Alcohol Markers: The Chemistry Of The Creative Art

What are alcohol markers?

If you are concerning what is alcohol? lets have a look on its definition first. Alcohol is a member of organic compound family having functional group -OH attachech to an alkyl group or a chain. Alcohol markers or we can say alcohol-based markers are high-quality products that are usually also referred to as “illustrators” or named after a well-known brand as “Copic markers”. When it comes to art, a passionate artist or a crafter will never take a chance on his art and that is why many art experts and illustrators choose alcohol makers because of their smooth blending, vivid and vibrant colors, easy-to-blend, and quick-drying ability. Artists highly demand alcohol markers because of their special writing capabilities, wide color range, and transparency, making them perfect for layering techniques similar to watercolors.

History of ALcohol Markers in The Art Industry.

As early as 3200 BC, Ancient Egypt popularly used alcohol ink for drawing or writing purposes, predating what we now know as alcohol markers or Copic markers. Over time, artisans design the pens to hold ink more efficiently and apply it smoothly onto surfaces.

Copic markers derive their name from the word “copies,” reflecting their brilliant history. Design professionals in early times relied on copy machines. Doing so, coloring tools failed to integrate well with photocopies and left smears on the paper. It prompted the development of the next generation of graphic markers, known as Copic markers.(manufactured by. Too marker products. Japan). From there when people discovers the all great possibilities of creating art, demand for alcohol markers rises in the market. Today, landscape designers, graphic and fashion artists, illustrators, and product designers widely use “Copic markers.” Additionally, glassblowers, sculptors, and painters utilize them for preliminary sketches.

Another targeted area is industries like urban planning and architecture where alcohol markers are a great option for mapping.

Components of Alcohol Markers.

• Overview of the component (ink, nib, barrel)

Alcohol markers are usually high grade because of its dual sides. One side usually always have a chisel tip creating more defined strokes. The other side comes with either a brush tip or a bullet tip (a ‘tip’ can also mentioned as a “nib”). To produce wide range of beautified strokes, dual tip proves to be more valuable, as shown below.

Each nib has its own assets and flaw. The chisel tip creates distinct ink marks with defined edges, similar to a highlighter, and varying line thicknesses. A brush tip, offers more sophisticated coloring approaches, flexibility, and multiple type of strokes with seamless blending.

This is attributed to the brush tip’s shape and texture, closely resembling that of a typical paintbrush.

A bullet or fine tip is more like a typical pen and can create consistent line widths. It can help with certain forms of hand scripting usually in thinner and lighter fonts.

Alcohol markers feature a thicker body design with a sturdy barrel for storing ample alcohol-based ink, ensuring prolonged use. Such a design will bring the cost down by providing a larger, refillabe ink storage. Alongside, dual tip cuts down the cost of buying two separate markers for a sole purpose.

• which is better (professional grade vs. student grade)

A professional grade alcohol markers are creating to be used for detailed skillful procedures. This make them choice over other drawing and writing tools in many spheres. They can be use by both professionals and fresh artist like, illustrators, designers and architects. Professional-grade alcohol markers offer superior blending, a smooth surface, and vibrant effects, weather working in photorealistic, anime, or whimsical styles.

Contrary to this, a student grade alcohol markers designed for casual hobbies. It is used for calligraphy, coloring and hand-lettering by spontaneous artists or crafters.

• Effects on different surfaces (paper, plastic, glass)

We previously discussed the effects achievable with alcohol-based markers in the Anatomy of Alcohol Markers section. Another reason they are a preferred tool for artists is the versatile effects they produce when used on various surfaces.

Chemistry Behind Alcohol-based Markers:

• Composition of alcohol-based ink (solvents, pigments, binders)

A marker’s ink comprises dye particles suspended in a solvent, which acts as a carrier for color or dye. In case of alcohol markers, the solvent usually is an alcohol (ethanol or isopropyl alcohol). See the structures below) for which these markers get their name.

 In alcohol markers, organic pigments suspended in the solvent serve as the coloring agents. These pigments easily dissolve evenly with the solvent, creating suitable liquid ink for markers. Additionally, their carbon-based nature provides vivid colors ranging from reds, greens, and blues to more complex shades. Binders involved resins which provides adhesion to ink with the drawing surface hence creating smooth lines and provides colour retention and stability. Alcohol-based markers use different binders, such as polyamide resin, which provides resistance to abrasion and adhesion, suitable for various surfaces like paper, plastic, or fabric. Other binders include phenolic resins for improved durability, Alkyd resin for fluidity and prevention of blurring after coating due to its fast drying ability, and epoxy resin for water resistance.

• Role of alcohol in ink formulation.

Alcohol is the crucial ingredient usually consist of volatile organic compound that plays a key role in thinning and rapid drying of ink. Likely, such compounds provide fluidity (chemistry says alcohols and phenols have low volatility).

• Comparison with other types of markers (water-based, oil-based)

Water base markers, as the name indicates having water as a key solvent which has a dye dissolved in it. These type of markers usually are similar to common markers used by children for coloring and drawing. Professional artists generally prefer alcohol-based markers over water-based ones. This is because water-based markers, although odorless and safe to use, tend to create streaks rather than providing the smooth blending characteristic of alcohol markers.

The solvent in the oil-based markers are usually petroleum based or vegetable oil. The oil based solvent has suspended pigment in it which makes these pens less streaky as compared to water based markers. These markers tend to dry faster than alcohol-based markers so one has to work faster with them. Apart from this oil based markers give truly impressive results on glass, ceramics, hard surfaces like wood and stone which otherwise is not possible with alcohol based markers.

Tips and Techniques for Using Alcohol Markers.

Techniques for blending, shading, and layering colors require using bleed-proof paper, also known as “bond” or “layout,” to prevent the ink from spidering. You typically find this type of paper in the form of Copic “cardstock.” Try creating even layout coloring without going out from boundaries, as ink in alcohol markers settles and blends while drying leaving with a smooth texture. Try creating a color gradient by using strokes of higher to lower density also the number of strokes may vary.

Understanding color theory for effective marker usage is important when it comes to blending. If you are blending with two colors, try using the same color family like mixing blue with green as well as working with the lightest color first.

Safety Considerations For Using Alcohol Markers.

• Proper handling and storage of alcohol markers (volatility, flammability)

Chemistry warns us already saying alcohol is highly volatile (evaporates rapidly) and flammable (catches fire instantly), so it is preferable to keep away the alcohol-based markers from areas having open fire. Another consideration is to keep alcohol-based markers away from the direct heat from the sun and radiators as it melts down the plastic barrel of markers causing tiny cracks on the barrel, as a result, the marker will no longer tightly close and hence dry out quickly

• Tips for avoiding skin contact and inhalation of fumes (ventilation)

While you can avoid accidental spills on the skin, it’s important to note that using a “Copic marker” on the skin for tattooing purposes is not recommended due to its alcohol content, which may cause skin irritation. If you’re working with alcohol markers in bulk, ensure that you ventilate the space well because the alcohol ink in these markers tends to evaporate quickly, and inhaling the fumes can irritate the respiratory tract.

• Safe disposal methods for markers and ink cartridges

Typically, Copics are alcohol markers designed for multiple cartridge refills and nib replacements. However, when a marker becomes damaged, it should be disposed of as a non-burnable product. It is advisable to clean its cartridge with a paper towel and allow the worn-out nib to dry before disposal.

Lets Summarize it:

In conclusion, alcohol markers stand at the node of chemistry and creativity, offering artists a versatile means of expression. like Copic markers, these tools have become essential for professionals and enthusiasts alike. The structure of alcohol markers, including their dual-tip design and ample ink capacity, underscores their practicality and effectiveness. Furthermore, the chemical composition of alcohol-based ink, comprising solvents, pigments, and binders, explains their vivid colors, smooth application, and quick drying properties. Techniques for blending, shading, and layering colors, alongside safety precautions for proper handling and disposal, ensure both artistic success and personal safety. Ultimately, these markers continue to inspire creativity with their exceptional performance and enduring popularity in artistic pursuits.

Want to connect:

If this information piques your interest, be sure to explore more about intriguing mysteries in chemistry by knowing about lewis model of bonding