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I have always loved a cosy craft and as I doom scroll TikTok most evenings, there is something so aesthetically pleasing about watching people colour in. For background, I would say the colouring community has changed a bit over the last few years.

Ten years ago, it was all about Joanna Beresford's intricate drawings featuring nature and animals using soft lead colouring pencils that could be blended and shaded so these magical pictures looked almost real. But there has been a huge shift to simpler illustrations and the use of alcohol markers, which provide a seamless ink coverage with no streaks if used correctly. This change, I think, is partly due to people wanting to finish a colouring page in a smaller amount of time, giving them the release and sense of accomplishment that comes from a finished project - and I am on board.

I used to love using pencils when colouring, but after seeing the TikTok colouring community's cosy, rainy days with cute pictures of teddy bears, ducks and dogs buying fruit at the markets, I knew I was about to throw my paycheck at a new hobby.

Colouring books like Bobbie Goodes and Coco Wyo are a great starting place for anyone wanting to try out the wholesome activity, and a must is the alcohol markers and there is one brand that is most coveted by the community - Ohuhu.

What they promise

The Ohuhu alcohol markers are available in many colours, tones, and quantities, and they say they "are perfect to use as a first foray into art to get creativity flowing, to better mental health or just for fun".

The Honolulu collection has a dual-tip round marker barrel design and you can choose between the chisel+brush or fine+brush to suit your preference (I like and prefer the fine+brush tipped markers).

The brush tip, with a 17mm nib, is perfect for sweeping, calligraphic strokes and the wide chisel tip, with a 153mm nib, helps to quickly colour in large areas.

They say there will be no unsightly splotches and uneven colouring as "Ohuhu's high-quality ink seamlessly blends to create beautiful, professional-grade artwork, perfect for both beginners and experienced artists".

The Honolulu range uses alcohol-based ink that dries quickly to ensure artwork is "clean, crisp, and smudge-free, and avoids the risk of wet ink ruining a creation".

As with most markers, they come in a carry case. And you can also getcolour specific sets including skin tone colours and the newest addition of pastel colours are also available from £26.

There is also a Bleedproof Double-Sided Marker Pad and a Bamboo Organiser to store the pensavailable.

First thoughts

Firstly, these look good. The rounded barrel shape is very nice and there is very little smell to the pens. The carry case is sturdy and you can use the four compartments to help you organise the markers by shades - this makes it easier to find colours.

It also comes with a swatch card so you can lay down the colour and see what it is like on paper, again making it easier to select the shade you are looking for.

There is also a soft, plastic page protector to place under a colouring page to prevent ink bleed-through. This is common with all alcohol markers, and you can also use another piece of paper instead.

The Ohuhu markers are really nice to work with. They glide over the paper easily, and it is very satisfying to watch the ink spread out and seamlessly fill an area.

The brush tip is beautifully soft but just the right amount of firmness, so you have decent control over the placement of colour.

Creating a blend with no visible pen stroke lines takes time and practice, but you can achieve this far better and quicker than with a water-based pen.

Verdict

While I enjoyed colouring with the Ohuhu markers, I have to admit I found the shade range in my 48-pen set a little limited. I felt that it needed more reds and darker greens.

But this is something you can add to, as there are bigger sets and additional shade sets available, making a possible colour range almost endless.

The ink did splatter a little on occasion, if I opened the lid a little too quickly, something to beware of in case a splodge of ink ruins a drawing.

But I feel this is a testament to how well the ink flows from the nibs, and none of mine have run out yet, despite using them multiple times.

However, the most interesting thing was when I coloured one side of a picture with Ohuhu and the other with a cheaper, generic brand I already owned.

I have to admit, I found it very hard to see a difference in their usage; both had great, seamless coverage. But the generic brand can be a little inconsistent with firmness of nibs and how well the colour comes out - something the Ohuhu markers do not have a problem with.

While the Ohuhu markers are exactly what you want from an alcohol marker for this type of crafting, there are cheaper options available that do a very similar job.

If you are just giving this hobby a go or buying for a child, I recommend starting with a cheaper, generic pack.

Then, if the hobby sticks and you or your child is more serious about creating beautiful pieces of art, Ohuhu has the consistency an art lover would want to find.

Find the sets of 48 markers on Amazon for £31.99. Or alternatively, there are a number of generic brands also on Amazon (a set of 168 for £29.99) and sites such as Shein and Temu or other high street stores such as B&M, The Works and craft shops.

Ohuhu also make a brand of acrylic markers which many people use to add details to their colouring pages, their acrylic set is available on Amazon for £16.