How to illustrate using posca markers

Posca markers are a fun and vibrant art medium to use. Markers are awesome! In elementary school all we wanted to do was use our markers. Coloring with markers is so much fun and paint markers are no different. It can be as easy as coloring a color page. Once you have the sketch down you just fill it in. However, posca markers are a bit trickier than washable Crayola markers. Maybe you have used posca markers before but it didn’t turn out like you wanted. It didn’t look like James Chapman. Keep reading to learn different techniques on how to illustrate using posca markers and bring your sketches to life! *Affiliate Links below*

• Using the right Paper for your Posca illustration.
• Planning out your Posca illustration.
• Knowing your Posca markers.
• Using tones to add depth to your Posca illustration.
• How to blend using your Posca markers.
• Correcting mistakes in your Posca illustration.

Using the right Paper for your posca illustration

Paper quality and what kind of paper to use are very important. If you have used posca pens before then you may notice when it peels the paper. A trick to prevent this from happening is by buying white acrylic paint like this: paint. Then paint the whole page, let it dry and begin sketching then lay down your first layer of color. Now, that can become pretty tedious, painting every single page. However, sometimes you don’t want to wait when inspiration hits, you just want to draw or paint! An easy solution is to buy a specific kind of paper. For example, I will be using the Mossery sketchbook depicted in the pictures. I am using a sketch Journal (260 gsm paint marker paper) I bought from Mossery and their kits. HERE.
Drawing on canvas is another excellent choice for your paper. It takes the posca markers very well and the paint goes on nice and smooth. Pay attention to the weight of the paper too, if the paper is too thin the Posca markers will shred it. Posca markers take very well to cardboard or brown craft paper. The colors really pop on the craft paper. Another solution is to use watercolor paper. It is thick enough to withstand the weight of the paint. It will still peel a little but if you don’t mind a few peelings then it is a great option that is readily available everywhere.

Planning out your Posca illustration

First thing you want to do is plan out your drawing. Sometimes you may get a little eager and start drawing right away, and while posca pens can be forgiving it is better to plan it out. It’s like setting a goal or guideline for how you want the illustration to look. You want to do a light rough sketch working from general to specific, you can add the details later with your markers. Lay down some masking tape to create a frame. You can go over the masking tape with your posca marker and it won’t be a problem because you will pull it up at the end. This will create a nice clean edge for the whole illustration. Once you have planned out and sketched your drawing, gently erase the sketch only leaving a faint marking of the pencil. Now it is time to color in the sketch and add details using your posca markers. Remember you are working from the general to the specific.

Knowing your Posca markers.

Posca pens have a variety of pen thicknesses that can really change the style in what you are drawing. If you enjoy adding many details to your sketch then you would want to use a fine tip or extra fine tip. Maybe you just need to fill in a wash of color. This will be easier if you use a thicker nib. Definitely take a moment to consider your style. Do you love black outlines and lots of details? Then definitely use thinner nibs. Maybe you want things a little bit more abstract or no outlines. Maybe like me you like a bit of both. You may want to buy a variety of different pen sizes. This is the pro and con of posca pens. You will need to buy a variety of sizes in the same color. This will be pricey. Unlike paint where you can mix and use bigger or smaller brushes, with makers it can be kind of set. Now this may be easier for some and limiting for others. It is really up to you which you would like to choose.

Using tones to add depth to your Posca illustration

In your sketchbook or on a scrap piece of paper make a color swatch of all your makers. Put color families near each other. Practice drawing and shading a sphere using only the purple markers or the family of green markers. Having this test sheet will really help you to identify which color to use when shading your illustration. This will give a better idea of what colors you want to/ought to use and it will really help with the planning stage of your illustration.

How to blend using Posca markers

Posca pens can be great for blending but it really depends on the kind of paper you use like I mentioned before the best paper for this is glossy paper. There are a few different ways you can blend the paper. One is putting down two colors. For example blue and making zig zag motions and slowly blend the two colors together as seen below. Another way is to use white to help make a smooth transition between the two colors. *Extra tip: you can have two white markers one for blending (as it will get discolored) and another that you use as a true white to add details in the end and not mess it up. ) Now this can be a bit heavy on the paper. A way to reduce the amount of paint is to lay down the colors in sections. I have demonstrated this in the photo. Either way will get the job accomplished.

If you are a little worried about ruining your beautiful sketch you can practice using a coloring page. There are lots of free ones to print on the internet or here (free printable) you will want to print it on thick paper if possible as acrylic paint will tear up the copy page. Now that you have a coloring page you can practice blending and shading after getting the hang out of it you’re ready to add color to your original sketch.

Correcting mistakes in your Posca illustration

Posca pens can be very forgiving when it comes to making mistakes. If you have made a mistake. Stop and let the paint completely dry. If you have made a mistake using a dark color. Go over with a white marker, let it completely dry and then try to re go over it using the lighter color. Using white will help ensure that the mistake is erased. Another way to correct minor mistakes is to add an outline using black or another color. This will help clean up a lot of lines or places where it is not entirely straight. If you like the no line look use the same color and go over around like you are outlining the pictures this will help clean up the illustration but keep the ‘no outline’ look you are going for. Another tip is to turn the mistake into something else entirely. Sometimes mistakes can add a little character to your drawing. Whichever you choose just play around and have fun

Conclusion

Remember that no matter what medium you choose you will need to learn how to use the tool. Posca pens are acrylic paint markers. The difference between posca pens and paint is the control the marker gives you as opposed to the brush. The more you practice with posca markers the more you will learn what these markers can and cannot do. I hope these tips helped you learn how to illustrate using posca markers. Angela Pan shares her process here. James Chapman shares his process here. There is also Kasey Goldeen on Youtube. If you enjoyed this post check out “How to build the habit of Drawing everyday.”