How to Use Colored Markers on Gourds is a review of the best markers for gourd art. I explain how they work and what to buy.
Markers are one of the most confusing products we can use on gourds. Many have wasted money and patience on finding the ones that work on gourds.
When looking for a suitable marker for gourds, we want to choose ones that work on wood. If the pigment doesn’t absorb into the gourd surface, then we have to find a way to cover it so it doesn’t bleed.
The market world has exploded over the past few years, bringing about new varieties and different kinds of tips that will enhance your gourd art. For that reason, this is a long post! But I think the information will help you feel more confident when shopping. I love to use them in my gourd art and find them easy to use over paint tubes.
Structure of a Marker
Markers are made of four parts: the body, the tip, the reservoir, and the ink. The body includes the barrel and the cap. The reservoir is the inner barrel that holds the ink. It is made of polyester, placed inside the barrel, and filled with ink. Once complete, the tip is added and covered with the cap.
Tip Material
There are two types of tips among markers. One is a firm, plastic nib typically housed in a metal funnel. It dispenses ink evenly, making it suitable for writing or detailed illustrations. The other is a spongy, fibrous felt tip, usually shaped like a cone. It loses its firmness over time, but its shape is more versatile. For example, you can use the point of the tip to write finely or turn it on its side to shade or color.
Tip Size
The nib size will determine the width of the stroke. Most gourd artists choose the fine line for drawing and the bullet nib for blending. Surprisingly, the brush nib lays down the most ink, and the chisel is often used to fill large spaces.
Refresh your nib
Keeping this area clean will prolong the life of the tip. If it is messy around the nib or barrel, use rubbing Alcohol to clean them off.
To refresh the color that may be dry in the pen, just add a few drops of Alcohol into the reservoir before you replace the tip. This will improve the quality of the color. Once the nib is reinserted, let the marker rest horizontally for several hours to redistribute the ink evenly.
All Color Pigments Travel in a Solvent
The most important part of the pen is the color. How and where to use the marker will help you decide which variety to remove from your art shelf. The color pigment flows in ink, acrylic solvent, water, and oil.
There are hundreds of manufacturers for each variety. But you do get what you pay for. Most markers are priced from $.40 to $8.00 for each marker. The high-priced markers often have replaceable nibs; some can even be refilled.
How to use colored markers on gourds
Permanent Marker–
Permanent Marker– “Permanent” often refers to whether an ink is washable, and “archival” describes inks that do not fade or deteriorate. Look for the word archival when choosing permanent ink for gourd art.
Drawing Markers-Concentrate on fine and ultra-fine nibs for accuracy, often preferred in monochrome technical illustrations.
Metallic Markers—Metallic markers are filled with ink and special pigments that create a metalized look. These markers allow you to write in gold, silver, and bronze. I love to use them on my gourd jewelry. They sparkle in the light and really attract customers. They come with chisel tips or bullet tips for wide and thin lines. They have never run or bled on me when I apply the final clear finish.
Brush Pens—Brush Pens offer a pen’s convenience with a brush’s artistic freedom. I use them easily as a painter, forgetting that I am holding a marker. I seem to be able to blend the colors better when I use them. They are well suited for lettering and painting. The flexible nylon brush tip’s versatility lets you create various strokes, from broad strokes to fine details.
Dual Tip Markers—There is no need to keep two separate sets of markers when you can have these. Each includes a fine point on one end and a wider tip on the other. They are perfect for hand lettering, drawing, and coloring.
The “Best of the Best”
Now, I will suggest markers from each variety I know are liked by gourd artists or that I have used personally. I will mainly show you the brush tips, but you can find the same brand in a bullet or chisel tip.
How to use colored markers on gourds
Markers for drawing lines and detail
The Sakura Pigma Micron Pens
These pens are acid-free and archival, so your work retains its quality and color over time. The ink is also Copic-proof and waterproof, which makes it easy to use with other art tools like Copic markers and water brushes. The pen has a dependable cap that protects the tip from drying out. Try not to press too hard on the pen tip, or it may cause small squirts of ink to spit out. I like the pack with six different sizes in black.
(Amazon price $12) for tangling on gourds.
IDenti-Pen
This is the pen I have used for years when I tangle on my gourds. The ink is permanent, waterproof, low-odor, and built for heavy use. It’s alcohol solvent and dye colorant ink will work on nearly any surface, including slick PVC and polypropylene sheet protectors. Amazon sells it for about $2 each.
Sharpie Fine Line Markers
These markers are the most popular, but many gourd artists complain about them bleeding on the gourd when you add your final spray. Do Sharpies have alcohol-based ink? The black ink in the Fine, Ultra-Fine, Twin Tip, Chisel, Retractable, Mini, and Super is permanent. However, the principal solvent is Alcohol, so this presents a problem.
How to use colored markers on gourds
Betties Solution for the Bleeding Problem
All of the fine-line markers I have mentioned are problematic. So, follow this procedure. Buy a can of “Workable Fixative.” Let the ink dry for about 10 minutes, then stand up over your work, give it a light spray, and walk away. Do this after each time you work on your gourd. Over time, you will have coated the ink with a light varnish that will protect your work when you give it your final spray containing Alcohol. Remember, Alcohol dissolves Alcohol, which is at the center of our bleeding problems when working with gourd inks and dyes.
How do you make ultra-fine point Sharpie work again?
Simply pour a bit of Alcohol into a small container or the pen cap and soak the tip of the Sharpie in the liquid. Leave the pen in the Alcohol for at least 30 seconds. This should dissolve enough ink to get it flowing again.
How to Use Colored Markers on Gourds
Alcohol Markers
The “best” of the alcohol art markers is the Coptic. But most of them are $8 apiece, not on my budget. There is a brand that has won my heart and offers me several advantages.
Try my Favorite Brand,The Ohuhu Kaala
I love the way they feel in my hand. The marker barrel is not round. The new shape is more comfortable and lets me easily move the barrel and tip around in my hand as I color. It also features color-coded caps to make color identification a breeze.
With the dual-tip design of thin and broad tips, you can add more depth and dimension to your artwork with different line thicknesses! And they dry instantly! There are 60 vibrant colors and a colorless blend. Tips can be reversed, but no refill is available yet. Visit the website to see all the sets available.
This set has all the brown shades complimenting the gourd and adding to our southwest color pallet.
Prismacolor Alcohol Markers
If you like this group’s-colored pencils, check out their markers! Their unique four-in-one design allows you to create various line styles from just one marker by increasing or decreasing the pressure or simply turning the marker one way or another. They are low-odor and non-toxic. An alcohol, dye-based ink is in a single ink reservoir for a perfect color match.
How to use colored markers on gourds
Taking Care of Your Alcohol Art markers
It is essential to keep these tools clean. Here are some tips I use. You will need pliers, Alcohol, cotton balls, and Q-tips. You can watch it done here.
Carefully remove the brush nib with tweezers by applying gentle pressure and pulling straight out.
You can also refill the reservoir. Position the tip of the refill bottle right above the open barrel of the marker. Fill the marker with 8-10 drops, being careful not to overfill. Reinsert the old nib or replace with a new nib.
Cleaning the marker body and cap prevents the dried paint from dropping back on the brush nibs.
Next, clean the shaft and the lid to prevent the dried paint from dropping back on the brush nibs. Use a cotton ball moistened with Alcohol.
What is the best clear coat for alcohol ink?
In my final coating trials (and I’ve tried many of them), I have found that Krylon’s Kamar® Varnish works well in “setting” the alcohol ink. It’s important to note that Kamar® Varnish is UV stable, which means it isn’t broken down by UV exposure.
How to Use Colored Markers on Gourds
Paint Markers are Great for Gourd Art.
The Paint Markers can be used on anything! Whether the surface is light or dark, rough or smooth, it makes no difference. Porcelain, glass, plastic, fabric, wood, metal, and even rubber.
Paint markers are a different animal! You need to prime and store them properly to keep them working. So, let’s go over the basics. Different types of paint markers use different kinds of binders and solvents, leading to different types of paint. For example, oil-based paint markers use oil as a binder and an organic solvent, while water-based paint markers use water as a solvent and an acrylic polymer as a binder. The type of paint used can significantly affect the properties of the marker, such as how vibrant the colors are, how well the paint adheres to different surfaces, and how resistant the paint is to fading and weather.
All paint Markers Need to be Primed Before Using
. Here’s how to use acrylic paint markers:
- Shake the marker well, pointing upright and with the cap on.
- Press the nib repeatedly until the tip is saturated with color.
- Start writing or drawing!
- Repeat Step 2 if you need extra paint.
Watch a short video on the process.
How Long Do You Let A Paint Pen Dry?
The drying time of a paint pen can vary based on the surface it’s applied to. Generally, you should allow at least 10-15 minutes for the paint to dry to the touch. However, the paint can take up to 24 hours to fully cure and harden.
If you are new to this kind of marker, then take some time and watch these videos to build your confidence.
My Top 5 Acrylic Marker Techniques | Posca & Molotow | Art Lesson
If you are new to this kind of marker, then take some time and watch these videos to build your confidence.
My Top 5 Acrylic Marker Techniques | Posca & Molotow | Art Lesson
Using Paint Pen Over Acrylic Paint
If you have used paint on your gourd, but need to add details, then turn to your paint markers for help.
What pens draw on acrylic paint?
I use permanent Sharpie oil-based paint pens, which won’t smear, and finer-tipped paint pens for lettering and fine illustrations.
Actually, I usually use the pen markers over the acrylic paint on my gourds. I can add dots, lines, words, or tangles over the paint with the thinner line.
Bettie’s secret weapon
I wait until all the acrylic paint is dry on the gourd. Then, I add a thin layer of Liquitex Matte Medium over the surface on which I want to use the pen. Let that dry, and then start your line details.
I usually use the pen markers over the acrylic paint on my gourd. I can add dots, lines, words, or tangles over the paint with the thinner line.
Hoe to use colored markers on gourds
The Negatives of Acrylic Paint pens
Sadly, acrylic pens dry very quickly: One minute is enough for the current layer of thin markers to dry, and you can continue your work. Therefore, keep the cap on them when not using them.
Usually, the paint markers and pens have a more limited color range than permanent markers; the more expensive the pen, the more vibrant the color. Also, don’t expect these pens to last a long time. There is not that much paint in them. If you can hear the ball inside, you are low on paint!
Keep the Nibs Clean
Sometimes, debris or dried paint can cause the nib to get stuck. Gently wipe the nib with a damp cloth to remove any residue. Try a Warm Water Soak: If the nib is clogged, remove it from the pen (if possible) and soak it in warm water for a few minutes.
How to Use Colored Markers on Gourds
Best Paint Markers for Detailing:
Uni-Posca Paint Marker Pens
If you are a serious pen user, these Japanese markers and pens are the best. Their colors are limited, and the price is high, but so is the quality of the color. The intense color of these 21 Posca markers gives an excellent opaque cover on gourds.
The paint is non-toxic and dries quickly. It has good fade resistance, and spray varnish can help the colors last longer. The paint in the Poscas pens can be layered, mixed, and blended (while wet), and even manipulated with water (like regular acrylics)!
Below are other brands to seek out in your price range.
Best Water-Based Acrylic Paint Markers
Liquitex Professional Paint Marker Set
This pricey brand includes iridescent, fluorescent, and transparent colors. They have precision nibs in two sizes for ultimate control.
Many gourd artists like these for outdoor gourds. Liquitex Professional Paint Markers can be used on a wide range of surfaces, including primed canvas, wood, masonry, metal, and glass. They are lightfast.
The pigment is water-soluble when wet,yet permanent and water-resistant when dry. Once applied, all the water in the paint evaporates quickly to leave a flexible acrylic film of color behind so you can overpaint or varnish without bleeding to achieve multi-layered surface effects.
Remember these take longer to dry than some others!
Taking care of these markers
If you’ve got other Liquitex colors or paints on your nib, and they’re still wet, take the nib out and rinse it. If it’s dried on or looks a little old and worn out, go for a replacement nib. They’re easy to fit and return your markers to complete precision. Remember to always store markers horizontally and to keep the lid on when not in use to stop the paint from drying out. Watch it done in this video.
How to use colored markers on gourds
Sharpie Acrylic Creative Marker
Creative Markers, Water-Based Acrylic Markers, Brush Tip
This is a new product from Sharpie. This package comes with blue, yellow, red, green, and purple. The tips are a nice size for drawing. There is no prep work to use these. No shaking. Just uncap, and you are ready to get creative. They work on any surface.
When you use these pens, hold them straight up and down. Move slowly to allow the paint to flow consistently. Don’t press down hard as you move across the gourd. Store them upright so the paint stays on the tip.
You have to shake the markers before each use to get the full ink flowing, and you should definitely store them horizontally in between uses.
I chose the pens with the brush and chisel tips because the bullet tip wiggles a little. The brush is precise and excellent for thin lines. They work on paper, metal, wood, ceramic, glass, rock, and canvas. Below are some other brands to consider.
Oil-based Markers
The oil-based paint pens have a porous rod, and a small glass or plastic ball is inside its tank to stir the paint. The pump system allows you to adjust the amount of paint. Each time you use it, the pen must be shaken vigorously for about a minute to mix with the paint. Listen for that ball to be working. There is no sound. Then, the paint is dried out.
You prime the oil markers like the acrylic pens by pressing down on the nib several times. You wil have to repeat this several times until the paint present a flow of paint on the tip. You might wnt to watch this video if you are new to using any paint marker. Top 10 tips and tricks for using Posca Paint markers.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2-Zcnp5uDsk
Oil-based paint pens, also known as permanent marker paint pens, are used to create paintings on metal and stone painting designs, and their pigments are much harder to remove from surfaces when compared to water-based paint pens or marker paint pens.
Tips for making them last longer
Before you cap the pen, clean and clear the debris and paint from the tip using a paper towel or toilet paper. If you use the back of your hands, the oils in your skin will pick up the debris easily, or you can do the same on paper towels. When you cap it, listen for the snap to help your pen last longer!
Always store them horizontally.
The Positives and Negatives of Oil Pens
The oil-based pens are an excellent choice for gourds.
Enamel paint markers are much more durable than acrylic or regular acrylic paint markers, as the enamel creates a bright, opaque color suitable for plastic, glass, metal, wooden, and ceramic surfaces. Use enamel paint that will not fade or chip,
If you are going to put resin over your gourd. Stick with the acrylic pens.
The downside is their odor. Some users find they need to work outside with them. They also don’t come in many colors. Since they are indestructible, mistakes are hard to handle. That’s why graffiti artists love them!
How to get a Consistent Line
Getting the correct pressure determines consistency. The pressure you use makes the oil come from the reservoir down to the pen. You get the best consistent lines if you press the tip halfway down. Use a steady pressure for smooth, long lines.
Tips for using an oil-based marker
Can I layer the two kinds of paint marker?
You can layer the acrylic marker paints over each other and do the same with the oil-based markers. Just make sure the bottom layer is completely dry.
Importantly, you can only put oil base paint over the acrylic paint; you can’t put acrylic paint over the enamel paint.!
How do you blend the enamel paint if it dries so quickly?
You can mix and blend oil-based pens. But you have to work quickly. If you are detailing over the painted surface, just be sure the paint underneath is dry, or you will create a mess.
Bettie’s Secret:
There is a clever technique using the white marker to help you blend one color into another. I use it all the time. You can watch this in this video for a demonstration.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fTMK429ELGI
Dealing with Mistakes
How do you handle spills from the pen’s tip?
Take a corner of a paper towel or toilet paper and dab up the spill.
To clean big mistakes, wait for the paint to dry, then use a razor blade. Hold it straight and gently scrape the paint off. Blow off the paint dust carefully to avoid smearing the gourd or your table. Another option is to wipe the area with a damp cloth, apply detergent, and scrub it off while the paint is wet.
Frequent Questions about Sharpies
Will Sharpie bleed through oil paint?
Yes, they sometimes bleed through the underpainting of my oils and acrylics.
What kind of ink is in Sharpies?
All other Sharpie ink colors are Permchrome ink.
Will they work over oil pastel?
Yes. I used oil pastels for the background and black Sharpie for the lettering—pretty and easy!
Will Sharpie oil-based markers work over Sharpie acrylic base markers?
Yes. Make sure you mark on very dry paint.
Will they work over oil pastel?
Yes. I used oil pastels for the background and black Sharpie for the lettering—pretty and easy!
What do I do if my pen is leaking?
You have flooded the pen and will need to disassemble it. Watch this video.
What happened to extra-fine Sharpies?
The extra fine point markers are discontinued and replaced by the Ultra Fine markers or the Sharpie art pen.
Another good brand
Artistro oil-based paint markers
The best thing about this brand is that it flows without flooding or jamming with a fine round tip of 1-2mm. These paint pens have Japanese nib and Italian oil-based paint. Unlike water and alcohol markers, this pen has no porous rod, and a small glass or plastic ball is inside its tank to stir the paint. The permanent paint is glossy on all surfaces, including wood, rock, fabric, and metal.
These colors will blend and create a clear outline on your gourd surface. They are also less messy and are water-resistant, heat-resistant, fast-drying, and long-lasting.
This paint can be removed using an odorless Stoddard solvent. This solvent also allows you to create the effect of a color gradient, blur, or smooth transition when working with oil-based paint. My only complaint is that the colors don’t last long or have a brush tip.
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How to Use Colored Markers on Gourds
Markers That Add Bling to You Gourd Art
Metallic Marker
Think metallic if you want to use color to draw the viewers to your gourd. I create shard jewelry and need fine-tip markers to help fill a small area. I find that when I use metallic pens, they really attract the eye. Nearly every brand sells its own set.
I have never had any bleeding problems with these markers, but I learned you can’t store them in my Arizona studio in the summer! They will dry out. Once you find a brand you like, I recommend you buy a set of the metallics and try them. Below are some brands to consider.
Think metallic if you want to use color to draw the viewers to your gourd. I create shard jewelry and need fine-tip markers to help fill a small area. I find that when I use metallic pens, they really attract the eye.
Nearly every brand sells its own set.I have never had any bleeding problems with these markers, but I learned you can’t store them in my Arizona studio in the summer! They will dry out. Once you find a brand you like, I recommend you buy a set of the metallics and try them. Below are some brands to consider.
How to use colored markers on gourds
Glitter Pens
These markers have tiny bits of glitter and glue in the color. Use them for tiny areas, like hearts, stars, or dots. You can also write words or do some cross-hatching with them.
Watch this video about my favorites. Ohuhu Glitter Markers
Here are some others I recommend.
Long Nose Markers
I was amazed to find these long-nosed fine-line markers.
They are great for painting straight lines and applying pigment dots to your gourds. Think about using them to paint around a circle, heart, or leaf stencil.
Outline Markers
The tip draws two parallel lines in color with a lighter tone or silver filling between the lines. I like to use these to create a line flowing around the gourd to help connect the front image to the back. They also make great spirals and cross-hatching. Try this cheap set and see if you like them. Then check out your favorite band and see if they carry them.
Fluorescent Markers
Want your words or stars or leaves on your gourd to show in the dark? Or perhaps you have a gourd lamp that needs more zing! Then try this marker. This pack has eight bright colors (Yellow, Green, Red, Blue, White, Pink, Orange, and Purple.
Watch a video about the best markers. Fun with Fluorescent Copic Markers!
These markers are non-toxic and odorless. They dry fast and are easily erasable. Simply use a dry or damp cloth to wipe the chalk away without smearing, streaking, smudging, or messing. You must cover them with fixative before your final spray on your gourd.
This marker will work on any surface, like writing on glass, windows, board, and all non-porous surfaces. Often used on restaurant menu boards, bistro boards, LED writing boards, and even car windows.
Art Markers Are for Gourd Artist
Wow, I think I have only touched the surface of the various markers on the art market. To conclude, I have learned that buying the small, inexpensive set for experimenting may be your best start. Or if you are creating gourds you hope to sell, you may want to buy the better brands. The industry accepts that the Copic markers are exceptional. But I have been thrilled with the Ohuhu brand.
Markers Are Easy to Maintain
The other thing I have learned is you do need to keep all markers cleaned and store them correctly. When you pay more for a marker pen, you can get replaceable nibs and refills on the color. This allows you to keep your collection from overwhelming you. Markers are not like tubes of paint or dye containers; they dry out sooner than other color products. Read the directions on each product you buy to learn how to store and clean it. I also suggest that if you want your art gourds to last, you must focus your skills on the paint markers.
You may want to use a marker if you are not a great painter and but know how the brush blends colors. There are several videos online that offer tutorials. I enjoy using them because they are easier to clean up than paint.
Do you have a brand of markers you like using with gourd art?
Share your thoughts here in the comment box or share them with all the gourd artists on our Facebook Group Page.
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