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Learn how to get a watercolor effect with marker drawings. This watercolor technique is easy and effective for kids of all ages.

Updated September 2024

You can paint with watercolors, it’s true. And there are watercolor pencils and watercolor crayons (have you tried them?) but did you know that you could use washable markers the same way to get a watercolor effect?

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You can and it’s easy!

Simply draw with washable markers, then run a wet paintbrush over the top.

The key is using washable markers that are water soluble. This won’t work with permanent markers. Since water will slightly dissolve the marker, using water over a marker drawing will blur the line and spread the color around the paper, giving it a watercolor effect.

How to Get a Watercolor Effect with Markers

MATERIALS

Washable markers (This is an affiliate link, so we may earn a commission if you buy. It costs you nothing extra.)
Sturdy paper
Paint brush
Water

INSTRUCTIONS

Draw with markers
To begin, draw a picture with the washable markers.
Add water
Dip a paint brush in water and use it to “paint” lightly over the marker drawing.
The water will dissolve some of the marker, allow the color to spread, and blur the lines, giving you a watercolor effect with markers!
Optional: add salt or water droplets
Sprinkle salt and/or more water on top as we did, if you like. The salt absorbs the marker watercolor, leaving interesting patterns on the artwork. And the water droplets add extra dissolving action to the marker artwork.

You can also spray your marker drawing with water from a spray bottle (perhaps experiment with a fine mist versus a harder spray). Or try rainy day process art by letting it rain on top of your marker drawing (on Pink Stripey Socks)!

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