Posca markers are fantastic art pens for unleashing creativity.
Their vast range of colors and tip styles make drawing intuitive and convenient for novices and experienced hobbyists alike.
If you’re wondering what to draw with Posca markers or are running low on inspiration, you’ve come to the right place.
Check out my favorite Posca pen projects below; they’re all fun, newbie-friendly activities you can enjoy whether you consider yourself a clumsy crafter or an art wiz! Complete newbies should also check out our tips on how to use Posca pens before getting started.
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What to draw with Posca markers
Looking for ideas on what to draw with Posca markers? Here’s a list of my go-to Posca projects to help get your creativity flowing!
1. Mini canvases
What I love about mini canvases is that they’re typically very affordable, and their small size gives any amateur painter a sense of immediate gratification (unless working on a highly detailed masterpiece!).
With that in mind, mini canvases are my favorite medium for Posca markers. Personally, I think they’re the best fit for these acrylic pens since they work beautifully every time, whether your paint is matte and bold or watered down for effects.
Note that paint markers from most other brands will work great on canvas, too!
You can also incorporate paintbrushes into your process, which is always fun. Mini canvases are ideal for creating wall gallery projects and make for thoughtful, creative gifts. I actually made the little house featured above for my Mom!
You can draw anything you like, too, from abstract swirls and geometric shapes to detailed botanical illustrations or portraits. I also enjoy these for mixed-medium projects, such as incorporating embroidery techniques.
If you’re drawing directly onto your canvas before applying paint, use a very light pencil. While very opaque, some Posca paint colors won’t hide outlines the first time around and may require layering — especially if you’ve watered the paint down to achieve different textures.
2. Rock art
Who knew rock art could be so fun? I used to think this was kind of a pointless creative hobby, but the more I got into it, I realized just how easy and entertaining this activity is for hobbyists of all ages.
Posca markers are perfect for this purpose. And talk about cheap: you’re literally painting on a rock. You can draw almost anything, from quirky bugs and cartoon vegetables and fruit to smiley faces, mandala designs, and symbols. Rocks are pretty much your oyster.
I like putting my rocks in different places, like my bedside table, work desk, and bookshelf. But my favorite spot is in my plant pots — I like the little surprise factor for anyone admiring my plants!
(This reminds me I need to water mine).
Remember that rocks come in different shapes, textures, and colors, so some Posca paint colors may work better than others. But that’s the fun of crafting with (or rather, on) nature; outcomes are unpredictable!
3. Ceramic vases
I’m a sucker for home décor and love adding DIY touches to my home. It also beats showcasing standard items everyone owns — although I’ll admit I do enjoy the occasional trip to IKEA.
One of the mediums I like using Posca markers for is ceramic. Now, this doesn’t always work. Posca paint doesn’t do a great job of adhering to glossy or varnished ceramic surfaces.
Believe me, I learned the hard way (RIP red flower vase).
I especially like painting small ceramic pieces with Posca brush pens. They flow more smoothly than bullet tip markers, making circular painting easier. I also get a kick out of using metallics on dark pieces since it gives them an elegant, kintsugi-like aesthetic.
This is a very easy, low-cost project that won’t take too long to complete. Just remember to take things slow and don’t rush through the details!
Tip: Q-tips and paper towels are your friends!
4. Glass recipients
When using Posca markers on glass, you need to have realistic expectations since there are a few limitations.
I enjoy drawing decorative motifs on mason jars, glass candle holders, and drinking glasses. However, the keyword here is “decorative.” For example, painting on glass cups you use daily will be a waste of your time since the paint will fade after a few washes.
Also, as a general rule, I advise keeping Posca markers off of anything you consume food and beverages from. That’s why I repurpose glass items for décor purposes only — such as these mini liquor glasses!
For this type of project, I tend to go with minimalistic designs like flowers, polka dots, or colorful lines. Simple, right? But surprisingly eye-catching.
I usually set these out on the table for dinner parties to hold toothpicks, olive pits, tealight candles, and more. When not being used, I enjoy having them displayed in my china cabinet for visual appeal.
If your glasses have carved creases, an easy trick is to color them in or paint along the lines; bullet-tip Posca pens are perfect for this! Also, I advise applying a matte consistency for this type of project: watered-down paint is a no-no unless you’re after a more stained glass effect.
5. Photos
Photography is one of my favorite creative hobbies, and as much as I love the digital space, I still feel nothing can substitute the beauty of an analog photo.
If you’re like me and have a bunch of old pictures lying around or boxed up somewhere, grab some Posca markers and give these a little spotlight again! I like to add simple lines and pops of colors to give old photos a more current vibe.
I used an old photo of me at my grandparents’ house for this project. (The Nokia phone is a giveaway of how long ago this was!). I added light blue, metallic, green, pink, and yellow paint accents.
While you won’t spot a huge difference at first, it does give the photo a funky facelift.
This is really fun to do on black-and-white photos! Just make sure to use colors that contrast significantly with your surface. Know that results will also depend on whether your photos are matte or gloss.
Never apply water on tips for this project, and have some paper towels nearby to wipe mistakes off quickly. This is an easy way to make a special gift or add new art to your scrapbook, photo album, or frame (you can try the next project for this!).
6. Picture frames
As mentioned above, I’m a huge fan of photography and love to display memories I cherish around the house. And there’s nothing like personalizing your own frame to showcase them with a little extra TLC.
Using Posca markers to flip old picture frames or transform bargains you found at the thrift shop is a fun and ingenious way to modernize outdated pieces and make something unique for a friend or family member.
For this project, I used a wooden frame — I personally prefer this to plastic. I’m not fond of using Posca markers on plastic because I don’t think finishes look as refined, and they don’t always respond well unless surfaces are gloss-free.
The frame featured in the picture above was slightly varnished, making it a bit harder to achieve a fully opaque finish without adding a couple of layers. But it turned out great! For frames, I suggest using Posca bullet tips vs. chunky pens.
I used two different pen types of the same color (PC-5M and PC-17K), and the larger marker left noticeably less opaque results on this specific material.
7. Kitchen utensils
If you’re looking for affordable, fun gifts or a quick project, a great way to use Posca markers is on wooden kitchen utensils.
This can give your utensils a cute touch with just a small doodle. It’s also great if you’re into woodworking or carving spoons. In addition, these are supplies that are easy to find and come at a very low cost.
Note that drawing will be easier depending on the type of wood. In this project, my utensils are untreated bamboo, so they were easy to doodle on.
Paint will expand a little if your paint and utensils are moist, so keep this in mind.
Overall, Posca paint will remain for a while but will eventually fade with washes. Therefore, I suggest hanging them for display and using others for everyday use.
I like to add macrame cord to the ends to make them more aesthetic for showcasing!
8. Sneakers
As a teenager, I drew and wrote all over my sneakers with ballpoint pens.
Yeah, my parents weren’t too happy about that.
But as I got older, I discovered textile and acrylic paint markers to make my designs.
Posca markers adhere very well to sneakers, especially if you’re working on shoes with cotton canvas fabric (refer to images). This is a fun way to revamp old sneakers or give a whimsical, personalized touch to popular apparel worn by many people (enter Converse).
Besides bullet tip Posca pens, brush pens are a great way to add flowy designs like spirals. Metallic colors are great for this and blend more organically with light-colored sneakers. If you prefer writing, use thin bullet-tip Posca markers instead since you’ll have greater control.
Paint tends to expand on this type of surface, so space out lettering so that it doesn’t mesh into a blurry mess. And since Posca paint stays more permanently on this type of material, think your project through before getting hands-on!
When using light-colored paint, know that it might pick up some of your surface’s color — you can see that my white paint turned into a pinkish tint. Personally, this doesn’t bother me; I welcome (and expect) the surprise factor that comes with crafting.
However, keep this in mind if this is something that would drive you crazy!
9. T-shirts
I’m part of the puff paint generation, so anytime I have the chance to slap some paint onto a piece of clothing, it’s a pretty good day. While Posca markers suit this purpose, I find them challenging to apply to certain fabrics.
For example, if you’re adding minimal designs on t-shirts, this is somewhat simple. However, drawing on specific cotton consistencies can take a lot of work, especially with more elaborate drawings. I like to add a little water to my pen tips to make shapes more dynamic and let colors expand. It also allows your pen to glide with more ease.
You can also use household items to simplify making different shapes or rulers to create accurate lines. Be sure to put a piece of cardboard or a thicker, rigid item between your t-shirt so that the paint doesn’t bleed as you draw.
The downside of using Posca pens vs. quality products explicitly made for textiles like fabric spray paint is that your designs won’t last forever and will start to fade with washes. To make them last as long as possible, do the following:
- Turn your pieces inside out once the paint is dry, and iron them (without steam).
- Wash clothes inside out at low temperatures.
- Apply fabric sealer on painted areas.
- Avoid the washing machine and wash by hand instead.
10. Tote bags
Tote bags are both practical and stylish, making them perfect for daily use.
However, if you’re anything like me, you probably have a collection of basic totes you rarely use.
That’s why I like reusing and customizing mine with new designs every now and then; it motivates me to wear them again! Sometimes, I add details to existing designs but mostly turn them inside out to work on a blank surface.
If you’re taking on this project for gifts or simply want to paint onto new items, tote bags are easy to find and very affordable. As for the quality of your surface, aim for 100% cotton to make drawing smooth.
Regarding Posca markers, my favorites for totes are chunky PC-17K pens: they’re so fun to draw with!
I also prefer something a little more freeform. All in all, treat your tote like a regular canvas, whether you’re all about technique or abstract doodling. And who knows, someone might even ask where you bought your super cool bag and you can consider making more with a screen printing kit!
That’s it for my ideas on what to draw with Posca markers! If you have any questions or more suggestions, feel free to drop them in the comments below!
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