Which do you prefer Tombow Water Color or Tim Holtz Distress Markers?

[christymc33]

I am looking to buy either the full set of Tombows or Full set of Tim Holtz Distress markers. I would use them for card making, (coloring stamped images) Which set would you go with? Thanks a lot for your input!

[christymc33]

bumping thread :-)

[cobby]

I don't have enough of either to give an educated opinion. Have you watched any of the videos Tim Holtz has done about the Distress Markers? If not, they might help you decide which to purchase.

[sedg]

I'm anxious to hear the answers to this question as well.

[shazsilverwolf]

I have some Tombows, and some Marvys, as well as the full set of DI markers. I think one of your considerations might be colour range. I'd suggest checking out both products websites for a visual on this. The Tim colours, perhaps with the exception of the new Seasonal colours, may not be your first go-to's for many images. Again, it depends on your image style. Personally, I love my DI markers, and use them all the time, I definitely recommend watching some of Tims video's for what you can do with them. Also this one You-Tube has many videos, including this one: , which shows some brilliant colouring.

[stamphappy1650]

I have several Tombows, Marvy brush markers, & TH Distress (all the old colors) and it all depends on what effect/technique I want.

Direct to stamp and edging cards - Marvy's

Coloring on paper - Tombows because of the right colors (I don't use them much any more because I switched to Copics)

Distress/muted colors - distress markers. I find I really don't like the colors very much and I can get the same effect just using my distress inks and stains. I wish I didn't buy the whole set.

[sedg]

When I use the tombows, what kind of stamp pad am I using? I prefer not to use watercolor CS

Thank you

[arlenevita]

It depends on what you want to color and what colors you use most.

Also check out Jennifer McGuire's videos for Distress Markers. She uses them all the time.

I have the full sets of both but haven't used them a lot, yet. If you do have Distress ink pads you could do watercoloring with them instead of the Distress markers and buy the Tombow markers.

[uncbballfan]

Quote:

Originally Posted by sedg

When I use the tombows, what kind of stamp pad am I using? I prefer not to use watercolor CS

Thank you

When I had Tombows, I used Ranger's Archival Jet Black ink pad, and I used regular cardstock. If you're just coloring with the Tombows, there's no need for watercolor paper. If you're adding water and using the Tombows, I would be concerned with the cardstock buckling; then I would use watercolor paper.

[sedg]

Thank you so much. That is very helpful - I have so much to learn...LOL

[QueenOfInkland]

I have some Tombow markers but never really used them - I honestly don't know why - I think mainly it's because I also have Marvy markers and I really like using the Marvy markers to color directly onto stamps - great way to get a multi-color image with one stamping and they give a great stamped image. I got into the Marvy markers from watching Dee Gruenig videos. I never found the Marvy markers to be reactive to water in an appealing way, however.

I have the distress markers and they are very nice to color images and to create watercolor backgrounds and to get watercolor effects with stamped images - very reactive with water. Very convenient to use. I find that the Distress marker colors are not true to the Distress ink colors - not a bad thing, just something of which to be aware. I especially like the new, more vibrant Distress marker color set that came out recently. I also use Copics to color images.

[sedg]

Again - very helpful. THANK YOU.

[klh54]

I'm no expert for sure and I don't have but one or two Distress markers but I do have a good selection of Tombows and love them! They are very vibrant, keeping their color well even when mixed with water. I can say that I don't do much marker to stamp coloring so wouldn't know about that.

[sedg]

Kathy, when you use your tombows (not mixed with water) are you then using regular cardstock and not watercoloring CS.

Thanks.

[jazzytobi]

With watercolor markers I would always recommend watercolor paper! I have all of the Distress Makers and the worst thing I have to say about them is I've had one or two dry out... Oh well, they're only $3 or so! I prefer to color with Copics just because I have all of the colors and there's more variety - but I really love the watery/faded look I can achieve with the Distress Markers.. They're great fun! (That being said, if you go easy on the water you can keep the colors quite vibrant!)

Vibrant:



Muted:

[Cook22]

I can't reply to your question as the only markers I have are Marvy, but I just wanted to link to to some tutorials on site which you may find helpful. Although I rarely use my markers, I certainly learnt a lot from a couple of these.
Splitcoaststampers - Tutorials ~ Inking with Markers
Splitcoaststampers - Tutorials ~ Distress Marker Painting
Splitcoaststampers - Tutorials ~ Marker Layering
Watercoloring with Markers Card Tutorial Using Water Based Markers and an Aquapainter by Julie Buhler
Splitcoaststampers - Misting with Markers Technique Tutorial by Beate Johns

Karen achieves amazing results in the Layering with Markers tutorial! I'd think Tombow would be better for that than Distress.

[shazsilverwolf]

Quote:

Originally Posted by QueenOfInkland

. I find that the Distress marker colors are not true to the Distress ink colors - not a bad thing, just something of which to be aware.

Tim did a little video on this, as it got brought up a lot when they came out, apparently the colours are all shades/tones in the different mediums- inkpads, markers, stains, paints- they aren't all exactly the same shade.
Also about the markers, when they first came out, Tim said it didn't matter how they were stored- horizontal or upright. That advice has changed, as the new colours come in a pack with a 'Store Horizontal' label on the side. So anyone with them drying out, that may be why.

[sedg]

This is all great information - very helpful.

[jazzytobi]

Quote:

Originally Posted by shazsilverwolf

Tim did a little video on this, as it got brought up a lot when they came out, apparently the colours are all shades/tones in the different mediums- inkpads, markers, stains, paints- they aren't all exactly the same shade.
Also about the markers, when they first came out, Tim said it didn't matter how they were stored- horizontal or upright. That advice has changed, as the new colours come in a pack with a 'Store Horizontal' label on the side. So anyone with them drying out, that may be why.

I noticed that with the new markers... I kinda had a little self-doubt for a while. "Didn't Tim say you could store them any way you wanted??!! Oh no!! I'm an idiot??"
So NOW I store all my markers HORIZONTALLY in a little box... Whatever, Tim.

[klh54]

I have tried using Tombows on regular cardstock...haven't had much success so I usually use watercolor paper. But like JazzyTobi said, if you control the amount of water, you can control the vibrancy.

[snowcountry311]

Quote:

Originally Posted by jazzytobi

I noticed that with the new markers... I kinda had a little self-doubt for a while. "Didn't Tim say you could store them any way you wanted??!! Oh no!! I'm an idiot??"
So NOW I store all my markers HORIZONTALLY in a little box... Whatever, Tim.

Tim did just corrected himself and said it's best to store all markers horizontally.

[Joan B]

I love Ranger distress inks. Love them.

distress markers, not so much. The colors were not to my liking and the marker tip not as firm as Tombows.

I have a few Tombows and love them (I still have a 10 year old set of SU markers, which are great too.)

[jeanstamping2]

I have only used the Tombow markers. And I have watercolored with them.


Thanks for all the information that other's have added. I will have to check them out.

[sedg]

I certainly agree with you, Nancy. This has been very informative. It's a great forum.