10 favourite markers

These are some of my favourite markers for scribing. This is not a sponsored post or an ad of any kind, just information based on personal experience. (And yes, I’m Canadian, so I write favourite, as in favourite markers, with a u!)

Depending on the space or room where I’m working, and the needs of each client, I usually draw on white paper, large boards (often on easels), or on a whiteboard. White paper is my go-to because it’s easy for me to source locally in Mexico where I live, but I am also a big fan of Neuland’s brown and black rolls/pre-cut sheets. Their brown paper in particular is wonderful because it comes with subtle lines, to help guide you as you work.

I also do digital scribing on an iPad Pro, projected to a screen. I’ve written about this in another post if you have questions about those tools.

When working analog, I’m usually standing in a visible part of the room, where I’m careful not to obstruct the sight line for anyone in the group, but positioned to allow the greatest possible number of participants to see the drawing in process and approach during breaks to engage. This visibility creates a feedback loop between the group, the images, and me as the scribe, and is what makes it a social art (unlike sketchnoting, for example, which tends to be a more personal or individual process, even though the images may be shared and distributed).

On paper

To work on paper (in my case, usually 91 cm wide bond paper that I buy in 50m rolls), I use Neuland BigOne and No.One markers, both with a wedge nib. They are refillable (inks sold separately — for more info on how to refill, see this post) and the nib is also replaceable, when it gets worn down. On paper, I also like the Tombow brush pen/fine point double-ended markers.

On boards

To work directly on Eaglecell boards, which have a shiny surface, I use permanent inks like Sharpies, acrylics (think acrylic paint, in a marker), Neuland Outliner markers, and double-ended chisel/fine Art Markers from Prismacolor. Sharpies and Prismacolor Art Markers will go through bond paper to the wall, which is why I do not recommend them for working on paper, but they work well on foamcore, Eaglecell, and similar semi-glossy surfaces. A majr downside to both Sharpies and Prismacolor markers is that they are non-refillable and end up in landfill when they run out of ink.

A note on boards: Eaglecell is 100% recyclable and more environmentally-friendly than traditional foamcore, which is non-biodegradable and very difficult to recycle. Another option to reduce waste is to reuse your boards by mounting paper or acetate them, as the drawing layer, rather than drawing directly on the boards themselves.

Other colleagues have highly recommended Posca markers, which I haven’t tried yet.

Whiteboard (aka Dry Erase)

Working on a whiteboard, I use Pilot Board Master refillable whiteboard markers, with a wedge nib. For more seasoned practitioners, or anyone interested in experimenting with mixing your own custom colours (fancy!), I recommend this interview with Kelvy Bird. You can mix your own colours by buying various whiteboard inks and filling empty Montana markers, for example. This also gives you more options in terms of marker sizes.

Neuland also makes refillable whiteboard markers, which I haven’t tried, but they have the added benefit of replaceable nibs (which I believe the Pilot markers do not have). Last time I checked (2019), Neuland whiteboard inks were classified in the US as ‘dangerous goods’ for some reason, which significantly increases shipping and duty costs because they are imported from Germany. So, my choice is the fairly basic but reliable Pilot Board Master markers, since I personally don’t work on whiteboard surfaces very often.

Pro tip #1: Marker nibs

Why the wedge nib (AKA chisel tip) rather than a round nib (AKA bullet tip)? In truth, there are advantages to both. Some people, especially when starting out, may prefer a bullet tip option because you don’t have to worry as much about positioning the marker as you’re using it. It will basically give you one line width, so it’s easier to use.

A chisel tip marker provides more options because as you rotate and angle the marker on the drawing surface, you can create different line widths, varying from thin to thick. This takes more skill and practice to control effectively, but I prefer these markers because you get a wider range of options from a single tool.

Brush tip is another thing altogether, lots of fun and definitely takes practice. If you’re interested in this wonderful world of discovery, you can start with this video by Heather Martinez (of LetsLetterTogether.com) on brush lettering with Neuland ArtMarkers.

Pro tip #2: Tape

An extra note on tape: I usually use 3M wide masking tape. I’ve had issues with other brands in the past, some have even fallen off the wall (not pretty).

If walls are delicate, some clients may prefer blue painter’s tape, though I will suggest white artist tape — both have a lower adhesive than masking tape and are less likely to damage the wall surface. (White artist tape tends to look better on the wall because blue really stands out and tends to give you a less clean-looking work space.)

Recap: my top 10 for scribing

1. Neuland Big One Outliner, wedge nib (large Outliner markers— the ones with orange casing — have permanent, black, water-based ink, which means you can layer with other colours and they will not smudge)
2. Neuland No. One Outliner, wedge nib (smaller permanent markers)
3. Neuland BigOne, wedge nib (large marker, regular water-based ink, non-permanent — all the colours!)
4. Neuland No.One, wedge nib (smaller marker, regular water-based ink, non-permanent — again, in as many colours as possible, they offer a wide range)
5. Double-ended Premier chisel/fine art markers from Prismacolor
6. Sharpie with wedge nib
7. Sharpie Twin Tip, or the larger Super Twin Tip
8. Pilot Board Master refillable permanent marker Master with wedge nib
9. Pilot Board Master refillable whiteboard markers with wedge nib
10. Tombow brush pen/fine point double-ended markers

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