Chartpak AD Markers:
When purchasing markers, consider Chartpak AD brand. They last the longest, and produce the most beautiful results. They take just a tad bit longer to learn, but are well worth the effort. When used with a colorless blender, these markers produce a watercolor type effect. When used in color "families" they make brilliant gradations of color. Since there are dozens of markers to choose from, I've narrowed down the list in a manageable format. These are the markers I use primarily. The asterisks notate variations.
Blue Family:
- Sapphire Blue
- Blue Glow
- Sky Blue (or Space Blue)
- Dutch Blue*
* Could choose True Blue and Navy Blue if you need the darkest part of the gradation to remain vibrant. I prefer the versatility of Dutch Blue
Blue Green Family:
- Frost Blue
- Aquamarine
- Blue Green
- Dutch Blue (if moving towards blue)
- OR: Slate Green (if moving towards green)
Green Family:
- Willow Green
- Grass Green
- Nile Green
- Evergreen (or Emerald Green)
Brown Family:
- Buff
- Sand
- Suntan
- Mocha (or Dark Tan)
- Burnt Umber
Yellow Family:
- Maize
- Goldenrod
- Pale Olive
- Olive
- Dark Olive
A MUST HAVE marker in my stable is Naples Yellow. I prefer it over Maize and Buff as a value #1 marker in many color schemes.
Violet Family:
- Violet Light**
- Purple Sage
- Violet
- Purple Iris
**If you desire one shade lighter than Violet Light, then pick up Pale Indigo as well.
Red Family (warm):
- Sunset Pink
- Salmon
- Deep Salmon
- Scarlet
Red Family (cool):
- Powder Pink
- Pink
- Wine Red
- Maroon
Orange Family:
- Pale Flesh
- Flesh
- Pale Cherry
- Peach
- Cadmium Orange
Cool Gray Family:
- Cool Gray #1
- Cool Gray #2
- Cool Gray #3
- Cool Gray #5
- Cool Gray #7
Warm Gray Family:
- Warm Gray #1
- Warm Gray #2
- Warm Gray #3
- Warm Gray #4
Basic Gray Family:
Basic Gray has a lot of violet undertones in it.
- Basic Gray #1
- Basic Gray #2
- Basic Gray #3