How good are these acrylic brush pens?

When I heard that the Arrtx Acrylic Paint Pens don't need pumping, I was delighted. It sounds a bit pathetic but if each pen takes 20 pumps to get the acrylic ink / paint flowing, that's a lot of pumps on a 36 colour set!! They kindly sent a set for me to try out and here I am swatching them on black and white to see how they perform.

I was trying to think of a different way of testing them in real life and ended up painting snail shells. After all, it will test the covering power, the nib durability, how they layer, mark making, opacity and more. Lots of people use them for stone or pebble paintings, so I thought it would help there too!

I aim to share a tip or technique every week - usually on Sunday at 2pm. I might throw in a few bonus films or shorts, so it’s worth hitting the notification bell to be alerted to the next one.

I run a couple of Facebook groups, so if you fancy joining there’s:

Watercolour Studio with Liz Chaderton

My five books (so far) are:

Painting Watercolour on Canvas ISBN 9781785005893
Painting Animals in Watercolour ISBN 9781785007873
Line and Wash Painting ISBN 9781785009914
Painting Birds in Watercolour ISBN 9780719840814
Painting Watercolour Portrails ISBN 9780719842818

If there is ever a topic you want explored, leave a comment and I will do my best to help. I try to answer all comments and questions.

#lizchaderton #watercolour #arrtx

[kassaArt]

I have these and they are fantastic ❤❤❤

[lynnfarrington]

I have really enjoyed watching this especially the Snail shell part who knew. We have a massive snail problem here too I may have a cunning idea

[judyt]

I like the dotty ones, the yellow, the blue, and the purple one 💛💙💜

[melaniebaynes]

Love the video, thank you for sharing your findings. Can't decide which one I like best, they're all good.

[liloutriskell]

This brand is extremely fashionable among French colorists 😉 But the eternal question with acrylic markers is always "how will they age?" I will be curious to hear from you in a month or two 😉 Thank you for your presentation, always very professional and complete!🌸🦄🌸

[stampinturtles]

I immediately went to amazing and bought them. Thanks for the code. It worked in the US. ❤ have a blessed day Liz!

[ninakennedy]

I enjoyed your review of these pens. While I have no snail shells, i did think they would be very useful to paint Christmas decorations on wood or glass. Love the many colours.Thank you.

[TR-rzxt]

I like the white daisy/blue ground one best - today. Probably different another day. You do know you could grow your garden snails on by letting them eat more of your stuff, don't you?! 🤣🤭😮😈 Thank you for another interesting review, I definitely hate the cramped hand which comes from pumping the darned things, so these do look very useful.

[pennyvae]

I just love seeing your videos and listening to your art journey. Thank you for sharing your talent with us! I'm quite a "mucky" painter as well :)

[triciab]

That actually looked like a fun way to test the markers. I've been avoiding acrylic markers because I absolutely hate having to pump the darn things but these look like they will be quite handy. Thanks 😊

[michelleinScotland]

I love the shells. I especially love the dark blue with white dots - it really appeals to me. Thank you for a very comprehensive review of the Arrtx paint pens.

[jaynapodgorski]

What a fabulous idea and project ( and outcome) love them all Terrific fun to be had, painting these. Will be trying this, and including my grandson's.
Blessings Liz ♥️🇦🇺🦘

[newtowatercolor]

The shell display at the end is brilliant!!! 😍😍😍😍 The colorful shells against the light background look fantastic! I will totally steal your idea to display my own shell collection from all over the world, though I won't paint them. your art and your art ideas!!!! Thank you!

[Samantha_tookey]

They look really good and inexpensive too. I love the shell idea, my garden is a snail haven x

[madebylora]

Love your shells! My favourite is the dark blue with white dots, closely followed by the other blue one with daisies! Also thank you for suggesting looking at Cuban painted snails! Wow!!! I thought English snail shells were beautiful, but those Cuban fellas really know how to put on a show! Haha

[kellyhalligan]

Great video as usual. I prefer the blue with white dots and the purple

[valeriegehling]

Nature gifts us so…..much! Leaves, shells, trees, flowers endless supplies of colours & shapes. Like the way you use this for & in your art. I still think necklace when seeing your decorated shells, sure they could be filled with a putty like substance, drilled & threaded onto a cord etc. ( Prue Leith always wears „big“ „ bold“ necklace/ earrings ). Thanks

[scarlettHischild]

I absolutely love that you painted snail shells!!! 🐌😍 I have painted them, and also used them in my wax seals I’ve made.🤭 I have snail shells from when my aquarium mystery snails have sadly, passed on, we have kept their shells over the years. They are just too pretty. My now seven year old and I love to art with them. They are a lot of fun.☺️

[rowenacorlett]

Really enjoyed watching this Liz. I'm interested to know if the rub bits off when used on paper like my ohuhu markers do. The tip on them does look as though it works better than the bullet end or the fine end of the ohuhu ones. Arrtx have produced so many different ranges but i guess these are the latest ones - do you know? Thanks

[ritawilbur]

Another really clever idea! These markers seem to be the equivalent of those expensive Karin Deco markers. The snail shells look terrific - but I googled those Cuban snails, and WOW! Yours are adorable.