Comparing 8 Skin-Tone Alcohol Marker Sets // Which is Best?

thefrugalcrafter Lindsay Weirich
thefrugalcrafter Lindsay Weirich
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Published 2020-01-13
Hi friends! There have been many new alcohol marker sets released over the past couple of years. Today we will look at 8 popular sets to see how they compare. I will look at price, quality, variety/color selection, nib type, and overall value. Visit my blog for photos of all swatches and full review: thefrugalcrafter.wordpress.com/2020/01/14/comparin…

Markers in order of appearance:

Arrtx/Touchnew: amzn.to/36OUuYo
Price: $17 for a set of 24-23 colors+1 blender (.70 cents a marker)
Nib Type: Bullet-chisel
Barrel: Round with larger squared-off end at the chisel nib
Not refillable
Includes carry bag
Thoughts: Out of all 8 sets I liked this color selection best. I like the new body of marker they changed to as the caps are easier to remove and prevents ink from trying out.

Arteza: shrsl.com/22772 *Use coupon PB15PROMO for 10% off
$30.99 for 36 set (.86 cents a marker)
Nib Type: Bullet/Chisel
Barrell Type: Triangular with a colored band at bullet end
Not refillable (but maybe in future)
Open stock available on packs of 4
Packed in plastic trays
Thoughts: This is a nice neutral set with rich colors for ski and hair. This would be an excellent set for wildlife art too.
*This is the case I put mine it and you can fit the 36 greys set in too: shrsl.com/2277i

Azure by Royal & Langnickle amzn.to/36MwapX
Price: $16.42 for 13 markers -12 colors+1 blender ($1.26 per marker)
Nib Type: Bullet/Chisel
Barrell Type: Triangular with a colored band at bullet end
Not refillable
Packed in plastic trays
Thoughts: I like the Azure line of markers but I didn't care for the selection in the complexion set. They are also hard to find and more expensive than similar options. These might be available at Walmart. I think they are mainly sold through school suppliers.

Studio 71 shrsl.com/228cb
Price: $6-$8 for a 6 pack (skintones can be found in the 48 set too for $40-$47) $1 per marker
Nib Type: Fiber Brush/chisel
Barrel: rounded triangle
Not refillable
Open stock available
Packaged in plastic boxes
Thoughts: The color selection is nice but limited as it is only 6 colors. I recommend these markers to anyone interested in trying alcohol markers but don't want to spend a lot of money. All of the colors in the skintone set are in the 48 color set and there are beautiful blending combinations in that set. The downside is that the stiff brush nibs will fray and if left idle for a long time you will get desalination (salt and pigment build up) on the tips. These are markers to try out and see if you like alcohol markers and then upgrade if you do.

Ohuhu: amzn.to/2TmDyEK
Price: Around $30 for 24 colors ($1.25 per marker)
Nib Type: Fiber Brush/chisel
Barrel: round
Not refillable
The brush nib can be reversed if it frays extending the life of the marker
Included carry bag
Thoughts: This is a very warm (yellow/orange) leaning skin-tone set. I would have liked some cooler or more neutral skin tones. This set doesn't have a really pale shade either. The quality is good for the price but I would recommend one of their assorted color sets for more options.

Art-n-Fly www.artnfly.com/collections/markers?aff=31
Price: TBA but likely around $25 for the 12 pack (2.08 per) and $15 for the 6 set (2.50 per)
Nib Type: Foam Rubber Brush/Chisel
Barrel: Rounded octagon
Refillable and nibs are replaceable
24 set packaged in sturdy cardboard box, 6 set n a plastic wallet
Thoughts: I love the durable and flexible brush tip on these markers. I really like the line of markers but the 12 color set has 4 very similar pale peach colors and I wish they'd replace a couple with some mid-tones. The 6 set is useful but will be replaced with the 12 set to prevent duplications across the range of colors.

Spectrum Noir Illustrator (reformulated) shrsl.com/2278v
Price $17.05 for 6 pack ($2.84 per)
Nib Type: *Foam Rubber Brush/Chisel
Barrel: Hexagon
Refillable and nibs are replaceable
Packaged in a plastic tray in a cardboard box
Thoughts: This is a good start but you will likely want more mid tones. The old version of these markers had fiber brush nibs that frayed but the new sets feature high-quality foam rubber nibs which are much more durable.

Copic Sketch: shrsl.com/22799
Price $35.10 for set of 6 ($5.85 per)
Nib Type: Foam Rubber Brush/Chisel
Barrel: oval
Refillable and nibs are replaceable
Packaged in a plastic wallet
Thoughts: Copic markers are the gold standard and the price reflects that. I generally advise against buying copics in a set because they cost the same if bought individually: shrsl.com/2279h and purchasing what you want individually ensures that you only get what you will use. That said the colors in the skin tone set are very useful.


#thefrugalcrafter #watercolor #art
Want more inspiration? Here are some classes!
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All Comments (21)
  • @kattriella1331
    The green shade in the Ohuhu set is actually for undertones. It actually layers really well, apparently.
  • @c8Lorraine1
    I never buy any art supplies before I check in with your channel. Always reliable information
  • @ArtnFlyOfficial
    Thanks so much for including us in your review, Lindsay! We really appreciate the feedback as well 😊
  • @julieholt2864
    I just purchased the Arteza, look forward to getting them.
  • @amyt6254
    Wow, thanks for all of your hard work! This is very helpful!
  • @azzuparis
    Thanks for this video, Lindsay. Very thorough and full of info.
  • @drillteammom56
    Lindsay,
    Thank you so much for going over all the skin tone alcohol markers for us! This information is invaluable, as it will save us time and ultimately money. Who knew? Thanks again!
  • @susansacco7583
    Thanks so much for this thoughtful review! I wasn’t sure if I would like alcohol markers but been practicing with my skin tone set and really love them. It’s nice to have them for mixed media and new way to do skin.
    I watched a lot of your videos with alcohol markers before purchasing and continuing to watch to learn. Thank you Lindsay.
  • @elise2182
    Fantastic review, thank you! Bought the Arteza set on your recommendation. Like you, I spotted those brown shades and thought they could do really well in hair, and I love the sheer range of value and warm/cool tones the set includes.
  • @jacquelinevs
    Would love an updated version of this video, there’s so many new sets
  • @NancyLynn
    Awwww, you're 'the bomb' Lindsay...excellent info...TFS!
  • @dystoniacdiaries
    This is so helpful!!! I love the Arteza set. I've used those and Copics the most. And Arteza has recently started selling individual replacement markers in sets of 4 for about $8. So the ones I use the most I can actually replace when they're used up.
  • @melissasmuddle9728
    Thank you for the comparison! It's hard knowing what to take a chance with when it comes to less expensive art supplies.

    I bought my 8 yr old son the Ohuhu 48 set for Christmas on a lightning deal. I'm pretty happy with the markers so far. Personally I've been collecting Copics from Hobby Lobby with the 40% off coupon, 1 marker at a time for several years. I've watched youtubers draw with Copics to know which colors to get. I don't have a need for all 300 or whatever markers so it's working out great. I plan to try and refil the Ohuhus with Copic ink when the time comes. If it doesn't work I'll only have waisted a few drops of ink. :)
  • @wordscrafter
    Wow, thanks for doing this, I really appreciate it! I have the artxx set and ... it's weird for me. I may need to practice more, though. I have a 48 set of AspireColor, which I'm liking, but they didn't initially offer much in the way of skin tones. Thus the artxx. I'm thinking I would like to get the spectrum noir set because, for me, it's plenty. Lots of blending possibilities and refillable. Thanks again, so so so much!!!!!
  • @justflamingo4114
    This helped SOOOOOO much ! Copics are outta my budget and Ohuhu isn't deliverable to my location 😩 . You deserve many more subscribers !