Art Prisma vs. Tria

[eleanor]

[size=1] I couldn't think of any other place to put this topic, sorry if it's not allowed in here...O_o

I was thinking about getting either Prismacolor markers or Tria markers, but I don't know which one is better quality-wise. Anybody know anything about them?[/size]

[Semjaza]

I am not familiar with Tria markers. I personally use Prismacolor, as they are more or less the standard. [b]SHOP AROUND[/b], I can't emphasize that enough. There are stores that sell Prismacolor markers and pencils for about 1/3 the price of other stores. Don't just buy these things spur of the moment.

I personally have a set of 48 and then the Cool Gray set, which contains another 12 colors. I also have a few clear blenders. You're probably best off buying marker paper as well (generally, use the back side of the paper because it absorbs better).

I don't know what more to say about them really... If you have any more specific questions I'd be happy to try and answer them. I am not sure if any others here really use them, as we only have had one thread that even brought them up, to my knowledge.

[eleanor]

[size=1] ^_^ Thanks for the advice. I've seen artists do great stuff with prisma markers (look at my banner), but just recently I found someone scan a peice of paper that had a streak of Prismacolor and Tria.

[img]http://members.aol.com/starvixsf/triavsprisma.jpg[/img]

So I was confused, since I thought Prismacolor was [i]really[/i] good. >_< Maybe I'll get a tablet and just learn how to CG.[/size]

[Semjaza]

That doesn't make Tria look good at all, in my opinion lol. It looks like a MS Paint mess lol. I can see where they'd be useful though, as the color coverage is pretty damn thorough.

You have to remember that Primsacolors are pressure sensitive. The harder/longer you press them down, the more ink will come out. You have to almost work with them as if they were watercolors as well.

This makes it look as though the Trias have two ends like the Prismacolors. Apparently they just used the fat end on the Prismacolors. Prisma colors have a thin end and a fat end. The fat end has a few different angles to it so you can make varying line widths.

If you don't know how to do good strokes or you just splotch down some scribble like in the image you just showed, it's not going to look good. There's no reason that it would look like that if you took your time and did a nice job. There are ways to avoid over lapping lines, and it seems like the paper used in this example wasn't the best either. The paper I use doesn't absorb the ink in a way that you see some horrible paper texture lol.

They take a lot of work to get used to because of that, I think. I'm still not used to it. If you see someone good with them though, they can get excellent results near instantly... and they don't look like what you are showing here heh.

In the case of that Tria... it looks like nothing but a huge splotch of ink. Sure, it's more vivid, but there is no differentiation at all. I can't see what it proves, because it doesn't look like whoever did this tried to use a good example... They just filled in color haphazardly to see which colors more evenly. I can't really give a good opinion on it because of this. I find it very strange that the written "tria" part looks so bleh compared to the written "prisma" part.

You really just can't treat Prismacolors as normal markers. You won't get anywhere doing that. The same goes for Copics and Pantones. Sure, they'll work just fine... but you can't expect professional looking results.

In any case, I'm going to be buying a tablet as well. You can get decent ones for around $100... (Wacom for example) which is about what you'd be spending on markers when you get down to it. It's probably a better investment.

There are some of programs that simulate paint and markers as well. You have Photoshop of course... but for this sort of stuff I think you should look into Painter. It's complex, but worth the time.

[eleanor]

[size=1] I guess I'll put off the marker stuff for later, I need more practice on the light effects anyway. :P I found this tablet for fifty bucks on thinkgeek.com, but judging from what you said, I'm not sure about it now, lol.[/size]

[Semjaza]

That tablet looks decent, but it's hard to judge since they don't list a resolution... Most likely worth $50 though heh. I'd still go with a Wacom, but that's me.

This is the one I personally want, although it's pricey by comparison...

[url]http://wacomdirect.wacom.com/wacomdirect/product.asp?dept%5Fid=100&sku=XD912USBPLAT[/url]

[eleanor]

[size=1] I can only hope for them to get cheaper by Christmas. O_o[/size]

[Guest Chris]

[color=#707875][b]well, i use prismacolor, but i use their colored pencilsm not their markers. but prismacolor looks much better than tria or whatever. but now you're talking about tablets, and i have no knowledge about them what-so-ever, so unfortunately, i can be of no assistance.[/b][/color]

[Kaola Su]

I use Prisma color markers also but the only thing is they are so expensive. I got mine for x-mas too. But I also agree that it looks like the Tria ones re something you could make in paint! They don't look so great....when you guys get some work done I would like to see to see how your art looks with prisma colors. I havent really been able to use mine and I can't use them all that well yet.

Love, Kaola

[eleanor]

[size=1] Lol, before I use my markers (if I get them), I'd have to learn where to highlight and shade. Or rather, where [i]not[/i] to color, as Semjaza said.[/size]

[Kaola Su]

Yeah sorry, but I need to work on that too. I just can't figure out why I can't work them yet!!! Grrrr

Love, Ks

[Semjaza]

What exactly is the problem you're having, Kaola? I could probably be of some help.

[Kaola Su]

Like you had said up there you can't use them and treat them as regular markers...well when I got into them that is what I thought, so now I am having to learn the hard way and I just can't do anything with them yet but use them like regular markers. I will attach a picture I colored using them so you can see my problem, but thats really the only way I know how to say it!

Thanx tho!

Love, Kaola

I also just don't know how to shade yet or highlight. I just can't seem to tell where it should be placed.

[Semjaza]

I think a lot of people here have absolutely no idea that I can even draw. Few people seem to have seen what I've done on the computer, but none of you have ever seen an actual drawing from me.

Even so, I know what I'm talking about... and I hope you pay attention to this even though it's incredibly long. I know it will be a pain in the *** to read it all, but I really do think it would help.

Well, a couple things I [i]personally[/i] would do. I stress personally because this isn't something required, but I think it would help it look more professional.

When you are doing stuff with markers as good as these (and in such a large variety of colors), I think it's generally a good idea to not draw lines where there will be color changes.

For example, the girl's hair changes from a dark blue to a light blue, and there is a black line between them. Totally forget that black line.

You'll need a color blender. They're white markers. I have no clue if you have one, as they are generally sold seperately and not packed in with the sets.

Now, basically do one color then the other... and blend them into eachother. This can be [b]extremely[/b] difficult to get used to. Prismacolors act like watercolors in this aspect, and they love to bleed together and make a mess. You also have to worry about over-soaking the paper.

I suggest taking a seperate sheet of paper and doing color gradients on them. Go from one shade to another to another (light to dark of one color) and blend them together until it forms a solid line that flows. It's important to remember that it might not look great wet, but it will look much better once it dries.

I should stress that you should really have marker paper. It's required for this stuff if you care about your end result.

Anyway, this should teach you how to blend and how to get desired colors.

If you want something darker... but don't have a marker for it, but a 10% gray over it and see if that helps.

For really bright white highlights, it can depend. If you have an entire area you want white... just don't color it, obviously. If you have a small, thin highlight, then use a white colored pencil. You can draw it in, or use it to correct whatever else. It shows over the markers very well.

You have to have this planned out ahead of time, though. I suggest that instead of doing super thick, dark black lines like you have now, just use light pencil marks.

I think that's people's main problem with drawings. They do them too heavily. You should generally draw very lightly and then make the final lines darker. With markers, it's generally best to leave everything light and color over it. If you want to make black lines around the character as part of the design, do that last. If you don't do either of these last, you might smudge the pencil or the black marker and ruin your picture.

So address those things first of all, and practice. This isn't something you can just jump into and expect good results. Your first several pieces will probably look horrible.

You don't seem to have a problem actually applying... but I think it is best to remember that sometimes you don't want to get a full, dark color. Prismacolors are pressure sensitive. They send out more ink the harder you press them. This is something you have to keep in mind, and it's another thing that can be very hard to get used to.

So I'll stop because I'm probably telling you way too much... but if anyone needs help with this stuff, just post in here. I can give visual examples if you need them.

I'm not the authority on this stuff, but help is help heh.