Short answer
Buy the Artistro white extra fine: it was one of the most opaque pens in a large independent review. Treat the color sets as budget sets with uneven results, and skip the brush tip set, which scored poorly in the review. For budget color that performs better, look at Tooli-Art Extra Fine.
Artistro paint pens on Amazon
Artistro sets by tip, each listing checked by hand.
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Artistro white extra fine 0.7 mm, set of 2
The standout of the range in independent testing: one of the most opaque whites reviewed.
View on Amazon: Artistro white extra fine 0.7 mm, set of 2 -
Artistro 42 extra fine acrylic marker set
A big extra fine color range at a budget price; swatch colors first, as they were weaker than the white.
View on Amazon: Artistro 42 extra fine acrylic marker set -
Artistro 24 dual tip paint markers
Brush and fine tips in one barrel; the review rated the dual tip set average.
View on Amazon: Artistro 24 dual tip paint markers -
Artistro 20 jumbo 15 mm poster markers
Wide 15 mm tips for posters and big fills; plan on extra coats with a budget line.
View on Amazon: Artistro 20 jumbo 15 mm poster markers
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.
The Artistro range, line by line
| Line | Tip | What reviewers found | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| Extra fine | 0.7 mm | The white was one of the most opaque pens in the review. Other colors worked on colored pencil but not on markers, rocks or black paper. | Buy the white |
| Medium | 3 mm | Mid-range overall. Took 10 to 20 pumps to activate; some colors dried unevenly or separated; had a smell. The clear barrel shows whether the paint is mixed. | Budget fills only |
| Dual tip (brush and fine) | Brush plus fine | Easy to use and long-lasting, with a huge color range, but very tight caps and many lids that did not match the ink. Average overall. | OK for color range |
| Brush tip | Brush | Watery, washed-out color, among the worst opacity in the review; 4 of 16 pens did not match their lids. Not recommended by the reviewer. | Skip |
| Jumbo | 15 mm | Not covered by the comparison we use. | Spec only |
Tip sizes from Artistro’s range. Results from pump-action and cotton core results in Sarah Renae Clark’s comparison.
The pen worth buying
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No. 01Standout
Artistro white extra fine
Best for: white highlights, lettering on dark paper and rocks
- Tip
- 0.7 mm
- Mechanism
- Pump valve
- Refillable
- No
- Price tier
- Budget
- It was the reviewer’s best-performing white in her earlier reviews and one of the most opaque in the 2026 review.
- White is the hardest paint pen color to get right: even Posca’s white was its weak spot in the same review.
“I LOVE the Artistro white paint pen. It was the best performer in my past testing, and was one of the most opaque in this testing too.”
Source: Sarah Renae Clark, The Best Pump Action Acrylic Paint Markers
If you buy an Artistro color set
- Prime patiently. Gentle, repeated presses on scrap; the medium set may need 10 to 20 before paint flows. More fixes for a pen that will not flow.
- Shake longer. Uneven drying and separation usually mean unmixed paint. Use the clear barrel to check.
- Swatch before you start. Lids did not always match the ink color in the independent review.
- Two coats for light colors, drying in between.
- Ventilate if the smell bothers you; most acrylic markers have little odor, but the medium set did in the independent review.
Artistro medium sets on Amazon
Better-value swaps at a similar budget
- Fine detail: Tooli-Art Extra Fine, a stand-out fine tip and one of the most opaque markers overall. Search Tooli-Art.
- Color sets: Grabie Dual Tone, above average on most trials in the review and easy to use. Search Grabie.
- Brush lettering: Enmy Ink Control, the reviewer’s favorite of all. See our Enmy guide.
- Step up: Posca, which scored highest overall. See best acrylic markers for artists.
Questions people ask
Are Artistro paint pens good?
Some are. In Sarah Renae Clark’s 2026 comparison the Artistro white extra fine stood out, the medium and dual tip sets were mid-range or average, and the brush tip set was one of the weakest she reviewed.
How do I start an Artistro paint pen?
Shake it with the cap on, then press the tip on scrap paper repeatedly. The reviewer found the medium tip needed 10 to 20 pumps to activate, so be patient and press gently rather than hard.
Are Artistro paint pens good for rocks?
The white extra fine is useful for highlights on rocks. The other extra fine colors did not perform well on rocks in the independent review, so pair the white with a stronger color set.
Are Artistro paint pens refillable?
We found no refill option for Artistro paint pens. Treat them as disposable.
Does Sherwin Williams have paint pens?
Not for crafts, as far as we found. Sherwin-Williams Aerospace sells a JetPen touch-up applicator for aircraft coatings, and some automotive paint retailers sell Sherwin-Williams color-matched touch-up pens. For art and crafts, use a paint marker brand such as Posca, Sharpie or Artistro.
What's the difference between paint pens and markers?
Paint pens such as Artistro hold opaque acrylic paint that sits on top of a surface, so they cover dark and slick materials. Ordinary markers hold translucent dye ink that soaks in. Paint pens need shaking and priming; Artistro medium tips may need 10 to 20 presses to start.
Will Sharpie stay on acrylic paint?
A regular Sharpie writes on dried acrylic paint, but the dye can bleed or fade and may smear under a brushed varnish. For lasting lines on acrylic paint, use a paint marker and seal the piece with a spray varnish once everything is dry.
What is the best pen to use on acrylic paint?
On fully dried acrylic paint, a water-based pigment paint marker bonds best for details and lettering. Posca is the most proven; the Artistro white extra fine is a strong budget white for highlights. Seal the finished piece with a clear spray.
What are some good tools for acrylic paint art?
A few flat and round brushes, a palette, a primed canvas or panel, water and paper towels, then paint markers in fine and medium tips for details and lettering, and a clear spray varnish to finish. A tip size chart helps you pick widths.
Sources
Last reviewed 2026-10-12. Specs and availability change; check the listing before you buy.