I am not a professional artist by any stretch of the imagination, so it's a bit difficult for me to justify spending a lot of money on high end supplies for my hobby. I love the effects you can create with alcohol markers but didn't want to pay upwards of $8 for a single marker from the brand considered the "creme de la creme". I purchased these as a compromise, and have to say, I am thoroughly converted. I no longer consider myself to be settling for second best - these markers are top notch.
That's not to say there aren't a few quibbles. The way this marker "system" works is that the colors are grouped together in families- dark reds, burnt oranges, dusty purples, etc. - with several colors in each family ranging from lightest to darkest. Therefore, you can grab, say, a DR1, DR2, and DR3 and be confident that you're going to get a smooth gradient when you blend from darkest to lightest (or vice versa). For the most part, this works extremely well, and I've truly enjoyed creating beautiful blends in my projects. However, there are a few quirks that I've found along the way. For instance, in some families, a 3 marker might actually be lighter than the 2, or has a noticeably different tone that makes the blending not quite as smooth as it should be.
I also wish the chisel tips were replaced with brush tips. The bullet tip is excellent, but a brush tip really gives fine control when blending, really allowing for the flicking motion that helps create seamless blends. There are brush tip replacements available from Crafter's Companion/Spectrum Noir, but they are quite expensive. To be fair, I should note that Spectrum Noir does sell the Illustrator line which uses the same ink as these markers, but with a brush tip instead of a chisel, however they are significantly more expensive.
I did have a very minor issue with markers being dry when I first got them. I say minor because 1) it has only affected 3 markers out of the 114 markers I have purchased so far and 2) Crafter's Companion promptly mailed me replacements when I brought it to their attention. Excellent customer service certainly makes up for the minor inconvenience.
If you're looking for a more affordable alternative to the top of the line art markers, these are an excellent choice.
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From the manufacturer
Spectrum Noir Colouring System Alcohol Marker Dual Nib Pens
Spectrum Noir pens are alcohol ink based markers which have been designed specifically for crafters but these markers are also great for beginners, students and hobby artists.
The colours blend seamlessly and can be mixed or layered over each other. For stunning results use the Crafter's Companion Neenah Classic Crest Card, this card is perfect for use with alcohol based pens.
Each marker has a ergonomic hexagonal barrel which has been designed for greater comfort when you are colouring.
- Two nibs in one pen
- Broad Chisel Nib
- Fine Bullet Nib
- Acid-free and non-toxic
Character
Artistic
Fantasy
Floral
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Mrs Linda Butcher
An accurate description please!
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on February 3, 2019