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I finally got some time last night to noodle around with my new Sharpie Paint Markers. I first discovered these bad-boys while doing this embellished button project, and had to go acquire a bunch more colors.
(Interesting side note: In one of the Jo-Ann stores I shopped, these markers are out on a public shelf with the other paints. At another Jo-Ann, they were under lock and key and I had to sign a police department Graffiti Tools Registry in order to buy them.)
Anyway, I’m super excited about what these babies can do. (And no, I am not getting any promotional consideration from Sharpie here.) You should know that they come in a water-based variety, which is good for paper projects, and an oil-based variety, which I’m using here.
The oil-based pens produce an opaque, slightly glossy line. They work beautifully on lots of surfaces, as you’ll see here. (I adore my stapler now!)
I was really impressed by the opacity of the white paint on this red surface. And, the paint dries very quickly.
I also got great results on glass (and the metal tealight cup). I love the possibilities of glass – you can easily do some reverse painting by drawing on both sides. You could also draw a pretty frame right onto a mirror.
I found that these pens give nice coverage on a wooden surface – although, for an object like this wooden spoon that will see a lot of handling, I’d definitely apply some sealer over the paint.
(You may want to seal non-wood items, too – there’s more below on how the paint cleans up and rubs off.)
Here’s a scrap of tablecloth vinyl – it takes the pens nicely, too. This shows you how you can overlap colors. Imagine the possibilities here: you could customize a vinyl tote, or let your kids draw on a vinyl tablecloth and use it as a picnic blanket. You could probably also customize a pair of flip-flops. (Mental note: buy flip-flips immediately.)
And, you can draw right on a photo! I used the extra-fine point pens here (they also come in a fine point). Wow, does THIS unlock lots of artistic ideas! (Those are, by the way, either fireworks or giant invading spiders from Mars.)
This is a good moment to mention that the metallic pens have slightly uneven results. On some surfaces, the metallic sheen fades when the paint dries (on the tablecloth vinyl above, for example, the gold paint faded to a muddy beige). But you can try adding a second coat.
The second-coat trick works for the colors, too. This little soap dispenser is a long-ago IKEA purchase. Notice how the red lines have gotten muddy against the blue plastic. You can draw a second coat over the first and get much better opacity.
(In fact, take a look at my cell phone above – that flower was painted in several coats.)
I only had a couple fails, but they were born of pushing the material too hard. I thought it would be fun to draw on a pillar candle. This worked great at first, but the wax quickly clogged the pen tip.
. . . And fabric is a bit too porous for this material.
The paint is water-resistant, but I found that rubbing alcohol would remove it without a trace from most surfaces while it was still wet – so a moistened Q-Tip will take care of most mistakes as you’re drawing. Depending on the surface, you may be able to remove dried marks with the alcohol, too – but on some surfaces, I end up with a bit of color stain.
I’d recommend doing a little test on an inconspicuous area of your object before you get started: make a few little marks with the colors you plan to use, and then see how they rub out when they’re dry.
There are MSDS sheets and a bit more info at the Sharpie website. Have fun!
These (I think the water based ones ) were the talk of the town on the ArtFest listserve before the big even last weekend – Akami art supply in Port Townsend bought out a bunch of suppliers, so has a ton of both the water-based and the oil-based in stock ( http://www.akamaiart.com ) Everyone was loving them because they write over acrylic paint with very little skipping and jumping and the white really shows up against a dark background . . . essential if you are doing mixed-media journal pages. Thanks for all the additional tips on the oil-based ones!
These (I think the water based ones ) were the talk of the town on the ArtFest listserve before the big even last weekend – Akami art supply in Port Townsend bought out a bunch of suppliers, so has a ton of both the water-based and the oil-based in stock ( http://www.akamaiart.com ) Everyone was loving them because they write over acrylic paint with very little skipping and jumping and the white really shows up against a dark background . . . essential if you are doing mixed-media journal pages. Thanks for all the additional tips on the oil-based ones!
Omigosh, these markers look like so much fun! I haven’t seen them before (maybe they’re not in Canada yet though), thanks for sharing!
Omigosh, these markers look like so much fun! I haven’t seen them before (maybe they’re not in Canada yet though), thanks for sharing!
The first time you mentioned these my mind swirled! Thanks for this posting with all the “tried on this, tried on that” info. I’m thinking these would be great to make a new DIY banner for my vending booth. Can’t wait to try them!
The first time you mentioned these my mind swirled! Thanks for this posting with all the “tried on this, tried on that” info. I’m thinking these would be great to make a new DIY banner for my vending booth. Can’t wait to try them!
Wow, comprehensive testing!! Sharpie SHOULD hire you. :)
Wow, comprehensive testing!! Sharpie SHOULD hire you. :)
Omg, I already LOVE markers. These ones really make me drool. *runs to grab a napkin*
Omg, I already LOVE markers. These ones really make me drool. *runs to grab a napkin*
Wow,Wow,Wow! I really have to get some of these ASAP. Thanks for the great tests!
Wow,Wow,Wow! I really have to get some of these ASAP. Thanks for the great tests!
Hehe, I am giggling imagining you going all over your house looking for little things to draw on with these new Sharpies! =cD It’s just cool to hear you so excited!
I got some for my husband who races remote controlled cars and uses them to decorate and detail the little Lexan (plastic) bodies that make up the car shapes on the chassis.
What we found was really awesome about these pens is that you can paint with them, and add a second layer and not worry about the previous layer coming off with the fresh layer, like regular (alcohol based?) Sharpies do! — If that makes any sense!
Hehe, I am giggling imagining you going all over your house looking for little things to draw on with these new Sharpies! =cD It’s just cool to hear you so excited!
I got some for my husband who races remote controlled cars and uses them to decorate and detail the little Lexan (plastic) bodies that make up the car shapes on the chassis.
What we found was really awesome about these pens is that you can paint with them, and add a second layer and not worry about the previous layer coming off with the fresh layer, like regular (alcohol based?) Sharpies do! — If that makes any sense!
I don’t think I can get those here :( *sobs* they seem to work great and your stapler looks wonderful :) thanks for the review
I don’t think I can get those here :( *sobs* they seem to work great and your stapler looks wonderful :) thanks for the review
Can these be used on drinking glasses, i.e. are they food safe?
Can these be used on drinking glasses, i.e. are they food safe?
Flo, there isn’t any info about food safety on the Sharpie website. I think it’s probably best to assume it’s not, since they haven’t specified that it is.
Flo, there isn’t any info about food safety on the Sharpie website. I think it’s probably best to assume it’s not, since they haven’t specified that it is.
I can’t wait to try these out on tin butterflies, turtles, and birds!
I can’t wait to try these out on tin butterflies, turtles, and birds!
Wow. I think if I buy these I will be like the guy who sharpied his basement…nothing would remain untouched!
Wow. I think if I buy these I will be like the guy who sharpied his basement…nothing would remain untouched!
the idea of art supplies being a controlled substance makes me feel like a total badarse!
the idea of art supplies being a controlled substance makes me feel like a total badarse!
Must…have…Sharpie Paint Markers…NOW!
Fabulous, thank you!
Cheers,
Madge
Must…have…Sharpie Paint Markers…NOW!
Fabulous, thank you!
Cheers,
Madge
I love how you altered the tablecloth design.
I love how you altered the tablecloth design.
[...] CraftyPod Sister Diane offers lots of creative ways to use Sharpie Paint Markers. [...]
I LOVE paint pens, have since I was a kid. And I LOVE Sharpies, it’s like a perfect storm for crafting. Thanks for sharing!
I LOVE paint pens, have since I was a kid. And I LOVE Sharpies, it’s like a perfect storm for crafting. Thanks for sharing!
[...] CraftyPod Sister Diane offers lots of creative ways to use Sharpie Paint Markers. [...]
I ordered a few of the water-based ones recently to use in my journal. I wish I’d bought a lot more, because the water-based ones have been discontinued, and I love them! Waah!
I ordered a few of the water-based ones recently to use in my journal. I wish I’d bought a lot more, because the water-based ones have been discontinued, and I love them! Waah!