Markers Watercolour MIX MEDIUMS FOR POWERFUL IMAGES

Illustrator CARLOS CABRERA shares his hybrid technique for using markers, watercolour and brush pens to get rich, layered results

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Over my 25-year career, I've always moved between digital and traditional tools. Not because one is better, but because combining them keeps me engaged, fast and curious. When I paint, I look for impact first: strong values, bold shapes and expressive brushwork that pops visually and gives the piece clarity and presence.

In this tutorial, I'll show you how I take a digital sketch and turn it into a finished traditional artwork using affordable, accessible materials and a mixed-media workflow. You'll learn to go from loose greyscale values all the way up to a layered and colourful final render that uses a combination of markers, acrylic brush pens and watercolour paints.

I like to treat affordable traditional materials like Photoshop layers. I start by printing my digital sketch on watercolour paper, then block in values using Touch Twin Markers. Once the structure is solid, I'll use watercolour for colour washes - thin layers with minimal water - and build them up like digital overlays. With cheap acrylic brush markers we'll lift volumes with white or subtle tones, then glaze over those areas again in watercolour. It's a fast, intuitive process that lets me build texture and light while staying loose.

One key takeaway is that you don't need to use fancy gear to make your art sing. The results are strong because of the approach; thinking in layers, committing to lighting, and letting tools surprise me.

I also believe in the power of the unexpected. I use my fingers to smudge paint, let the water do weird things on paper and don't try to control every edge. It's about finding a sense of life and momentum.

By the end of this tutorial, you'll have seen the full journey from sketch to final, with all the chaos, problem-solving and texture that comes with it. If you're a digital artist looking to get your hands dirty or a traditional painter who wants to speed up their process, this hybrid method might open new doors.