Step-by-step

Step 1
To create the design in our example, you’ll need a broad acrylic marker in warm beige, medium acrylic markers in traffic yellow, hazel and mellow mint, and a fine acrylic marker in traffic white. Activate your markers by shaking them with the cap still on until you can hear the small ball rattling inside the marker. Next, carefully press the nib down a few times on some scrap paper until the ink fills the tip. When working with the broad acrylic marker, it's very important to hold the marker at a slight angle to avoid damaging the chisel nib. We recommend trying out a few practice marks on some scrap paper before you start.

Step 2
Tape down your canvas or paper on all sides using washi tape. Now take the broad marker in warm beige (or another colour of your choice) and add a base coat all over. Don’t worry if you go over the washi tape. When you peel it off at the end, you’ll be left with a nice clean edge. Leave the paint to dry thoroughly.

Step 3
Next, use your medium acrylic markers to add other elements and shapes to your design – just let your creative juices flow! Next, leave the paint to dry thoroughly once more.

Step 4
Finally, use your fine traffic white acrylic marker to draw the outline of a leaf over the top (we chose the leaf of a cheese plant). Remember to only do this once all the other colours have dried completely; otherwise the colours will run together. Once all the paint is dry, carefully remove the washi tape.
Products and materials
Other materials
- Paper for testing your acrylic markers
- Washi tape
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