SKETCHMARKER AQUA Watercolor Markers, 24 Colors Citrus Set, Brush Pens for Calligraphy and Hand Lettering Review (2026)

What it is

The SKETCHMARKER AQUA Citrus set includes 24 dual tipped watercolor markers drawn from a larger line that spans 72 colors in total, so the Citrus edition is one themed subset rather than the full range. Each marker pairs a brush tip on one end with a bullet tip on the other, and the set is typically bundled with a synthetic water brush, a small color palette for mixing, and a case to keep everything together. Because the ink is water based, the markers can be used dry for direct coloring or brush lettering, or activated with a wet brush afterward to blend colors into soft watercolor style washes on the page.

How the ink behaves

This line uses a dye based, water soluble ink rather than a pigment based formula, which is what gives it the blending flexibility that watercolor style work depends on. Colors can be layered wet into wet for gradients, picked up again with a damp brush to soften edges after they dry, or mixed directly on the included palette before touching the paper. The trade-off of a dye based ink is lightfastness, since dye colors are more prone to fading with long exposure to light than artist grade pigment inks, which makes this set better suited to journals, sketchbooks, and pieces kept out of direct sun than to work meant for long-term wall display.

The Citrus palette

As the name suggests, this particular 24 color set leans toward warm citrus tones such as yellows, oranges, and warm greens rather than offering a balanced spread across the full color wheel. That focus makes it well suited to cheerful, sunny lettering pieces, floral illustrations, and seasonal cards, but it leaves cooler colors such as blues and purples thin or absent. Letterers who want a complete range for general hand lettering work may need to pair this set with another color theme from the same line, since the Citrus set is designed as a mood based collection rather than a standalone full palette.

Handling the brush tips

Because the brush tips are flexible and designed for expressive strokes, they respond well to varying hand pressure the way a traditional brush pen does, which suits brush lettering styles that rely on thick downstrokes and thin upstrokes. That same flexibility means the tips can fray or splay if pressed too hard, especially on rough or heavily textured watercolor paper, so a lighter touch and smoother paper will help the tips hold their shape longer. The bullet tip on the opposite end is more resistant to this kind of wear and works well for finer detail, outlining, or writing smaller text where the brush tip would be too broad.

Who it suits

This set fits letterers and hand lettering hobbyists who want a ready-to-use, blendable marker set for warm-toned cards, seasonal art, or journal pages without needing separate watercolor paints and brushes. The included water brush and palette make it approachable for beginners moving from dry brush pens into blended watercolor effects. It is a weaker fit for anyone who needs a full, balanced color range in a single set or who prioritizes long-term lightfastness for pieces intended to be framed or displayed for years, since a pigment based watercolor set would suit those needs better.

Frequently asked questions