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Having Trouble Finding Basket Illusion Markers

Ethan Hoff

Ethan Hoff

Joined
Jun 14, 2024
Messages
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Location
Beavercreek Ohio
I have had trouble finding basket illusion markers recently. I typically use the Faber-Castell Pitt Artist Pens but it seems like the variety of fine-tip marker colors available is much less than it used to be. There is still a large variety in the brush-tip markers but it is more difficult to color neatly with those. It seems like Faber-Castell is phasing out their fine-tipped markers. I am interested to see if anyone else is having this issue and whether they are using Faber-Castell markers for basket illusions and if not, what brands and marker tip types they are using.
 
Ethan, I use only the brush tip markers. You probably already know this, but the brush tip can be reversed to give you a second sharp tip. And it can be sharpened multiple times with a pair of sharp scissors after that. But other than that I don't know of any other type of markers that are india ink. Alcohol based pens work but you have to be very careful because they penetrate deeper into the wood and it's hard to fix an oops and their colors are also limited. They will also bleed when some finishes are applied, especially lacquer.

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Faber-Castell Pitt Artist Pens

Faber-Castell Pitt Artist Pens use india ink that is acid-free, waterproof when dry and odorless. Great for sketching, journaling, cartooning and drawing.
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But like you said, it does seem they have quit offering many of their colors in the hard nib pens.
 
Ethan Hoff said:
Dean, I did see that the set of 90 did have some fine and superfine tips in it. I will take a closer look at that.
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You can buy individual markers from Dick Blick. Most colors in any style point. I prefer the brush and the medium tip the fine point wears down to fast on wood. If you scroll down past all the sets you will get the individual markers.
 
Ethan Hoff said:
I have had trouble finding basket illusion markers recently. I typically use the Faber-Castell Pitt Artist Pens but it seems like the variety of fine-tip marker colors available is much less than it used to be. There is still a large variety in the brush-tip markers but it is more difficult to color neatly with those. It seems like Faber-Castell is phasing out their fine-tipped markers. I am interested to see if anyone else is having this issue and whether they are using Faber-Castell markers for basket illusions and if not, what brands and marker tip types they are using.
Click to expand...
Hi Ethan --- sorry for the bad news ---I posted information about this a couple of times here in this forum -- you might try doing a search to review the postings/comments.
Faber-Castell discontinued manufacturing the .3 (S) nib over 3 years ago.... whatever stock of the .3(S) Pens that anyone had on hand is the last that can be found. The information I gave came directly from Michelle O'Meara, Sr. Consumer Relations Specialist at Faber-Castell USA Headquarters, I also got an email confirmation about the item no longer being manufactured from a senior representative from the Faber-Castell headquarters in Europe (I thought I saved that email, but can't find it at the moment).
I have tried using the .5 (F) nib but it is too thick to get between the beads -- I have not tried to modify to point, someone suggested grinding down the metal tube ... not sure if that would work but might be worth a try.
When I found out about this, I bought whatever supply of colors I could find in the .3 (S) nib -- I have since used up many of those pens. Being that I have a small supply left, I have not been pressed to try any other brands yet - but in my search for a viable substitute - the closest thing I found of matching colors in Fine point and Brush pens was the Prisma Micron brand - I haven't tried them yet, but they might be the only alternative.

Hope this information helps -- good luck.
 
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