Today I have a video reviewing the new Winsor & Newton Pigment Markers. I’m sharing my first thoughts and findings of these unique markers but I have plans for further investigation too so watch out for more from me on these.
Video
It was the beautiful clean and simple design which first caught my eye. Serious kudos to the design and marketing departments at W&N as, let’s face it, there are a lot of markers on the market and if it hadn’t been for the gorgeous design and inspired marketing then I might have missed their arrival. However, having caught my eye and being from Winsor & Newton, a company with a nearly 200 years record of supply quality art supplies, my interest was well and truly caught! I was intrigued to know more about these markers that they called ‘no ordinary marker’. There’s a range of inspiring videos of various artists trying out the markers on their information page; I particularly liked the one of Katie Rodger the fashion illustrator.
Well the blurb described them as ergonomically designed and containing the highest grade, light fast, fine art pigments instead of dyes – more like the paints that Winsor and Newton are renowned for and light fast to 100 years.
In the video I test the markers on
- Neenah Solar White
- Winsor & Newton pigment marker paper
- Simon Says Stamp white
- Copic X-Press It
- Bazzill vellum
- Simon Says Stamp black
The Pigment Markers do not behave like other markers and on absorbent card such as Neenah, SSS white, Copic etc they do not move and blend much. However, the magic happens on non-absorbent bases such as the Winsor & Newton pigment marker paper and on Bazzill vellum. On these the pigment sits on the top of the paper and can be moved around and blended even to the extent that you can use your finger to do so. In addition you have the unique White Blender which mixes with the color to give a rainbow of options. Mix the white blender with the Carmine and you have a range of pinks, add in the Winsor Yellow deep mixed with the Carmine you have oranges when the white mixes with these two you can get shades down to the palest pinky peach which would be great for skin tones. The last marker to mention is the Colorless Blender which being translucent helps with blending while not changing the tone of the color.
I’m trying to be as impartial as possible (I bought these markers for my use) so here’s a summary:
Pros:
- beautiful design
- pigment not dyes
- double ended with fine and chisel nibs
- 100 colors including 24 greys
- colors are indicated on the cap
- light fast to 100 years
- unique and behave more like paint
- the awesome white blender
- use the white blender as a base to use the markers on dark cardstock
Cons:
- beautiful design but the round barrel means the markers roll around the desk
- double ended but only 1 cap color coded
- have to be careful that the inner edges of the caps don’t bump the nibs
- doesn’t move or blend as well on absorbent papers and can cause them to pill
- moves and blend beautifully on the pigment marker paper but this is only 20lb in weight
- white blender is not as opaque on dark colors as a white gel pen
Being so new these markers seem to fly off the shelf as soon as they arrive but, as I write this, Simon Says Stamp do have the sets and the colorless blender in stock. You get the fabulous white blender included in each of the sets.
I’d be very interested to know what your thoughts are on these new arrivals to the marker market so please jump in with any questions or comments below :D In the meantime I have plans for more videos on these; I want to investigate the W&N pigment marker paper more and in addition look at other marker papers and possible base options. I also want to investigate how these markers behave in other ways too – lots to be working on!
SUPPLIES
You can find links to the supplies I’ve used below; click on the picture or wording to get taken directly to the product. Where available I use affiliate links which means if you make a purchase I receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. I truly appreciate your support.
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Hi Debby, thanks so much for sharing a review! The design definitely caught my eye, but I’ll hold off on purchasing for now! I have so many markers!
Great into to this new product, Debby! I’ve been looking forward to learning about these markers ever since you mentioned them a bit ago. Anxious to see what else they can do – perhaps on other surfaces like acrylic, metal, glass, embossing powder (will it resist or color the lines of, say, a white embossed image) maybe?
I”m also looking forward toe eyeing you use them in a technique for a card. Thanks for introducing them to us! Have a great wk.
I know my mind is buzzing with ideas too! I wish I just sit down with these for a full day or two and really work them. Holiday season, what holiday season LOL
thanks Debby, I am in the market for markers; I did not master copics. I cannot wait to see your first colored image…will be looking for more posts! thank you so much for taking the time to share!
sparkle & shine, kindness *~*
looks great..and promising..love to see more…
I just found out a few days ago that my Zigs loose their colors very fast..i had made two cards and they were standing on a shelf..well when I wanted to send them..they had become really light..I looked at my color chart..and indeed a part of it which had got some direct light on it..those too had become almost all yellow..no reds or orange to be seen anymore….
Not good :( I often find card stock that has been sat out gets a pale edge where the light has caught it. I try and keep my card in cupboards now but I haven’t got that type of storage for it all.
Thanks, Debby … what a great review! These new markers look really interesting, especially when used with the specialist paper (and vellum) … the effects that can be achieved are fabulous! A specialist cardstock would be an ideal addition to the range! Anita :)
Yes, a good card these work on would be great. I’ve had a few suggestions though so will continue to look at the options :D
Debby,
Thank you so much for this product review video. I always find these so super helpful!!!
I am a person who loves to buy new stuff, but I have to say, after watching your video, I don’t need these markers. The white marker is cool, but as I watched how your markers kept rolling and bumping your hand, I know that would drive me crazy.
I LOVED your video and am so glad I watched it!! I will keep my eye out for more of your videos with these markers; you never know, maybe I will change my mind:)
It’s good to get a look isn’t it Stacey and work out if these are for you or not :D
I have not seen these until now!…Thanks for sharing!
thank you for the video! so much great information about this product, and many of my questions were answered. :)
Did I miss whether these are refillable or not? I think one of threatens people love Copics (one of many reasons) is that once you have invested in the marker you can refill the ink. What about these? I was disappointed to see the paper pilling, and I would not mind buying the Newton paper but as you said, it look stop flimsy for cards. The colours though are stunning and the white really impressed me with the way it created different shades.
There is no current information on if they are refillable. I’ve seen someone take one apart though and their view would be it would be easy to refill but as they are so new I’ve no real information to give. I agree that being able to refill would give better value for the investment. I’ve had a few suggestions as to more sturdy card that may work with them and will investigate these further. In the meantime my first plan is to create a card using them with vellum. I do love vellum anyway and loved the way the red blended into pink on this medium.
I was curious to know how they would work with glossy paper since that’s not usually as absorbent.