Barry Freeman says the landscape artist is particularly well catered for as he takes a look at the Shin Han Touch Twin Markers.
Throughout my career as an artist I think I have used every sketching medium available, and each has its own peculiarities.
When I am out sketching, lightness of equipment is paramount, which is why I rarely use anything involving brushes and paints.
About Shin Han Touch Twin Markers
The Shin Han Touch Twin Markers, manufactured in Korea and distributed in the UK by Jackson’s Art Supplies, are very good.
There are two usable ends, one a fine point for detailed work, the other a broad chisel shape with an oblique angle.
Top features
- Outstanding value
- Odourless
- Refillable
- Replacement nibs available
- Over 200 colours available
- Great for plein air and studio use
- Fine point for detail
- Broad chisel nib with oblique angle
Where to buy
Shin Han Touch Twin Markers can be purchased individually and in sets of 6, 12, 24, 36, 48 and 60 from Jackson's Art Supplies by
Using Shin Han Touch Twin Markers
Cote d’Opale, Shin Han Touch Twin Markers, (20.5x28cm)
Worked on beige card, this studio `rough’ was taken from a pencil sketch and will be used as a preliminary stage for a larger studio painting.
The beauty of working from an initial pencil drawing is freedom of colour choice.
I may end up with about five or six of these ‘roughs’ before finalising it all and find them very useful if I decide to work on a much larger format.
The findings
1. Designed for sketching
Shin Han Touch Twin Markers were never intended for use with final works.
Designers use these pens for layout roughs and they are particularly suitable for smaller sketches (ideally nothing larger than A3) and cartridge paper is the best surface – avoid any rough-surfaced papers.
2. About the ink
The markers contain alcohol-based ink, which is odourless, are refillable and replacement nibs are available.
The ink is not water-soluble and I found that colours leach through to the next sheet, and even the one after, when used in a sketchbook, so it’s best to place a piece of card under the page.
3. Taking a direct approach
Like all brush markers, a direct approach is best. I tend to use the chisel end as this suits my way of working.
By working in a loose direct way, bold and expressive marks can be made.
4. Bright colours
Within the colour range there are some really lovely, bright full strength colours that would be great for working out ideas for abstract work.
Using Shin Han en plein air
Passing Storm – Itchenor, Shin Han Touch Twin Markers, (28x35.5cm)
Pen work can also be added to enhance a sketch when working on location. This would apply to buildings, boats or anything that needed some extra definition.
The fine end of the brush pen is about 0.7mm, so that is when a pen with a nib width of 0.3mm would be useful.
Sketching with Shin Han
Low Tide – Lee-on-the-Solent, Shin Han Touch Twin Markers, (20x38cm)
The tide was right out and there were some lovely violet and purple grey hues on the shore that contrasted well with the ochres and dull greens of the shore edge.
The roofs of mid-distance houses were depicted with just a quick stroke of pen. Even the mid-distant trees are just shapes of blue grey.
When sketching I want to create a motif with the barest amount of information, because the more I put in at the sketch stage, the more I might put in the final painting, which for me would be a mistake.
My sketches tend to be very loosely drawn, mainly because I want them to be just an aide-memoire for more considered paintings.
If the sketch is drawn very loosely, there is no danger of the final work being fussy.
Mark making with Shin Han
This image above shows the variety of marks that can be made with the double-ended Shin Han Touch Twin Markers:
(a) Using the oblique chisel end, broad marks are useful for dealing quickly with a large mass
(b) and (d) Marks made with the fine end of the pen
(c) Marks made with the back edge of the chisel end of the pen
(e) Using the chisel end, with practice lots of different effects can be made
Shin Han for studio work
Fading to Blue (i), Shin Han Touch Twin Markers, (25.5x34.5cm)
When in the studio I use white mountboard for painting ideas.
Working from a pencil sketch, I play around with different ideas and formats until I consider one will make a good painting.
As a lot of the paler tints are transparent, some very interesting effects can be achieved by overlaying all or part of the previous mark; because my work is steadily moving towards abstraction, this way of working is quite attractive to me.
In the studio I sometimes start a painting by using the pens to map out the structure of the motif on the canvas. Usually I begin with a pale tint, then gradually increase the strength of the colours until I am satisfied with the image.
All pen marks will disappear once either acrylic or oil is painted on top.
The sketch above was done on a hot summer’s day in late afternoon and took about 20 minutes to complete.
When using the chisel end of the pens, the marks are swift and definite.
The colours were a mixture of yellows, blues, pinks and greens to capture late afternoon light.
By avoiding any fussy detail I was able to create a semi-abstract image.
Shin Han on coloured grounds
Fading to Blue (ii), Shin Han Touch Twin Markers, (25.5x34.5cm)
For the sketch above I used pale beige card.
Notice how the colours appear different on the warmer ground compared with Fading to Blue (i) (above), which was sketched on white cartridge paper.
On a white surface, colours will be clearer and brighter.
The pointed end of the brush was only used for the blue-grey reeds in the foreground.
A lot of use was made of muted cool and warm greys in overlaying colours to reduce tonal values.
Final thoughts
Of the spirit-based brush pens that are on the market, I consider Shin Han to be one of the best and of outstanding value.
The number of colours and tints (about 200) is staggering – nearly as many as in the Sennelier range of soft pastels – but the depth of tints!
Warm greys, cool greys, blue greys, green greys and many different blue, yellow, lavender and purple hues. There is not one colour that has not been thought of.
The pens are large and chunky and, if used judiciously, will last a fair time.
These brush pens are certainly worth considering if you travel abroad, especially to a warm climate.
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