Water markers/brushes have so many possibilities that I think they deserve a blog post 😉. So let's see what exactly a water marker is and what it is used for!
If you like painting with watercolors, if you like calligraphy or mixed media techniques, then water markers are a must-have tool!
Water markers are considered a Japanese invention and their advantages so many 😉 the best part is that make painting with watercolor colors a breeze!
We can find these markers in various sizes and each of them is used for a different purpose!
- the smaller one is ideal for fine details, such as coloring stamps or small surfaces in your designs.
- the middle one is the one you will use the most! It is very useful for almost all your projects and ideal for your beginnings because it does not require as much precision as the smaller one nor as much control as the larger one 😊
- the larger one is ideal for creating a background but also for coloring a large surface.
In any case, and regardless of the size you choose, these markers/brushes are structured in two parts that can be easily separated.
The top contains the brush and the bottom contains the tank. A system that facilitates the use of these markers 😉
Let's see their advantages...
- very easy to use! Some even say that they are easier to use than traditional brushes because they have a very comfortable grip and you can perfectly control the line and the effects you want to achieve.
- they are convenient! You don't need to have a glass of water next to you while you create.
- they are portable! You can have them everywhere with you, whether you like to create outdoors, or at a crop with friends...
So after filling the tank with water, run the tip of the brush through the watercolor paint, letting some drops fall onto the paint to moisten it (pressing the tank lightly).
So since our brush has color, we can use it. If you want a more watery-like color, then press the tank. You will have total control since you can control the pressure and the flow, while you spread it...
Clean the brush by placing its tip on a paper towel and lightly pressing the tank until it is clean.
While using the water marker, you will notice that its brush is no longer white.
This is normal, the synthetic hairs may stain a little but don't worry, this color will not mix with the colors you use.
If you are not going to use your marker for a while, it is a good idea to empty it so that mold does not grow inside the water tank. So, empty it and leave it in a horizontal or vertical position without its cap.
You can also use water brushes with water-based inks, such as our favorite Distress Inks by Tim Holtz.
These inks "dissolve" easily in water and the result is awesome 😍, as if we were using watercolors!
Another option is to use these brushes with watercolor pencils instead of paints.
Ideal use for creating on small surfaces... Instead of "pulling" the color with your brush from the tip of the pencil, you can do the opposite: paint on the paper with the pencil and then pass the brush to moisten it and give that watercolor effect we all love so much 💗
And of course, we couldn't complete this blog post without mentioning how useful these brushes are for calligraphy, whether in black ink or color!
Depending on how we hold our brush and the pressure we apply, the result 😉 is different!
Try it and you will be addicted!
Guaranteed! 😋
As you can see, these water markers/brushes have many uses and we are sure that if you add them to your collection you won't regret it!
Now, it's your turn!
Until next time,
Artistic kisses
