Acrylic Marker Drawing Ideas: 20+ Easy Things to Draw (+ Free Templates)

Sharing is caring!

Last Updated on October 13, 2026 by Dee

Here are 20+ easy acrylic marker drawing ideas, from loose florals to dotted mandalas and little constellations, plus 40 free acrylic marker bookmark designs to colour.

Last updated: October 2026 — added a quick list of things to draw with acrylic markers and new answers in the FAQ.

Acrylic markers are the easiest “yes” I give my students. They behave like paint without the brush-water-palette dance, and they layer beautifully on cardstock, wood, fabric — basically anything that’ll sit still long enough. I’ve spent years drawing with them, and I keep coming back to the same handful of ideas that genuinely work: loose florals, dotted mandalas, little constellations, leafy wreaths, small landscapes you can finish in one sitting.

This post pulls together 20+ of those acrylic marker drawing ideas, and since I last updated it I’ve added something new — I’ve partnered with Arrtx for the year, and they sent over their 60-color Direct Liquid Ink set for me to test (you’ll see them mentioned a little further down). There are two free downloads to go with the post: 40 acrylic marker bookmark designs to colour in the box above, and a set of free acrylic marker drawing templates further down.

Quick Answer: Easy acrylic marker drawing ideas include butterflies, crystals, red mushrooms, patterned leaves, constellations and geometric mandalas. Start with bold outlines and flat colour, and let each layer dry before adding the next.

---

Two Acrylic Marker Brands I’d Recommend in 2026

I get asked which acrylic markers I actually reach for, and the honest answer is — it’s two brands now, not one. My long-time favorite is still Ohuhu Nahuku (you’ll find my full notes on those just below this section). But over the last few months I’ve been testing a second set, and they’ve earned a permanent spot on my desk.

Arrtx 60-Color Direct Liquid Ink Acrylic Markers

Arrtx kindly sent me their 60-color set to test — opinions are mine, and I genuinely use them. Here’s what’s stood out after a few weeks of real drawing:

• Zero pumping. Direct liquid ink means you uncap and draw. No tapping the nib on scrap paper, no priming, no waiting.
• Soft, flexible nib. It flexes for thin lines or wider strokes without the squeaky feel some markers have on cardstock.
• Opaque on dark paper. I tested them on black cardstock and the colors sit on top properly — no chalky drag, no double-passing.
• 60 vibrant colors. The range covers warm + cool florals, earthy greens, soft pastels and a proper black, so you can actually finish a piece without mixing brands.
• No clogging. Even after a long session, they cap-and-go without that frustrating dried-tip moment.

If you want to try them, the affiliate link is Arrtx 60-Color Acrylic Markers on Amazon, and wherever you shop — Amazon US, Amazon CA, AliExpress, or arrtx.com — there’s a Arrtx multi-region link that’ll send you to the right store.

If bookmarks are where you want to start, I just published a companion post: 40+ Easy Acrylic Marker Bookmark Designs (Free Printable Templates) — the Arrtx set was the one I used to draw most of them.

Why I Love Ohuhu Acrylic Markers ❤️

These Ohuhu Nahuku Direct Ink Acrylic Markers are one of my go-to tools lately. They glide on so smoothly, have rich pigmentation, and layer like a dream. The direct ink system means they don’t dry out mid-drawing and the colour payoff is chef’s kiss.

They’re perfect for everything from layering on canvas to adding bold outlines in your sketchbook. You can even use them on wood, plastic, glass, and rocks! I especially love combining them with my easy flower doodles and kawaii drawings.

I’m partnering with Ohuhu for this post, and I’m genuinely excited to share their new acrylic marker set with you!

---

How to Use Acrylic Markers ✍🏻 🎨

Shake the marker well, prime the nib on scrap paper, then work on smooth paper or primed canvas and layer colours once each one dries — that’s the whole method, and it’s low-mess enough for total beginners.

• Shake well before using to mix the pigment
• Press the nib on scrap paper to activate the ink
• Use smooth paper or primed canvas for best results
• Layer colours after they dry for bold, non-muddy results
• Add outlines or highlights with white or metallic shades

💡 Pro tip: These markers are also amazing for outlining over watercolor backgrounds or mixed media collage!

---

Acrylic Marker Tutorial: Step-by-Step Butterfly 🦋

Yesterday I filmed a fun butterfly using the Ohuhu acrylic markers. It’s bold, bright, and only took about 15 minutes!

What I used:

• Ohuhu Nahuku Acrylic Markers
• Mixed media paper
• Black fineliner for initial sketch
• White gel pen for highlights

Steps:

1. Lightly sketch a butterfly with pencil
2. Fill the wings with your base colours (I used teal, magenta, and lemon yellow)
3. Add shadows and details with a darker shade
4. Outline with a black marker or pen
5. Dot in white gel pen highlights for dimension

It’s such a satisfying process, and the markers layer up beautifully without streaks!

---

Pin This For Future Creative Inspo!

---

Acrylic Marker Drawing Ideas 🎨

Butterflies

Butterflies are a fantastic subject because you can experiment with symmetry, vibrant colours, and delicate detailing. Try layering contrasting colours to make the wings pop and add highlights for dimension.

---

---

Crystals & Gemstones

Crystals give you the chance to explore hard edges, reflections, and geometric shading. Use cool tones like purples and blues, then add white highlights for that glassy, magical look.

Abstract Blob Creatures

These are perfect for letting your imagination run wild! Start with loose blob shapes, then add eyes, limbs, and silly expressions. Kids love this one too.

Summer Fruit

Think lemons, watermelons, and juicy cherries. These are bold, bright, and instantly cheerful. The smooth surface of acrylic markers makes fruity colours shine.

Bubbles With Reflections

This is a fun way to practice soft shading and layering. Use pastel colours and blend softly around the edges to make the bubbles look translucent. You can even explore drawing on black paper for a more striking effect – acrylic paint pens are awesome for this!

Cactus and Succulents

Great for combining structure and texture, cacti are perfect for practicing spiky details and natural greens. Add pink flowers for a pop of colour.

Red Mushrooms

Create whimsical fungi with colourful caps and speckled dots. Use acrylic markers to layer rich hues and get that fantasy look.

Patterned Leaves

Use your markers to draw out large leaf shapes, then fill them with intricate patterns or Tangle-style linework. These make gorgeous journal elements.

Constellations and Moons

A dreamy night sky with stars and planets can be incredibly relaxing to draw. Use black or navy backgrounds and bright white markers to create contrast and sparkle.

Cute Cartoon Animals

From sleepy cats to cheeky foxes, cartoon animals are endlessly fun to create. Use bold outlines and keep your shapes simple.

Swirly Florals and Whimsical Botanicals

Let your florals get wild and dreamy with loops, dots, and fantasy foliage. Perfect for page borders or journal spreads.

Geometric Mandalas

Mandalas give you a structured way to relax with repetitive shapes and patterns. Acrylic markers let you colour in each section smoothly and precisely.

Want more inspo? Check out my free summer coloring pages and stained glass templates.

---

🎨 Want more free printables? Browse my Free Printables Library — hundreds of free templates, coloring pages, drawing guides and creative resources all in one place!

---

Love These Templates? Get Even More Exclusive Creative Goodies on My Patreon! 🎨

If you’re enjoying these free printables, why not join my Artsydee Patreon community? My Patreon is where my weekly watercolour template sets go out to members: printed outlines with painted references, plus Procreate stamps and palettes. ✨

If you’d like a new set to paint every week, come and have a look.

---

Acrylic Marker Bookmark Designs

Bookmarks are the perfect first project for acrylic markers — they’re small, low-pressure, and you finish one in about ten minutes. I use heavy cardstock (220gsm or higher), draw a simple botanical or geometric pattern down the length, then add tiny dot accents with a white marker for sparkle. Pinks and sage greens on cream paper are my go-to combo. If you want a full set of templates to trace, I’ve put together 40+ easy acrylic marker bookmark designs in a separate post — the templates print at home and the markers do the rest.

Wood Slice Ornaments

Wood slices are having a quiet moment online, and acrylic markers are made for them. Sand the slice lightly, draw a small motif — a mushroom house, a single mushroom with a polka-dot cap, a sprig of lavender, or a tiny moon-phase row — and let each layer dry before adding the next. Warm browns, deep forest greens and a touch of rust read beautifully on raw wood. They’re lovely as Christmas ornaments but honestly they look just as good hanging year-round on a bookshelf.

Mini Cottagecore Landscapes

These are my favorite “one cup of tea” project. Sketch a low horizon line about a third up the page, then build rolling hills in three soft greens, layered front to back. Add a tiny mushroom house tucked into the middle hill, a curl of smoke from the chimney, and a few pale clouds drawn with the side of the nib. Sage, dusty pink, cream and a soft buttery yellow give you that storybook cottagecore feel without overworking it. Great on bookmark-sized strips too if you want to keep things small.

Things to Draw with Acrylic Markers (Quick List)

If you just want a quick answer to what to draw with acrylic markers, here’s the short list from this post. Every one of them suits bold, flat colour, which is exactly what these pens are good at.

• Butterflies (follow the step-by-step butterfly tutorial above)
• Crystals and gemstones
• Abstract blob creatures
• Summer fruit
• Bubbles with reflections
• Cacti and succulents
• Red mushrooms
• Patterned leaves
• Constellations and moons
• Cute cartoon animals
• Swirly florals and whimsical botanicals
• Geometric mandalas
• Bookmarks and wood slice ornaments
• Mini cottagecore landscapes

Want more acrylic marker art ideas? My 30 easy acrylic marker drawings post has another set of simple designs with free templates, and these acrylic marker bookmark designs make lovely little gifts.

Final Thoughts 💭

Acrylic markers are a playful and powerful medium that’s perfect for all levels of creativity. Whether you’re filling your sketchbook, decorating journal pages, or making gifts, these ideas and tutorials are the perfect place to start.

I’d love to see what you create! Tag me on Instagram or Pinterest @artsydee and don’t forget to subscribe or join my Patreon for a new watercolour template set every week.

Happy drawing!

x Dee

🎬 Love video tutorials? Subscribe to my YouTube channel for weekly art tutorials and creative inspiration!

Frequently Asked Questions

What are some easy acrylic marker drawing ideas?

Start with shapes that look good in bold, flat colour: butterflies, crystals, red mushrooms, patterned leaves, cacti and little constellations. Each one is a handful of outlines plus a few layers of colour, so you can finish one in a single sitting.

What should I draw first with new acrylic markers?

Make a quick swatch sheet first so you can see how each colour looks on your paper, then try a simple design like the butterfly tutorial in this post. Big shapes and clear outlines are the easiest place to start.

What are good acrylic marker art ideas for gifts?

Bookmarks, painted wood slice ornaments and small cards are my favourites, because acrylic ink sits happily on card and wood. You’ll find bookmark designs and wood slice ideas further up this post.

What are acrylic markers and why use them?

Acrylic markers are paint pens filled with opaque acrylic ink, so you get bold, vibrant coverage straight from the nib — no palette, no water, no waiting to load a brush. They lay down beautifully on paper, canvas, wood, and more, which makes them a brilliant, low-fuss way to add colour to your art.

Which acrylic markers do you recommend?

My long-time favourite is the Ohuhu Nahuku set — reliable, richly pigmented, and beginner-friendly. More recently I've been testing the Arrtx 60-colour set, which has earned a permanent spot on my desk for its direct-liquid-ink flow. You'll find my full notes on both further up in this post.

Do I need to be good at drawing to try acrylic markers?

Not at all. Acrylic markers are forgiving and fun, and the free templates in this post give you outlines to colour so you're not staring at a blank page. Start with the simpler designs, build confidence, and work your way up at your own pace.

What surfaces can I use acrylic markers on?

Lots — paper, canvas, wood, rocks, glass, ceramics, and even fabric. It's always worth testing on a scrap first and letting each layer dry before adding the next, since acrylic ink builds up in opaque coats and you don't want to muddy your colours.

How do I download the free acrylic marker templates?

Pop your email address into the box above and the free printable bookmark designs and drawing templates will be sent straight to your inbox. Give it up to an hour to land, and have a look in your promotions or spam folder if it's playing hide and seek.

Do acrylic markers smudge or bleed through the paper?

Once they're fully dry they're smudge-resistant and hold their colour well, but while wet the ink is opaque and can lift if you go over it too soon — so let each layer dry before adding the next. On thin printer paper heavy application can bleed through, so a marker pad or mixed-media paper (or slipping a scrap sheet underneath) keeps the page behind clean.