Getting Started with Art and Colouring -Crafters Companion UK

Welcome to the wonderful world of art and colouring! Whether you’re looking to brush up on the basics, experiment with watercolour techniques, or enjoy some relaxing, mindful colouring, you’re in the right place.

With so many tools, materials, and techniques to choose from, starting out can feel a little overwhelming. But don’t worry! This beginner's guide will walk you through the essential basics to help you find your feet, build confidence, and unleash your creativity.

Choosing the Right Materials

Before you dive into your first project, it’s important to select the right tools for your chosen medium. Let’s explore some of the most popular art materials and their uses.

Alcohol Markers

Alcohol markers are a favourite for their vibrant, smooth, and blendable colours. Their alcohol-based dye ink not only means the colours will apply incredibly smoothly, but the slightly translucent quality makes them perfect for layering and blending. Here are some options to consider:

Classique Markers: Perfect for beginners, these dual-tipped pens (broad-chisel and fine-bullet) are a versatile choice for smooth colour application.
Illustrator Markers: Designed for artists, these markers feature a brush tip for expressive strokes and a fine nib for intricate details.
TriBlend Markers: Each pen contains three coordinated shades, allowing for easy blending and seamless gradients.
TriBlend Brush Markers: Offering the same trio of shades as the TriBlend markers, these feature a Japanese fibre brush tip for more artistic effects.

Shop all Alcohol Markers.

Watercolour Markers

Watercolour markers combine the control of a pen with the soft, fluid effects of watercolour paint.

Aqua Markers: Dual-tipped for fine details and broad strokes, these pens deliver smooth, water-soluble colours perfect for on-the-go sketching.
TriColour Aqua Markers: Each pen holds three harmonious water-soluble shades, making them perfect for creating watercolour effects with minimal fuss.

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Colouring Pencils

For precise colouring, wax-based pencils are a classic choice. They're perfect for blending and layering, with huge variations in tone and intensity for shading.

ColourBlend Pencils: These high-pigment pencils are perfect for blending and shading, offering a professional finish with affordable quality.
AquaBlend Pencils: Fully water-soluble with a thick, richly pigment core, these richly pigmented pencils blend effortlessly and cleanly for watercolour-style art and colouring.

Shop all Colouring Pencils.

Essential Techniques

Mastering a few simple techniques will help you get the most out of your materials and start creating stunning artwork.

Blending with Alcohol Markers

Blending is one of the hallmarks of alcohol markers. Here’s how to achieve beautiful, seamless gradients:

Basic Shading:

Layer the same colour to build depth and intensity. Alcohol marker ink has a translucent quality so with every stroke you make the shade darker.

Enhanced Shading:

Use darker shades from the same colour family to create deeper shadows and enhanced dimension.
Gradually layer and blend your shades to form natural, realistic graduations. All Spectrum Noir alcohol markers are grouped and graded from light to dark to make this easy when you’re just starting out.

Wet Blending:

For smooth blends, alcohol inks work best when the ink is still wet, so apply liberally to the page and try to work quickly to transition from one shade to the next.
Layering wet ink on dry will give a more pronounced step-change in shade that can also be effective depending on the look you want.

Watercolour Techniques

Watercolour markers are wonderfully versatile. Here are some tips to get started:

Apply colour directly to watercolour paper, then use a damp brush to blend and diffuse the pigment.
Mix colours on a palette (or even acetate) to create your own unique shades. The amount of water you use will determine whether you get a palest pastel shade or a vibrant and vivid shade.
Experiment with layering to create depth and texture, starting with light washes and building up.
If you want to create detail or shade to your design, use a Classique or Illustrator marker to do this before adding the watercolour wash or colour.
Use good quality watercolour paper that will withstand repeated wet application and reworking.

Exploring Special Effects

Once you’re comfortable with the basics, why not add some sparkle and shine to your projects?

Glitter Markers: Add shimmering, opaque colour perfect for lettering, journaling, card making, and embellishments.
Sparkle Brush Pens: Create dazzling effects with these glitter-packed, water-based markers. Each pen has a flexible brush tip for accurate, mess-free application. Perfect for lettering, embellishing, and more.
Outline Markers: Achieve a unique metallic outline with each stroke -perfect for lettering and decorative designs.
Acrylic Paint Markers: Decorate everything from canvas and wood to ceramics and glass with these vibrant, opaque markers.

Shop all Glitter, Sparkle Brush, Outline, and Paint Markers.

Building Your Art Kit

Starting your creative journey means having the right tools on hand. Here are some essentials:

Brushes: Stock up on a mix of synthetic and natural bristles for painting and blending.
Paper: Use heavyweight, uncoated paper for alcohol markers to stop them bleeding through and watercolour paper for wet techniques - 300gsm paper is strong enough to withstand repeated blending, mixing and reworking with watercolour mediums.
Craft Mat: Protect your surface and enjoy a non-slip, heat-resistant workspace.
ArtLiners: Add clean and sharp lines of colour to a sketch or drawing with these precision pens for crisp outlines that won’t bleed or blur.

Shop all Art and Colouring Essentials.

Art and Colouring Kits

And if you’re new to art and colouring or looking to improve your skills, Spectrum Noir’s kits are an excellent way to get started. Each kit is thoughtfully curated by professionals and includes everything you need, including expert instruction and pro-tips.

Discovery Kits: Master a whole range of artistic techniques from illustration and colour blending to calligraphy and more.
Fan-Art Kits: Featuring officially licensed artwork straight from the DC Heroes and Villains and Harry Potter archives, ready to combine with carefully hand-picked colours. These kits contain everything you need to recreate fan-favourite characters and scenes.

Shop all Art and Colouring Kits.