I have mentioned before that my fiancé Sean is an artist. We had our first date in Stowe Gardens, Buckinghamshire, one freezing February day a few years ago. I told him I loved wildlife, especially birds, and we were admiring the ducks. On our second date, he arrived with a beautiful drawing of a duck for me that is now framed at the top of the stairs. He is now a full time artist who sells his work, and I always say that’s the only artwork of his that is not for sale. He has a lot of art supplies, as you might imagine, but has never tried anything from Spectrum Noir so was really excited when they got in touch.
About Spectrum Noir
Spectrum Noir make high quality art supplies that are affordable. They also have a lot of information and how-to tutorials to help you master a particular skill. If you’re an artist or a crafter, or both, you’ll find their materials to be accessible, very high quality, and innovative. We (or should I say Sean, as he is the creative one really) got to create drawings and paintings using their AquaTint Brush Pens, Aqua Watercolour Markers, and Metallic Markers. We spent some time playing around with them, and Sean worked his magic on a number of pretty paintings and sketches.
You can also check this free guide to drawing by mstrsktch.com to start your creative journey.
The Aqua Watercolour Markers
The Aqua Watercolour Markers are big, water-based chunky pens. You can leave them ‘neat’, and the colours are really vibrant as you can see above. The pens have two different tips. They have a thick brush tip, and a fine one for detailing. You can also blend them with water to diffuse the pigment, and create more subtle tones.
In other words, artists and crafters alike will love these, and they are perfect for storing in the best pencil cases for artists.
The Metallic Markers are also dual-tipped. The thicker end is ideal for colouring, and the fine points are perfect for adding detail. These are extremely pigmented. They are also highly reflective and have a beautiful metallic sheen.
Because the Metallic Markers are water-based you can blend them out. The ink dries with that same high shine metallic sheen.
These Metallic Markers can do extraordinary things, which I go into more detail about below.
The AquaTint Brush Pen
The AquaTint Brush Pens have a fine nylon brush on the end so you use them like a paintbrush. The pens contain water-soluble ink. As you can see, the colours are extremely vibrant.
You can blend them with water to create that beautiful watercolour effect.
Sean also dipped the pen into water and created droplets on the paper, which he then blew on to. This dispersed them in several directions to create the image of the Kingfisher emerging from the water.
The Metallic Markers complete the fine detailing again. Here you can see the lovely sheen of the Antique Bronze pen.
Left to dry, and to be completed. The colours are extremely pigmented. Sean is really impressed with the AquaTint Brush Pens because even once the tips are wetted and then dry, they’re still in the same condition as if they’re brand new.
The Metallic Markers
The Metallic Markers have become a firm favourite of his. They’re very smooth, very vibrant, and have a high pigment. They have a reflective finish, and are ideal for darker surfaces. You can use them on so many surfaces which is amazing. They’re ideal for decorating ceramics and glassware, as well as on paper and card. You can also use them on vellum and craft metals. You can also transfer the ink directly on to craft stamps. Here’s all the colours directly drawn on to glass.
As you can see I lack the artistic skills of Sean! These are great however for decorating glasses if you’re having a party (perhaps a hen party or baby shower). They’ll be great for decorating gifts too. They are perfect for crafting because they you can use them on so many surfaces. There are twelve colours in the range, all with that dual tip and high metallic finish. See what else can be done with these on the Spectrum Noir website.
Where To Buy Spectrum Noir
You can buy Spectrum Noir products online on Crafter’s Companion, on TV channels and in stores. For more information, visit the Spectrum Noir website.
The Giveaway (closed)
You can win the Metallic Markers to try out for yourself. Two readers will each win the whole range of twelve colours. The packs are worth £11.99 each, and the two winners will each receive both packs. This is the ideal prize if you love crafting or painting and drawing. Ideal as well if it’s something you would love to have a go at.
Id gift to my neice who is planning in being an artist – she loves scenic and portraits
I make handmade cards so would love to include these with my cards!
this would be perfect for my daughter who loves drawing animals
Christmas card making!
What project would you use the Metallic Markers for first?
to illuminate and personalise the love spoons my husband is carving
Great prize, I would love to experiment wtih these pens. It looks easier to me than normal watercolour procedure.!
I would use it for making family cards x
I lack skill and creativity but the children seem to have inherited those skills from someone and enjoy their art projects at school. They would use these in a flash.
So pleased you added a link to Sean’s website. His work is beautiful. I have bookmarked it for another visit.
these pens are so amazing for crafters
For decorating gin glasses. ?
what is it about stationery that makes you want to have it all?
My daughter is well into art.
I’d actually give these to my husband’s 10 year old cousin who is an amazing artist (unlike me!)
I would use them in my colouring books
I love drawing and painting . I
have taken lots of photo’s of plants from the garden I want to do a picture of my husband’s prize dahlia’s so would love to see what I could do with some of these. Thanks for the chance to win some
not so much a project but would like to recreate an image of my garden
I do enjoy glass etching and have some wonderful pieces i would like to modern up, as there paint on glass, it would be different
Lovely, multi functional pens great for a wide range of crafts, and lovely colours too
This set would be wonderful to decorate plain crockery to produce a unique tea set. If that works, a dinner service would be great.
They look perfect for making Christmas presents
I’s use them for decorating glasses and gifts.
I would use them firstly for an upcoming art project of creating a animal themed gift for my sisters birthday.
For making greeting cards.
To personalise some drinking glasses.
I would use them to decorate Mason Jars to be filled with homemade truffles for christmas
I would give them to my daughter. She is starting GCSE art in September and they would be well used. She loves art.
I would use them to decorate birthday and Christmas cards
as a keen crafter I would use these on my hand made cards
I’d make some colourful greetings cards for upcoming birthdays
My daughter is recovering from glandular fever. She would love to use them for a drawing challenge
i would use them for some handmade greeting cards
I would use them to make some glasses decorative
i would use these to do a nice water scene first
My granddaughter loves art.she draws/paints every day and would love these Spectrum Noir Metallic Markers.
I would give them to my Godson, who is very artistic, he would create something wonderful
We’re making birthday cards for my nieces and nephews – these would help make them more interesting and fun!
I would use them for all sorts but mostly card making
I am thinking of making my Christmas cards this year so I think they would be great for the lettering on them.
this would be perfect for my homemade xmas cards
Oh wow these look fab, I’d love to have a little play with them
I’m sure I would find lots of crafty projects to use them on.
I would give them to my partner, she’s the artistic one. I am really not. The next busy time for her will be Halloween, she designs the party posters for the local pub. Some people have collected them for years.
I would try adding some life to my zen art with them
Ive got some lovely stamps and would try out the pens on combination with the stamps, ideal for me as im not particularly competent with free-hand drawing.
I love the look of this technique. I really need to take up a hobby – maybe I try it!
For my Christmas & Birthday Cards
I would make some fun signs for the house
Oh wow! These are fantastic! Love that they also come in metallic. Fingers are well and truly crossed!
I’d do some pictures of the pets. past and present.
I’d get ahead and start on some beautiful festive christmas cards
I love making art related to animals and landscapes so I think my first project would be my horses amongst a wildlflower field.
They look so lovely – I think I might try stamping onto black card and colouring the images with them.
I’d make something arty for my 2 boys to keep
My daughters about to start her A Level Art and she would make some gorgeous creations with these ?
cards- me and my daughter love doing arts and crafts together we especially love making cards
Making cards with my daughter
id make a start on my christmas gifts and cards
Amazing pens would have to gift to my son
I would start drawing again
I have a book of cats I love to colour in when I get the time
I have a friend who make her own birthday/xmas cards I would give them to her
I would give them to my son who is an artist. He’s always looking at new mediums to draw with & create new effects.
I enjoy drawing cartoons so my first project would be to do some doodles, colouring them in with these pens 🙂
I’m doing some crafts for my newborn baby’s room, such as bunting so I would use them for that
Our brownies would use them to decorate their crafts for the Christmas Fayre
Would be great to decorate some tiles with butterflies and flowers x
to start with I would decorate my Gin glass, and my hubby’s whiskey glass
I bought some blank wooden fairy doors and I am currently varnishing and decorating them. The metallic markers would be just perfect for finishing them with some extra accents, or maybe just some fancy doodles (fairy style!). Many thanks for the giveaway.
Making individual Christmas cards for our family and friends
Pebble Art Rock
Lots of uses like marking cards and presents
I would give them to a friend to help with making her Christmas cards
I would love to start making my Christmas cards!
Would like to try and maybe decorate some festive glasses for christmas
my daughter would be the one who would be given these. at the moment she likes drawing flowers, so I am guessing this would be the first thing drawn by these pens.
Beautiful, I would love to get creative with these pens please. ??
My youngest son would love them, he is always personalising his possessions
I’d love to have a go at decorating glasses to give as birthday gifts with their favourite tipple!
I love how they look on glass so I’d try decorating a mirror
To decorate some mugs for Christmas
I would like to use these to make some Birthday Cards for my closest friends
I’d decorate the corners of the windows in the conservatory.
I would use them for making birthday and Christmas cards.
I would be starting on our Christmas decorations
Would love the metallic markers. I would start with decorating clear glass baubles for the Christmas tree
For making a present for my best friends birthday
I’d used these metallic markers to create some art for my new kitchen. Probably an abstract glamour floral….
To decorate some rocks we’ve painted!
i would love to give these a try ^_^
I’d love to experiment with these, I bet they can be usedfor lots of different craft projects
I’ve collected a few things from the beach I haven’t got round to drawing yet, I’d love to use these to create something special.
The table plan and name places for our wedding! #Perfect
to decorate my glasses for my wedding
I would decorate some glasses. Love the look of these pens
My niece would use them for her art work.
I would give these to my Daughter, she has just completed an A level art course and loves painting flowers xx
I would love to do some paintings of the flowers and birds in my garden.
I would gift to my daughter Maria who is 20 and she loves drawing and painting
I would love to get my boys to decorate glasses for family for Christmas presents, I think this is something that would be treasured and loved. I have got my fingers and toes crossed
I would use them to make christmas craft projects with my daughter
My daughter is very creative and very arty. She would love using these 🙂
Decorating our rocks 🙂
I would use them on my homemade Christmas cards
I would use them to decorate my home-made Christmas decorations.
I would love to use these on some champagne flutes. I like the idea of making personalized glasses.
Depending on how they took to the card I would use them to write verses/greetings in hand made cards
My twin girls are just getting into art.
decorating rocks
i’d use them to make homemade christmas cards x
Thanks for this, I’d share these with my children and we’d use them to make Christmas cards.
I would use the metallic markers for Christmas card making.
Would like to do some artwork with it – maybe draw my pets.
Some art with my daughter, we like making cards
Would love these took up art late in life (67 years old ) but really love trying new techniques and these look amazing . Still finding my way at the moment Portraits are my favourite thing
I would use them to start making Christmas Cards with the kids.
I would use these for decorative glasses xxx
id make some cards
I have some colouring in Christmas cards so I’d love to try them out in these.
I would just experiment first to test the appearance of them and then go from there.
I would have a go glass decorating. Have a weekend away this year and it seems to be coming custom that we have a new decoated cup each year
I’d use them in my card making.
I love the colours of the kingfisher especially with the metallic markers! 🙂