I used to keep my tools in neat little boxes – markers for bold sketches, colored pencils for soft, layered detail. But once I started combining them, everything opened up.
If you're like me and draw from real life or photo references – focusing on light, shadow, and expressive mark-making – then blending colored pencils and markers in one drawing can give you the best of both worlds.
This approach isn’t about blending perfectly or following rigid formulas. It’s about creating something vibrant and alive by responding to what you see. I treat colored pencils and markers as partners in crime: one lays down fast, confident tone; the other builds texture, depth, and expressive accents.
Here’s how I make that pairing work in a natural, grounded way.
Colored Pencils and Markers: Why Use Them Together?
I studied traditional 2D character animation at CalArts, where we were trained to observe and draw quickly, loosely, and with intent. That way of seeing and reacting to form is something I carry into my daily sketching.
When you combine markers and colored pencils, you get speed and depth. Markers fill space fast and set the tone, while colored pencils let you respond with subtle shifts, details, and edges.
I often use this combo when I want to create an expressive sketch that still feels anchored in observation. The marker gives structure; the colored pencil adds emotion, rhythm, and sensitivity. It helps me stay loose because I know I don’t need to solve every part of the drawing in the first pass.
My Drawing Process When Using Both
Whether I'm sketching from a reference photo or drawing from life, I always begin by simplifying what I see into large shapes. I’m not thinking about outlines or small details yet.
Instead, I ask myself: where is the strongest light? Where are the major shadow shapes? I often use a light warm gray or muted marker to quickly block in these areas. I’m squinting at the reference and trying to group tones together into something manageable.
This base marker layer becomes the scaffolding. It gives me confidence to explore and react without starting from scratch every time. It also sets the rhythm for the piece.
Once the marker layer is dry (which usually takes just seconds), I go over it with colored pencils. Sometimes I barely touch the page, using light strokes to add warmth or color variation. Other times I dig in with heavy pressure to punch up the contrast or define a form.
I try not to overthink it. The goal is to respond to what’s already happening on the page. I let the texture of the paper and the feel of the pencil guide me. If you're brand new to colored pencils, this breakdown of using colored pencils for beginners can help you understand layering and pressure control.
Choosing the Right Paper
The type of paper you use can completely change how colored pencils and markers interact.
Markers bleed through thinner paper quickly, especially alcohol-based ones. And colored pencils need a bit of tooth – a textured surface – to really layer up and grip. If your paper is too smooth, you’ll struggle to build up depth with the pencils. If it’s too thin, the markers will soak through and buckle the page.
I use mixed media sketchbooks or heavier-weight drawing paper. You don’t need anything fancy, but avoid printer paper or slick surfaces. A slightly rough texture will make your pencil marks more expressive and your layers more satisfying.
For more options, I put together this guide to the best paper for colored pencils based on real-world use.
What Markers I Use (and Why)
I don’t own a huge set of markers. Just a few neutral tones go a long way. Usually I keep a warm gray, cool gray, and a couple earth tones in my kit.
Alcohol-based markers (like Copic, Prismacolor, or Blick Studio) are my go-to because they dry fast and don’t smudge when you draw over them. The key thing is not to try and render with them – use them more like a wash of tone or a big brushstroke.
I often scribble quickly with the chisel tip to fill in a shape, then leave it alone. Once it’s dry, the marker becomes part of the underpainting, and the pencil helps guide the focus.
Colored Pencils That Work Well With Markers
When layering on top of markers, I want colored pencils that are soft, pigmented, and easy to build up. Faber-Castell colored pencils are my favorite for their smooth feel and range of colors. I also like Prismacolor for their creamy texture.
You don’t need a giant set. Just having a few reliable pencils – a warm neutral, a cooler blue, and a dark value – can go a long way in tightening up the image after you block in the basics with marker.
If you're looking to expand or upgrade, I wrote a full guide to the best colored pencils for artists and compared a few different colored pencil sets I’ve tested.
You can also explore more advanced techniques like burnishing to deepen the texture, but for expressive, quick sketches, I often just work in layers of scribbled, varied pressure.
A Few Tips to Keep It Expressive
Here’s something that took me a while to learn: you don’t have to cover every inch of the paper.
Let the marker show through. Let the texture of the paper interrupt your marks. The best parts of a drawing are often the ones you didn’t overwork.
Instead of trying to hide the fact that you used markers, use them as a base for the sketch to grow from. Let them suggest where shadows fall or how light moves across a surface.
Use your pencils to add detail or variation, but don’t get precious. I like to use broken lines, quick hatching, and pressure changes to bring a surface to life.
For example, if I’m sketching a landscape, I might block in the sky and tree shadows with cool gray marker, then add colored pencil over the trees and foreground to emphasize contrast and texture.
You can get more ideas from this list of techniques for coloring with colored pencils if you're looking to experiment with layering, burnishing, or dry blending.
Erasable Options and Sketch-Friendly Tools
Sometimes, especially in sketchbooks, I want the flexibility to make changes without committing fully. That’s where erasable colored pencils come in handy.
I’ll use something like Ticonderoga erasable colored pencils to lightly plan my drawing before committing to marker or regular colored pencils. They give just enough control without locking me in too early.
They're not as bold or pigmented, but they have their place when you want to be playful or adjust things on the fly.
Related Techniques and Resources
Combining colored pencils and markers is just one way to explore mixed media. You might also enjoy experimenting with watercolor colored pencils or layering colored pencils and watercolor to add fluidity to your drawings.
If you're curious about where these tools come from or how they’re made, I also wrote about how colored pencils are made and when they were invented.
For a full overview of everything I've written about this medium, including tools, techniques, and tutorials, check out the main colored pencils page.