Arrtx Brush Markers | Skin Tone Brush Markers
Arrtx Brush Markers | Skin Tone Brush Markers
Not that long ago, a new company called Arrtx hit the scenes with a new brand of Markers, now I say new company, in all honesty I am not too sure how new the company is, but they introduction into the marker arena is new. The company reached out to me and asked me to review, at the time, their new chisel and fine nib markers, to see this review you can follow the link. I thoroughly enjoyed the Arrtx markers, loved the cut of the chisel nibs, a nib I ordinarily avoid and they had a wonderfully controlled flow of ink from them.
Since I conducted my review of their Fine Nib Markers or as some people like to refer to them as, “Bullet Nibs”, Arrtx introduced a lot more color coded sets, bringing their total range of colors to an impressive overall collection. I was also receiving on a regular basis messages and emails asking me if I knew whether or not Arrtx were going to release a Brush Nib Marker. Well, I can now revel to you all that Arrtx have indeed delivered a Brush Nib Marker and I have to say, given all the issues surrounding the industry standard markers from Japan, companies like Arrtx are stepping up and delivering not only a viable alternative but in some cases a better product.
For Arrtx’s introduction into the Brush Marker world, they have manufactured an assorted set of 80 Brush Markers and a 36 set of Skin Tone Brush Markers, which we will look at in detail and show you what you get for your money.
Arrtx 80 Set Of Brush Markers
Both sets of the Arrtx Markers don’t come in the conventional packaging you may have come to expect from a budget brand of markers. I think it is quite difficult to categorise markers as we would with colored pencils, such as kids, student and artist. With alcohol markers there is no lightfast testing as it isn’t possible, so the only thing to grade the sets is quality and or cost, personally I don’t allow cost to be my judge of a quality product because often companies will over price their product simply because they can.
However, in my opinion, if you consider COPIC to be the highest quality markers and the markers you would find online in sets of 160 for £15 in black canvas bags as the lower graded markers, you then have a time line so to speak in the middle of where the other brands of markers fall and this is something I will do for a later review.
On opening the 80 Set of Arrtx Brush Markers, I was really taken back at all the accessories and paraphernalia present to the point of obstructing my view from the actual markers. Ordinarily, when you get a set of markers, the second you open the box you are presented with the little beauties, not so with the Arrtx Brush Markers. A tab bewildered and what additionally could possibly be needed for use with markers, I began digging through the box.
The first item I removed was a woven plastic type carry bag for the markers, the bag of course may not be to everyones taste with regards aesthetics, nevertheless the bag is more than practical and functional. Next to be removed was some clear plastic bags, inside which were blue and yellow perspex plinths which when assembled allow for the markers to be placed in a position easy for the users selection. After this there was a Hex type swatch allowing you to immediately swatch out your new markers and keep for future reference. As well as the swatch, there is a sticker sheet, again perhaps for the younger artists amongst us and finally regarding paper work there is a instruction sheet simply showing how to assemble the plinths, use the markers, what to expect from the markers and a few other things.
Finally inside the box is plastic marker grids which allow the user to slot the markers into and they can be used in a multitude of different way. They can be used by simply placing them on your desk and placing your markers vertically into for selection. Alternatively you can attache the grids to the supplied plinths which place the makers at a 30 degree angle making selection and replacing of the markers natural and very easy.
With the 80 set of Brush Markers there are two maker grids, holding 40 markers each, both grids can be placed in the bottom of the supplied plastic bag, allowing the artist to pack their markers into the bag whilst maintaining order throughout your journey. This is an outstanding idea, it is a tight fit, but the bag is new and I am sure over time and with use the bag will soften and stretch slightly. You can of course simply dump the markers into the bag, however, this just becomes troublesome when selecting colors on the move, by using the grids, you can see all your colors instantaneously, easily selecting and replacing saving time and patience
After removing all of the accessories you are presented with the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow, the Arrtx Brush Markers. The actual markers are slightly different to the previous fine nib markers Arrtx released in that the Brush Markers barrel is a light Grey color as opposed to the fine nib marker barrel of white..
The barrel is a rounded triangular shape and so whilst the markers can roll if pushed, they are less likely to simply roll of your desk unaided, which of course markers falling of desks is not as detrimental as colored pencils or graphite pencils, nevertheless it is quite frustrating when it happens.
The Information presented on the Arrtx markers is done so on one of the sides. Both ends of the barrel is clearly marked with icons indicating brush and chisel nibs. Next is the Arrtx name and logo, followed by the name of the new brush markers “Oros Sketch Marker”. Following along from this is a barcode with “Made In China” printed below it.
Both end caps of the markers are color coded in relation to the actual ink inside the marker and both caps have numbers on them again corresponding to the swatch sheet supplied by Arrtx. There is no pigment names on the barrel or cap, however, the pigment names are printed on the Swatch. If you complete the swatch and keep it, you will be able to reference the color names with the numbers on the marker caps, in addition to this if you wanted to, you could print off the color names in thin strips and tape the correct pigment name to the barrel, eradicating the need to continually refer to the swatch for pigment name identification.
The actual brush nib on the Oros Sketch Marker is sourced from Japan according to Arrtx, meaning that the company has done their research into this field and know that it is worth the time, effort and cost to get this part of the marker right from the get go rather than go cheap and run the risk of having to purchase different nibs at a later date whilst knocking confidence among their customers.
The Brush Nib on the Oros Sketch Marker certainly controls the flow of ink incredibly well, occasional markers will gush ink and spill all over your artwork or occasionally you will come across brush markers with very little ink in them running dry after a short period of use.
It is worth noting that I have been using the Arrtx Oros Sketch Markers extensively for the past week what with completing my artwork demonstration as well as testing and swatching. It can take approximately a few months before a brush nib will fray or deteriorate and if this does occur later down the line I will of course update my written review. However, based on previous experience of a similar thing happening to another brand of marker, I am fairly confident in saying that Arrtx have done a good job sourcing their brush nibs.
As with the fine nib markers from Arrtx, the chisel nib on the Oros Sketch Markers perform flawlessly, excellent ink flow and incredible control of ink. I personally stay away from the chisel nibs, I find for my style of marker art, my results are somewhat too blocky, but this has not been the case with Arrtx chisel. When using the Arrtx chisel, I am able to maintain a seamless coverage of ink, no streaking or blotchiness.
As mentioned previously, in the set is a swatch sheet which is incredibly convenient and of course practical given the additional pigment names on the sheet corresponding to the marker number system. However, I completed my own swatch of the 80 colors on some Bristol Smooth paper. This is the paper I ordinarily use when performing marker art and swatching on the same paper I am likely to use for my artwork helps me to gauge the colors more accurately.
Arrtx 36 Set of Skin Tone Brush Markers | Arrtx Oros Sketch Markers
The box and contents for the Arrtx 36 set of Skin Tone Brush Markers is very similar in a lot of things, however there are one or two small differences. The packaging is the same for the Skin Tone Brush Markers, you get the same blue and yellow perspex plinths, the same instruction booklet and another sheet of stickers or decals as some people refer to them.
The bag in the Skin Tone Set is also a different design aesthetically speaking to the larger 80 set bag. Again the appearance of the bags may not be to everyones taste, however, they are functional and have been design with a purpose in mind. As with the 80 set, the marker grids fit into the bottom of the bag where all 36 Skin tone Brush Markers can be placed for traveling or storage purposes.
As I previously mentioned you also get the clear plastic marker grids in the Skin Tone set only they are smaller given there are only 36 markers, there are three grids each holding 12 markers, with three separate plinths for the skin tone markers to rest on.
Although a swatch sheet is also provided with the 36 set of Skin Tone Brush Markers, as with the 80 Set of assorted Oros Sketch Markers, I completed my own swatch on the Bristol Smooth paper I normally use when completing marker art. I find to swatch the markers on the paper I am most likely to be using, helps provide me with a more accurate representation of the final color outcome.
Arrtx Oros Sketch Marker Set Pricing
As things currently stand there are only two sets available in the Arrtx Brush Markers, the 80 set of assorted colors and the 36 set of Skin Tones, in my opinion two excellent sets to start out with. Arrtx done this with their Fine Nib Markers which was very closely followed with a 40 set of Yellows, 36 Set of Greys, 24 Set of Reds, 24 Set of Greens, 24 Set of Blues, 24 set of Purples and an additional 90 set of assorted colors. If Arrtx plan on extending their Oros Sketch Marker range in a similar fashion to that of their Fine Nib Markers, I personally think it would make the Arrtx marker brand a formidable name in the marker world. There is no doubt about it, marker art is always on the increase and with the industry standard markers from Japan causing a bit of a ripple among their customers, this market is certainly up for grabs to any company willing to provide quality and affordability rolled into the one product.
Arrtx UK Pricing
To purchase the 80 set of Oros Sketch Markers Assorted colors and all the accessories inventoried above here in the UK you will pay £75.99. To purchase the 36 set of Arrtx Oros Sketch Markers Skin Tone collection you can expect to pay £45.99.
Arrtx US Pricing
Unfortunately, as I alluded to in my YouTube video review of the Arrtx Brush Markers, due to the COVID pandemic and Breixt, so many art companies are experiencing serious difficulties with distribution and restocking materials and so as things stand currently, the Arrtx Brush Markers are not available on Amazon US. As and when this changes I will of course amend and update this site.
Arrtx EU Pricing
For marker artists in Europe, you can purchase the Arrtx Oros Sketch Marker sets for the following prices. To purchase the 80 set of Oros Sketch Markers you will pay approximately €82.99 to purchase the smaller 36 set of Skin Tone Oros Sketch Markers you can expect to pay €52.99
Arrtx Brush Marker Art Demonstration
As soon as I was told that I would be reviewing the Arrtx Brush Markers, I started to actually draw out my artwork before the markers even arrived, I wanted to have the artwork complete so that after my initial testing, I could get stuck into the demonstration project.
At the same time I was starting to consider an image to draw that I thought would best demonstrate the Arrtx Brush Markers, it was my little Nieces birthday who is a huge Scooby Doo fan, so I thought what better subject to draw than the one and only Scooby Doo.
I completed a lot of my tests and swatching on Bristol Smooth paper, however I decided to complete the artwork on Strathmore 400 Series Mixed Media paper, this is a smooth surface paper but it does have a little bit more tooth to it than the Bristol Smooth.
I was incredibly impressed with the blending ability of the Arrtx Brush Markers, their seamless coverage of ink leaving behind zero streaking or blotching. At this stage of my testing and demonstrating, in my opinion, there really is very little if any difference between the industry standard markers from Japan and the Arrtx Oros Sketch Markers. Of course as time goes by and I use the Arrtx Markers more and more, if they present any flaws or issues I will of course update the review, but I am fairly confident in saying this is unlikely to occur and that is based on previous experience with other marker brands.
Arrtx Oros Sketch Marker Conclusion | Arrtx Brush Marker Conclusion
I am sure you can gather from the review by now that I was incredibly impressed with the Arrtx Oros Sketch Markers. I have only had the markers for approximately a week and in that period of time I have extensively tested the brush nibs on different papers, blending tests and then of course the full artwork piece.
The brush nib of the Arrtx Oros Sketch Markers held up incredibly well to every test I threw at them and as you can see from the artwork submitted, the coverage from the brush nibs was flawless. I also used the Arrtx Fine Nib Markers alongside the Oros Sketch Markers, just to simply demonstrate whether or not both markers would play well together and they passed this test with flying colors
As always, I have completed a YouTube video review of the Arrtx Brush Markers which you are more than welcome to watch, the YouTube video review and written review combined will hopefully help to answer any questions you may have about the markers. If however there is something I have forgotten or left out, please don’t hesitate to ask me either in the comments section or privately via email.
I have also completed a speed drawing video of the artwork demonstration, however if this is too fast for you to actually see what is going on and the standard of the markers, I have also added a page with still images of the artwork taken at various stages of completion. This way you can click on any image you like which will enlarge the image for you to inspect at your own leisure, I find this method allows you to zoom in and see the ink coverage or in the case of pencil reviews the pencil strokes.
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