Best Ohuhu Markers for Beginners: Which Set Should You Choose?

Getting started with alcohol markers can be exciting, but choosing your first set isn't always easy. With so many colours, marker tips and different Ohuhu collections available, it can be difficult to know where to begin.

Whether you're interested in colouring books, drawing, illustration, manga, lettering or simply experimenting with colour, Ohuhu has a range of alcohol markers to suit different creative styles and budgets.

In this guide, we'll explore the best Ohuhu markers for beginners, explain the differences between the main marker types, and help you choose the right set for your first creative projects.

Why Choose Ohuhu Alcohol Markers?

Ohuhu alcohol markers are popular among artists and hobbyists because they offer vibrant colours, smooth application and excellent blending capabilities at an affordable price.

Unlike water-based markers, alcohol markers allow you to layer and blend colours to create smooth gradients, shadows and depth in your artwork.

Some of the main benefits include:

• Vibrant colours: Create rich, saturated artwork with a wide selection of colours.
• Easy blending: Blend different shades together to create smooth transitions and gradients.
• Dual-tip design: Switch between two different tips depending on the technique you're using.
• Large colour collections: Choose from smaller starter sets or larger collections as your skills develop.
• Versatility: Great for colouring books, illustrations, manga, sketching and other creative projects.

Ohuhu offers several alcohol marker collections, including Honolulu, Honolulu B and Oahu. Each has a different combination of marker tips, making it easier to find something that suits your preferred drawing style.

Which Ohuhu Markers Are Best for Beginners?

If you're buying your first set of Ohuhu alcohol markers, we'd recommend starting with one of the following collections.

1. Ohuhu Honolulu: Brush & Chisel

The Ohuhu Honolulu series is a great starting point for anyone who enjoys colouring, illustration and experimenting with different drawing techniques.

Each marker features two tips:

• Brush tip: A flexible tip that works like a paintbrush, allowing you to create both fine lines and broader strokes depending on the pressure you apply.
• Chisel tip: A broad, angled tip that's ideal for filling larger areas, creating straight lines and applying colour quickly.

The brush tip is particularly useful for blending and adding expressive strokes, while the chisel tip makes it easier to colour larger sections of your artwork.

If you're looking for an all-rounder that offers plenty of flexibility, the Honolulu series is an excellent choice.

Best for: Beginners who enjoy colouring, illustration, manga and working with larger areas of colour.

Explore the collection: Shop Ohuhu Honolulu Alcohol Markers

2. Ohuhu Honolulu B: Brush & Fine

The Ohuhu Honolulu B series is another excellent option for beginners, especially if you enjoy detailed illustrations and colouring books.

It combines two complementary tips:

• Brush tip: Perfect for expressive strokes, colouring larger areas and blending colours.
• Fine tip: Designed for precise lines, small details, outlining and intricate patterns.

The combination of brush and fine tips makes the Honolulu B particularly versatile. You can use the brush tip for colouring and blending, then switch to the fine tip when you need more precision.

If you enjoy detailed illustrations or colouring smaller sections of a design, this combination might be exactly what you're looking for.

Best for: Beginners who enjoy detailed colouring, character illustrations, intricate designs and smaller artwork.

Explore the collection: Shop Ohuhu Honolulu B Alcohol Markers

3. Ohuhu Oahu: Fine & Chisel

The Ohuhu Oahu series offers a different combination of tips, pairing a fine tip with a chisel tip.

This makes it a good option if you prefer having a precise tip for details alongside a broader tip for filling larger areas.

• Fine tip: Ideal for outlining, small details and precise lines.
• Chisel tip: Great for covering larger areas and creating bold strokes.

Unlike the Honolulu collections, the Oahu series doesn't include a brush tip. However, its fine and chisel combination can be particularly useful for graphic illustrations, architectural drawings and designs that require clean, controlled lines.

Best for: Beginners who prefer precise lines, geometric designs, graphic illustrations and bold colour coverage.

Explore the collection: Shop Ohuhu Oahu Alcohol Markers

How Many Colours Do You Need to Start?

One of the most common questions when buying alcohol markers is how many colours you actually need.

Ohuhu offers sets in different sizes, ranging from smaller collections to extensive sets containing hundreds of colours. While it can be tempting to go straight for the largest set available, you don't necessarily need hundreds of colours to get started.

Here's a general guide:

24–48 colours: A great starting point

Smaller sets are ideal if you're new to alcohol markers and want to experiment without making a large investment.

They give you enough colours to explore basic blending techniques, practise shading and work on different creative projects.

72–104 colours: More creative possibilities

If you've already experimented with markers or want more colour variety, a 72 or 104-colour set offers a nice balance.

You'll have more shades to work with, making it easier to create depth, add details and experiment with different colour combinations.

120–216 colours: For expanding your collection

Larger sets are a good option if you're becoming more confident with alcohol markers and want a broader selection of colours.

They offer more flexibility when working on detailed illustrations, character designs and more complex artwork.

320 colours: The complete collection

If you're serious about marker art and want access to a very extensive colour range, the larger 320-colour collections are worth considering.

However, they're not essential for beginners. You can always expand your collection as your skills and creative interests develop.

Our recommendation? Start with a 24, 48 or 72-colour set and see how you enjoy working with alcohol markers before investing in a larger collection.

Brush Tip vs Fine Tip vs Chisel Tip: What's the Difference?

Choosing the right marker tips can make a big difference to your drawing experience.

Here's a quick comparison:

Tip	Best used for
Brush	Blending, expressive strokes, colouring and varied line widths
Fine	Outlining, small details, intricate patterns and precise lines
Chisel	Filling large areas, bold strokes and straight lines

If you're still unsure, here's a simple way to decide:

• Choose Brush & Chisel if you want versatility for colouring and covering larger areas.
• Choose Brush & Fine if you enjoy detailed artwork and want a precise tip for smaller areas.
• Choose Fine & Chisel if you prefer clean lines and bold colour coverage.

There isn't necessarily one perfect combination for everyone. It really comes down to the type of artwork you enjoy creating.

5 Tips for Getting Started with Alcohol Markers

Once you've chosen your first set, here are a few tips to help you get the most out of your new markers.

1. Choose the Right Paper

Alcohol markers can bleed through ordinary paper, so it's worth investing in paper designed specifically for alcohol markers.

Marker paper usually has a smooth surface that allows the ink to flow evenly and makes blending easier.

A dedicated marker pad or sketchbook is a great addition to your art supplies.

2. Practise Blending Colours

One of the best things about alcohol markers is how easily you can blend different shades together.

Start by choosing two or three colours from the same colour family. Apply the lighter shade first, then gradually introduce darker colours to create depth.

With a little practice, you'll be able to create smooth gradients and natural-looking shadows.

3. Work from Light to Dark

A useful technique when working with alcohol markers is to start with lighter colours and gradually build up darker shades.

This gives you more control over the final result and makes it easier to add shadows and depth without making your artwork too dark too quickly.

4. Use a Colour Swatch Chart

Marker caps don't always show the exact colour you'll get on paper.

Creating your own colour swatch chart is a great way to see how each marker actually looks once applied.

It also helps you identify colours that work well together and makes choosing the right shades much easier.

5. Keep a Sheet Behind Your Artwork

Since alcohol markers can bleed through paper, always place a spare sheet underneath the page you're colouring.

This helps protect the pages underneath and keeps your workspace clean.

What Else Do You Need to Get Started?

You don't need a huge collection of art supplies to start creating with alcohol markers, but a few accessories can make the experience even better.

Here are some useful additions:

• Marker sketchbook: Paper designed for alcohol markers helps achieve smoother results and better blending.
• Fineliner pens: Great for outlines, small details and adding finishing touches to your illustrations.
• Colouring books: A fun way to practise blending, layering and experimenting with different colour combinations.
• Marker organiser: Keeps your markers neatly arranged and makes it easier to find the colours you need.

You can explore our range of Ohuhu art pads and sketchbooks and fineliner pens to find some useful additions to your collection.

Final Thoughts: Which Ohuhu Markers Should You Buy First?

Choosing your first set of Ohuhu alcohol markers doesn't have to be complicated.

If you're looking for an all-rounder, the Honolulu series is a fantastic option. If you prefer detailed illustrations and precise lines, the Honolulu B series is worth considering. And if you enjoy bold strokes and clean outlines, the Oahu series offers a great alternative.

As for the number of colours, we'd recommend starting with a smaller set and expanding your collection as you become more confident.

Most importantly, have fun experimenting! Alcohol markers are incredibly versatile, and there's no better way to learn than by picking up a few colours and creating something of your own.

Ready to get started? Explore the full range of Ohuhu alcohol markers at MoonArt