The Best Alcohol-Based Markers For Beginners (From An Artist Who’s Tried Many)
This post is all about the best alcohol markers for beginners, from cheap and affordable markers to more serious and better quality ones.
Getting into alcohol markers can be overwhelming.
There are so many brands, prices, and promises, and when you're just starting out, it’s hard to know what’s actually worth your money.
Over the years, I’ve tested a bunch of marker brands: some expensive, some cheap, and a few that completely surprised me (some in a good way, and others not so much).
If you're a beginner looking for the best alcohol-based markers to get started with, here’s what I’ve learned and what I’d personally recommend.
I just wanted to let you know that this post contains affiliate links, and any purchases made through these links will result in a small commission for me and don't cost you anything extra.
My Honest Advice: Just Buy Cheap Markers With Good Ratings
If you're unsure whether you'll like coloring with alcohol-based markers, just buy a cheap 24- or 48-set with good ratings on Amazon. These will get you 80% of what more premium markers will get you, but at a waaay lower cost. The only downside to this is that most cheap marker brands don't sell individual colors, so when your favorite color gets dry, you'll have to buy the full set again.
If you're more sure about sticking with it or want to be able to replace individual markers, then starting with a better quality set that could grow into a bigger collection over time would be my choice. Ohuhu Honolulu markers are great for this, as you can buy each color individually, and not all sets overlap. For example, if you start with the 48 color set, you can then buy the 48 pastel color set, the 48 mid-tone color set, and the 104 color set without getting any duplicates! You can also buy these markers on Amazon (over there you can also see that I'm not the only one who likes them).
1. Dollar Store Markers / Twin Markers
Best for: absolute beginners who want to test the waters
If you're just dipping your toes into alcohol markers, these budget markers, often found at the dollar store, are a great starting point. I haven’t personally used them, but a good friend of mine swears by them, especially because she doesn’t want to spend much on art supplies.
Pros:
- Super affordable
- Surprisingly decent blending
- Decent build quality for the price
Cons:
- Limited and sometimes odd color selection
- Usually sold in small packs (you can’t buy just one or two)
- You’ll probably outgrow them fairly quickly
If you’re not sure whether alcohol markers are your thing, these are a low-risk way to find out.
2. Ohuhu Honolulu Markers
Best for: beginners who want pro-level results at a mid-range price
These were a surprise hit for me. Ohuhu originally sent me a set as part of a sponsorship, but after trying them, I switched over completely. They’ve honestly become my go-to markers. And I'm not the only one who loves them (just look at how many times these markers were bought on Amazon in the past month!).
What stood out right away: the brush nib. It has a really nice feel to it. It's not floppy or mushy like other brands (including Copics, honestly). You can feel how it moves on the paper, which makes coloring feel much more intuitive. The colors are also super vibrant and rich, which makes each drawing turn out so well. And for quickly coloring larger areas, the chisel nib is perfect. It's a good size and not super small like the ones on Copic markers, which I really like.
Pros:
- Excellent brush nib with tactile feedback
- Vibrant, well-distributed color range
- Very affordable in sets
- Minimal overlap between sets (smart curation)
- Comes with swatch cards and a bleed-proof plastic sheet
- Plenty of very light and very dark tones (great for contrast)
Cons:
- Some niche colors are missing (like greenish yellows or magenta-reds), but this is also just me nitpicking a bit
- Can appear a little bit grainy on certain types of marker paper, but I don't care, to be honest. But if you use bristol paper it'll look super smooth and even.
- Individual markers are much more expensive than buying sets, but that also means that getting started with a set is more affordable.
- The storage bag is nice but not ideal for organizing, but their bamboo organizer is (I love it!)
These are the markers I wish I’d had when I was just starting out, instead of investing all my money in more expensive and premium ones...
3. Copic Markers (Sketch & Ciao)
Best for: beginners who want access to a massive color library and long-term value
Copic is the name in alcohol markers, and for good reason. Their color selection is absolutely top-tier. I’ve used both Sketch and Ciao markers, and while they’re expensive, the quality shows.
That said, I wouldn’t necessarily recommend them as your first markers unless you’re ready to invest more from the start or have the money to buy the most premium markers in the world.
Pros:
- Unmatched color selection (I wish Ohuhu's were as good as these Copics)
- Refillable and replaceable nibs (great for long-term use)
- Available individually or in curated sets (many sets expand on each other and don't overlap)
- The Ciao version is more affordable and beginner-friendly
Cons:
- Expensive upfront (especially the Sketch markers)
- Brush nib feels less responsive than Ohuhu’s
- Chisel nib is small and harder to use for large areas
If you know you want to get deep into marker art and want a set you can build on over years, Copics are worth it, especially the Ciaos.
4. Winsor & Newton Promarkers (and Brushmarkers)
Great alternative for Ohuhu's in Europe
Promarkers were my very first alcohol markers, and I used them for over five years. They’re reliable, solid markers with some quirks you should know about. These are best for artists who live in Europe, as they can get very expensive in the US and the rest of the world.
The regular Promarkers don’t have a brush nib, just a bullet and chisel, while the Brushmarker version adds a brush nib that’s... okay, but a little flimsy compared to others like Ohuhu.
But where these really shine is ink flow. It’s easy to fill large areas without streaks or uneven spots, which makes them great for animation-style coloring or flat-style illustration.
Pros:
- Great ink flow, easy to get smooth coverage
- Same price whether bought individually or in sets
- Long-lasting, consistent performance
Cons:
- Color selection is a bit random and unstructured
- Limited shades per hue
- Brush nib (in the Brushmarker) can feel a bit wobbly
- Sometimes markers are overfilled and can drop ink unexpectedly
They still have a special place in my art journey, and if you’re doing bold, flat-color work, they’re a strong option.
Final Thoughts: Which Should You Pick?
| Marker | Price Range | Best For | Brush Nib Quality | Color Selection | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dollar Store / Twin | $ | Testing the waters | ❌ (Usually bullet/chisel) | ❌ | Great if you're unsure whether to invest |
| Ohuhu Honolulu | $$ | Most beginners | ✅✅✅ | ✅✅ | My personal favorite: great value + quality |
| Copic Ciao | $$$$ | Serious beginners | ✅✅ | ✅✅✅✅ | Long-term investment, refillable |
| Promarker / Brush | $$$ | Flat-color styles | ✅ / ❌ | ✅ | Good for cartoon or anime art |
If you’re just starting out and want a balance of quality, affordability, and fun, I’d go with the Ohuhu Honolulu markers. They’ve made drawing with markers feel fun again, even after years of experience.
Got questions or want to see some side-by-side comparisons? Let me know! I’m always happy to help you pick the right tools.
If you want to learn how to use alcohol markers, make sure to check out this guide that covers it all.
Articles You Might Also Like
I love bringing cars to life with alcohol markers and colored pencils.
Whether you're just starting out or looking to improve your skills, I'm here to help!
Click here to learn more about me.
Be the first to comment!
Comments
There are no comments yet.