Caliart Alcohol Based Markers, 81 Colors Art Drawing Markers Set Dual Tip Fine & Chisel Permanent Colored Sketch Pens, with Case for Artists Adults Coloring Book Illustration

I just got into alcohol marker coloring a few weeks ago. I wasn't ready to commit to pricier ones yet, so i did a lot of research on budget-friendly sets, until I settled on this one. These markers did NOT disappoint! This set in particular (81) came with a really nice range of colors. They are a nice, fat marker, easy to hold and don't tire hands/fingers out, even with hours of coloring. If you read reviews of alcohol markers, newbies will complain that they bleed onto subsequent pages in coloring books. This is NOT A FLAW. EVERY single type of alcohol marker will bleed through the pages of ANY coloring book. Yes, these bleed. It is not excessive in any way. Be prepared for this by using 2-3 sheets of printer paper behind the page you're coloring, and nothing will ruin the next page. Easy peasy. I colored with them for a couple of weeks, and decided that I wanted a pastel set of the "pricy" and "professional" markers. The ones everyone in every coloring group on FB uses and talks about. I will tell you with 100% honesty here: unless I am staring at the brand name on the barrel of the marker, I cannot tell whether I'm using Caliart markers, or the "other brand". It has been a few more weeks, and these Caliarts are going strong! They have lasted through a LOT of coloring. The colors are super vibrant and beautiful. There is a light odor of alcohol, which is normal, so be prepared for that part. The brush tips are holding up VERY well, which I am loving! In general, these perform SO MUCH like pricier markers. You will NOT regret buying these, either as a budget-friendly experiment, or your first and last purchase. I recommend them to everyone who asks!

Some of the markers are very different shades than the packaging/lid would suggest. Not an issue if you use the little test sheet to try each color out though. Overall these work well; no complaints.

I bought these markers on a lightning deal, because 80 markers for $25 was too good of a deal to pass up. I was planning on getting the Ohuhu brush markers since everyone has been raving about them, but ultimately I decided that as a beginner I wanted to make it easier on myself by having more color choice until I learned how everything blended together. I did not regret my decision. These markers lay down so smoothly, and they blend like a dream once you get the hang of it. The trick really is to work quickly to blend, as they blend very nicely when still wet. I use these markers in my Denik sketchbook, which has thicker paper with a smooth texture. I do get bleedthrough on ocassions, especially when layering a lot, but that is to be expected with any alcohol marker. Even Copics, which I also have a small handful of. They are bright and vibrant, and the 80 set is a great mix of tones. It is mostly mid tones, but I still am able to find a good majority of what I need. The skin tones are where my biggest complaints are, as I don't have anything super light or many in the tan and olive range. That is where my Copic collection comes in. Comparing these markers to Copics is like comparing a $1,000 Macbook to a $200 Chromebook, but I will make a few comparisons anyways since quality is important to consider. These do not have brush nibs, which does make blending slightly more difficult. Copics also have a higher quality ink in them meaning they naturally want to blend together. However, with the bullet nib I have been able to get smooth blending anyways with a little more work. These markers have about the same amount of smell to Copics, though it's a bit more noticeable when you lay down heavy amounts on paper. Once it dries, the scent is gone. Both these Caliart markers and Copics are very juicy and the ink lays down with not problems, however the Copics feel slightly wetter (if that makes sense) which as aforementioned makes for easier blending and in my opinion smoother, less streaky lay down. This can easily be accomplished with the Caliart markers too though, but it does take up more ink since you have to layer the colors a bit more to get that nice and smooth finish. Ink usage brings me to this next point. These markers are non-refillable, though I believe they match up with the ShinHan Touch line of inks if you're able to find them. You also cannot currently buy individual markers, meaning if you run out of one you have to buy an entire new set if you want that marker. That being said, I'm sure they assume you will upgrade before you run out of any ink in the markers. These are very much entry level, and are likely to be used by people like me who want to know if they like the medium or not, or by hobbyists who want cheap markers. This set has provided exactly that service to me, as I feel more comfortable now with markers and if I find myself using these a lot I'm sure I will find some way to upgrade to the bigger brands that have more options for individual replacements. As a beginner, these markers are lovely for the price. They have been great to work with and I understand 10x more about alcohol markers now without emptying my bank account. I highly recommend these to anyone looking for a new step further into the art world!

PERFECT FOR BEGINNERS! Pros - Vibrant Colors - Low cost - Gave me a love for a new hobby Cons - They bleed through even thick cardstock - The writing in the side of the marker (fine tip/chisel tip) rubs off onto you hands and could ruin work if not careful - My most used colors only lasted me about 4 months - Color on top doesn’t match the swatch All in all, the markers gave me a love for coloring but I will now be switching to a pricier brand in hopes of a higher quality product.

If you’re looking to add some serious color to your art supplies, the Caliart 81 Colors Alcohol Based Markers are the perfect choice. Whether you’re an aspiring artist or just someone who enjoys doodling in your free time, these markers bring vibrant color and a variety of effects to every project. Pros: • Vibrant, wide range of colors: With 81 different colors to choose from, you’ll never be short on options. The color selection is rich, diverse, and includes both bright hues and more subtle tones, perfect for any art project. • Dual-tip design: These markers feature both a fine point and a broad chisel tip, giving you flexibility in your work. You can easily switch from fine details to larger areas, making them ideal for everything from intricate sketches to bold coloring. • Alcohol-based ink: The alcohol-based formula blends seamlessly, providing smooth and even coverage. It’s great for creating shading effects, gradients, and other artistic techniques. The ink also dries quickly, preventing smudging and making your art look professional. • Perfect for teens and adults alike: Whether you’re buying these for a teen or treating yourself, these markers are fun, functional, and easy to use. They make an excellent gift for anyone interested in art, especially if you’re looking for trendy, practical Easter basket stuffers. • Great for various surfaces: These markers work well on a range of materials like paper, canvas, and even some non-porous surfaces. They’re versatile, making them a go-to option for all sorts of creative endeavors. • Affordable quality: For the number of colors and the quality you get, the price is a solid value. You get a lot of bang for your buck with this set. Cons: • Color accuracy in the cap: While the caps match the ink colors, they’re not always perfectly accurate when compared to the actual ink color, so you may need to test the color on paper before making final decisions. • Bleeding on thin paper: Like most alcohol-based markers, these can bleed through thinner paper, so be mindful of the material you’re using, especially if you’re working in a sketchbook or notebook. • Odor: As with many alcohol markers, there is a slight odor when you first use them, though it’s not overwhelming and dissipates fairly quickly. All in all, the Caliart 81 Colors Alcohol Based Markers are a fantastic addition to any artist’s toolkit. Whether you’re gifting them or treating yourself, these markers deliver vibrant color and a smooth, professional finish that will make your artwork pop. Perfect for everything from sketching to adult coloring books, these markers are an affordable way to unleash your creativity!

Bright colors and great quality await artists of all kinds! Markers are durable and easy to use.

Very pigmented and the color quality is great

I've been testing these alongside my Prismacolor set for a couple weeks and I have to say... I like the color range of these (and price) much more. These self level better, too. The blend is immaculate. They do bleed through heavy paper, so make sure you have a color absorber underneath your pages. But that just means they're saturated in color. They're super comfortable to hold and the caps are not hard to get off. Also, a carrying case with a strap? Crayola could never. The blending stick works super well to blend those stubborn lines if you let edges dry, (because the ink dries super quickly as these are alcohol based markers, so it does happen often). Also not a strong smell like Prismacolor markers, but I have noticed they're not as long-lasting unfortunately. Very close though. I illustrate and color for hours every day, so I go through markers pretty quickly. So I feel confident in saying that if you're looking for better quality markers for say, leisurely coloring, and you're sick of Crayola and CrazyArt, these are perfect for you. The only things that would make these markers top dog in my opinion would be to change the caps so they can connect to one another and color match the indicator colors better to the dried ink. I don't know how many times I lost the cap to the marker I was using, so I had to be very mindful where I placed it. Since the colors in the pens were not reflected very well on the caps, I made a color sheet to reference, but I still made a few mistakes here and there until I got in the groove. I also wish the tips were a bit more flexible. Certain ones get to the point of having softer tips the more you use them, but others haven't broken in as easily. Still, don't let these personal nitpicky cons deter you. I'm extremely picky and use these all day, every day so it's difficult for a seasoned artist not to notice these things. Even still, these are very small prices to pay for affordable, vibrant, and sleek markers. I plan to buy more when these run out. And that's saying something.