Finding the BEST Fineliner | The Ultimate Fineline Marker Test

Products tested:
Prismacolor Premier Fine Line marker
Copic Multiliner
Molotow Blackliner
Winsor & Newton Fineliners
Tombow Mono Drawing pen
Derwent Graphik line marker
Sakura Pigma Micron
Mitsubishi Uni Pin
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[@Renkku95]

I use Microns because they're so easy to get but they fade a lot when I erase the sketch with an eraser. Would have been useful to have an eraser test in this comparison. :)

[@studioofmm]

Yes it would have, wish I’d though of that 😅

[@christinemuller3526]

@@studioofmm Then repeat the test, is not the end of the world. Thank you. 😘

[@goodluck2119]

From my experience molotow doesn't fade at all when I erase the sketch underneath

[@doralevitt2879]

Ok- I've scoured YT looking for a review on fine line illustration markers and yours is the ONLY one I found- so you have my attention!! 🤩🤗🧑‍🎨🕊️🌹

[@studioofmm]

I hope you enjoy hearing my thoughts about these markers! Thanks so much for watching 😊

[@MandeeM88]

Microns are what I have used the most until I discovered the Faber Castell PITT pens. They're India ink so they don't budge with any of the materials I use.

[@malvernminiatures]

My go to fineliners are uni pin for alcohol markers and watercolour but I have tried most of these brands.

[@paulalister80]

I use copic fine liners for my watercolour, have Tombow but only use when I’m doing an ink picture, nibs on tombo are my favourite though can get fine and think lines so easy.

[@143org]

I'm super glad to find this video, Thank u so much for making this video. I've been struggling on finding good fine-line markers so this helps out alot :)

[@bumblebeahive]

Thank you so much! This was very helpful! A lot of the comments say they use Copic Multiliner so that’s what I’m going to get today for a starter liner! 💚🖊

[@AaronHendu]

I have been using Staedtler Pigment Liner / Fineliners for about a decade now, and love them so much I haven't really tried anything else. They are so reliable. I have a couple sets that are around a decade old, and every single marker still works, though some of the nibs on the smaller pens are worn a little. One of the sets I used for college, and even that set is still plenty useable. All of my markers are stored on the side, so maybe that helps.

[@LisaOuwersloot]

Another Staedtler pigment liner fan here, I think they are the best for what I do. I love trying out new things though, so I have a Copic multiliner (expensive but good), and a Pentel Tradio which I enjoy to doodle with. I love its weird nib. Pentel brush sign pen Artist are fun for doodling too. I have tried the Faber- Castell PITT artist pens and the Micron Pigmas, they are not for me. I like the Winsor&Newton ones I have but they’re not really special, not bad, not good. I love how long and sleek they look and feel though.

[@matthewbrookeart]

Steadler pigment liners are another great option

[@sunnymoondog]

The size comparison is important. The thinner pens get scratchy. It's good to see which brand is more or less scratchy. Same with smoothness on thicker nibs.

[@fuzzydragons]

i get the copic multiliners re the unipins, i like them so that helps but they are also easy to get here. there is always cultpens tho if i wanted to try the others (and i use the fact that the unipins bleed when wet, can create some nice shading that way)

[@BronzeOrwin]

I noticed the pen ink becomes more resistant the longer you let them dry. I've been using sakura microns with my gamsol to blend the colored pencils, I just make sure to let it draw a good long time. At least a few hours preferably. you may be able to get away with less, but I don't usually blend until a while later, so I'm not sure.

[@Dannyashcroft98]

i use the staedtler liners they are pigment and i just feel they last a lot longer, they are lightfast and waterproof on paper.

[@stephaniek9565]

Have had a lot of problems with the Copic multi liners-seem to go dry extremely quickly. Especially the .005 and .01. Very very dry. Really like the Microns but have recently started using Faber castell Pitt-very saturated black

[@mysterionz]

I really like using unipin and COPIC liners for lineart

[@IdoN0TneedTherapy]

Thumbs up for the point about just going for availability.

[@Lemu_with_a_shirt]

I only have experience with microns and marvy uchida, the marvy uchida ones are really nice, just a slight problem with alcohol markers. I do not like micron at all, and they run dry so quickly! Oh, should probably mention that I'm very impatient. I will not let liner dry "long enough" a few minutes tops.

[@SketchInkRepeat]

I recently did a test between some markers to test some new Faber-Castell pit artist markers I purchased. The minute the Faber-Castell colors hit those drawings all sorts of brands began to smudge! The biggest offender was the Staedtler fine liner I used on one sketch. I was seriously disappointed in some of my favorites too. If I’m not mistaken even the microns smudged a little and I have never had that happen when using Copic Markers to color over them. Naturally it could be the paper, the drying time, etc. But from my experience, these markers rarely if ever had issues when drawing and coloring so I was super surprised.

[@Kaninchenbau]

I do want to say that the way fineliners perform can vary a lot between papers, I have only really experience with the Microns but based on the experiences I have had, they smudge like a mofo on certain papers (like in my Mont Marte sketchbook, which I do love, it's a nice sketchbook) when you apply alcohol markers on them, while in different sketchbook they smudge less. And in my experience, on decent watercolor paper if the Micron has had enough time to dry (anywhere from a few hours to like a day) they don't lift when painting over them with watercolors But yeah, paper can make a difference, which does make it harder to judge the performance of these supplies :/ Unfortunate

[@brigitteitg]

I think the best quality fineliners are the Staedtler ones, which you didn’t include. I also use Microns and Uni Pins, with the latter, as you said, the best price-value. All easily available here in the UK. Lately I also got some Faber Castell Fineliners which are very good too. Fun fact for those who always wonder about the strange nib sizes of 0.18, 0.25, 0.35, 0.5, 0.7 etc: It comes from scaling up technical drawings in the European A page format (A4, A3 etc), which is by a factor of Squareroot of 2 (~1.4). The same factor is applied for the nib sizes, so a line can be continued smoothly on the larger or smaller scale drawing with another nib size. 🤓

[@elizabethperez1829]

For years I’ve been using Microns and the Faber-Castell Pitt Artist Pens (not sure if it falls under this category). But I encountered the same issues like you, so instead I would draw the lines for last. But when I found the Marvy Uchida Le Pen, I instantly fell in love. I’m glad you shared other options. I think I’ll give the prismacolor and copics a chance.

[@nazimrai830]

According to you steatdler vs sakura pigma which one is best

[@popstargirl495]

My favorite fine liners were by Master but i dont think they make them anymore! Another one i used a lot was the Marvy Uchida Le Pen

[@dawg2191]

Is it good with alcohol markers?

[@popstargirl495]

@@dawg2191 I believe so

[@CATunite]

I was gonna get some for Christmas this year because i call myself a sonic artist 😅 this really helped me

[@DibIrken]

Interesting how the Uni Pin lifted from the watercolor test. Either not enough drying time was gucen or the pigment sat on the surface of the paper lifting particles off. line.

[@JH-pe3ro]

I have a lot of experience with Uni Pin ink now, from their brush pen(which is a pretty good all-round pen). It writes pretty dry but lifts easily when erased if I don't leave it for an hour or so, which isn't so bad most of the time: I just work on a bunch of pictures in a batch and then erase all of them later. Like most ink, I think it sets in better with smoother papers.

[@ACTIVATEDADNANSALIMI1969]

for me Micron and Tombowl look great.

[@Lovely_lulu_]

Uni is my favourite i can use it with watercolour and alcohol markers , the ink won't smudge if you give it enough time to dry or maybe I'm not using too much scraping on the ink ? I don't know 😊

[@studioofmm]

I did end up letting everything sit for over an hour I believe, but I agree; I think most people probably aren’t going to start adding their watercolour overtop of the markers quite so vigorously, haha! Really the only time you’d be scrubbing would be if you were trying to lift any colour from the paper which depending on your preferred technique could start to pose a possible issue.

[@Lovely_lulu_]

@@studioofmm awwww you replied me 💗💗💗💗💗💗💗😂😊🙈 (my first time)

[@ananyadineshpawar8786]

I use unipin and is very easy to sketch

[@AbraCassandraCrafts]

What no Faber Castell Pitt Artist Pens? : (

[@jenniferarted3652]

My favs are the Prismacolor. Only one I haven’t tried is the Uni.

[@sketch6774]

The prismacolor ones have given me the most issues With bad tips dry pens the few that did work worked great but the quality control is not great

[@Reychel2022]

Got my microns. Because despite the ink of monos being long lasting, stands of the tip were coming out. I might be glad with my switch

[@mimituna3031]

you should try panda fly. i use their fine liners and brushes

[@Rachel-cg8fn]

I had to pull this up while I was at walmart

[@crystallikeice1416]

Arent you supposed to wait 24 hours before putting watercolor or markers on them?

[@catbraunwell6450]

My favorites are Molotow fineliners and staedtler ones.

[@yopiejoy3499]

which one has the darkest black ?

[@hikikomoriarty]

She said it was the Graphik.

[@shakadeeno32]

Yea I'm using alcohol markers uni pin is prolly the best from what I can see

[@sashasparroww]

I prefer my tombow markers, but anything that comes with a plastic nib works. not a fan of brush pens no matter how much I try.

[@sashasparroww]

mind, I use their oil-based marker most often so that might make a difference

[@andreeatoma91]

So we have Lady Gaga, Jennifer Lawrence but can’t tell the other 2 pairs of eyes 👀 beautiful sketches!! I have the micron ones, got them as they were labelled as extremely lightfast. However I would only add them as a finishing touch on a watercolour piece. I don’t use alcohol markers so the water resistance is the one important for my way of working. Must admit now I am intrigued about the w&n one because of the different tones you achieved 🙌thanks for another awesome video!

[@studioofmm]

From top to bottom it’s Sarah Paulson, Lady Gaga, Eva Green and Jaime Murray. Just some random pictures I already had saved on my phone for reference that I thought would work for this test.

[@andreeatoma91]

@@studioofmm oh wow 😯 I should’ve guessed Sarah Paulsons eyes as I’m fan, clearly not a good one 🤭🤭 wouldn’t have guess the last set of eyes in a million years tho 🙃 thank you for the reply!😍

[@g-mads]

multiliners are lightfast actually

[@demon6937]

My copic fineliners spill ink on the nib suddenly my artwork barely survived

[@NakoTheMii]

Hello ,I'm your fans I have 1 uni pin !

[@sunnymoondog]

05 is different than 005

[@shulginone1967]

So which one is the best fine liner?😂

[@LazyStory]

Uni Pin

[@SupriyaMahato-kv2bg]

Among these which are refillable?

[@GLiiTCHTT]

Technically all of them. Even though the companies don’t say they are you can.