39 Blue Art Supplies Tested: Essential vs. Redundant Tools
Discovering Value in My Blue Art Supplies
As artists, we accumulate supplies like fallen leaves—some vital, others gathering dust. When my community challenged me to test every blue medium I owned (39 total!), I uncovered surprising truths about redundancy and hidden gems. This experiment wasn’t just about using tools—it was about identifying what truly elevates your work versus what drains your budget.
After analyzing this process, I believe intentional tool selection is crucial. The illustration (a sky-inspired flight attendant) became a testing ground for everything from fineliners to gouache. Below, I’ll break down what worked, what failed, and how to build a leaner, more effective art kit.
Essential vs. Redundant Supplies
Fineliners proved highly replaceable. I used four blue Ohuhu and Staedtler liners (0.4mm), but their similar hues and line weights made them interchangeable. For line art, one warm and one cool blue are sufficient. The darker Staedtler added depth to clothing folds, while lighter tones defined cloud-like hair. Key takeaway:
Prioritize versatility over quantity. A single quality finelier can handle 80% of line work when layered strategically.
Alcohol markers excelled in blending. Ohuhu’s dual-tip markers created smooth sky gradients, while Windsor & Newton’s "Sky Blue" lived up to its name for base layers. However, owning multiple near-identical shades (e.g., three similar light blues) was unnecessary.
Crayola crayons underperformed dramatically. Their waxy texture resisted layering and created undesirable clumps. In contrast, Molotow water-based markers (a forgotten ScrawlrBox gift) became a standout—their blendable, brush-tip formula allowed precise shading on the character’s uniform.
Professional Methodology for Testing
I approached this systematically:
- Swatch first: Previewed all blues on a separate sheet to plan placements.
- Group by property: Separated cool/warm tones, reserving green-blues (like Edding 1200 metallic) for the character to contrast the background.
- Layer strategically: Started with light watercolors (Cerulean + Prussian Blue for the sky), then built depth with alcohol markers.
Critical pitfalls to avoid:
- Overcommitting to opaque media early: Posca pens covered underlying textures, limiting flexibility.
- Ignoring undertones: Warm blues clashed with cool backgrounds until I segregated green-blues.
A comparison of top performers versus skippable tools:
| Category | Must-Have | Redundant | Why |
|---|---|---|---|
| Markers | Molotow Water-Based | Multiple Similar Ohuhus | Superior blendability |
| Liners | Sakura Pigma Brush Pen | Excess Fine Liners | Dynamic line variation |
| Special Effects | Edding 1200 Metallic | Crayola Crayons | Adds detail without texture clash |
Unique Insights and Future Trends
The video didn’t address undercooling blues, but I found they’re essential for digital artists transitioning to traditional media. Brands like Faber-Castell Goldfaber Aqua offer hybrid pencils that bridge this gap—activate with water for painterly effects or use dry for precision.
For future pieces, I’ll leverage metallic accents (like Faber-Castell Pitt’s metallic blue on earrings) more boldly. Surprisingly, white gel pens (Signo Uniball) created the most impactful moment: starry skies over Prussian Blue washes. This technique borrowed from a Pinterest night-sky reference but added narrative—transitioning daylight symbolized the character’s duality.
Actionable Artist Toolkit
- Audit your blues: Swatch every tool. Discard duplicates or poor performers (e.g., waxy crayons).
- Invest in multitaskers: Molotow markers ($12/set) handle watercolor-like blending + precision lines.
- Try a limited palette challenge: Restrict yourself to 3 blues to boost creativity.
Recommended upgrades:
- Beginners: Ohuhu Honolulu Markers ($25/set). Affordable, blendable, with brush/fine tips.
- Professionals: Holbein Acrylic Gouache ($18/tube). Builds opacity without overpowering layers.
Final Thoughts
Testing 39 blues revealed a hard truth: owning fewer high-performance tools beats hoarding redundancies. The Edding 1200 metallic and Molotow markers became unexpected heroes, while half my fineliners gathered dust. Your turn: Which "just in case" supply will you declutter first? Share your plan below—I’ll respond personally!
Pro insight: Less clutter fuels more creativity. Keep what inspires.
