NUVO Aqua Flow Markers from Tonic Studios (review and demo)

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It seems like mixed media is the name of the game right now in the crafting industry, and markers and pens and watercolors are all the rage. The Nuvo Aqua Flow Brush pens are an interesting mash-up of the three- it’s a watercolor-filled marker that has a brush nib, just like a paintbrush. Like the Jane Davenport Mermaid Markers, it’s a very liquid/fluid product that requires a bit of a learning curve if you have only used traditional markers.

These are packaged with a green ring to keep it from dripping during shipping-so make sure you remove it prior to use. (Watch for a glitter pen review coming soon.)

Here’s how they are described on the Tonic website: 

We have another amazing addition to our Nuvo Pen Collection this time we are bringing out the Nuvo Aqua Flow. This range consists of 4 colour packs (each coming with three pens), 1 glitter pack and one water brush pack (each coming with two pens each). This pack is the Winter Skies which comes with three colour pens. Nuvo Aqua Flow pens are uniquely designed to create a watercolour effect without the hassle and mess. These highly pigmented water-based pens leave you with a bright, vibrant finish. The perfectly formed watercolour brush nib makes the pens extremely versatile and is perfect for adding small detail or colour washing large areas. Each pen has its own reservoir complete with a non-drip valve.

These differ from traditional markers in that they hold liquid watercolor in the barrel and have a paint-brush style nib. The product flows very fast & free.

With practice, you can achieve thin or thick lines for brush lettering.

There are currently 12 colors and one glitter pen in the line.

The colors are SUPER vivid- I can’t get enough of the aqua splash and spiced ginger! But what makes these so unique is the flow they have (which also makes them tricky the first time you use them.) I made you a demo video with some interesting ways to use them. Take a look:

These are sold in sets of three, and retail for $13.99 a set. However, they are on sale as of this writing at Scrapbook.com. (You can save a little and help me out in the process!)

The colors they have so far- plus a glitter pen and water brushes.

There are so many ways to use the Nuvo Aqua Flow Brush Pens:

Here I squeezed the ink out and picked it up with a paintbrush, diluting it a little. I used it like a liquid watercolor.

I blended these right on watercolor paper.

Flowing Nuvo Aqua Flow Brush Pen on watercolor paper.

One word though- these definitely work better on watercolor paper. I did try them on bristol and cardstock, but since they have such a high water content, they a) will not move as well on those and b) will warp them. Watercolor paper is recommended!

I will have a comparison of these with a few other brands soon- and if you have questions, I’ll do my best to answer them.

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About Jenny

Chief Craft Test Dummy, Craft Evangelist, Founder, Editor, bottle-washer, trouble-maker, and creative whirlwind.

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• Comparison of Liquid Watercolor Markers/Pens - March 16, 2018
• SAI Japanese Traditional Watercolor Brush Markers- Review & Demo - February 23, 2018
• Rinea Metallic Foil Paper & Ghost Ink Review - February 21, 2018
• Jane Davenport debuts at Creativation 2018 & Watercolor Card - February 13, 2018
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