I Tried Alcohol Markers for the First Time

[@kylehall8760]

"Oh, I've never used alcohol markers before, let's see how it goes" Proceeds to make absolutely amazing portraits. Just, wow, these are so good.

[@sophiedarnell467]

same thought🤦🏽‍♀😂👏🏽👏🏽

[@poober8826]

A professional is still a professional no matter the tools

[@deedee4973]

Seriously its so unfair😭😭❤️❤️

[@SovereignSoul1717]

well, if you mastered the fundamentals you'll make good stuff with any materials

[@willcookmakeup]

Lol right. He's one of the best water color artists I've ever seen so I expected him to be good with a different media but not this exceptional on first go. I'm learning alcohol markers currently and have run into so many speed bumps. It's very humbling to see a seasoned pro trying a new field and seeing how their innate skills honed over time will still translate to another craft. I love watching Olympians trying other sports too always so fun

[@smm855]

These look fabulous! BTW, I really wish they had a "how to" included in alcohol marker sets. The fact they include a "blender" marker is confusing for everyone the first time. What they should explain is that alcohol markers sort of sit on top of your paper until they're dry. As long as your alcohol on paper is wet, the pigment will pool across the wet area. That's why when you put the color down at first, it looked 'streaky' but then the two wet 'streaks' would blend into each other. The "blending" marker is really just an alcohol marker without any pigment. It's literally a marker that has alcohol in it (you can actually use a brush with alcohol on it and get a similar effect). So it should act kind of like adding water to your water color paper. If you put it down first followed by a color marker, the pigment will spread a bit where you've placed it. If you put the color down first and put the blender over the top, it'll lift some of the pigment. The part that makes alcohol markers drastically different than watercolor is that since it's alcohol based, it dries really fast and it cuts down on your time to blend. Copic makes paper specifically for alcohol markers and it has a bit of a coating on it to keep the markers from sinking into the paper so quickly. It gives you a little extra time for blending. The paper can also take a ton of layers before it starts to peel/warp/get damaged. I've found the best way to blend two colors is to place down the first one and while it's still wet, start layering the second and while that's still wet, layer the first again. The quicker you work, the less streaks you'll get, and the smaller the area you work, the less likely you'll get streaks. You should check out some "three marker challenges" where people will randomly pull 3 alcohol markers and then try and make a cohesive image with the random color scheme. People get very creative 😅 Happy Coloring!

[@jothewizard]

This is great information, especially the paper part. A good way to reduce streaks in a solid color is to do your first stroke 3-4 times, then each stroke go over the previous stroke half way. The pigment will be pulled down with each stroke and keep the area wet for a more seamless solid color. I also recommend starting with the wider side of the marker first kind of like how you start a painting with a bigger brush. A little warning about marker paper is that it can struggle to hold pencil and the markers can push the graphite around and muddy your colors while reducing your lines. A way around this is to use the maker paper as an overlay and then re-apply pencil to the front side after the marker rendering is done. Hope this is helpful.

[@lukas-brawlstars7672]

Thanks for telling us your life story

[@monetstallion9363]

Thank you for sharing all this helpful info 💚

[@aashitashyam6060]

Wow, thanks for taking the time to explain this ♥

[@AzukisS]

This info is GOLD, Tysm

[@AtelierArts]

The skin tones, the brush strokes, and commentary! This is so inspiring since I've been wanting to use alcohol markers for a while and this is making me want to create art today! (I've been stuck in art block for 3 days😅)

[@kelogsloops]

it was very refreshing to try something new!! although, equally stressful to learn something new hahahha

[@israelsanchez1225]

Budget tip! Try using Ohuhu markers first to see if you like the medium. Then you can transition to Copic or other quality ones if you wanna work with them more long term! Good luck and have fun!

[@AtelierArts]

@@israelsanchez1225 Yeah I have some of those! They work so well when I do big pieces,~ I also use Caliart markers because the square tips are good for my geometric drawings in architecture and stuff😁

[@CriSaturn]

@@kelogsloops i subsribe your Channel. Your style passion art creation Is gorgeous. Absolutely you deserve such followers as TenHundred. Hope you will be enbark in Season 2 Canvas collaborations to adding your idea of beauty draw composition!!💚

[@Tara_darling]

Dang three days??, I’d be so mad

[@artsyangie1510]

Small tip with the blending marker, you apply blending marker first and over it the colors you want to blend🥰 But still those looks great!

[@kelogsloops]

OHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH 🤦‍♂

[@earthsfur]

Oooo I've never tried it this way honestly

[@corruptedteka]

OH.

[@BrendaFOBRocks]

@@kelogsloops think of it as a "wet on wet" watercolor technique! you wet the paper with the colorless blender and the colors will spread more smoothly

[@teapotlizard]

ohhhhhhh

[@LukaHayami]

This guy is literally so good at any medium he touches, I aspire to be like him one day, bless you xx

[@cetriyasArtnComicsChannel]

Beautiful proof that its not just about the tools but the skills of the artists

[@JodesDaPhee]

Omg I was so psyched to see you post! Just wanted to say that I love your artwork and you have fully convinced me to try my hand at watercolor. Keep up the amazing work and stay safe! 😁👍

[@RaspberryMalina190817]

Love the broad range of faces! It really shows an artist's talent when they're able to portray studies like this, and in a different medium than what they're used to as well :00

[@hyperfoxartist9]

i love that you touched on the importance of art studies. i've known many people who seem to think you just get better at art by drawing from your head over and over again, and have never done a single study of anything, but still wonder why they hadn't improved at all over the years. to try and put it into perspective for them, i tell them ''i have drawn on more pages in sketchbooks than the amount of drawings you've ever done''. you often can't just only do what you ''like'' if you desire to improve. there is nothing wrong with just drawing when and what you want, from your head, but don't complain about your non-existent improvement to me if you don't want to listen to ''you should try doing studies of real life, or of really good art/artists you like'' because its out of your comfort zone, being too used to drawing what your mind thinks things look like. i think a lot of people are scared of drawing from life, or learning anatomy because its very daunting to try learning something that will take time and practice to even begin liking, but dont just draw life studies and things to make a pretty drawing. if you can learn just 1 or 2 things and improve on those each time, then thats already worth a lot.

[@Justanotherface143]

I can't begin to tell you how in awe of your work I am. For years now, I have admired your skill, versatility and creativity. From your actual art style to how you film, configure and edit your videos (which is another art form itself). You are the type of artist that is so incredibly rare today. An artist that has found their style, honed it, and practices it in a way that leaves every viewer moved, in awe or admiration. I even have one of your pieces as my background for my desktop. I genuinely love the composition of every piece you do, as well as your desired colour palettes... you have such unity and balance in your work, and you use elements of contrast brilliantly. Thank you for being so inspiring. Pursuing a career as an artist can be so difficult for so many of us - between disapproving families and the constant, self-driven grind - it's easy to leave this field behind. I know I did. But, I'm glad I can view your work, because it ignites that spark in me to create again. so thank you!

[@kelogsloops]

Thank you so kindly jadey! It truly means so much to hear that!! 🥲🥺😭

[@nathaniel326]

i love how the streaks makes the drawing waayy more interesting to look at

[@charisworsley2415]

I am literally blown away by how good this man is at just picking up an art medium and creating a masterpiece.

[@francesteixeira9454]

When I was a marker renderer in the 80’s it really helped to have the same colours in very dried out, to dried out, to drying out to fresh new markers. It helped with the blending.

[@aaaaaaaaaaaaaaa4171]

It made me so happy to see people of different skin tones in your style!!! I really appreciated it. They can be a bit challenging to draw, but you did them beautifully :D

[@KJellyBeanut]

So glad I watched this, these came out great! I've been having trouble drawing with markers myself and totally thought I was going wrong with the brush strokes being visible and how to tackle blending also how the colour dried so much paler than I thought it would! Now I think I'll tackle it again! Thank you!

[@marcelinachissupa2747]

I'm genuinely happy to see you post. Doesn't matter what you try it always comes out so perfect. I'm a fan

[@hisashi660]

You where the one that motivated me to create art Now you're the one that keeps me wanting to become an artist :3 Thank you for all you've done

[@bobabun]

i think this video really shows how practice is important, but mostly how its not about the art supply, but about the artist, he can still make such amazing art which is clearly in his style, even though he is using alcohol markets, really amazing stuff!!

[@goldfishinabag5559]

First you are incredible at sketching each likeness quickly and credibly. Then- you transformed the drawings with pen. I’m awestruck

[@frog7380]

Something that has always helped me out when it comes to blending with markers is the brush tip. The bullet and chisel nibs never seem to want to blend

[@josilewis.]

With the colorless blender, use it before you put the color. Basically just like you put water down before you put the watercolor paint over it. Hope this helps:)

[@sirveer6112]

It sure does

[@jartecus]

To get a flat colour you can try applying the markers in a circular motion! Also alcohol markets tend to ‘eat’ graphite making the tips clog eventually, so most people use coloured pencils to sketch or line with a pen then apply the markers, for blending you can try using the chisel tip as it gets more ink onto the paper and makes the transition slightly smoother although you can get the same effect with a brush nib and feathering them.

[@user-en5gu7nf4v]

There is no ‘real technique’ with art. It’s always relative to the art that *you* do. Your art astounded me for someone who for the first time, picked them up. It shows how skilled you are and I respect you for that 🥰

[@ladybug7122]

Hey dude at the beginning of Covid your videos inspired me to get back into painting and while I still have a long way to go ive gotten a lot better and I just wanted to thank you!

[@sassysaguaro4906]

your watercolor studies have prepared you so well for other mediums, this is a really impressive first go! And with moderately difficult supplies too, nice job and magnificent work!!

[@thetrueholybob434]

hey just know certain kind of papers allow for different kinf of blendings. like x press it or copic paper can be amazing for a little more fluid blending. In my experience it stays wet a little longer so I can actually sorta go back over darker colors with lighter ones to a degree.

[@NKElyan]

holy moly! this is so incredible! i am attempting a portrait workshop soon so this is a welcome reminder that experiments are worth it. love your work! thanks!

[@Aisuryuu]

This was fun to watch! I saw someone already explained a way you can use the colourless blender to blend. But also applying the ink in circular motions rather than linear streaks. Might help with blending and reducing streaks from showing

[@PAZMz]

Love your description of the mental process you go through while painting. I am learning watercolors, and sometimes I struggle to wait for the final results. I freak out in the first layers... Love your work and videos. They inspire me.

[@juanpanordo5375]

this is fricking amazinggggggg

[@cheshirewolf1574]

something ive heard about markers is to use them in a circular motion (like color pencils) to avoid streaks and even colors (it helps with blending im pretty sure) its another reason most perfer brush tips i think.

[@celinetheartist6091]

Absolutely LOVE your work; and the most friendliest "good morning good morning" is what hypes me up

[@artishticmind]

Your art style is just 😚🤌🏼. You inspired me a lot when it comes to watercolor. Hoping to be as good as you! 🥺

[@jeroen9637]

Beautiful work :) I've been using alcohol markers for decades. Try using them on special marker paper (I use Schoellershammer 90 grams but there's more brands that have it). Marker paper doesn't suck ink like normal sketching paper, so if you go over and over a section, it stays wet so you can blend.

[@bethaniepetitpas5699]

Winsor and Newton has a line of watercolor markers. You can use them like markers and then blend and go for effects with a brush and water. You might enjoy those.

[@blueberrypancakes7330]

This brought a smile to my face. Just looking at how beautiful and life the portraits look.

[@willcookmakeup]

Was so cool to watch this. All the videos I saw from alcohol markers artists said to work dark to light which is opposite from watercolor or makeup (which is my trade of craft) but you somehow made this work in the opposite order of what's recommended for this media

[@sophiakronteres7541]

I've found that one solid layer of a very light color over each area is a great way to get some final smoothing! A very light peach over skintones and a lighter version of blue over a pair of jeans, etc. It's similar to burnishing a colored pencil drawing with a white or colorless pencil! Another thing is paper and marker types! All the different brands of markers give different levels of smoothing and color variation from wet to dry! It's a lot like watercolor paints in that way. All of them do the same basic thing, but formula makes a huge difference. Brush vs Chisel/Bullet is another major player! I've personally found that Copics are my favorite because they come with the brush and the'yre very juicy so they blend with very little effort! I've also found some good blending in the cheaper alternitave TouchNew, but they only come with bullet/chisel! I saw you used bristol, a great choice for alcohol markers, much it also effects how you blend! I found paper that allows more bleeding also lends itself to much better blending! I personally use mixed media paper for my alcohol based drawings and it blends like butter :) Just experiment with a few different combos of the basic tools until you find what works for you!!

[@siopaopao]

i was so excited when i saw the notification! love your art, you inspire me so much

[@mariocau]

Magnificent! I know many people enjoy the perfect blending with markers, but I really like to acknowledge that markers have a certain way of working and even though it's possible to make perfect transitions and blends, there is a lot of beauty and style in incorporating strokes and hard edges.

[@miiraB0613]

I missed your videos so much, I always watch them all when I need to switch on "artistic mode" :D It always help me overcome any "artblock" I could experience and it brings me a lot of joy and positive vibes to get through the day :) Thank you for sharing your work with us ! Take care of you, with respect and admiration

[@benkirkland5354]

Another marker pro tip is the paper. Bristol absorbs the ink readily, which doesn’t allow for easy blending. A good marker paper, like Bienfang Graphic 360, allows for good saturation of ink that can be quickly blended for gradient swatches. Saturate a section, switch markers while it’s still wet-ish, switch again, repeat, etc. The lighter colors/shades can pick up a little bit of the darker tones on the nib, but having a scratch piece of paper to the side allows you to bleed that off. You know how it is: it’s all practice with the new tools. And you’re soooooo well practiced in other mediums. I can’t wait to see how crazy cool you create when you blow up with these markers!

[@joeypotter2964]

i really like the way you you do coloring with sense of structure in mind. love it.

[@chelseyminehane4704]

Such a great tutorial i love to see how you work step by step you have a really beautiful style. I would really recommend working in circles with the markers and laying down the lightest shade you can first to work on that! Thats what works for me! ♥️

[@rzyl469]

It's my first time seeing you draw from reference and dang everything is magic in your art style! Will stan forever 💙🔥

[@The_Curious_Cat]

Another thing to learn from this that many artist have said to me over the years: never leave a drawing/sketch/painting/whatever unfinished when you are learning. If you do (for example when you started to "freak out" on that second face) you wouldn't go past that "trauma" and it would make your next drawing/sketch more difficult. By continuing, it might not be the best, perfect or even good (in this case it is lol) but you finished it and then you learn from it, think about it and then improve on the next one.

[@Gromosapien]

This was so soothing to watch, the portraits are so beautiful!:D Its inspired me to pick up my sketchbook again

[@shazzadauncon3682]

I started watercoloring after watching your videos.I didn't know much about watercolors but your videos helped me a lot. Thanks for inspiring me.

[@alinatr2693]

You did very well, I quickly realised,that every marker in a set is different,and it takes time to get good at any art style or medium, the most important thing is,to enjoy the journey 😊

[@Snufkinadie]

I love how do you show us your references, its so nicely to your part. U are a great artist and inspire me to much.

[@TheJtj18]

They came out great! Do you plan on trying any other mediums as well? Like gouache or acrylic, or even pastels?

[@myshkaklein4413]

I love your style! I'm especially impressed by the fact that you manage to make your sketches detailed enough and yet still simple. Love the artwork!

[@_festival]

This was a better finished product than from a lot of artists who have been using the medium for years! Good job 👏

[@SketchingScottie]

These look great! 🙌🏼

[@crystalmorris24]

So peaceful. I love your videos they are such good distressing videos. Beautiful studies. Time for me to practice yet again.

[@earthsfur]

The watercolor skills you brought in I think helped for sure! I liked the technique you did for coloring in the skin and such.

[@itsanaverageday455]

Can you make a video of your thought process and how you decided what to do while coloring with the markers, I really want to learn, I love your work!

[@nicola_illustration7786]

You can use the blender to wet the paper in that way it’s almost like watercolor yet you gonna still see brush struck but it will be less visible . As always a great video you inspired me to find my art style . Thank you.

[@TocharaehD]

What a great drop. I'm just finally getting back to my art, and anatomy studies. This has motivated me quite a bit. Working with markers like this looks like so much fun, but even 39 year ol' me is pretty intimidated with working with color. Also, big fan of KJG's work. His anatomy, shape, and perspective disciplines are flipping epic.

[@gabriellaagate9942]

You know, I kind of like the "streaky" and very defined brush strokes. It's very stylized and interesting. Don't get me wrong! The flat color is gorgeous, but I do find the streaks and less blended ones to be beautiful in their own way.

[@CreativePhenomenonArt]

I love how your watercolor technique shines through this whole study. I had a lol moment when you said that from this study you realized that you need to do more studies 😂 It came out great btw. I think having a solid understanding of shading and color helped you. Well done can’t wait to see what else you create. Thanks for sharing 🤗💕

[@devonhealy4553]

You are so unbelievably talented! It's hard to figure out good alcohol markers blending technique amd you somehow managed to mostly figure it out in the span of one set of studies! I am in awe of your beautiful drawings and paintings! Keep up the amazing work! 👏

[@LimerGDrem]

I've noticed that when I pass over some streaky lines with the blender they smooth out till they gone gone, u just need to apply a lot of "blend"! Also brush nib is miles better for blending, like night and day! ur work is amazing tho! kinda dig the streakiness in some too!

[@amberdreams_0]

The colour shifts on markers is very disconcerting - apparently it also varies from brand to brand and colour to colour - so much to learn! Got to say you knocked it out of the park, which just goes to show the difference between a pro artist and an amateur and is a credit to all the hard work you've put in to get to the level you're at. And thank you for sharing your experimental phase. Love it!

[@katerynafedoruk8723]

I can spot your style from afar, no matter the media. So cool!!!

[@pavelcistjakov243]

Im amazed to what you did with these! Just as a fair bit of warning to people who want to jump on and do proper art pieces with any alcohol markers is that they are not archival nor lightfast. Meaning that if exposed to normal light conditions they will fade considerably within a year or two. But just to make a piece that you can digitise they are quite fun. Also if you want your markers to last longer- try using bleed-proof marker paper. Majority of other papers will literally suck the ink out of your markers much faster as they are more absorbent. Plus its easer to blend on the actual marker pads!

[@artstudios573]

I can't explain how happy I am watching your videos, it calms me down so much, thank you. You are amazing.

[@garzapinups]

Turned out super awesome! I love the second portrait, darker skin is always tough to master.

[@olgahein4384]

That's a really awesome artwork, especially considering that you probably used the least fitting paper for it (Bristol paper is not much better than average copy paper for alcohol markers). Like with watercolors, paper is key. - Copic or alcohol marker paper, even 'layout' paper (very thin though) gives the best results, the least bleeding and spreading and the smoothest coloration. Also, color shift in general is much less on thinner paper. - Thick paper for alcohol markers (Perfect Coloring Paper, the best for ppl who like to layer and layer) has even less spreading and is more sturdy for many layers of color. It has the disadvantage that the colors turn very pale, once they're dry (like with every thick paper). I found out by accident, that you can bring the original color intensity back, by using certain varnish and fixative sprays (but you can't really draw on top of them anymore). I use the 'Universal' fixative spray by Schmincke, silk matt. Gives also some UV protection to the super fugitive marker drawing. - Papers like Bristol don't really allow any blending, they are nearly always streaky and using the blender makes funny things. You can work with that exactly the way you did, by layering hatching, gives some nice results and can look awesome. - Copy paper, with which most of us started out back then (cause it's cheap and available) has better blendebility, but the paint bleeds and especially spreads like a wildfire. Especially when you layer colors on top of each other, it will spread even further. Again, there are ways to work around or with it, as the artist Laovaan has done to perfection (and he prefers copy paper over everything else). There's barely any color shift from my experience though. - Watercolor paper or any kind of structured paper is just the worst. Just don't use it.

[@lukas-brawlstars7672]

Watching your videos makes me smile

[@jjlam6282]

Oh wow, the details and dedication!!! It shows!!! Amazing ❤

[@Tutta2902]

You did great! The other elements really pulled the piece together. Regarding hard edges, I often find that laying down the darkest color first, then going over with a lighter color helps combat that. A light color on top of the area you are working on does lots to smooth out any streakyness or hard edges. But most important, have fun! You can achieve lots of cool effects with markers.

[@panchoverde5078]

I'll never forget the day I tried Copic Markers. No comparison to any other art supply. Honestly, with the W&N markers your using, you haven't even scratched the surface of the marker world. The brush and chisel nibs are divine. Also, everything you're talking about at the end, you need George Bridgman's Guide to Drawing from Life.

[@patriciateal2099]

Seeing a new video… cup of coffee… pure luxury 😌

[@ArieInTheClouds]

I was having a very doubt filled day about everything that has to do with my art but, watching your videos really helped me feel excited and hopeful about the future of my artwork. I am 29 and always feel like its too late to persue art but you help me believe in myself again. Thank you for your wonderful art and videos.

[@Lyran7]

For someone whose never used alcohol markers before, youd never know! These are so good. I've used them for years, but I LOVE this "newbie" technique for shading and highlights! The watercolour knowledge has given him his own style 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻 I think ohuhu brush markers blend much easier than W&N though, and large areas are good with the chisel end 😀

[@Hopeasimpukka]

Blender marker can be quite tricky. I personally found it working when i first apply the blender marker on the paper, And then as quickly as possible use colored markers before the blender dries out. If theres any harsh edges left I'll go VERY quickly over the edges with the blender.

[@notcopycait]

It's so fun and relaxing to watch you create your art. You've been a very big inspiration for me since I was at tafe studying photography, I like your approach to your art and your portfolios.

[@julesbtwnteeth]

the way you approached this and made so much progress is so inspiring!

[@abstudios864]

Alcohol markers were a tough medium when starting out with. Getting the hang of blending and getting use to how the colors dry onto the paper. You drew these studies beautifully with markers! Looking up videos can help with technique.

[@AB-vt2ms]

DIBUJAS HERMOSO , tienes un excelente control de tonos y sombras.

[@furrylittlepeach]

Beautiful

[@siewfonggg]

Amazing for a first attempt. unbelievable!

[@urickmann7768]

Ive been waiting for this for years its so fun to see your style translate into other mediums

[@Azidust]

i love the visible strokes it gives more character to the final outcome

[@naniwoo7197]

I MISS YOUR VIDEOS! REALLY INSPIRES ME TO LEARN, EXPLORE, TO EXPERIMENT WITH DIFFERENT MEDIUMS.

[@Ravenka21]

Tbh you uploaded that video in the perfect time for me. I'm struggling with drawing recently, especially with body proportions and it just made me so discouraged to do anything. But I guess you just have to keep on trying till you learn, so thank you. I love your art and you are the best inspiration for me C:

[@lapidrawings6079]

Great job! I’ve just started using markers for my portraits too and I find them fascinating!

[@js7934]

These turned out looking amazing. Love the extra details at the end to pull things together

[@Tottichan]

I admire your work! It's so beautiful and i love watching you draw and paint

[@Marie-di5gl]

Someone told me to blend wet with wet so you need to work quickly on small areas, switching between the two/three colours, and if it's still streaky then try a less absorbant paper

[@AzukisS]

GORGEOUS WORK! I'm currentlly using alcohol markes and I'm having so much fun layering them, even when I mess up (Happy accident!) I also like mixing them with gel pen or colour pencil for adding some details. I have a few Winsor & Newton and they are my fav by far.

[@carriem9510]

I would have never thought this was your first time using alcohol markers if it wasn't for the title. Beautiful work!

[@rvq1104]

Your artworks are fantastic. And I love how this turned out. I know it'll get better through practice and experimenting different techniques. Just find the one that works for you as every techniques work differently for everyone. When I first tried making my first artwork with alcohol markers, there are few minor flaws though but it still turned out great. We all know that first try doesn't always come out perfect. But there, I've learned some tips after I finished the drawing. It's just all about trial and error. I'm just sharing my experience and I hope you also find it helpful.

[@theonlygaleon5104]

How are you doing? It's good to know you are trying new things! You keep me inspired 😍 Always stay safe!!!

[@kianartzzs9975]

yes,i just wish he woul upload more

[@joshuabarrientos198]

Please post more videos about tips, tutorial, and time lapse of you drawing I really like you style💕

[@evanovich555]

I mean. These are still absolutely fabulous for your first exploratory efforts.

[@Nadyaboggo]

AAAh I am so happy you are making videos again, I love your energy and really enjoy the way you're painting

[@earthsfur]

The skin for the 2nd model you colored turned out gorgeous !

[@yaseminguzel7289]

I love your attitude towards your own and others' art!! Also, excellent job with these portraits! Lots of love, please stay as you are ♡♡♡