How to choose your acrylic markers when you're starting out?

When you start with mystery coloring, it's easy to feel a little lost with all the different acrylic marker references. Fine tip, brush tip, classic colors, metallic, glitter, large sets, small sets... On paper, everything looks appealing. But how do you know what's really useful to get started?

The good news is that you don't need to have all the supplies in the world to begin. The most important thing is to choose markers that suit your creative style, the surfaces you like, and the type of finish you're looking for.

At Lovely Colors, we like to keep things simple. Here's a clear guide to choosing your first acrylic markers without making a mistake.

Understanding what an acrylic marker is

An acrylic marker is a marker filled with acrylic paint. It is used like a classic marker, but with a more covering, intense, and often more opaque finish.

It is very popular because it allows you to draw, write, color, or decorate without having to use brushes. You usually just need to shake it to homogenize the paint inside the marker, then create directly on your chosen surface.

It's a very practical tool for people who want a clean, colorful, and easy-to-master result.

Which tip to choose to start with?

The choice of tip is very important. It will determine your comfort of use and the type of creations you can make.

The fine tip is ideal for details, outlines, small lettering, precise patterns, and finishes.

The brush tip gives a more flexible finish. It is very pleasant for lettering, movement effects, and large areas. It sometimes requires a little getting used to, but it offers many possibilities.

If you don't know what to choose, start with a brush tip. You can then add more specific tips according to your desires.

How many colors do you need to start?

We often think that we should immediately buy a very large set. It's tempting, of course, because having many colors makes you want to try everything. But to start, a well-balanced set is more than enough.

Ideally, you should have:

• basic colors like red, blue, yellow, green, black, and white;
• a few soft colors like pink, beige, or skin tone;
• a few brighter colors for contrasts;
• possibly metallic or glitter for details.

White is particularly useful. It allows you to add reflections, lighten a drawing, highlight a pattern on a dark background, or correct some small details.

Black is also essential for outlines, texts, and graphic effects.

What surfaces do you want to decorate?

Before choosing your markers, ask yourself what you want to create.

For notebooks, cards, illustrations, and creative papers, opt for fine or medium tips.

For pebbles, wood, and decorative objects, medium tips are very practical.

For lettering, posters, or more artistic effects, brush tips will be more interesting.

For details on canvas, outlines, or finishes, a fine tip will be very useful.

This question is important, because a marker perfect for a large surface will not necessarily be ideal for very small writing.

Common mistakes when starting out

The first mistake is to buy simply because the set is large. Many colors are nice, but if the tips don't meet your needs, you might not use them.

The second mistake is not priming the markers correctly. A new acrylic marker often needs to be shaken and then gently pressed onto a scrap piece of paper to bring the paint down.

The third mistake is not testing the surface. Before drawing on an important object, always do a small test.

Finally, don't strive for perfection on your first project. Acrylic markers are easy to use, but like all creative tools, they require a little practice.

To summarize

To choose your acrylic markers well when you're starting out, first look at the tip, then the colors, then the surfaces you want to decorate. There's no need to buy everything at once. Start with a simple selection, test, have fun, then complete your collection little by little.

At Lovely Colors, our goal is to help you find the right markers without getting lost in complicated references. Buying individual markers can be the ideal alternative when you want to try new shades without investing in a larger pack.