You can blend water-based markers using water, similar to how you work with watercolors, often by applying color to a surface and then using a brush with water to spread and mix it.
Water-based markers are versatile tools for coloring and illustration, offering vibrant hues that can be manipulated with water. This characteristic allows for various blending techniques to achieve smooth transitions, gradients, and watercolor-like effects.
Essential Tools for Blending
To effectively blend water-based markers, you typically need:
- Water-based markers
- Paper suitable for wet media (watercolor paper, Bristol board, etc.)
- Water source (cup or palette)
- Brush (watercolor brush, water brush)
- Blending palette or non-porous surface (plastic sheet, tile, etc.)
Blending Technique: Using a Blending Palette and Brush
One common approach, highlighted by the reference, involves using a separate blending surface and a brush with water. "You can use them kind of like watercolor markers. So basically you can do a couple of different things you can put the color on the blending palette. Then take a brush with water obviously."
Here's a breakdown of this technique:
- Apply Color to Palette: Scribble or draw the desired marker color(s) onto a non-porous blending palette or surface.
- Introduce Water: Dip a brush into clean water, removing excess water so the brush is damp, not dripping wet.
- Pick Up Color: Gently touch the wet brush to the marker color on the palette, picking up the pigment.
- Apply to Paper: Apply the colored water from the brush onto your paper. You can lay down areas of color or blend existing marker strokes directly on the paper using the wet brush.
- Blend on Paper: If you've applied marker directly to the paper, use the damp brush to spread and soften the edges of the color, mixing areas where colors meet.
This method allows for more controlled color mixing and application, letting you create washes and subtle blends before committing the color to your final artwork.
Other Common Blending Methods
While the palette method is effective, other techniques are often used:
- Layering: Apply one color, let it dry slightly, then layer another color over or next to it. Blend edges with a damp brush or by going over the join with a lighter marker or blender pen.
- Marker-to-Marker Blending: Touch the tip of a lighter marker to the tip of a darker marker briefly to pick up some ink. The lighter marker will lay down a gradient starting with the darker color.
- Direct Blending on Paper: Apply colors next to each other on the paper and immediately use a damp brush or a blender pen to merge the edges.
Each method offers different results, from soft washes to vibrant, layered blends. Experimenting with these techniques will help you discover the best approach for your desired outcome.
