Review: Arrtx direct-ink acrylic markers

Review samples provided by Arrtx

Arrtx has sent me some direct-ink acrylic markers to test. I've tested their cotton core acrylic markers and these new ones are quite similar because they also have brush tips.

The company sells so many box sets it's starting to confuse me.

So these new markers are using the direct-ink or free-ink system with liquid ink in the body chamber.

At the time of review the set with 60 colours is USD 51.99 and 36 colours is USD 36.99. The price is affordable, very reasonable, since each marker is around USD 1.

I'm into urban sketching and my primary use of acrylic markers is to add details to my watercolour sketches.

The box set is big and I am definitely not gonna bring the whole box out with me, instead I will be selected colours in a pencil case.

The colours are arranged into four removable trays. 60 colours is many but for markers it's good to have more colours since each marker is just one colour.

There's no information regarding the pigments used to create the colours so I don't know how lightfast the colours will be. If you want to use the markers to create art for display, it's best to test the paint for lightfastness first.

The marker looks well made. The body has clouds with smiley faces that lets you see through to how much ink is left.

Ink flow is good.

There's a code for each colour instead of colour name. There's a little note that reminds you to shake the marker before use.

At time of review, I do not see ink refills and each colour is not sold separately. So it looks like once whatever colour is used up, you can't just replace that specific colour.

The acrylic ink dries fast, and the dried surface is matte with no gloss.

You can probably avoid creating marker streaks if you're careful enough.

The brush tip is versatile.

You can draw little dots, create taper strokes or broad strokes easily.

The ink is very opaque and has good covering strength. Once dries, they look good beside watercolour. Actually the acrylic ink looks almost like gouache to me.

Here's a sketch drawn on location, but I added highlights, more details and textures at home with the markers.

I don't use the markers for blending so I can't say much about blending.

The quality of these markers seems good. These markers are great for mixed media artists, urban sketchers, kids or anyone who needs opaque paint markers.

Availability

These Arrtx direct-ink acrylic markers are available from the Arrtx online store