Why today’s paint markers are perfect for gourds will explain how to use them properly and suggest other specialty markers to make your gourd pop!
There was a time when the paint markers were more trouble than they were worth. They dried up too soon; they leaked when you tried drawing a line and smelled!
Those things are no longer valid.
Manufacturers have improved their products and created many new versions that affect your gourd differently. In this post, I want to encourage you to take another look at the acrylic and the oil paint markers. Their stability and fastness on gourds are outstanding. With the proper care, their vibrant colors will draw any viewer’s attention. I also want to introduce you to the metallic marker, the glitter marker, the outline marker, and the fluorescent marker. And have you seen the new long-nose markers?
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. In contrast, water-based paint markers use water as a solvent and an acrylic polymer {a plastic) 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.
My Tips for the Beginner User of Paint Markers
- Don’t activate your pen until you need it. Unused pens can dry out if sitting too long.
- Shake the pen horizontally, not vertically, to mix the paint and get it to the nib.
- If the paint is watery or transparent, you must shake it more.
- You are over-pumping if you get gobs of paint from the nib. Clean off the nib and start again!
- Never paint with the nib pushed in. Paint in section. Set your pen down on the gourd and pump down some paint. Now, drag the paint in strokes to fill the shape.
- Don’t use a small nib to cover a large area. This wears out the nib quickly.
- Go slow to get a free flow of color when using a small nib. All lids snap when they are correctly closed.
Cleaning the acrylic markers
When you finish using these markers, clean the nib like a paintbrush. Remove the nib, rinse it under water, and wipe it dry. Next, reinsert the nib into the barrel and clean the pen rim, removing any dry paint. When you replace the lid, listen for the snap before you store it horizontally. Each time you use it, shake the pen vigorously to mix the paint, and you might have to prime it again to get a steady paint flow.
Combining acrylic paint from both a tube and a marker format
Suppose you are a painter and love using acrylic paints on your gourds. In that case, you will find that a marker might be the perfect way to add lines and details to the already-painted gourd surface.
I often use the pen markers over the acrylic paint on my gourd. With the marker, I can add dots, lines, words, or tangles over the paint with the thinner line.
Some gourd artists have complained that the new paint will smear into the underlayer. You often haven’t waited long enough for the first layer to dry. To avoid that, I have another solution.
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.
How much Should you Pay?
There are several brands of markers to choose from. I will share the top choices and direct you to videos demonstrating each pen. If you are creating gourd art to sell and what a reasonable price and a happy buyer a year from now, consider that a quality pen will serve you better than a cheaper one that doesn’t last long.
If you are new to the art form, buy a cheaper set and try them out on your practice gourds to learn how they work before investing your money.
Want to see them in action? Watch these videos.
10 Posca Pen Tips for Beginners
My Top 5 Acrylic Marker Techniques | Posca & Molotow | Art Lesson
Best Alcohol Paint Markers for Gourd to do Detailing:
Uni-Posca Paint Marker Pens
If you are an avid 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.
This Pasca paint is non-toxic and dries quickly. It has good fade resistance; a final varnish spray can help the colors last longer. The paint in the Poscas marker can be layered, mixed, blended (while wet), and even manipulated with water (like regular acrylics)!
Now for the Famous Sharpies
Sharpie Acrylic Creative Marker
Creative Markers, Water-Based Acrylic Markers, Brush Tip
There are two new kinds to consider in their acrylic line. The packages are similar because what changes is the nib selection. I love the brush set the best. These packages come in the popular colors of 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 nib.
What I like About these Paint Markers
I chose the pens with the brush and chisel tips because the bullet tip wiggles slightly but stays firmer than the chisel tip. Incidentally,I read that the nibs can be replaced with different sizes. The brush is lovely for precise and excellent thin lines. Both kinds work on paper, metal, wood, ceramic, glass, rock, and canvas. I have used them on glass, and they worked flawlessly.
Check out the white!
I was most impressed with the white. It covers well on light and dark surfaces, and the brush allows for skinny lines.
Watch these reviews of both types to see how they work.
“Creative Markers” Paint Markers Pt A Unboxing Brush Tip Markers
Finding the Best Acrylic Paint Pen: A Paint Pen Comparison
Do they make a mess??? SHARPIE Oil-Based Paint Markers, Medium Point,
Using Oil-based Markers Means no fading of colors!
These markers are nearly indestructible! If you want your 50-hour gourd masterpiece to last, consider these markers. Are you a creator of birdhouses that you sell? Then, learn more about the oil-based markers.
Oil markers will stay on any surface without a sealer. They also do not fade.
But they do have problems. Some of them smell too strong to work with inside. Oil markers take longer to dry, and they come in fewer colors. Oil paint stays on your hands and is more challenging to clean.
Oil-based Markers Need to be Primed
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 of the oil painting pen and pressing down the tip several times. Keep repeating this untill the paint is flowing consistently. You might want to watch this video if you are new to using any paint markers.
Top 10 Tips and Tricks for using POSCA Paint Pens and Paint Markers
There are several brands to choose from. I will share the top choices and direct you to videos demonstrating each pen.
Liquitex Professional Paint Markers
If you are a painter of gourds and love this brand, you will be comfortable with these markers. The paint markers flow and feel on the nib,like the paint on a brush. It 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. This film is permanent and doesn’t move, so you can overpaint or varnish without bleeding to achieve multi-layered surface effects.
The pigments are lightfast, with no color shifting or fading. Watch a short video
Taking care of your Liquitex Markers
Most painters use several paint tools at once, meaning the marker tip can often mix with other wet products when blending. If your dirty nibs are still wet, take them out and rinse them. Or 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 always to store markers horizontally and to keep lids on when not in use to stop the paint from drying out.
You have 50 colors to choose from, and you can buy them individually. Plus, you can use them with any Liquitex products.The price range is from $7 to $12. Their $12 silver is fantastic.
The most popular oil-based marker is the Sharpie product
The Sharpie Oil-Based Paint Marker can write on almost any non-porous surface, including glass, plastic, metal, wood, and stone. Like the Uni Posca, its ink is opaque when applied. It is also water, fade, and abrasion resistant and quick drying, making it perfect for outdoor craft projects. This marker comes in 15 different colors in the Medium size. The oil-based pens are an excellent choice for gourds. Keep your Sharpie oil-based paint markers in a well-ventilated place, keep the container tightly closed, and keep them cool.
video:
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! The tip of the Sharpie Oil-Based Paint Markers is not removable. Don’t use the oil markers if you are going to put resin over your gourd. Stick with the acrylic pens.
Sharpie Nib Selection
There are no brush tips in this collection. The ultra-fine tips are available only in white, gold, and silver.
The ultra-fine tips are available only in white, gold, and silver.
Medium tip Sharpie
How to get a Consistent Line with the Sharpie oil-based marker
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.
Can I layer the two kinds of paint markers in the Sharpie line?
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 in these Sharpies 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.
Dealing with Mistakes When Using this Marker
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.
Most Asked Questions about the Sharpie
- Will Sharpie bleed through oil paint?
- Yes, they sometimes bleed through the underpainting of my oils and acrylics.
- Will they work over oil pastel?
- I used oil pastels for the background and black Sharpie for the lettering—pretty and easy!
- What kind of ink is in Sharpies?
- All other Sharpie ink colors are Permchrome ink.
- What do I do if my pen is leaking?
- You have flooded the pen and will need to disassemble it. Watch this video.
- What removes oil-based Sharpie?
- Nail polish remover: Nail polish remover, just like rubbing alcohol, contains acetone, which can help dissolve the ink. Gently massage the stained area with a cotton ball or paper towel dipped in nail polish remover. Oil: You can use coconut oil, baby oil, or vegetable oil to help remove the ink stain.
- 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.
- Will Sharpie oil-based markers work over Sharpie acrylic base markers?
- Make sure you mark on very dry paint.
- How do you fix dry oil-based Sharpie?
- Fill your bowl with rubbing alcohol (you can also use the cap of the alcohol bottle, as you’ll see in these examples) and put the Sharpie, tip down, in the liquid. Let it sit until a bit of ink runs out into the alcohol. Then, cap your marker and let it sit for 15 minutes before using it again.
Second Most Popular oil-based Paint Markers
Artistro
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.
These are also less messy and are water-resistant, heat-resistant, fast-drying, and long-lasting.
This ink 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.
Next. we look at Novelty Markers that Can Add Bling to your Gourd
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 attract the eye. Nearly every brand sells its own set. I have never had any bleeding problems with these markers. Still, 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.
Have You Tried the Glitter markers?
These markers have tiny bits of glitter 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 from Ohuhu. Here are some others I recommend.
Specialty Art Pens and Markers
Who knew there were so many different kinds of markers out there? Here are some of my favorites
Out line Markers
The tip draws two parallel lines in color with a light tone 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.
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.
This marker will work on any surface, like writing on glass, windows, board, and all non-porous surfaces. Great for restaurant menu boards, bistro boards, LED writing boards, car windows.
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 and fun 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. It would help if you covered them with fixative before your final spray on your gourd.
You may want to use a marker if you are not a great painter and 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 after than paint.
Art Markers Are for Gourd Artists
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. Please 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 gourd to last, you must focus your skills on the paint markers.
Do you have a brand of markers you like using with gourd art?
Please, 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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