Watercolor vs. markers

 

You printed your card and still don't know which material will look better, which one will paint faster or which one will give you the option to add the effect of lights and shadows? 

To help you in the choice of material and to ensure that you get to create amazing cards, we set out to test all kinds of materials to evaluate their advantages, disadvantages and properties. Plus, this way, we have an excuse to go to the craft store and start swiping the credit card ;)

 

Today we will face two opposing but equally powerful opponents. Watercolor and Markers

(for this analysis we've used watercolor pans and tubes and "Stabilo" and "Sharpie" permanent markers). 

There is no doubt that the properties of each can provide us with some very rich and interesting results. Here we go:

Watercolor pros:

• Textures: when painting with watercolor, we obtain watercolor textures that enhance the artwork.
• Subtlety: we can adjust the intensity of the color by adding more water or pigment to the palette.
• Lights and shadows: as it allows us to paint with layers, watercolor enables us to darken areas and create the sensation of shadows or 3d effects.

 

Watercolor cons:

• Slowness: If you want to paint quickly, this is not your medium. Watercolor requires patience, slow breathing and listening to melodic music that accompanies it.
• Complements: A number of materials and tools are needed to paint with this medium including: watercolors, glass of water, cloth to clean the brush, watercolor paper and watercolor brushes.
• Knowledge: some previous education on how to paint with watercolor allows us to take advantage of all the possibilities that this medium can offer.

 

Markers pros:

• Intensity: The colors are very intense. If you want your card to pop with color, this is your medium.
• No add-ons: All you need to do is buy markers to start painting, no other additional materials are required.
• Easy to start: There is no need for any advanced knowledge. All you need is the ability to not paint outside the lines.

 

Markers cons

• Single tone: you cannot control the intensity of the color.
• Difficult to correct: If you painted out of line there is no turning back.
• No mixing of colors: Unlike watercolor, you can't blend the colors. So if you like coloring as much as we do, you will have to make an initial investment if you want to have a wide variety of colors to choose from when you paint.

 

Regarding paper, you will need a special paper to work with both of these techniques and we did the homework for you: visit our article How to Choose the best paper for your coloring projects to find out how to choose the best one. 

Even if you are Team Markers or Team Watercolors we've got you covered, we send in each IPERARTIKA PDF each design with 2 types of line intensity: black line, for fans of contrasts and limits and grey lines for lovers of subtlety and fluidity.

Which do you prefer? The subtleness and textures that watercolor can provide or the strength and contrast of markers? Tell us what you like!

 

*Both greeting cards are painted with a design from the Collection:  “Happy Holidays” Coloring greeting cards.

 

 Happy Coloring!