Choosing Your First Marker Set: Complete Beginner's Guide to Getting Started

Choosing your first marker set can feel overwhelming with hundreds of options available. This guide will help you make an informed decision based on your budget, artistic goals, and skill level.

Understanding Marker Types

Before purchasing, understand the two main marker categories:

Alcohol-Based Markers

• Best for: Smooth blending, professional illustrations, manga
• Price range: £30-£200+ for starter sets
• Pros: Vibrant colors, permanent, refillable (premium brands)
• Cons: Strong odor, requires special paper, higher cost

Explore our best alcohol markers guide for top recommendations.

Water-Based Markers

• Best for: Beginners, students, casual art
• Price range: £10-£50 for starter sets
• Pros: Safe, affordable, easy cleanup, no fumes
• Cons: Less vibrant, harder to blend, not permanent

Check our best water-based markers for budget-friendly options.

Budget Considerations

Under £30: Entry Level

Perfect for testing if marker art suits you:

• Recommended: 12-24 water-based marker set
• Brands: Crayola, Arteza basics, generic brands
• What you get: Basic colors, decent for practice
• Limitations: Limited blending, may dry quickly

£30-£80: Serious Beginner

Best value for committed hobbyists:

• Recommended: 24-48 alcohol marker set
• Brands: Ohuhu, Arteza, Touch markers
• What you get: Good color range, decent blending
• Sweet spot: Quality without breaking the bank

Browse our marker sets for beginners in this range.

£80-£150: Professional Entry

Investment in quality tools:

• Recommended: 36-72 premium alcohol markers
• Brands: Copic Sketch, Prismacolor Premier
• What you get: Professional quality, refillable, extensive color range
• Long-term value: Refills cost less than replacement

£150+: Professional Collection

For serious artists and professionals:

• Recommended: 72+ Copic markers
• Investment: Build gradually, buy as needed
• Advantage: Industry standard, lifetime tool with refills

See our Copic markers guide for professional options.

Essential vs Nice-to-Have Colors

Must-Have Colors (12-24 markers)

Start with these essentials:

Grayscale (3-5 markers):

• Black (for outlines and shadows)
• 3-4 gray tones (light, medium, dark)
• Optional: Warm and cool grays

Primary Colors (6 markers):

• Red (bright and dark)
• Blue (light and dark)
• Yellow (bright and golden)

Secondary Colors (3 markers):

• Green (medium tone)
• Orange (medium tone)
• Purple (medium tone)

Skin Tones (3-5 markers):

• Light, medium, and dark skin tones
• Essential for character illustration

Browns (2 markers):

• Light brown (for wood, hair)
• Dark brown (for shadows, details)

Nice-to-Have Additions (24-48 markers)

Expand with these once you master basics:

• More skin tones: 5-8 variations for realistic portraits
• Pastels: Soft pinks, blues, yellows for highlights
• Vibrant colors: Hot pink, electric blue, lime green
• Earth tones: Terracotta, olive, mustard
• Colorless blender: Essential for smooth transitions

Brand Recommendations by Budget

Best Under £30

Arteza Real Brush Pens (24-pack):

• Price: £20-25
• Type: Water-based
• Best for: Beginners, practice
• Pros: Brush tips, good color selection

Best £30-£80

Ohuhu Markers (48-pack):

• Price: £35-45
• Type: Alcohol-based
• Best for: Serious beginners
• Pros: Excellent value, dual tips, good blending
• Cons: Not refillable

Arteza Alcohol Markers (60-pack):

• Price: £50-65
• Type: Alcohol-based
• Best for: Budget-conscious artists
• Pros: Wide color range, decent quality

Compare options in our affordable alcohol markers guide.

Best £80-£150

Copic Sketch (36-pack):

• Price: £120-140
• Type: Alcohol-based
• Best for: Committed artists
• Pros: Industry standard, refillable, replaceable nibs
• Long-term cost: £4-6 per refill (refills marker 10-12 times)

Prismacolor Premier (72-pack):

• Price: £90-110
• Type: Alcohol-based
• Best for: Illustration and design
• Pros: Rich colors, fine tips
• Cons: Not refillable

Best £150+

Copic Sketch (72-pack):

• Price: £240-280
• Best for: Professional artists
• Investment: Lifetime tool with proper care
• Alternative: Build collection gradually (£5-8 per marker)

What to Look For in a Starter Set

Dual Tips

Most quality markers offer two tip types:

• Broad/Chisel tip: For filling large areas
• Fine/Bullet tip: For details and outlines
• Brush tip: For varied line widths (premium sets)

Color Range

Ideal starter set includes:

• Balanced spectrum (not all bright colors)
• Multiple shades of each color family
• Neutral tones (grays, browns, beiges)
• At least 2-3 skin tone options

Storage Case

Quality sets include:

• Protective case to prevent damage
• Individual slots for each marker
• Horizontal storage (prevents ink settling)
• Portable design for travel

Ink Quality

Test before buying if possible:

• Smooth, consistent flow
• No streaking or skipping
• Vibrant, true-to-cap colors
• Good ink capacity (doesn't dry quickly)

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Buying Too Many Colors Initially

Start with 12-24 markers. Learn to mix and layer colors before expanding. A 120-marker set is overwhelming for beginners and often includes many unused colors.

Choosing Based on Price Alone

The cheapest option often means poor quality, quick drying, and frustration. Invest in mid-range quality (£30-80) for better learning experience.

Ignoring Paper Requirements

Alcohol markers need marker-specific paper (70-100gsm). Budget £10-15 for a marker pad alongside your markers. Regular paper will bleed through.

Not Considering Refills

If buying premium markers, factor in refill costs. Copic refills cost £4-6 but refill a marker 10-12 times, making them economical long-term.

Buying Sets with Duplicate Colors

Some budget sets include very similar colors to inflate marker count. Check color charts before purchasing.

Building Your Collection Over Time

Don't feel pressured to buy everything at once:

Month 1-3: Master your starter set (12-24 markers). Learn blending, layering, and color mixing.

Month 4-6: Add 12-24 complementary colors based on your art style. Portrait artists need more skin tones; landscape artists need more greens and blues.

Month 7-12: Fill gaps in your collection. Buy individual markers as needed rather than complete sets.

Year 2+: Invest in premium brands if you're serious. Gradually replace budget markers with professional-grade tools.

Final Recommendations

Absolute Beginner (testing the waters): Arteza Real Brush Pens 24-pack (£20-25)

Committed Beginner (ready to learn): Ohuhu Markers 48-pack (£35-45)

Serious Hobbyist (long-term investment): Copic Sketch 36-pack (£120-140)

Professional/Student: Build Copic collection gradually, buying individual markers as needed

Explore our complete markers and pens guide for detailed reviews and comparisons to help you make the perfect choice for your artistic journey.