Short answer
Artist’s Loft markers are a Michaels house brand. Listings sold by Michaels include a 24 watercolor dual tip set (brush and fine point, water-based ink) and a 48 color dual tip permanent set (fine and ultra fine, marks on most surfaces). They are budget sets for sketching, coloring and lettering. For alcohol blending, Copic is the premium benchmark; for opaque paint, a paint marker such as Posca.
Who makes Artist’s Loft
Artist’s Loft is a Michaels private brand. Wikipedia lists it among the dozen private brands Michaels produces, including Craft Smart, Recollections, Studio Decor, Bead Landing, Creatology and Celebrate It (Wikipedia). Artist’s Loft is the art supply side of that lineup. Michaels’ other paint pen brand, Craft Smart, is the craft-side line.
Artist’s Loft marker sets
Artist’s Loft marker sets, per listings sold by Michaels
| Set | Tips | Ink | Use |
|---|---|---|---|
| 24 Watercolor Dual-Tip Markers | Brush and fine point | Water-based | Sketching, coloring, calligraphy, watercolor effects |
| 48 Color Dual Tip Permanent Markers | Fine and ultra fine point | Permanent; marks on most surfaces | Drawing, lettering, labeling |
Artist’s Loft watercolor dual tip markers
The 24 marker watercolor set pairs a brush tip for shading and coloring with a fine point for outlines and detail, uses water-based ink, and conforms to ASTM D-4236, per the listing (listing). Water-based brush markers can be blended with a damp brush for watercolor effects, which makes them friendly for cards and journals. See watercolor brush pens for how they work.
Artist’s loft permanent markers
The 48 color permanent set has a fine and an ultra fine point on each marker and, per the listing sold by Michaels, is permanent and marks on most surfaces (listing). These are colored permanent markers for drawing, lettering and labeling, not opaque paint markers: on dark surfaces the ink will look faint, because dye ink tints rather than covers.
Alcohol markers and their trade-offs
Sketch-style dual tip alcohol markers, the format made famous by Copic, are sold by many store and budget brands. Before buying any alcohol marker set, know the trade-offs. Sarah Renae Clark explains that alcohol markers mix dye and alcohol, dry quickly, blend smoothly and layer easily, but have a learning curve and bleed through just about anything, even the best marker paper (alcohol marker comparison). She calls Copic the long-time holy grail, refillable with replacement tips, with a price to match. Budget alcohol sets are a cheaper way to learn blending.
Artist’s Loft versus paint markers
None of the Artist’s Loft sets above are opaque paint markers. If you want to draw on rocks, black paper, glass, wood or canvas and have the color sit on top, you need a paint marker. Compare art markers by type, or go straight to best acrylic markers. For drawing and sketching on paper, see drawing markers.
Store brands at a glance
| Brand | Store | Marker types |
|---|---|---|
| Artist’s Loft | Michaels | Watercolor dual tip and permanent dual tip markers |
| Craft Smart | Michaels | Craft paint pens, including oil-based |
| Master’s Touch | Hobby Lobby | Acrylic paint markers, metallic and white sets |
Buying online instead
If you do not have a Michaels nearby, comparable sets are easy to find online. For water-based brush markers, KINGART and Tombow sell dual tip sets. For alcohol markers, Caliart is a popular budget set; Sarah Renae Clark reviews it alongside Copic. Our Caliart and KINGART pages go deeper.
Online alternatives to Artist’s Loft
Artist’s Loft is a Michaels brand, so these Amazon listings are comparable markers, each checked by hand.
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KINGART watercolor brush markers, 36 piece
A water-based brush marker set comparable to the Artist’s Loft watercolor dual tip markers.
- 36 markers
- Brush tip
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Tombow dual brush pen art markers, Cottage, 10 pack
Blendable brush and fine tips, per the listing, for lettering and coloring.
- 10 markers
- Brush and fine
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Caliart alcohol markers, 100 colors, dual tip
A budget alcohol marker set with fine and chisel tips for learning blending.
- 100 colors
- Fine and chisel
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KINGART PRO dual twin tip brush pens, 24 colors
Twin tip brush pens for sketching and lettering.
- 24 colors
- Twin tip
Each pick links to an Amazon listing we checked by hand. Prices, colors and pack sizes change on Amazon, so check the listing before you buy. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.
Questions people ask
What markers do artists use?
It depends on the medium. Illustrators use alcohol markers such as Copic for smooth blends, letterers use brush pens, watercolor artists use water-based brush markers, and mixed media and surface artists use opaque paint markers such as Posca. Store brands such as Artist’s Loft are budget versions of these types, good for practice and crafts.
Is Artist’s Loft a Michaels brand?
Yes. Wikipedia lists Artist’s Loft among the private brands Michaels produces, alongside Craft Smart, Recollections, Studio Decor and others. Artist’s Loft products are sold at Michaels, and some are sold by Michaels through other marketplaces.
Does Michaels sell copic markers?
Michaels’ range changes and varies by store, and we could not confirm current Copic stock on its site, so check Michaels’ website or your local store. Copic also keeps a store locator on its own website listing where its markers are sold.
What are the downsides of using alcohol markers?
Sarah Renae Clark sums them up: alcohol markers have a learning curve and bleed through just about anything, even the best marker paper. They also have a solvent smell, and the dye is translucent, so they cannot cover dark colors. Use marker paper with a scrap sheet underneath, and ventilate.
Sources
- Sarah Renae Clark, Ultimate Acrylic Paint Marker Comparison (March 2026)
- Wikipedia, Michaels (private brands)
- Walmart, 24 Watercolor Dual-Tip Markers by Artist’s Loft (listing)
- Walmart, 48 Color Dual Tip Permanent Markers by Artist’s Loft, sold by Michaels (listing)
- Sarah Renae Clark, Alcohol Markers (from The Ultimate Marker Comparison)
Last reviewed 2026-10-12. Specs and availability change; check the listing before you buy.