Am considering getting markers and pencils. 

Would like some opinions about the different products.

Some brands I’m looking at are, Arteza, Prisma, & Copics.

Would like the best blendable ones. Would consider any others that you might also recommend. 

Thanks.

I have Prisma pencils, and, considering I'm not much of a colouring person, I really like them. They have been so easy to blend, for the first time in my life, I'm actually enjoying colouring. I also bought a much cheaper box off Amazon, Zenacolor, and considering how much cheaper they were for a huge box, I find them perfectly acceptable.

 On markers, the only comment I can make, as I have Promarkers, which are the bigger brand over here, is that from what I see of Copics, they do have a huge colour and shade range,, and the shades are what is important. It is easier to blend well if you have a good range of lighter colours, which to me is the one area Promarkers fall down on.

I recommend Faber Castell Polychromos for colored pencils, Copic Sketch or Ciao for alcohol markers and Zig Clean Color Brush pens for watercolor type markers.

Copic Ciao are not marketed as refillable but they totally are - I have mostly Ciao because I like the nib configuration and the feel of the round barrel (rather than the oval of the Sketch). Yes there are cheaper alcohol markers out there and they may suit you - if you can find somewhere that you can try a few different types that would be perfect (a class, a local art supplies store). I’ve tried a few different brands and always come back to Copic. 

I started my Copic collection by buying colours for specific images. The thing to remember with any art supply is that you don’t need all of them instantly, you can build up gradually, spending a little every now and again. It also means that if you decide the brand/type doesn’t suit you after all, you haven’t blown a lot of money on it.  

I have Prismacolor pencils and love them. I've had them since I was in my teens, and I replace individual pencils as needed. They are prone to lead breakage if you drop them so you do need to be careful with them. Spend a couple $ and get a good manual pencil sharpener and that will help alleviate the issue a good deal. I find them to be easy to color with and blend, but practice always helps.

I would recommend a set of 36 or 48, depending on your budget. You will probably have all the colors you need right there and not need to add on. But if you do, keep track of where you'd like additional colors. I had a set of 24 initially and have added on a few pencils in green/pink/blue/brown as those are my most-used. Dick Blick has pretty good prices on the sets.

I have Copic sketch markers and also enjoy them. The paper you use really makes a difference. I was having a difficult time the first year or two of using them and considered selling them. Until I realized I was using the wrong paper. They are pricey, but I've had mine about 10 years and have only replaced three individual markers. That said, if you do invest- PRACTICE! You will probably be frustrated at first unless you're used to other alcohol markers.

I had Spectrum Noirs and just couldn't get comfortable with them. I found the barrels to feel clunky and I didn't like the way they laid color down nor how they blended. I know some others love them, but I sold mine and have no regrets.

I have Arteza real brush pens, which aren't their markers but are watercolor brush tip pens. I know you were referring to their markers, but I've had no issues with the pens and am glad I bought them. The prices were less than half what the other companies were charging.

I haven't used Arteza but I suggest you sign up for their newsletter because they have sales all the time. They are having or just had 30% off in the last few days. They have alcohol and watercolor markers and colored pencils.

I suggest looking at Sandy Allnock's blog and YouTube for suggestions on Copics, colored pencils, and watercolors. She has suggestions for Copic color blending combinations and the Human Rainbow skin and hair colors so you don't have to guess about what to buy. Purchasing her Copic Hex Chart is a good idea, too, and she has charts for colored pencils and watercolors, too. Jenn Shurkus (creative chick) has good Copics color blending suggestions in her Copics 101 video.

I love my Copics Sketch markers and Zig Clear Color brush markers.

In the past I have only used Copic markers. I was a total Copic groupie. Then I saw these on (Shutte Art) amazon. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B078S2MVR2/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o09_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I took a chance and bought the set for a measly $20.00.  WOW. These are just as good as copic if you are starting out.  I will say this, with Copic you can refill the markers and buy new nibs. Refills last for a LONG time and it will be quite a while before you need to buy a new refill.  I don't know how much ink is in the knock-off markers compared to the Copic markers because I only just bought them before Christmas. That said, if you are just starting out and want to try alcohol / blendable inks - go with the link I sent. 

I don’t usually reply to much in the forums, but I read them to get ideas and feedback. However, I want to say regarding pencils and markers. I have purchased several different brands of markers and watercolor pencils: Stampin UP!, Altenew Artist Markers, Arteza, etc. By far, the Copic Markers are the best. I have either sold or given away all my other brands, and am now building up my Copic color palette. Someone on here said, “remember you don’t need them all at once” Start with the basics and add from there. Just a tip, keep an inventory of the colors you have already purchased so you don’t purchase the same ones again. 

For Watercolor pencils, which is what I use, I love the Prima brand, and they come in sets that can be purchased for a reasonable price.

I wish you luck, and have fun trying new coloring techniques and brands.

ITA with this idea. Michaels and Hobby Lobby have open stock. 

I adore my Prismacolor pencils. I love the results and it's fun to color and feel like I'm six years old again. 

I love my copics because of the way they blend.  I have gotten them at Hobby Lobby and Amazon.

The one thing I would do is go to the copic web site so you understand how their colors letter/number system works.  I would also print off their chart so you can fill in the colors as you get them. Finally, I would get the same color family by purchasing them every 3. Colors apart.  I found when I got the color right next to another, a lot of times there was not a  big color difference, and if I needed it I could always go back and purchase it later.

One more thing....use HIGH QUALITY paper, it makes a huge difference on blending colors!

I use the prism color pencils and do like them, but I use my copics more then anything because they blend so beautifully!

I agree Copics are by far the best.  I'm not familiar with Ebay sellers but I have been pleased with both Ellen Hutson and Blick. Both carry Copics at a good discount and are well known online stores with good reputations and stand behind the products they sell.

If you decide to try Copics, I strongly recommend taking Sandy Allnock's Copic Jumpstart class (art-classes.com) and, as another commentor said, you have to practice, and practice some more.  Following Sandy Allnock and Elaine Hughes (Marker Geek) on You Tube can give you great insight into Copic uses and blends, plus Sandy does a lot of colored pencil and watercolor videos too.

One more You Tube recommendation is Copic in the Classroom.  They have a vast array of free classes introducing one to Copic  basics.  

Thanks so much for all the responses to my question about markers and color pencils. I really appreciate all of them and will continue to read any more that are posted. I’m getting good information here. When I finally do buy, I’m going to try some of your suggestions. 

Copic can be bought in open stock, right? Thought I would try a few colors to get the feel of them and see how they work. Are there any other markers that are sold in open stock? 

How about the color pencils / water color pencils?

Again, thank you all so much!

Derwent Inktense watercolor pencils are fabulous! The transformation when you brush what you've colored with water and a paintbrush is magical. I got mine at Dick Blick, sign up for emails- there are always promos for % off and free shipping. Blick carries a lot of brands and is great to deal with. I also bought Caran D'Ache Neocolor II watercolor crayons from Blick- haven't used them much, but got a great deal.

Seriously, the Inktense watercolor pencils look terrific, used on these cards in my gallery:

https://www.splitcoaststampers.com/gallery/photo/2899676?&cat=500&

ppuser=106517

https://www.splitcoaststampers.com/gallery/photo/2764114?&cat=500&ppuser=106517

https://www.splitcoaststampers.com/gallery/photo/2747078?&cat=500&ppuser=106517

https://www.splitcoaststampers.com/gallery/photo/2745297?&cat=500&ppuser=106517

Jean Payne sells all new Copic Markers for $4.00 on many of the craft resale or sale websites.  I ordered these from her and reasonable shipping.  Alot cheaper than most places around $7-8.  Also, Bricks sells the refills and around $5.00 that can fill a Copic Marker about 4-5 times.  A while back, many sold Copic Markers on e-bay fairly cheap but now only needing a few at a time, I buy from Jean.  Don't know how she gets them so cheap to sell.  Many stamp companies show how to color their stamp images and they use Copic Markers.  If you don't have a large number of Copic Markers, watch a variety of these U-Tube videos to get an idea what colors to get since there are over a hundred to select.  I tried other markers but not good as Copic by a long shot.

 Sorry, just seen this. Yes, you can. I actually use a blender called Zest-It, which has a lovely grapefruit scent to it. I'd also say that I've seen a lot of experienced colourists recommend using a blending solution rather than the blending pencils. Apparently, when you use a blending pencil, you cannot go back and add more colour/shading, as the blender has added  too much of a waxy layer, but if you use a blending solution, you still have the ability to go back and add colour, so thats a useful tip. I have some very small pots with lids, and I put some blending solution onto a cotton wool ball and put it in the pot. Been in there for months now, and still has plenty of solution in it. I did it mainly because I knew I'd end up knocking the bottle over, lol, but it's a great solution for it. I've also used small paint brushes to apply blending solution, as well as paper stumps, and both work well. 

Fun :)