Build a Marker and Fineliner Core Kit (That Actually Works)

December 1, 2025

Written by: The Art Noise Team

The Art Noise Team shares practical guides on art materials, studio workflow, and techniques, written for working artists and beginners alike. Our content is grounded in day-to-day conversations with artists in Kingston, Ontario, and focuses on helping you choose supplies with confidence.

This collection is your “all-in-one bench” for linework, colour, and lettering, without guessing which pen style fits which job. Build a small, repeatable tool stack, then expand by tip type, ink style, and paper pairing.

Paper and Pads Calligraphy Pens Acrylic Paint Markers

Dual Brush Pen Art Markers, Teatime, 6-Pack Tombow Markers art-noise.myshopify.com dual-brush-pen-art-markers-teatime-6-pack Dual Brush Pen Art Markers, Teatime, 6-Pack Tombow Marker Sets art-noise.myshopify.com dual-brush-pen-art-markers-teatime-6-pack

A small kit that solves big pen problems

If you have ever bought “a marker” and it behaved nothing like you expected, this collection is the fix. Markers and Precision Pens brings your most common drawing jobs together in one place, linework, colour, journaling accents, and lettering, so you can build a set that matches your projects instead of collecting random pens.

Art Noise is an independent, family-owned shop in downtown Kingston, Ontario, and this category is curated like a workbench: pick the tool for the job (or build a simple 3-tool stack), then expand when you know what you actually like. If you are local, you can also learn more about the shop here: About Art Noise.

Shop Markers

What’s distinctive here (and how to shop it fast)

It mixes multiple “ink families” on purpose. You will see alcohol-based art markers, water-based brush pens, waterproof fineliners, paint markers, and calligraphy options in one category, which makes it easier to build a reliable combo instead of hoping one pen does everything.
Paper pairing is treated as part of the tool. If your lines feather or colours bleed through, it is often a surface mismatch (general guidance). Browse Paper and Pads at the same time, even if you are only “buying pens.”
It’s not just pens, it’s the supporting ecosystem. For rulers, erasers, sharpeners, and the little helpers that make a kit feel effortless, add a few essentials from Drawing Supplies.
Lettering is built in. When your goal is clean headings and expressive thick-to-thin strokes, you can expand beyond markers into Calligraphy Pens.
Opaque marks are one click away. If you want paint-like coverage for highlights, bold blocks, or signing work, pair your fineliners and markers with Acrylic Paint Markers.

Tombow ABT PRO Alcohol Markers: Greyscale 12pk - Art Noise Tombow ABT PRO Alcohol Markers: Greyscale 12pk Tombow Markers art-noise.myshopify.com tombow-abt-pro-alcohol-markers-greyscale-12pk Tombow ABT PRO Alcohol Markers: Greyscale 12pk Tombow Markers art-noise.myshopify.com tombow-abt-pro-alcohol-markers-greyscale-12pk

Three real-life ways to use this collection (with a repeatable workflow)

1) The “line first, colour second” sketch stack

This is the fastest path to drawings that look intentional. Start with a small fineliner set for crisp structure, then add colour on top (general guidance).

Start with: Faber-Castell Ecco Pigment Fineliner Pens (set of 4)
Follow a simple, repeatable order: outline, add mid-tones, then deepen shadows (general guidance). For a full walkthrough and troubleshooting, use: How to Get Cleaner Lines and Better Blends with Art Markers and Fineliners

2) Journal headings and icons that stay consistent

If your planner pages feel messy, consistency beats more colours (general guidance). Use one brush pen set for headings, then repeat the same heading style for a month before you expand.

Pick a lettering tool: Tombow Fudenosuke Calligraphy Brush Pens (3-pack)
Pair it with a notebook you enjoy using: Notebooks & Planners

3) A travel palette card for quick colour without overpacking

For urban sketching, hiking notes, or quick studies, limiting your palette makes blending easier and results more cohesive (general guidance). Build a small swatch card, then repeat it across several sketches.

Choose a dual-format colour tool: Goldfaber Aqua Dual Watercolour Marker Sets
Use paper that supports your style of sketching and carrying: Drawing and Sketch Pads

Pair it with these collections (then build your kit)

If you want better results with fewer pens, build around a small “core kit,” then add one supporting category at a time (general guidance):

Paper upgrade first: Paper and Pads (marker-friendly surfaces change everything).
Opaque accents and bold coverage: Acrylic Paint Markers (great for highlights, solid blocks, and graphic details).
Classic ink play and special effects: Dip Pens & Ink (for line variation and inky texture).

When you are ready, come back and shop the full selection here: Markers and Precision Pens.

Shop All