Opaque colors without smudging: 4 acrylic brush pens compared
16/7/2026
Translation: machine translated
Acrylic painting without brushes, water glass, and a palette? Acrylic markers with brush tips make it possible. I tested four popular brands and will show you which pens really cover – and which ones will quickly put you in a bad mood.
I love the bold, vibrant colors of acrylics. What I love far less is all the fuss: unscrewing tubes, mixing colors on the palette, washing brushes, and the constant fear of ruining my favorite shirt with indelible stains.
In short: painting with classic acrylic paint is wonderfully creative, but it's also quite a mess – and absolutely unsuitable for on the go.
This is where acrylic markers come in. They neatly contain the opaque paint in a pen. However, if you don't want to miss out on the dynamism and flexibility of real brush strokes when drawing, you can use brush pens with a flexible tip. But do the fine tips also work on rough surfaces?
Zenacolor: the affordable ones
With Zenacolor, I get a huge pack of 72 markers. At a current unit price of just under 70 rappen (or cents), this set is the absolute bargain in this comparison. The packaging is also practical: the pens are stored in a fold-out case.
There is one catch, however: the pens are not numbered. Without a color legend, it's tricky to specifically put together certain color combinations for a picture.
Guangna Acrylic: the bulk pack
The Guangna acrylic markers come in a sturdy cardboard box. However, this is also the most confusing packaging in the test. At least all markers are still numbered on the lid.
One pen costs me 1.30 francs. The casing states that the pens must be shaken before use to distribute the pigments evenly. In addition, the set includes five replacement tips, in case a brush tip wears out.
Arrtx: the practical box
Arrtx delivers the pens in a cardboard sleeve. The set consists of 30 markers at 1.50 francs each. Thanks to the packaging, they are neatly arranged vertically and also numbered. An important tip: always store your acrylic markers horizontally. Stored upright, they either leak or the pigments settle at the end of the pen, so the tip can dry out.
A sticker sheet is also included, on which all colors with their corresponding numbers are present as individual stickers. Although the actual colors do not quite match the stickers, they are useful as a guide.
Ohuhu: the small travel pack
From Ohuhu, I usually know the alcohol markers, which I highly value. The acrylic markers are available in various sets. In my set of 24, one pen costs 1.73 francs or euros.
The set is practical for on the go and the pens are numbered. Ohuhu has thought this through well: the numbers are on the side of the cap, exactly where Ohuhu has placed a raised edge. If I put the pen down, it won't roll away thanks to this edge – and it stays exactly in place so that the color number is perfectly legible facing upwards. Anyone who draws a lot will greatly appreciate this inconspicuous detail.
In addition, the set includes two cards on which I can try out all the pens as a reference for later. One in black and one in white, so I can cover both starting situations. However, I have to shake the brush pens before each use so that the pigments are evenly distributed. If I'm in the flow of painting, this could quickly annoy me.
Paper test
The best opacity on paper is provided by the Guangna markers (labeled "Acrylic" on my test sketches, because the lettering is so dominant on the pen). The colors are vibrant and go well together. Painting feels pleasant and not scratchy. The colors are creamy and the strokes are barely visible. Although the packaging says you have to shake the pens, I get great results even without doing so.
Arrtx offers the smallest color selection, but the shades are well coordinated, making a finished picture particularly harmonious. As with Guangna, painting feels very pleasant thanks to the creamy color. Here too, the colors are beautifully opaque and homogeneous.
Even with a lot of shaking, Ohuhu provides a too liquid painting experience, which affects the opacity. The colors are beautifully vibrant, but depending on the shade, patchy areas can occur.
Zenacolor performs the weakest. With 72 markers, the selection is large and even includes metallic tones, but it is extremely difficult to find the right color compositions. The paint also doesn't cover well and the brush tips are dry and scratchy. This leads to messy, visible strokes.
Glass and fabric
I can also paint on glass with the markers, but I need two coats for all of them so that the paint covers and adheres permanently. Only Ohuhu is scratch-resistant after the second coat has dried.
I also paint on fabric with the acrylic pens. Zenacolor is the only brand that doesn't work at all. Ohuhu and Arrtx cover very well on white; black, not surprisingly, shows through even with dark markers. Guangna covers best, and even black is no longer visible under a dark blue.
Conclusion: For all applications and surfaces
Here is a table providing a brief overview of the properties of all candidates – from left to right, increasing in quality (in my estimation):
My big favorites are the Guangna brush pens. The quality is convincing on all tested surfaces; even dark paper and fabric are no problem. The consistency is pleasantly creamy and not too liquid. The colors are strong, opaque, and I don't necessarily have to shake the pens. In addition, the markers are sensibly numbered. Only the packaging is confusing because the pens come loose in a cardboard box.
I like the Arrtx markers just as much. Although they are more expensive (per pen) than Guangna, they form a practical, compact set. The colors are perfectly coordinated, clear, and paint pleasantly opaque and evenly.
Ohuhu is the most expensive, but also the best thought-out set for on the go (great case, color cards, clever roll-away protection). The colors are beautiful, but a bit too liquid for my taste. This requires constant shaking and can cause stains. On the other hand, Ohuhu is the only brand that is scratch-resistant on glass. Tip: Ohuhu often has promotions in our shop – currently until July 19, 2026.
The budget set from Zenacolor falls short in almost all categories in direct comparison, but it is still an inexpensive option for children or first attempts at painting on paper.
Header image: Michelle Brändle
Ever since I learned how to hold a pen, I've been doodling away in bright colours. Thanks to my iPad, digital art has also become part of my life. That's why I love testing tablets – from the graphic design range to the regular kind. When I feel the urge to express my creativity without lugging lots of equipment, I go for the latest smartphones and start snapping away.
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