First I'll start with the alcohol markers :) I was sent the 'Brights' pack, and there are three other sets available to buy: Basics, Neutrals and Tints.
The high-quality alcohol ink flows smoothly across any paper surface and leaves no streaks, giving perfect results and seamless blends. There are some fantastic and unusual tones available throughout the 96 colours, particularly the pastels in the 'Tints' set.
One great feature that sets them apart from Spectrum Noir is the lack of a complicated (and frankly puzzling) coding system. Each pen simply has its name on the lid and the colour- which generally aren't as bright and vivid as the ink turns out but are fine for selecting at quick glance when you have a colour chart to accompany them. Some of the names are really quirky and fun- Dragonfruit and Seafoam being among my favourites. |
Check out this short video I made using one of the techniques I just mentioned- the blending pen. You can get these under lots of brand names but I had a Tombow one to hand so that's the one I've used in this tutorial. The clear blending solution 'picks up' the Harmony ink and lays it down in a gradient from dark to light.
The thing about water-based ink is that you don't get that flawless block of colour with alcohol, so using them to colour with 'normally' does leave streaks- just like Staedtler Triplus or similar markers. You can see what I mean on the colour chart. These pens have so many possibilities it's hard to imagine just using them as they are! The Basics set has lots of earth tones, with shades you don't usually find in waterbased ranges (normally because they don't come in large packs). There are 48 colours available to buy, so you know you're getting an extensive variety of tones, especially when coupled with the alcohol set. |
If you're not quite ready to buy yet and want to see more of them in action, tune into the Hochanda channel on 1st January 2016 at 11am or 2pm to watch an in-depth demonstration of the pens.
SKY 663 (24/7) --- FREEVIEW 39 (6AM-9PM) --- FREESAT 817 (24/7)
Full set of 144 alcohol and aqua pens
(flexibuy available through phone only)
Alcohol Basics
Alcohol Brights
Alcohol Neutrals
Alcohol Tints
Aqua Basics / Brights