Acrylic Paint Markers Lightfast or Fugitive UV Sunlight Art Supply Tests

Are acrylic paint markers lightfast? Not all of them. Sharpies, Posca and Montana all have sets containing fugitive colors. These are often not labeled for fine art use, with no specific suggestions about what to, and not to, use them for. If you're looking to make art that lasts, on a wall indoors near a window, or even outside, you may want to consider brands like Liquitex or Amsterdam. It should be noted that bright fluorescent colors, sometimes labeled reflex or neon, are always futigive no matter which brand makes them.

 

Metallic colors are often lightfast, when made by a reputable manufacturer familiar with professional art supply standards. Colors such as gold, copper, silver, bronze and gunmetal are made from a pearl-white mica base (PW20, a reflective lightfast mineral). They are coated with a second pigment or dye, such as PR101 Red Iron Oxide for creating golden colors, or a lamp black for silver to black colors which are all lightfast. However, sometimes for cost benefits or making a smooth formula, craft-project focused companies who aren't as interested in making fine art materials, swap out that reliable second pigment for something like a yellow dye or cheaper unreliable coating. Such is the case with Sharpies:

Liquitex has been making paint for professionals, with attention to lightfastness and arming the artist with information like pigment ingredients, opacity and lightfast ratings for a very long time. If you're worried about your artwork fading, especially if you plan to display your work in a bright environment or sell your art, make sure to look for supplies that have lightfast ratings on them. LFI means max lightfastness, which should result in years of direct sunlight with no fading. LFII colors often have minor fading by 1 year of sun exposure. Many acrylic markers on the market have a substantial amount of titanium white PW6, an extremely UV stable white, mixed in to make otherwise transparent pigments opaque. The solid square signifies opacity, meaning they will show up even on dark surfaces:

Amsterdam acrylic paints, liquid inks and markers are from the company Royal Talens (who also makes oil and watercolor paints such as the highly praised Van Gogh student or Rembrandt professional grade watercolors), a very reliable brand regarding lightfastness. 

The following paint markers can be found on Amazon USA. As an Amazon associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

 

 

Where do I shop for art supplies? Note: this page contains affiliate links. All product opinions are my own. I am committed to honest reviews showcasing both the pros and cons of each product. I have not received payment from any brand for a review. I only recommend stores I have personally shopped with and had a positive experience. I earn a commission from sales made through this web page's clickable banners or links to Amazon, Jackson's or Blick Art Materials websites.  

 

See more lightfast test results and other art supply review here. See how individual colors compare against the same color in other brands in the pigment database here.