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Since January I've really gotten into adult colouring. I started the hobby as I needed to start finding ways to help me cope with SAD (seasonal affective disorder). I first started off using cheap marker pens and completed the popular *Cocowyo Girl moments colouring book. I've since over the past two months moved onto using Decotime alcohol markers. I've found colouring to be such a relaxing and creative hobby that helps me to unwind.
I thought I'd share a full Decotime alcohol markers review - sharing not just my honest thoughts on them but also answer some of the common questions.
I chose Decotime alcohol markers because I'd heard about them in various adult colouring Facebook groups. They personally fit within my budget compared to brands such as *Ohuhu which although popular are top tier and more pricey. You can find different size sets of the Decotime alcohol markers: the larger sets come in sizes of 60 (£20), 100 (£29.99) and 160 (£40). I got hold of a set of 100 as I've yet to come across the box of 160.
Why is it best to use alcohol markers for adult colouring?
You don't have to use alcohol markers, however having used both watercolour and alcohol markers I definitely prefer alcohol based ones. Why? Because watercolour based markers tend to be streaky and leave an uneven finish. They are also a lot harder to blend colours with. Alcohol markers offer a more smooth finish, dry quickly and are easier to blend. If you use the Decotime alcohol markers the 100 and 160 sets also come with a colourless blender pen too.
Do the Decotime alcohol markers bleed through the page?
Yes, because they are alcohol markers they will bleed through the page. To prevent bleeding onto other pages within your colouring books using card under the page you are colouring in helps to prevent this. For this reason I recommend colouring books where there aren't pictures on both sides of the page.
How well do the Decotime alcohol markers blend?
Like a dream! They may dry quickly but they stay wet long enough to blend nicely. The colourless blending marker that comes in the set I have is also great for blending and for lightening or softening colours.
Where can I buy the Decotime alcohol markers in the UK?
Some of the places I've come across the sets of 60 and are 100 are in Tesco, The Range, B&M and Amazon. I've yet to come across the set of 160 locally which, as far as I can tell is only available from B&M. Vinted is also another good place to look out for them.
How do I know which Decotime markers are alcohol or water based?
Decotime label their boxes of markers clearly. However make sure you read the box as the packaging for both the alcohol and watercolour markers are pretty similar.
Are the Decotime alcohol markers refillable?
No, they are disposable which is why they are a more affordable brand. Higher end brands such as Copic tend to be refillable if that is what you are looking for.
What are the Decotime alcohol markers dual tips like?
All of the sets have a fine tip on one end and on the other end you can get either a chisel tip or a brush tip. The brush tips tend to be more on the newer sets. It's best to read the box so you know what you are getting.
Are the Decotime alcohol markers suitable for beginners?
Yes, definitely! They are a great brand for starting out using alcohol markers. They blend beautifully and are a great price point since you can start with a smaller set to begin with.
My overall Impression on the Decotime alcohol markers
I've been using the Decotime alcohol markers so far in two books - the *How to Draw Patterns by Cocowyo and *Stoner Girl Summer by Hella Coloring. I love using these pens as they give a smoother finish and blend beautifully. I really like that the Decotime alcohol markers come with stackable trays that can clip together, especially if you purchase further sets.
Overall in the set of 100 I'm impressed with the selection of colours, obviously the bigger sets offer more variety and the smaller 60 set is a great starting point. As well as the great variety of colours the alcohol markers are really easy to blend with and they are dual tip with one end a fine tip and the other a brush tip. The only thing I will say is in the set of 100 I have it could do with more skin tone colours so eventually I may end up purchasing some *skin tone alcohol markers.
