PLEASE HELP! (marker questions)

[sin]

i actually just got a lot of cool grey, warm grey, and french grey markers and i swear to you i love them more than any colouring utensil in the world, it would be great if you guys could just toss some hints and tips my way, preferably from those more experienced with the markers in question. Im workin on a dragon for art-class, and its coloured using only micron pens and those beautiful prismacolour markers....one last question, if they seem to start drying up, even though I just got them, what should i do? I've heard alcohol, dipping the markers in alcohol that is. Well, thanks in advance for all replies.

[talos72]

Divide your drawing into planes of light, midtone and shadow. Figure out where your light source is, and block the planes with appropriate values. You may want to start with say %50 gray as your base, then go in with 60 or 70 for larger shadow areas (leaving really light areas white). Then further refine and model by breaking down the shadow planes with even darker (80 or 90) grays, and lastly punching up certain areas with the black (though use the black sparingly for you can over-use it easily).

As far as your markers drying up quickly, if you tend to draw on more obsorbant paper the tip will dry up. try using smoother rag or marker paper. However, it should replenish with dye. Rubbing alcohol may revive some markers.

Hope it helps.

[sin]

thanks a lot, friend.