Getting Started with Art & Colouring
- Read time: 5 minutes
- Written by: Crafter's Companion
Whether you're picking up colouring pens for the very first time or looking to build confidence with new techniques, there's never been a better time to get creative. From beautifully blended alcohol markers to watercolours and vibrant acrylic paint markers, there’s so much to explore.
If you're unsure where to begin, don't worry. This guide will introduce you to the different types of colouring tools available, explain what they're best suited for, and share a few simple techniques to help you get started.
Choose the Right Colouring Pens
One of the first decisions you'll make is choosing the type of colouring pens and pencils that suit your style. Each offers something a little different, and experimenting with a few options is the best way to discover what you enjoy most.
Alcohol Markers
Alcohol markers are loved for their smooth application and effortless blending. Their translucent ink allows colours to be layered together, making them perfect for realistic colouring, illustration and cardmaking.
Classique Markers feature a broad chisel nib alongside a fine bullet tip, making them ideal for everything from colouring stamped images to sketching. Illustrator Markers combine a fine detail nib with a flexible brush tip, giving you greater control for expressive colouring and artistic techniques.
If you're new to blending, TriBlend Markers are an excellent place to start. Each marker contains three carefully selected shades, allowing you to create seamless gradients. TriBlend Brush Markers offer the same convenient colour combinations but with brush tips for softer, more painterly effects.
Watercolour Markers
If you love loose, artistic colour, watercolour markers are a fantastic way to get started with painting.
Spectrum Noir Aqua Markers use water-soluble dyes that can be blended with water to create soft washes, delicate shading and vibrant watercolour effects. Their dual-tip design includes a fine nib for detailed work and a brush tip for expressive strokes.
TriColour Aqua Markers simplify colour mixing even further by combining three coordinating shades into one pen. Add water to blend the colours and create beautiful gradients.
ColourBlend Pencils
ColourBlend Pencils are perfect if you enjoy taking your time with your colouring.
Their richly pigmented, wax-based cores allow colours to be layered gradually, making them ideal for creating soft shading, texture and realistic depth. They're a wonderful choice for colouring books, detailed illustrations and floral designs.
Master the Basics of Blending
Blending is one of the most satisfying techniques to learn, especially with alcohol markers.
Because alcohol ink is translucent, simply colouring over the same area several times naturally deepens the colour, making it easy to build shadows and dimension. To create even more realistic results, layer progressively darker shades from the same colour family, blending while the ink is still wet for the smoothest transitions.
Don't worry if your blends aren't perfect straight away—practice really does make a difference, and you'll quickly develop confidence as you experiment.
Creating Beautiful Watercolour Effects
Watercolour markers make painting much more approachable, even for complete beginners.
Apply colour directly to your paper before blending it with a damp brush for soft, flowing washes. Alternatively, scribble colour onto a craft mat or acetate sheet and pick it up with a wet brush to create your own custom palette.
The amount of water you use has a huge impact on the finished effect. Less water gives rich, vibrant colour, while more water creates delicate pastel tones and subtle gradients.
For the best results, always use good-quality watercolour paper. Its heavier weight allows you to add water without the paper buckling or tearing.
Add Extra Creative Effects
Once you've mastered the basics, why not experiment with products that add texture, sparkle and shine?
Glitter Markers are packed with shimmering pigment, making them perfect for lettering, journalling and adding eye-catching highlights to your projects. Sparkle Brush Pens combine vibrant colour with fine glitter, adding subtle shimmer to floral images, backgrounds and embellishments.
Outline Markers create a unique dual-colour effect, producing metallic silver lettering automatically outlined in a contrasting colour with every stroke. They're brilliant for handmade cards, gift tags and creative journalling.
If you enjoy crafting beyond paper, Acrylic Paint Markers are incredibly versatile. They can be used on surfaces including wood, glass, ceramic, fabric, canvas and card, making them ideal for home décor, personalised gifts and mixed-media projects.
Build Your Essential Art Kit
Alongside your colouring tools, having the right accessories will make every project easier and more enjoyable.
A selection of good-quality brushes is invaluable for watercolour techniques, while smooth marker paper helps alcohol inks blend beautifully without feathering. If you're working with watercolour, choose a heavyweight paper around 300gsm to withstand repeated layers of water.
A protective craft mat keeps your workspace clean, while waterproof Artliner Pens are perfect for sketching outlines before colouring. Their permanent pigment ink won't smudge when alcohol markers or watercolour are applied over the top, keeping your line work crisp and professional.
Start Your Creative Journey
The wonderful thing about art and colouring is that there's no right or wrong way to begin. Whether you're blending alcohol markers, experimenting with watercolour washes or adding finishing touches with glitter and acrylic paint markers, every project is an opportunity to learn something new.
