Looking for a great set of colored markers? Top of the line but easy on the pocket? Loved by the pros yet easy for beginners? Let’s talk about the best Prismacolor markers for 2021.
The Prismacolor brand are the makers of one of the best and trusted products of coloring materials worldwide. From coloring pencils, pastels, graphite pencils, and art markers, you can count on them on producing great, quality results for your drawings, projects, and artworks.
For this article, let’s focus on their well-loved colored markers. If you are interested in other brands, as well, you can check out our review of the best markers for adult coloring books for 2021.
Contents
Choosing The Best Prismacolor Markers
Before any purchase, it’s good to understand what type of marker are you going to add in your art supplies kit. Dyes are the primary source of color for each pen and their output is greatly affected if they are mixed with alcohol or water solution. Prismacolor’s art markers feature alcohol-based and water-based pens for art coloring enthusiasts of all skill levels. So, what’s the difference?
Alcohol-based markers are also known as permanent markers. Due to their alcohol dye-based ink content, they produce rich colors and are smooth when applied. They tend to dry fast and as a result, there’s a smaller chance of smudging and having faded, watery colors.
Considering the intensity of their ink solution, alcohol-based markers easily bleed through paper. It’s important to use thick papers, cardstocks, or another paper lining to avoid messing up your surface or other pages.
Alcohol-based markers also blend colors better. This is the primary choice of artists and professionals because it’s easier to create overlaying tints and playing around with multiple lines of shades. Beginners are also welcome to try this out so you could experiment and know what will work for your art needs.
Water-based markers, on the other hand, use water to mix with their ink. Art marker sets of this type are also rich in color and can help you create bright and beautiful designs. Colors may appear streaky though when you overlay them especially when you need to fill large spaces.
These types of markers are great for coloring books, journaling, and other craft projects as they usually don’t bleed through paper. However, since it’s water-based, they take longer to dry up and may easily warp your paper unless you use thick ones or watercolor papers.
Water-based markers are widely available because they are cheaper. They are usually made with low-grade dye inks that are easy to rinse, thus, it’s ideal for kids and students to easily wash off any mess from their hands. These are usually one of your basic and common art supplies material at home. Note that for professional and artist markers, superior type of dyes are used for their pens.
The art marker product line from Prismacolor is a popular choice because they are non-toxic and the price is less expensive compared to others without compromising the quality of their pens. They are perfect for beginners, students, crafters, and even professionals, too!
Prismacolor Art Markers offers a number of colors, tips, and styles available for the artist in you! To help you out, we have outlined below the Prismacolor markers that you can choose from.
Alcohol-Based Markers
Prismacolor features the Premier Series for their artist-grade alcohol-based markers. These are made of premium quality, alcohol dye-based ink solution to ensure beautiful, vivid, and richly saturated colors on every stroke. They are easy to blend, too.
Most of the markers under the Premier Series offer double-ended tips which most coloring artists prefer. Having two different tips in one pen allows more functionality since you won’t have to worry looking for another pen or another tip with the same color if you need to switch for another use. This also helps when you need to organize your pens by color.
There are four art marker variations on the list:
1. Prismacolor Premier Double-Ended Art Markers – Fine and Chisel Tip
Pros
- Chisel tips easily create thick, sharp lines
- Bright and vivid colors
- Smooth on paper and easy to blend
- Dual tips for maximum versatility
- Artist-grade markers
Cons
- Bleeds through some thick paper
- Inks are not refillable
- Nibs cannot be replaced when worn out
Prismacolor Chisel/Fine Art Markers are dual-ended types of marker that features one chisel tip for broader coloring coverage and one fine tip for more precise coloring. Chisel tips give you the ease to color wide spaces using its wide and flat side while the pointy side allows you to make thinner strokes. This combination is perfect as the fine tip is ideal for detailing and lining.
The two tips share one barrel of ink, thus, ensuring color consistency at both ends. It’s cylindrical body permits ease and comfort even when used on long periods of time. To be sure, it is best to test the grip before you commit to buying a set.
The Chisel/Fine Art Markers are available in 200 vibrant colors. For a start, getting a box of 12 pens includes the following colors: Canary Yellow, Yellow Orange, Dark Umber, Carmine Red, Crimson Red, Pink, Mulberry, Violet, Ultramarine, Dark Green, Parrot Green, and Black
2. Prismacolor Premier Double-Ended Art Markers – Fine and Brush Tip
Pros
- Soft brush tips to make varied strokes
- Bright and vivid colors
- Smooth on paper and easy to blend
- Dual tips for maximum versatility
- Artist-grade markers
Cons
- Bleeds through some thick paper
- Inks are not refillable
- Nibs cannot be replaced when worn out
Prismacolor Brush/Fine Art Marker Set are also dual-ended markers that has one brush tip for flexible strokes and one end as fine for details that need accuracy. Brush tips are the most versatile as it allows you to make create variable-width strokes. Combined with the fine tip, it allows you to work on small details and patterns, too.
Similar to Chisel/Fine, color consistency is also achieved on either tip since this art marker set also uses one barrel as ink source. The advanced dye-based ink formulation is the key to have vibrant and vivid colors. The marker’s body is the same with the rest of the double-ended Premier series.
The Brush/Fine Art Markers are available in 200 vibrant colors. If you get a box of 12 markers, it will include the following shades: Canary Yellow, Yellow Orange, Dark Umber, Carmine Red, Crimson Red, Pink, Mulberry, Violet, Ultramarine, Dark Green, Parrot Green, and Black
3. Prismacolor Premier Double-Ended Art Markers – Grey Set
Pros
- Good range of grey sets for illustrations
- Bright, vivid pigments since it’s alcohol-based
- Dual tips for maximum versatility
- Artist-grade markers
Cons
- Bleeds through some thick paper
- Inks are not refillable
- Nibs cannot be replaced when worn out
Prismacolor Premier Grey Marker Sets are also dual-ended art markers. They are best used for illustrations and other technical or art projects. Depending on your need, you can choose between Fine and Brush tips or Fine and Chisel tips when purchasing.
Similar to other Premier marker sets, this grey set also has a single source of ink to ensure high quality output. It also has the same marker body size like the colored sets.
It’s available in four full ranges of gradient grey color sets – Cool Gray, Neutral Gray, Warm Gray, and French Gray.
There are 12 pens in each set.
4. Prismacolor Premier Illustration Markers
Pros
- Available in extra fine tips and most commonly used tip sizes
- Vivid but doesn’t bleed through thick paper
- Ink doesn’t fade even if mixed with other markers
- Smear resistant when dry
Cons
- Ink has the tendency to dry up and may need to shake before use to get the ink flowing
Colored Set per Tip
Prismacolor Premier Illustration Markers are intended for free-form drawings and letterings. There are several tips available for your drawing needs – brush, chisel, and fine – which gives you flexibility in completing small details with precision.
This is not a double-ended marker set. The marker’s body is similar to regular pens which is ideal for accurate sketching.
This marker set is ideal for adult drawing projects such as adult coloring books, professional designs, or architectural drawings since the ink dries up fast and doesn’t smudge.
They are available in 8 colors: Black, Red, Blue, Green, Brown, Purple, Orange, and Sepia
Colored Set, 005 Tip
Black Set with Assorted Tips
For those who wish to get assorted tips in one set, Prismacolor also got you covered. The advantage of having different tips is that it makes a perfect set to put in drawing all the visions you have in mind when you create that project – be it in technical use or artistic interpretation.
The seven markers in this set feature 005, 01, 03, 05, and 08 fine tips, and one brush and one chisel tip. They are appropriately labeled per marker to avoid confusion. They can also be bought individually so you won’t have to worry if your favorite tip runs out of ink.
This pack is available in black color only.
5. Prismacolor Colorless Blender Marker
Pros
- Double-ended tips for versatility
- May be used as a blending tool for coloring pencils, too
- Artist-grade markers used by artists worldwide
Cons
- May need to shake marker before use
- Not refillable
For artists who wants to take their coloring skills to the next level, several techniques are applied to achieve that masterpiece just like how the professionals do it. Like any other skill, it takes a lot of practice and experimenting until you master your craft. The possibilities are always endless.
Color blending is one of the common techniques used. It is defined as layering of one color over another to make a progressive transition of colors. It softens lines or streaks, thus, resulting to beautiful, realistic images.
The Prismacolor Colorless Blender Marker is a popular tool for blending different colors using your Premier art markers. It’s an alcohol-based marker without ink. It’s very useful because aside from blending, you may also use it for shading, retouching, and lightening. It has a double-ended tip, too, so you can choose between chisel/fine or brush/fine tips.
Since you may be working with several colors, it is best to clear the tip using a scrap paper before applying other colors on it. It’s normal that some ink may stay on the nib so make sure to swatch them before use.
6. Prismacolor Premier Hand Lettering Set – Beginner
Pros
- An all-in-one kit to try Prismacolor’s Premier Series for hand lettering work
- Dual tips for Chisel/Fine marker
- Artist-grade markers for beginners
Cons
- Brush/Fine dual tip markers are not offered
- Only available in black color
Now here’s a bonus for aspiring calligraphers out there!
The Premier Series offers a basic hand lettering kit for newbies. This is ideal for anyone who wish to try or improve on their hand lettering skills, writing notes artistically, and other craft work.
Each set already includes everything you need to try this new skill:
- two graphite pencils perfect for sketching
- three Premier illustration markers with different tips for tracing, outlining, and details
- one dual-ended Premier art marker with chisel and fine tips to create bold designs and strokes
- one kneaded eraser to remove graphite marks
- one helpful pamphlet to show you some tips or tricks
The only color available for this beginner’s kit is black.
7. Prismacolor Premier Hand Lettering Set – Advanced
Pros
- An all-in-one kit to try most of Prismacolor’s Premier Series Markers
- Tips included for wide or intricate artwork or letterings
- Dual tip markers for maximum versatility
- Professional-grade markers used by artists worldwide
Cons
- Limited color options
For the more experienced in the field of calligraphy, this Prismacolor Premier Advanced Hand Lettering Kit is for you.
The primary difference as compared to the Beginner’s Kit is that this set already includes seven (7) Premier illustration markers perfect for each detail you need to work on and two (2) Premier dual-ended art markers.
The seven Premier illustration markers included are chisel, brush, 005, 01, 03, 05, and 08 tip sizes. As for the art markers, you will have both the chisel/fine and the brush/fine double-ended markers to help you complete more complex work.
You will also get two graphite sketching pencils, a kneaded eraser, as well as a pamphlet to show you more tips or tricks. This set is perfect for your bullet journals, random notes, and various crafts!
The Advanced Kit is available in two sets:
- All Black
- Neutral Colors (the markers in this set include Mint, Green, Teal, Blue, Purple, Grey, and Black)
Water-Based Markers
Prismacolor gives us the Scholar Marker series which are water-based markers intended for younger artists. They also produce lively, vibrant colors perfect for student use. The price point for this series is much lower than the Premier ones.
There are two types of tips offered. See list below:
1. Prismacolor Scholar Brush Markers
Pros
- Soft brush tips
- Rich colors but doesn’t bleed through thick paper
- Less odor than alcohol-based markers
- Affordable
Cons
- Few color options
- Not refillable
Prismacolor Scholar Brush Markers are made from water-based, low odor ink. This is great to use for various art projects and hand letterings or calligraphy work as the brush tips allows varied sizing on thickness or thinness in one stroke.
While this product is a student-grade set, hobbyists are also using this for different projects. It really depends on your need and preference.
Since this is a water-based marker, the inks don’t dry out easily. Be extra careful to avoid smudging.
There are 20 colors available. The basic 10-piece kit includes the following: Yellow, Orange, Red, Pink, Blue Violet, Dark Blue, Yellow Green, Brown, Light Grey and Black art markers
2. Prismacolor Scholar Bullet Markers
Pros
- Defined bold lines
- Rich colors but doesn’t bleed through thick paper
- Less odor than alcohol-based ones
- Affordable
Cons
- Few color options
- Not refillable
Prismacolor Scholar Bullet Markers are also classified as water-based markers. The bullet tip allows the user to easily draw consistent bold and thick lines. Since the tips are the usual round ones that are generally found in school markers, it will be quite tedious to fill in large areas with color or to make fine lines with it.
Similar to the Scholar Brush Marker Set, this is also ideal for young artists to develop their skills in coloring and art, overall.
The inks don’t dry out fast so be mindful when you overlap to avoid any mess or smudging on your work.
There are 20 colors available but the 10-piece bullet tip pack includes these primary hues: Yellow, Red, Orange, Pink, Blue Violet, Dark Blue, Yellow Green, Brown, Light Grey and Black art markers
Conclusion
Colors tickle our artistic minds and any coloring tool can be the key to show our creativity. Pencils, crayons, pastels, markers… They are all instruments for expression. Regardless of which skill level are you in, there is always a pretty colorful set (or more) made for you!
Prismacolor Markers, in particular, are applicable from young artists to pros. The Premier Series is their artist-grade type of marker while the Scholar Series is their student brand.
The Premier Series produce richly saturated colors because of their alcohol and dye-based ink content. The ink is formulated to give the best color saturation with smooth coverage. The price point varies per set but what’s good to note is that certain markers can be bought per piece – so this may allow you to save some bucks. It all boils down on your preference on tips to use as well as what double-ended marker set will you get.
The Scholar Series is made for developing artists such as children, students, or young hobbyists. These are water-based pens yet also produce bright and vibrant colors for your coloring books, journals, and other crafts. They are cheaper, too, and doesn’t have a strong smell compared to alcohol-based ones.
There we have it. The final choice to make is yours! After all, it all boils down to personal preference depending on the type of project you need to complete.
Are you ready to add a new set of markers on your art supplies collection? Go ahead and play around with different types of markers and we wish you enjoy making (and sharing!) your beautiful artwork!