, then you should try the Pentel wet erase chalk markers.
These semi-permanent markers use a special formula, so they won’t run or bleed in a light shower if used outside, but you can still wash it off with a damp cloth or household cleaning products.
They also feature a chisel tip, meaning you can achieve line thicknesses of 1.5mm to 4mm, depending on the part of the tip you use.
- Buy Pentel wet erase chalk markers in the UK from Amazon (from £17)
- Buy Pentel wet erase chalk markers in the US from Amazon (from $31)
4. Edding 4095 Chalk Markers
Edding have been producing marker products for over 50 years, so you’ve probably already used some of their products such as highlighter pens or whiteboard markers.
Their chalk markers are a stalwart of glass window art and chalk-board signs, with a medium thickness bullet-point round tip creating 2-3mm thick lines.
As well as a range of different colours available (including some funky neon shades), we also like the fact that they’re available to buy individually, as multi-colour sets or even as multi-packs of the same colour.
- Buy Edding 4095 chalk markers in the UK from Amazon (from £15)
- Buy Edding 4095 chalk markers in the US from Amazon (from $25)
5. Staedtler Lumocolor Chalk Markers – set of 5
Our final chalk marker set comes from stationery experts Staedtler, and features five bullet tip pens in four bright colours and a classic white.
With vivid pink and orange shades, and deep purple and green shades, they’re perfect for botanical drawings!
- Buy Staedtler Lumocolour chalk markers in the UK from Cult Pens (from £17)
- Buy Staedtler Lumocolour chalk markers in the US from Cult Pens (from $19)
Charming chalk
Can’t get enough of chalk markers? You can find even more to choose from in our roundup of the best chalk markers.
Brush Markers
1. Tombow Dual Brush Pens – set of 18
These dual brush pens from Tombow give you the opportunity to get really creative with colourful artwork.
They come with a tip at each end; one with a soft but durable flexible brush tip, the other with a felt-tip style solid nib for creating consistent lines.
They come as a set of 18 with a really useful range of different shades, and as the inks are water-based you can also create blends and colour washes.
They’re a popular choice with both watercolour artists as well as graphic artists, but we think you’ll love them whatever your drawing style!
- Buy Tombow dual brush set in UK from Cass Arts (from £39)
- Buy Tombow dual brush set in US from Amazon (from £49)
2. Ohuhu Dual Brush Tip Pens - set of 36
Here’s another set of dual brush pens, with a fineliner-style tip to create 0.4mm thick intricate lines as well as a 1-2mm soft brush tip. This set from Ohuhu is a brilliant choice for a range of artistic styles, from calligraphy artists to illustrators.
It comes as a pack of 60 dual tipped pens, although there are other options ranging from a basic 36 pens set to the epic 160 piece set!
You also get three replacement brush tips and two replacement fine tips, plus a handy swatch card for you to colour in to help you plan your colour choices before starting any designs.
- Buy Ohuhu dual brush tip pens in the UK from Amazon (from £17)
- Buy Ohuhu dual brush tip pens in the US from Ohuhu (from $19)
3. Stabilo Arty Brush Pens - set of 30
Stabilo is another big name brand in the stationery world, so you know you’re getting top quality with their Arty brush pens.
With these fibre brush tips you can adjust the line thickness by applying more or less pressure on the pen – full pressure for thick lines, light pressure for thin lines. This pack comes in a handy wallet containing 30 pens with odourless water-based ink.
- Buy Stabilo Arty brush pens in the UK from Cult Pens (from £38)
- Buy Stabilo Arty brush pens in the US from Cult Pens (from $43)
4. Faber-Castell Pitt Artist Brush Pens - Set of 60
When it comes to art supplies that are the best of the best, Faber-Castell are always up there! Their Pitt artist brush pen collection comes with a significant price tag, but if you’re serious about your art pens then these are the ones for you!
With an extremely flexible brush point, you can achieve impressive brush strokes or incredibly fine details all with the same pen. The ink is also lightfast, waterproof, acid-free and pH neutral.
It also comes in an impressive storage box with separate drawers, so you can easily find and select your colours. This is truly a set for the professionals (or those that aspire to be).
- Buy Faber-Castell Pitt artist brush pens in the UK from Cult Pens (from £169)
- Buy Faber-Castell Pitt artist brush pens in the US from Cult Pens (from $191)
5. Ecoline Watercolour Brush Pens - Set of 20
If you’ve got a particular penchant for watercolours, then you should definitely try these brush pens from Ecoline.
They use a transparent dye ink that can be used in conjunction with watercolour paints. You can also thin the ink to create colour washes – and because the colours aren’t waterproof you can even rewet and rework them even after they’ve dried!
With a 5mm flexible brush tip and 20 bright colours in the set, these brush markers will definitely bring out your creative side!
- Buy Ecoline watercolour brush pens in the UK from Cass Art (from £39)
- Buy Ecoline watercolour brush pens in the US from Amazon (from $43)
Wonderful watercolours
For even more choice plus expert advice, take a look at our guide to the best watercolour pens.
Graphic Markers
1. Cass Art Dual Tip Markers – set of 48
This set of dual tip marker set by Cass Art is a great choice for a wide colour range of affordable graphic markers.
These alcohol-based markers are quick drying and fade-resistant, with some blending capabilities. The two tips are a fine bullet-point style tip and a classic chisel tip, so whether you’re drawing intricate lines or colouring-in, these pens have you covered!
As well as this multi-colour set of 48 marker pens, Cass Art also has a whole range to choose from, such as their black and blender set or portrait tones marker set.
- Buy Cass Art dual tip markers in the UK only from Cass Art (from £39)
2. Winsor & Newton Promarker Wallet – set of 24
The name says it all with these Winsor & Newton Promarkers – markers good enough for pros!
Supplied in a handy fabric wallet that opens up and acts as a convenient stand for your pens, these colourful alcohol-based markers are dual tipped with broad chisel and fine point nibs.
Particularly popular with illustrators and manga artists, there are a few different variations of these Winsor & Newton art pen sets, including ‘student designer’ and ‘architect tones’ colour palettes.
- Buy Winsor & Newton Promarker wallet set in the UK from Cass Art (from £48)
- Buy Winsor & Newton Promarker wallet set in the US from Amazon (from $64)
3. Copic Sketch Markers – set of 72
Whether you’re an architect, engineer, illustrator or designer, you’ll want to have the best tools for your important drawings. And there’s no better than Copic, widely considered as the best graphic marker pens used by professionals worldwide!
Copic are all about delivering industry-leading quality and performance, so it’s no surprise that they don’t come cheap. This set of 72 Copic sketch markers are dual-tipped with those essential fine and chisel tips, plus they’re also refillable too!
The low-odour alcohol ink is described as ‘ultra-blendable’, meaning there’s plenty of scope for creativity as well as precision.
- Buy Copic sketch markers in the UK from Cass Art (from £350)
- Buy Copic sketch markers in the US from Amazon (from $311)
4. Ohuhu Dual Tipped Markers – set of 48
You don’t have to work in the design industry or have deep pockets to enjoy some quality graphic markers. This set of 48 is a great option for adults and kids who love drawing, regardless of how seriously you take it.
With dual tips giving you that classic fine bullet point and broad chisel tips, a range of vibrant colours, plus a handy plastic case – they’re everything you need in a graphic marker!
- Buy Ohuhu dual tipped markers in the UK from Amazon (from £29)
- Buy Ohuhu dual tipped markers in the US from Ohuhu (from $39)
5. Sharpie Permanent Markers – set of 24
Do we even need to mention Sharpie permanent markers? After all, if you haven’t come across these incredibly popular pens, where have you been?
Sharpie marker pens have become a household name and have earned their reputation as the permanent marker that is… well, really permanent, whatever the surface! But as well as labelling and writing on almost anything, they’re also popular artist markers for graffiti artists and illustrators too.
There are a few different multi-colour sets available, but we particularly like this 80s glam set, with 24 colours including inspired shades; Jellie Pink, Leg Warmer Orange, Valley Girl Violet, Banana Clip Yellow and Argyle Green.
- Buy Sharpie Permanent markers in the UK from Cult Pens (from £22)
- Buy Sharpie Permanent markers in the US from Cult Pens (from $24)
Artist essentials
Now that you’ve got your art pens sorted, don’t forget the most essential drawing tool: the pencil! Take a look at the best pencils for drawing and sort out your supplies today!
Get the right pen for the job
When you’re itching to start a creative project, it can be tempting to use whatever marker pens you have to hand, but it’s important to invest in the right ones for your intended purpose.
Consider how long you want your artwork to last – alcohol markers are generally permanent, and can sometimes even require a few coats of paint to cover, so it may be better to use chalk or paint markers instead. Similarly, trying to fill in large sections of colour with a fine point will not only wear down your nib, but also drain your pen quicker.
Find a suitable surface
Much like there are different marker pens for different surfaces, there’s also different papers that will suit different inks and paints.
Check out our pick of the best mixed media sketchbooks and find your perfect paper with Gathered.
