Short answer
Liquitex Professional Acrylic Markers use the brand’s artist-quality, highly lightfast pigments in 2 mm and 15 mm nibs, with a satin finish that Liquitex says does not move when varnished. Colors are named by pigment, from Cadmium Red Light Hue to Phthalocyanine Blue, plus iridescent and fluorescent shades. One independent pump marker review found them watery and streaky, so they suit painters more than rock or craft work.
What Liquitex acrylic markers are
Liquitex calls the Professional Acrylic Marker the finest quality professional acrylic paint in a fine art, marker-style pen. Its product page lists the character: made with fine art pigment, precise control, highly lightfast, a satin finish, paint that does not move when varnished, and a range of opacities. It suggests sketching, fine detail, textiles, and collage and mixed media, and says the markers are AP certified (Liquitex).
Liquitex acrylic marker at a glance, per the maker
| Detail | Liquitex Professional Acrylic Marker |
|---|---|
| Nib sizes | 2 mm and 15 mm |
| Paint | Water-based acrylic with artist pigments, intermixable with Liquitex paints |
| Finish | Satin |
| Lightfastness | Highly lightfast; fluorescent and metallic pigments naturally less so |
| Safety | AP certified, per Liquitex |
Liquitex professional paint markers: the color range
The color list is the reason to choose Liquitex. Where craft sets say “red” and “blue,” Liquitex names pigments: Cadmium Yellow Light, Medium and Deep Hues, Cadmium Orange Hue, Cadmium Red Light, Medium and Deep Hues, Quinacridone Crimson, Dioxazine Purple, Cobalt Blue Hue, Prussian Blue Hue, Phthalocyanine Blue Green Shade, Cerulean Blue Hue, Cobalt Turquoise Hue, Emerald Green, Hooker’s Green Hue, Yellow Oxide, Raw and Burnt Sienna, Raw and Burnt Umber, Unbleached Titanium, Parchment, Titanium White, Neutral Grays, Carbon Black, Iridescent Rich Silver and Antique Gold, and six fluorescents. Each color carries an opacity rating, so you know which will cover and which will glaze.
What an independent review found
The honest counterpoint: in Sarah Renae Clark’s pump-action marker comparison, Liquitex acrylic paint pens were disappointing for a paint brand. They had some of the lowest scores across her tests, constantly unmixed, were watery, dried unevenly, and had a firm, scratchy tip that made streaks more likely. She wrote that she would like Liquitex to improve the formula. We have not tested them ourselves.
Put together: Liquitex markers make most sense for painters who want pigment-matched colors to work into acrylic paintings, where their lightfastness and varnish stability matter, and less sense for rock painting or crafts, where Posca scored far better in the same review.
Liquitex acrylic ink and the markers
Liquitex Acrylic Ink is the brand’s ultra-fluid acrylic. Liquitex describes it as lightfast artist pigment with no dyes, drying quickly and permanently with no smudging or bleeding when rewetted or layered, in a range of opacities, sold in 30 ml and 150 ml bottles (Liquitex Acrylic Ink). It suits pen and ink, airbrushing, pouring and watercolor techniques. Many artists use ink and markers together: ink washes for large areas, markers for line and detail on top.
Using Liquitex markers on canvas
- Shake and prime
Shake well with the cap on, then press the nib on scrap until paint flows. Re-shake often, since an independent reviewer found the paint unmixes.
- Work on primed canvas
A gessoed surface takes marker paint evenly. Over dry acrylic paint is fine too.
- Wide nib for fields
Use the 15 mm nib for backgrounds and large shapes, the 2 mm for line and detail.
- Layer thin
Let each layer dry; thin layers dry more evenly than heavy strokes.
- Varnish
Liquitex says the marker paint does not move when varnished. Test your varnish on a scrap first.
For canvas marker choices from every brand, see paint markers for canvas.
Liquitex versus other artist markers
| Brand | Strength | Watch for |
|---|---|---|
| Liquitex | Pigment-named artist colors, lightfastness, varnish stable | Watery and streaky in one independent review |
| Posca | Top independent scores, every tip size | Weaker white |
| Molotow ONE4ALL | Refillable, wide range of nibs | Pump priming |
Liquitex acrylic paint markers on Amazon
Two sets and four singles, each listing checked by hand.
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Liquitex Professional paint marker set, 6 piece, Vibrants
A six color starter set in bright artist colors.
- 6 markers
- Vibrant colors
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Liquitex Professional paint marker set, 6 piece, Fluorescents
Six fluorescents; Liquitex notes fluorescent pigments are naturally less lightfast.
- 6 markers
- Fluorescent
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Liquitex Professional wide paint marker, Carbon Black
The wide nib in Carbon Black, which Liquitex rates opaque, for bold lines and fields.
- Wide nib
- Carbon black
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Liquitex Professional paint marker, Carbon Black
Carbon Black in the standard marker for line work on paintings.
- Standard nib
- Carbon black
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Liquitex Professional paint marker, Titanium White
Titanium White for highlights and lettering on dark grounds.
- Standard nib
- Titanium white
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Liquitex Professional paint marker, Iridescent Rich Silver
An iridescent silver for accents in mixed media work.
- Standard nib
- Iridescent silver
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 colors are available for Liquitex Acrylic Ink?
A wide range named by pigment: yellows such as Bismuth Yellow and Cadmium Yellow Light Hue, oranges and reds including Pyrrole Red and Naphthol Crimson, Quinacridone Magenta, violets, several Phthalocyanine blues and greens, earth colors such as Transparent Burnt Sienna and Sepia, Titanium White, Carbon Black, iridescents (silver, gold, rose gold, bronze, copper), fluorescents and muted shades. Liquitex sells 30 ml and 150 ml bottles.
Is Liquitex Acrylic Ink waterproof?
Liquitex describes its Acrylic Ink as permanent when dry: like all acrylics it dries quickly and permanently, with no smudging or bleeding when rewetted or layered. Its marker page likewise says the marker paint does not move when varnished.
What is the best marker to write on acrylic?
On dry acrylic paint, an acrylic paint marker such as Liquitex, Posca or Molotow sits naturally on top. On clear acrylic plastic, an oil-based paint marker grips the slick surface better. Test first, and clean acrylic sheet gently, since harsh solvents can damage it.
What are some good acrylic markers for canvas?
Liquitex is made with canvas painters in mind: artist pigments, a satin finish and paint that does not move under varnish, per Liquitex. Posca and Molotow are popular pump markers that cover strongly. For big areas on canvas, the 15 mm Liquitex nib or a Posca PC-17K covers fastest.
What markers can you use on acrylic?
Acrylic paint markers are the natural partner for acrylic paintings, used once the paint is dry. Oil-based paint markers also work on dry acrylic and on acrylic plastic, but take longer to dry and smell of solvent. Alcohol and dye markers are translucent and can bleed into varnish, so they are less suited.
Sources
Last reviewed 2026-10-12. Specs and availability change; check the listing before you buy.