CTMH + NEW Shin Han Touch Markers

CTMH is switching their markers to the Shin Han brand.  Here are three very good links showcasing the markers.  Shin Han Touch twin markers 1 min 2 seconds, Shin Han colourless blender pen 1 minute 2 seconds, and http://www.touchmarker.co.uk/.  CTMH will be releasing more videos detailing these markers but here's the 411 until then.  I have summarized this from multiple YouTube videos and CTMH consultant videos for your reference.  Sorry for the lack of pictures, this is pure information at its best that I can share.  I think of it as retro internet, lots of info, not much icing, LOL!

CTMH will be launching Shin Han markers with the new August annual 2014-15 Idea book catalogue.  There will be 24 marker colours to choose from, and one colourless blender pen, each  $5.95 USD or $6.50CAD.  The colours are complementary to CTMH colours, including neutrals and flesh tones.  They will be available for Hostess rewards redemption on gatherings (parties).

These alcohol based markers are square, so they do not roll off the table.  They are tried & proven quality Japanese product available for over 20 years.  They feature dual (replaceable) tips; a brush tip and a chisel tip.  They are comparable quality to Copic brand markers.  They are fast drying, low odour that dissipates quickly, and refillable.  It is not known at this time if CTMH will have refill ink or replacement nibs (marker tips) available.

Three things that are important to know:   Store these ShinHan markers horizontally, they will fit in CTMH small, medium and large organizers to store.  Use a light pressure with these markers.  A heavy hand will damage the nibs.  These markers are juicy, so they will seep through most papers to whatever surface is underneath.  A pad of scrap paper, or a non-stick mat under your project is ideal to prevent ruining your table.  Or just use high quality cardstock.

Using a light touch, and repeating layers is the best way to increase desired colour saturation for shading.  When colouring a line-drawn-style stamped image, it is recommended to use heat-set solvent ink, pigment ink, or heat embossed ink to prevent the lined image from being dissolved and smeared.  These markers will blur water based dye ink (stamped) images.  That is not a bad thing if you use a pale ink for a line-less effect for your project.

Utilizing the blender pen and blending techniques the colour variety is quite broad.  Layering ink lightest to darkest is the easiest way to control the level of desired colour saturation. This way achieves soft, blended, watercolour-like or pastel images.  OR go ahead and try dark to light blending for more masculine effects, heavy visual images, teenage style, graffiti, or cartoon images.  They're your markers, the more you play, the easier they get to use.

The colourless blender pen is an essential tool to complement your ShinHan marker set.  Simply scribble off to clean the colour away.  While a project is still fresh coloured or damp, you can:
Remove excess ink colour
Dilute or soften ink saturation
Patch a mistake
Tidy an edge
Blur an edge
Create highlights
Define a shadow
Create dots, stripes, and details

So, big deal, 24 markers, wow.  24 markers; each colour self layered 3 times =  4 colours per marker x 24 = 96 colours.  If you take those 96 colours and do a shade grid, one colour each line vertical, then repeat horizontal = 9216?!?   BUT half of those are duplicates because of the nature of the grid, so divide by 2 = 4608 colours?!?  That's a bit more versatile value I guess, assuming my math isn't too wonky.  Please correct me if I've goofed up and I will happily amend my calculations.

Alcohol ink Markers can be used for more than just colouring, after doing a test spot, try re-colouring these things:
canvas
chipboard
complementing your mixed media projects
gems & rhinestones
plastic- sequins, pearls, shrinky dink plastic
glass
ribbon
fabric
buttons
metal -brads, eyelets, staples, charms

Don't be afraid to cruise the internet to see what & how Graffiti Artists, Cartoonists, or Art Journaling Artists are creating with their alcohol markers.  Knock-off markers are available online for cheaper prices.  If they are not labeled "Made in Korea" they are fakes.  The fakes will have spelling mistakes on the labels, poorly fitting nibs, caps that are disagreeable to remove/apply, and are often more smelly.

Splitcoast Stampers Blending Alcohol ink markers tutorial.  Is there anything paper related SPC can't do?  Oh, and one last link Kaszazz brand Alcohol markers document, a really good resource for all things alcohol markers, beautiful instructional booklet.  I printed one out for reference, it's that good.  I know its not the same brand, but techniques are similar for almost all the alcohol marker brands it seems.

I will leave it with you to investigate techniques of using markers.  I am a complete newbie to these since Sharpie are my normal go-to alcohol markers.  I'd love it if you left a comment telling me about how you use your markers, techniques to share & try, fails...  Anything really!  Thanks for stopping by, I hope this is helpful information for you!

Spoiler alert!  I've got a fun stamping project share coming up, starting August 1!