Using the markers
Winsor & Newton claim that the best
results are achieved by using the Pigment
Markers on their own specially formulated
marker paper, Winsor & Newton Pigment
Marker Paper, which is available in A3 and
A4 pads. These sizes are limiting but
maybe they will introduce an A2 pad at a
later date if there is a demand. I am
usually quite cynical when it comes to
suppliers advising artists to use their
other branded products. In this case,
however, Winsor & Newton have a point
in that in order to live up to their true
potential these markers do need to be
used on a non or low absorbent surface.
If the marker paint soaks into the surface
the blending effects are nullified. In order
to be thorough I did try the markers on
various substrates.
The marks stay wet to the touch for a
few seconds and can be blended with the
finger but once dry the colour can only be
manipulated and blended using other
colours in the range, or either one of the
two blender markers. To lay different
colours over the top of each other you
need to make decisive marks, otherwisethe colours will mix together. As you work
the fibre nibs on the lighter colours and
the blender markers do get contaminated
with other colours, but it is easy and quick
to clean them, simply by making a few
marks on a scrap piece of paper. The
colours are very intense but a higher
saturation can be built up by layering the
colours; any streaking, which occasionally
occurs when using all the marker pens,
can be minimised by layering or working
in multidirectional strokes. Many users
utilise a range of different brand markers
so I used the pigment markers together
with Copic markers and Letraset
ProMarkers, and found that it was
possible to both mix colour and/or layer
colour in interesting ways on the pigment
marker paper.
The markers work exceptionally well on
Winsor & Newton Pigment Marker Paper
and do everything ‘it says on the tin’! This
paper allows you to read a design on a
sheet placed beneath the work sheet and
there is no bleed through. The marker
pens also work on tracing paper but lack
the colour intensity. On normal layout
paper they feel less smooth and slightlydry, the colours can be layered but will
not mix and blend and the slight bleed-
through compares to other brands; the
same is true when used on marker paper.
The pens work very well on foam board
and prepared artists’ panels such as
Ampersand Clayboard, or try using the
lighter pens on an absorbent black
surface.
I really enjoyed using these pens, and
personally found them easier to use than
markers that do not blend. By blending
with the colourless marker the work looks
not unlike a transparent watercolour. The
White Blender gives an added opacity not
unlike gouache, and of course the two
blenders can be used together.
Easily transportable, clean, and long
lasting, why not try them as an alternative
to more traditional sketching materials,
such as watercolour or ink. I have no
reservations in suggesting that you buy a
few – enjoy!Winsor & Newton Pigment Markers are
available from all good art materials
suppliers. The pens cost £4.99 each and a
set of six costs £19.99.http://www.painters-online.co.uk artistApril 2016 47
Winsor & Newton Pigment Markers are
terrific for design work and illustration and
could easily become a favoured tool for
sketching on location‘The White Blender is the first of its kind,
and lets you build, blend and soften colours
in a way that has never been seen before
with markers’
TA