Tombow Dual Brush Pens: A Surprisingly Serious Tool (Not Just a Marker)

Big crush on these markers

I’ll be honest—I did not go looking for these.

I’ve used paint pens, alcohol markers, gel pens, all kinds of mark-making tools over the years. But it wasn’t until I took a Color Intensive class this past January that I was introduced to Tombow Dual Brush Pens—specifically, a grayscale set that was required for the course.

And now? I get it.

What They Are (and Why They’re Different)

Tombow Dual Brush Pens are water-based markers with two tips:

• a flexible brush tip

• a precise fine tip

That alone isn’t groundbreaking. But what is different is how they behave on paper.

They’re translucent, but at the same time rich and saturated. That combination is what makes them far more powerful than they first appear.

The Exercise That Changed My Mind

In class, we used them for a value study—replicating a full range of light to dark using only grayscale markers.

The key technique: layering and crosshatching.

Instead of relying on a single flat tone, you build value gradually:

• light passes

• repeated strokes

• directional hatching and crosshatching

And here’s where these pens shine: they layer beautifully without turning muddy.

You can keep going. And going. And going.

What starts as a simple gray becomes a nuanced, dimensional surface with very little effort—and a surprising amount of control.

What I Actually Love About Them

A few things really stand out:

• Layering capability
  You can create an almost unlimited range of values within a single color.

• Translucency + saturation
  This is the magic combination. They don’t feel chalky or flat.

• Brush tip performance
  This is what I reach for most. It has just enough flexibility to feel expressive without being sloppy.

• Dual-tip design
  The fine tip is great when you need control or detail.

• Smart cap design
  The caps snap onto each other—small detail, but it matters. No lost caps rolling around the studio.

• Longevity + affordability
  They last. And they’re accessible enough that you don’t feel precious about using them.

Where They Fit in My Work

Right now, I’m still working primarily with the grayscale set—and honestly, that’s been more than enough.

So great for value studies

I’ve been using them for:

• value studies

• sketchbook explorations

• mark-making experiments

• and even as part of finished pieces

That last one surprised me. The marks hold their own—they don’t feel like a “sketch-only” tool.

They can absolutely live in a final composition.

What I Haven’t Explored Yet

I haven’t dug into the full color sets yet—but I can already see where this is going.

Given how well the grayscale performs, I have a feeling the color sets open up a lot of possibilities, especially when it comes to layering and subtle color mixing.

That’s probably the next step.

Final Verdict

These aren’t just markers.

They’re a legitimate drawing and mark-making tool—especially if you’re interested in:

• value

• layering

• texture

• controlled chaos (my favorite category)

So yes—count me as a fan.

And also someone who will definitely be expanding her collection.

Some of the links I share may be affiliate links, including Amazon Associates links. If you choose to purchase through them, it doesn’t cost you anything extra, and I may earn a small commission. I only share materials and tools that I genuinely use and like in my own work.