Cheap COPIC Alternative? NEW Studio 71 Brush Marker Review PLUS Tips!

Edit: These markers started to fray and the nibs got funky about 6 months after purchase.

Cheap COPIC Alternative? NEW Studio 71 Brush Marker Review
Today I am reviewing the new Studio 71 markers from Darice. I am showcasing the 48 pack that sells for $49.97 with free USA shipping http://shrsl.com/jrny (about $1.04 per marker) and the clear blending pen that sells for $1.47 http://shrsl.com/p57v

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In all honesty the ink that comes in most alcohol pens are the same and all alcohol markers that I have tried work well with other brands. The ink on the paper will practically be the same (in my opinion) no matter what brand you choose. With that said this review will compare the blendability, value and comfort and use of the Studio 71 set of 48 Alcohol pens from Darice.

Pros:
Price: $1.04-$1.08 per marker depending on the size set you buy, open stock is $1.47 *this is the least expensive I have EVER seen a quality dual tip brush alcohol marker.

Color selection in the 48 pack is superb, I feel like there is just enough shades of each color family that I can blend what I would need in most cases.

Marker Nibs: The brush tip make coloring and blending fast and easy and the chisel tip is useful for forcing blends if I am making a big jump in color of if I want to highlight, or lift out, a darker color.

Non-roll triangular barrel, comfortable to hold

Easy to Remove caps (Also easy to replace caps without worry of damaging the marker tip)

Product packaging can be used as a storage case allowing you to store the markers flat or upright. (I recommend storing flat)

Cons:
Not refillable (at this time)

As with most art markers there are some duplicates between sets so if you are buying multiple packs check the colors. Spectrum Noir is the only brand I know that has no duplicates between sets/packs.
These are feature a fiber brush nib and will fray with use unlike the foam rubber nibs used on Copics.

Summary: I found the Stdio 71 markers to preform as well as any of my other brush tip alcohol pens. The nib flexibility was between a Copic and a Winsor & Newton Brush Marker (The copic being a slight be more flexible but that may be because I have been using it longer.) These markers blended very well and the color selection in the 48 pack contained all of the essentail colors needed to produce all the shades I'd need for 95% of my projects. (of course it is easier to blend the more colors you have bt this is a great selection.)

Bottom Line, You can't go wrong with the quality of these markers for the price. I looked at converting my Spectrum Noir alcohol pens to brush pens but the brush nibs are about $2 each and you can get a whole studio 71 marker for around $1. It comes down to what your needs are, if you want hundreds of refillable markers that this is not for you but if you want great results with a smaller selection of quality pens on the cheap give Studio 71 a try!

Resources/supplies:
Studio 71 marker sets: http://shrsl.com/p57v
Spectrum Noir Markers (these are the refillable markers with replaceable nibs from the same company but has no duplicates between sets. The do not come with brush nibs but they are available @$2 each) http://shrsl.com/jro8
Neenah #80 Classic Crest Super Smooth cardstock in Solar white (My favorite cardstock for alcohol markers) http://amzn.to/2x8JXsR
Gina K non bleed through heavy cardstock I mentioned: http://shrsl.com/jroc
Memento black ink (doesn't bleed with alcohol pens, my fave!) http://shrsl.com/jroh and reinker available: http://shrsl.com/jrok
Shell stamp set: http://amzn.to/2eIOPNz

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