Hi friends! As soon as these markers hit stored I have been inundated with requests to review them! I was not going to buy these because I had similar pens already and I didn’t use them much but motivated by your requests and a 40% off coupon I decided to give them a go, or take one for the team as my friend Tracey would say;)
In all honesty I am glad I got them, they have been so much fun to play with and a marked improvement from the ink filled brush pens I have used in the past. Want more info? Watch the video!
Disclaimer: This is NOT a sponsored review, I purchased these items myself and I was not asked or compensated to create this review. My opinions are my own and are not endorsed by American crafts or any affiliated parties.
The product I am reviewing are the Jane Davenport Mermaid Markers from American Crafts sold exclusively in the US by Micheal’s Craft Stores
- Price: $39.99 (I used a 40% off coupon and paid $22)
- Description: A waterbrush pen filled with non-lightfast water based ink. *The pen looks identical to the small round Prima waterbrush with the addition of a straw inside the barrel.
Pros:
- The brush has a sharp fine point and is very springy and firm. Very expressive
- Bright inks, they will all lift a bit but some colors stain and lead to intersting effects, you might life a purple and have a pink stain left behind. The ink also reacts to water leaving cool water spotting when you spatter water on a painted background.
- Pens are refillable with any liquid watercolor (not pigment) or ink.
Cons:
- Colors will fade if exposed to light long term
- This can be a wild and messy product (I love that!) so if you like neat, controlled markers this might not be for you.
- Colors are bright and tropical, you will need to mix colors to create subdued looks.
Bottom line: Personally I love them, I am glad I bought them and I have been having a ball creating with them in my sketchbook. Because the are not lightfast I recommend working in a sketchbook and if you make something you really like than scan or photograph it for postarity.
If you like the idea of these pens but want a pigment watercolor that won’t fade as readily try the *Bienfang watercolor brush pens. They are cheaper (retail) and claim not to fade, keep in mind the heavier pigment particles may make them more likely to clog. The brush tip on these is softer than the Mermaid Markers. *This is an affiliate link and I earn a small commission if you purchase anything at Blitsy after clicking, but it doesn’t cost you anything extra.
I hope you found this review helpful. Keep in mind, just because I enjoy a product does not mean everyone will, I prefer loose flowy mediums and others prefer more detailed controlled mediums but hopefully from the demo you can pick what is best for you! Here are the still shots from my sketchbook that I created with the pens. I can do a tutorial on these if anyone is interested:
What do you think? Will you be adding these yo your collection? Let me know in the comments and til next time happy crafting!
Love your pineapple! Would love a tutorial painting this 💚💙💜
LikeLike
Please do a video of the angel. I loved the other one you did of the weeping one. Thanks!
LikeLike
Love how each of your paintings turned out! Love these markers but do wish they were fade resistant. Thank you for taking the time to show us the differences of the brands and the brushes they come in.
LikeLike
Yes I will. Lol because of your videos. I am a huge fan of yours and love your worrk! They seem so vibrant!i
LikeLike
Thank you for this video. I am also a huge fan of yours. I do own the Zig markers do you think these would be a good addition to them? I was wondering if you could do a no line watercolor with the Zig markers video…Also 5 months till Springfield will you be doing another class there?
LikeLike
Love the effect.
LikeLike
These marker are fantastic! I got them a couple of days ago and want to play all the time. My 10 yr old and 2 yr old granddaughters are enjoying them too. Colors are so vibrant and inviting!! I had a 50% off coupon, great deal! I also got the bright water colors. They are terrific. Will get the neutral palette another time. Enjoying JD products.
LikeLike
You’re so good at this, thank you! I, too, love that pineapple and would love to see a tutorial on it. I have a set of Spectrum Noir water brushes and wonder how they compare.
LikeLike
I just love watching you paint! It is so relaxing. Thanks for the review of all these products. The Jane Davenport mermaid markers really look fun.
LikeLike
I bought these with a 50% off coupon – even though I already have a similar product. I love them! I think they’ll be especially fun for portable sketching. Thanks for your demo & review! I hadn’t thought of splashing water on them – what a neat effect.
LikeLike
If I have a coupon will definitely get them. Would love to eat that cheese cake too!
LikeLike
Your artwork is beautiful!! Can’t believe there’s yet another new marker on the market for crafters already. Somehow I had not heard about these yet. I love buying craft supplies as much as the next person, but I think I’ve finally hit my limit. Maybe because I just don’t have an unending flow of cash since I had to stop working too early in my life. My last marker purchase was fairly recent and it was the Spectrum Aqua markers. The Zigs have just been too expensive for my wallet even though everyone raves about them so I settled for the Specturms. These really look like they are fun to use. Maybe if Michaels has some in stock when they have a 60% off coupon I might try them.
LikeLike
These look like a lot of fun to play with….tfs
LikeLike
You’re very talented, I like your art.
LikeLike
I have added these to my collection and they are very fun. I was worried the the nib which is much bigger than the one on my Zig clear color markers would be hard to control, but it produced a very fine line. The colors are very bright and cheerful, perfect for cold grey days. I love that they are refillable.
If anyone is interested in these markers call Michaels before going there to make sure they have some left (my local Michaels has sold out twice already) and have them hold them for you. And don’t forget to use your coupon!
LikeLike
would really like a tutorial on the pineapple, just can’t get one that feels right and I really like yours
LikeLike
I think I would like to give these a try! They look like fun and I am always up for trying something new! TFS!
LikeLike
I love how they worked! Love the art you did with them! TFS!
LikeLike
Love the pineapple! Would you do a tutorial for that please?
LikeLike
I already did, it is on my youtube channel
LikeLike
I love how you took the color and made it beautiful..if I did that it would look a mess..LOL..TFS…Love your crafting!!!!
LikeLike
I probably will get them although I am pretty marker heavy. I have liquid watercolor from Dick Blick left over from teaching since they are refillable that is a real plus.
LikeLike