Spectrum Noir Tri-Blend Brush Markers
Spectrum Noir Tri-Blend Brush Markers.
Spectrum Noir have done it again, developed another quality product that not only is incredibly enjoyable to use, but is perfect for helping new artists to the alcohol marker medium blend and understand lights, mid tones and darks.
In this review we are going to take a look at the new Spectrum Noir Tri-Blend Brush Markers. Not that long ago, Spectrum Noir brought out the Spectrum Noir Tri-Blend Bullet Tip Markers which I reviewed here on The Art Gear Guide. Now they have delivered the same concept only with the brush tip of the Illustrator Markers.
Spectrum Noir Marker Time Line
Although this review is specific to the new Spectrum Noir Tri-Blend Brush Markers, for those of you new to the marker medium or to the Spectrum Noir family, I am just going to briefly explain the amazing range of markers they have on offer to artists.
Original Spectrum Noir Colour System
First of all Spectrum Noir delivered what they called their Colour System, this was an extensive range of bullet nib and chisel tip markers. Unfortunately I came to the art world too late to try these pens and deliver an accurate review of them.
Next Spectrum Noir branched out and gave us the Illustrator Markers, I was incredibly fortunate in that Spectrum Noir sent me the full range and these markers were amazing at the time, sporting a brush tip and fine bullet tip, pretty unique in the world of markers to have this combination. At the time however the brush tips frayed but Spectrum Noir soon put an end to that and gave us high quality brush tips. Unfortunately I only have a few of the new brush tip markers from this line however I really hope to expand to the full range and deliver some excellent art work with them.
Next came the Graphic Markers which were bullet tip and chisel, this line of markers was more aimed at Graphic Designers. Spectrum Noir were by no means resting on their laurels and brought out the Spectrum Noir Aqua Markers, a water-soluble marker with a brush tip and a beautiful fine nib for intriquet detail. More recently the Classique Markers came out and were the direct replacement to the Colour System markers that first came out.
Spectrum Noir have brought out other markers such as the metallic markers, sparkle markers etc but next in the alcohol range came the Tri-Blend Bullet Tip Markers and now we are gifted with the Tri-Blend Brush Markers.
Spectrum Noir Tri-Blend Brush Marker Sets
The Spectrum Noir Tri-Blend Brush Markers come in an over all 72 individual colours which equates 24 pens total. The Spectrum Noir Tri-Blend Brush Markers also come in packs of three pens which equates to 9 colours in the set.
As things currently stand and I say this because when I first reviewed the Spectrum Noir Tri-Blend they too came out with a 72 set but since that review another 72 colours or 24 markers have been added to the range totalling 144 glorious colours.
As far as the Tri-Blend Brush Markers are concerned the three packs available tare as follows. Natural Tones, Spring Blooms, Autumn Hues, Cottage Garden, Woodland Walk, Classic Chic, Winter Holiday, and Summer Sun.
Spectrum Noir Tri-Blend Brush Markers Characteristics.
The barrels of the Spectrum Noir Tri-Blend Brush sport the same hexagonal shape that all the markers in the Spectrum Noir family display, this is actually a really comfortable shape with regards to using the markers. When I first tried the Spectrum Noir Illustrator markers, I thought that the larger hexagonal barrel would be quite uncomfortable but this was surprisingly not the case at all.
The Tri-Blend markers both the Brush and Bullet nib sport a much longer barrel than most markers, which is to be expected considering this single marker carried three separate tips and colours, however, this might prove slightly problematic when it comes to storage. I use the Spectrum Noir stacking system for my markers and whilst the Trip-Blend sit in the stacking system fine, there is quite a bit of an over hang, but nothing too drastic.
Along one side of the barrel is printed the name of the marker “Tri-Blend” followed closely by the company name “Spectrum Noir”. Next is printed the fact that this Tri-Blend marker is the “Brush” marker and finally the blend name is printed, for example, “Pale Pink Blend” and along with this is the three individual tones that make up the entire Tr-Blend “Pale Pink 1, Pale Pink 4 and Pale Pink 6”. The really nice thing about this information being on the barrel, if you also own other pigments from the Illustrator range or Graphic range, knowing exactly what pigments are in the Tri-Blend will allow you to perhaps refine the gradient even further. In the case of the pigment numbers above, if you slipped in Pale Pink 3, Pale Pink 5 and Pale Pink 7, you would establish a completely seamless blend.
On the opposite side of the barrel, icons depicting each nib is printed starting with the “Light, Mid and Dark". To help reinforce the tones that are present within the marker you hold in your hand, the pigment initials and numbers are printed as they are on the opposite side. Also to help distinguish at a glance the tones you want, a thin ring indicating light, mid and dark tones is also present between each lid.
Each Tri-Blend marker has two end caps depicting the light and Dark tones, each cap is painted the same colour as the pigment you are about to use to help fast visual selection. Each end lid has the name of the blend printed, for example, Pale Pink Blend, Gold Yellow Blend, Tan Blend etc
Of course each marker sports three gorgeous brush nibs which is what makes these Tri-Blend markers so amazing. Each brush nib permits a gorgeous juicy flow of bright vibrant pigment, aiding you as an artist to create striking artwork.
Spectrum Noir Tri-Blend Brush Marker Performance
As soon as I started testing the Spectrum Noir Tri-Blend Brush markers it was clear to see and feel that the quality of the brush nibs was just as perfect as the Illustrator Brush nibs. What with Halloween just round the corner I knew I wanted to draw something with these awesome markers to fit the theme.
However, I only had the three sets of Sri-Blend markers and nothing I selected to draw was working as I needed more colours. This was the perfect opportunity for me to use my Illustrator and Graphic markers in conjunction with the Tri-Blend Brush Markers and demonstrate just how seamless all markers work together.
Unfortunately due to only owning a few of the new Illustrator markers I had to use what I had left of my old Illustrator markers but so long as I gathered together the right colors, I would be fine.
The ink flow in the Spectrum Noir Tri-Blend Brush Markers is just amazing, every brush tip was like dipping a watercolour brush into a pan of gouache, juicy opaque pigments. For this drawing I used the Strathmore 300 Series Bristol Smooth paper and this is another example of just how important paper is when creating your art.
Ordinarily when I use markers, I use a slicker surface like X-Pressit Blending card or Frisks Bristol Smooth, both these papers allow for the ink to sit on the surface for a slightly longer period of time, allowing plenty of time for blending. However, given just how juicy the Spectrum Noir Brush Tri-Blend Markers are, to give me a little bit more control of the colour, I used the Strathmore 300 Series paper as it is slightly more absorbent than the other papers mentioned. With other markers, this paper would such up the ink and make blending difficult.
To finish the artwork of I added a little bit of coloured pencil work, again I would have preferred to use Spectrum Noir Colour Blend pencils, making the entirety of the piece Spectrum Noir, however, I am all out of my Spectrum Noir pencils and so used some other branded pencils. Laying the coloured pencil on top of the Spectrum Noir Tri-Blend Brush markers was effortless.
Spectrum Noir Tri-Blend Brush Marker Pricing.
Spectrum Noir and Crafters Companion are a UK based company although they have offices in America and no doubt given their huge success will be branching out to other countries.
Here in the UK, the Spectrum Noir Tri-Blend Brush Markers 24 set will cost you approximately £78.95, the following 3 marker Sets with 9 individual colours each, Summer Sun, Classic Chic, Spring Blooms, Woodland Walk, Winter Holiday, Cottage Garden, Autumn Hues, Natural Tones will all cost approximately £8.95 which is a fantastic price for nine individual brush tip markers.
Unfortunately as the Spectrum Noir Triblend Brush Markers are quite new to their line up, I was unable to find prices and links for those of you in the US and EU, however, I have provided direct links to the Crafters Companion Spectrum Noir website where you can purchase directly from the company. As soon as these items become available in Amazon US and EU, I will of course add those links as well.
the Spectrum Noir Tri-Blend Brush Markers 24 set will cost you approximately £79.99, the following 3 marker Sets with 9 individual colours each, Summer Sun, Classic Chic, Spring Blooms, Woodland Walk, Winter Holiday, Cottage Garden, Autumn Hues, Natural Tones will all cost approximately £9.99 which is a fantastic price for nine individual brush tip markers.
Spectrum Noir Tri-Blend Brush Markers Conclusion.
I said it when I reviewed the first version of the Spectrum Noir Tri-Blend Markers, I absolutely love the concept and the way these markers help artists learn how to blend alcohol markers. I know there is another type of marker on the market that creates gradients, however, where I feel the Tri-Blend surpass is that the artist gets to actually learn the difference between lights, mid tones and darks and how they work and fuse together.
Since I first reviewed the Tri-Blend Markers with the bullet tip, Spectrum Noir have added another 24 markers totally 48 markers and a 144 individual colours. I hope Spectrum Noir do this with the Brush Tri-Blend and I would love to try the full range one day.
I think all in all, since Spectrum Noir upgraded the Brush tip on the Illustrator and Tri-Blend, these markers are among some of the finest brush tip markers artists can buy. This is an amazing thing as it takes away from the monopoly on the Japanese counterpart markers which have pretty much been the industry standard for such a long time, however they are also the most expensive markers on the market making it so difficult for young and new artists to break into. With the introduction of markers like Spectrum Noir and others, this is changing and allowing many more talented artists to buy and use quality products.
I have completed a YouTube video review of the Spectrum Noir Tri-Blend Brush Markers and to help demonstrate the markers I have added a speed drawing of the artwork on the Art Gear Guide YouTube Channel which you can watch in your own time. In addition to this I have added a page of still images taken of the artwork at various stages of completion. This way you can check out the image close up and inspect the ink and paper to your own satisfaction. Hopefully all four levels of the review can help you determine whether or not the Spectrum Noir Tri-Blend Brush Markers are for you or not.
