This month in the Utrecht Learning Center we'll be working with Tombow Brush Tip Markers to do some blending and layering. Our favorite part of these sets is the Blender marker included in each. It cleans up easy (by scribbling on a scrap paper) and can give some very nice watercolor-looking effects. We put together a quick drawing sample that shows the layering process.

Starting with a pencil sketch and a quick color study that helps determine the markers that will be used in the final drawing. You can see some experimentation with the blender marker's reaction to various colors at the top of the color study.

Next we'll tape some marker paper over our color study and get the essentials down with a thin drawing pen. (Be sure to use a low tack artists' tape to avoid tearing your paper.)

Now it's time to start playing with color! Working from light to dark we add layer after layer, using the Blender marker to soften the edges and blend two (or three!) colors together. Remember that there is no "white marker" so any areas you want to remain white need to be left alone for the paper to show through.

Things are starting to come along and have a nice feel. We can now start working in some darker layers of color. (Keep an extra sheet of the paper you are using handy to test your markers and layers on. Another great thing about the Tombow Brush Tips is how nicely you can blend using a light colored marker as well as the traditional blender). We used a light yellow to blend the reds and oranges together with nice results.

The final steps of this marker comp involve adding the darkest color layers and doing a light treatment of the background. The shadow underneath our turtle is established by using the same blue from the sky and laying two different browns over the top. The fading in the sky is done by using a light blue marker to blend out a darker blue.

There is lots of room to experiment with these and different papers will give different results. Try marker paper, bristol, vellum and even right into your sketchbook. Good Luck and happy blending!