I watched this because I saw Tombow dual brush markers were an optional supply in the Line and Wash course. I use dual brush markers for rubberstamping - I had some Tombows ages ago - right now I have several different inexpensive brands I've had for a long time. Not a lot of neutral colors, so for "fun," I looked around online at Tombow pens and...I found a GREAT deal at Micheals' craft store here in the US. They have some packs of TEN on sale for $14.99! I buy yarn regularly from Michaels, but not usually art supplies, as they are usually too expensive. But this was quite a good sale AND I had a voucher to use as I earn money each time I buy yarn! (I'm telling you this whole story as it goes along with being "frugal" - the Scrooge comment you made still makes me laugh!) Of course, to be REALLY frugal, I wouldn't buy any at all, but since I can use them for a variety of uses, I DID buy them! Greyscales, Portrait Colors, and a Michaels exclusive Watercolor Favorites. And adding in some yarn (that was on sale, of course - I ONLY buy it on sale!) - I got free shipping. So that was satisfying "retail therapy!"
Love your sketches can see your style shining through even with buildings. You live in a beautiful area lots of fodder for interesting buildings. Thanks Liz
I just caved and bought a pack of Tombow because of all the hype, did not like them, found they were streaky and didn't blend well. On the other hand I have 2 sets of the WHSmith pastels and normal colours, fantastic markers!!! Great to see a review on them, also the Arrtx are fantastic!!!
What stunning large beautiful sketches you have!! So impressed. It's a shame the tombows aren't light-fast. I got a set of 11 partly because there was a grey but it was darker than I wanted for shadows
I really enjoyed this! I have a Tombow N65 that I bought at the Burghfield May Fayre pre-pandemic and had intended on buying more this week but having watched this, I now have a pack of WH Smiths pens in my Ebay basket instead - thank you!
I thought the tombows blended better by not retaining the swatch edge as much as the smiths. Take out the pink black from Smiths and you’ve got 5 against 5 with the bonus of a blender in the tombows. Not to mention the more subtle light grey to extend the range. Tombows are pricier but I’d say a better choice. The longer tombows may proportionally last longer as well. Plus they’re numbered, making replacement a bit easier. If you were to spread the cost over the life of the pens, would it be worth opting for the smith’s?
of course only you can answer that for you. The point of the film is to show whether they are a good alternative…and they are. I do like the Tombows better but the difference is marginal, so for people on a limited budget the WHS are a good alternative. I needed to get six sets for a workshops, so it made sense to save a lot of upfront cost and they’ve held up very well.
Thanks! I love those brush pens. I use them like watercolor for shadows and such, they smooth out and blend great with a water brush/brush. No clue what the cost is over there across the pond but they're under $15 for most 10 packs here.
Your work certainly copies the Fennelly approach but pull it off amazing well.. I can only hope to one achieve the shading and perspective choices that seem to come easily to you.
I was so excited when I discovered Ian five or so years ago. His work was like mine, but so much better! He played with colour and perspective in just the way I was trying to. I learnt lots from watching him, especially in the use of Tombows. They are a life changer when you are sketching outdoors. I was meant to go on a workshop with him, sadly cancelled when covid struck….
@@LizChadertonArt Thx Liz for all you do to share on your channel.. I learn a ton just for watching your videos and would love to see a video where you show how to use the tombows... I have a full set of them as well as faber castell pitt makers in gray shades which I carry in my urban kit. Thx again!
I like the WHS black with the purple tinge. I have zig pens which are = to tombow and love them. Paper makes a massive difference to this testing I found. Bx
They are exactly the same as tombow. Dual tipped. But......I did buy them years ago in France as I couldn't get tombow but they are still going strong. But I did find them in Amazon and I think they are quite a bit more expensive than Tombows.....the works do a similar product too but only work on certain papers. Cartridge is good. Bx
Yes, and I like the fact that tombow have cool / neutral/ warm greys as opposed to just tints of the same neutral grey. I only use 2, a light warm and a light cool and it's easy to just get one or both replaced when I need. Think I paid about £2.75 on ebay last time.
I have tried the WN pigment marker., but to be blendable they have to be used on a coated paper, I believe. They are light fast, which is great, but don't have the transparency I am after. I also found the chisel tip frays really quickly and the bullet tip is very thick. Do you use them?
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I watched this because I saw Tombow dual brush markers were an optional supply in the Line and Wash course. I use dual brush markers for rubberstamping - I had some Tombows ages ago - right now I have several different inexpensive brands I've had for a long time. Not a lot of neutral colors, so for "fun," I looked around online at Tombow pens and...I found a GREAT deal at Micheals' craft store here in the US. They have some packs of TEN on sale for $14.99! I buy yarn regularly from Michaels, but not usually art supplies, as they are usually too expensive. But this was quite a good sale AND I had a voucher to use as I earn money each time I buy yarn! (I'm telling you this whole story as it goes along with being "frugal" - the Scrooge comment you made still makes me laugh!)
Of course, to be REALLY frugal, I wouldn't buy any at all, but since I can use them for a variety of uses, I DID buy them! Greyscales, Portrait Colors, and a Michaels exclusive Watercolor Favorites. And adding in some yarn (that was on sale, of course - I ONLY buy it on sale!) - I got free shipping.
So that was satisfying "retail therapy!"
sorry to be the cause of extra supplies! but that sounds like a bargain!
Love your sketches can see your style shining through even with buildings. You live in a beautiful area lots of fodder for interesting buildings. Thanks Liz
Thank you so much 😀 I was out sketching some beautiful Victorian buildings over the weekend.
I just caved and bought a pack of Tombow because of all the hype, did not like them, found they were streaky and didn't blend well. On the other hand I have 2 sets of the WHSmith pastels and normal colours, fantastic markers!!! Great to see a review on them, also the Arrtx are fantastic!!!
Oh no!
I agree about Tombow..they do not blend easily, easier to pull out a paint pallet🫤
Really clear and informative! Your sketches are breathtaking 😍
Thank you so much! I have really missed urban sketching during lockdown
What stunning large beautiful sketches you have!! So impressed. It's a shame the tombows aren't light-fast. I got a set of 11 partly because there was a grey but it was darker than I wanted for shadows
Yes, it is a real shame about the lightfastness. They are fine for sketch books. You can get uv protective sprays, which might help.
I really enjoyed this! I have a Tombow N65 that I bought at the Burghfield May Fayre pre-pandemic and had intended on buying more this week but having watched this, I now have a pack of WH Smiths pens in my Ebay basket instead - thank you!
Glad it was helpful! I’ve found they’ve stood up to the test of time well
@@LizChadertonArt Oh that's even better, thank you!
I thought the tombows blended better by not retaining the swatch edge as much as the smiths. Take out the pink black from Smiths and you’ve got 5 against 5 with the bonus of a blender in the tombows. Not to mention the more subtle light grey to extend the range. Tombows are pricier but I’d say a better choice. The longer tombows may proportionally last longer as well. Plus they’re numbered, making replacement a bit easier. If you were to spread the cost over the life of the pens, would it be worth opting for the smith’s?
of course only you can answer that for you. The point of the film is to show whether they are a good alternative…and they are. I do like the Tombows better but the difference is marginal, so for people on a limited budget the WHS are a good alternative. I needed to get six sets for a workshops, so it made sense to save a lot of upfront cost and they’ve held up very well.
A great review Liz, thank you!
Glad it was helpful! I do like using the brush pens
Your sketches are gorgeous!!! 💕
Thank you so much!!
Thanks! I love those brush pens. I use them like watercolor for shadows and such, they smooth out and blend great with a water brush/brush.
No clue what the cost is over there across the pond but they're under $15 for most 10 packs here.
That sounds like a good deal to me!!
Overall, I prefer the Tombow pens but I do lavender that pinkish separation on the WHS black.
agreed on preference but it’s not so marked that for the price difference I would go with the cheaper
Your work certainly copies the Fennelly approach but pull it off amazing well.. I can only hope to one achieve the shading and perspective choices that seem to come easily to you.
I was so excited when I discovered Ian five or so years ago. His work was like mine, but so much better! He played with colour and perspective in just the way I was trying to. I learnt lots from watching him, especially in the use of Tombows. They are a life changer when you are sketching outdoors. I was meant to go on a workshop with him, sadly cancelled when covid struck….
@@LizChadertonArt Thx Liz for all you do to share on your channel.. I learn a ton just for watching your videos and would love to see a video where you show how to use the tombows... I have a full set of them as well as faber castell pitt makers in gray shades which I carry in my urban kit. Thx again!
I’ll certainly see what I can do! @@pesto12601
Thank you, Liz.
My pleasure, I hope you found it helpful
I like the WHS black with the purple tinge. I have zig pens which are = to tombow and love them. Paper makes a massive difference to this testing I found. Bx
interesting! never heard of Zig pens. will google.NYC’s paper makes a huge difference. pens which are waterproof on one May move on another.
just looked. Their watercolour brush pens don’t have the dual tip? or am I looking at the wrong ones?
They are exactly the same as tombow. Dual tipped. But......I did buy them years ago in France as I couldn't get tombow but they are still going strong. But I did find them in Amazon and I think they are quite a bit more expensive than Tombows.....the works do a similar product too but only work on certain papers. Cartridge is good. Bx
@@bixnash1 very useful to know! Thank you.
Really useful review! How did you find them over time?
They are still going strong!
They can all be purchased individually the tombows
you are right, they can, i’s just handy having a range of greys and a bit more economic in a set…
Yes, and I like the fact that tombow have cool / neutral/ warm greys as opposed to just tints of the same neutral grey. I only use 2, a light warm and a light cool and it's easy to just get one or both replaced when I need. Think I paid about £2.75 on ebay last time.
@@gorway7 Sound good!
Hi Liz have you tried the Windsor and Newton brush markers. The have an artist pigment ink.
I have tried the WN pigment marker., but to be blendable they have to be used on a coated paper, I believe. They are light fast, which is great, but don't have the transparency I am after. I also found the chisel tip frays really quickly and the bullet tip is very thick. Do you use them?
You might know this already Jimmy Page has always enjoyed art and did go to Art College before becoming a rock god. 😊
I’ve been told that! I did see him in a local pub once….
I got the whole set of Tombows, stinks they are not lightfast.
It is a real shame - great for sketch books or something you might want to reproduce, but not for original artwork....