Winsor & Newton Pro Marker Watercolor Markers: A Follow-Up Test on Sketchbook Paper

Introduction

Winsor & Newton Pro Marker watercolor markers have a long history among sketchers and urban artists, and the current version deserves a second look under fairer conditions. An earlier round of testing on 100% cotton watercolor paper showed disappointing results, and reader feedback made a fair point: highly absorbent cotton paper is not the ideal surface for water-based markers. Retesting on Canson sketchbook paper, including a direct comparison with the same sketchbook used in testing nearly a decade ago, gives a much clearer picture of what these markers actually do well, and where they fall short.

Who These Markers Are For

These markers suit sketchers, journalers, and watercolor artists who want portable, quick-drying color that can be activated and blended with water. They work best on cellulose-based papers like Canson sketchbook paper, where the pigment dissolves and blends far more readily than on cotton stock. If your workflow involves loose sketches with water activation rather than precise, fully dissolved washes, these markers fit naturally into that routine.

Main Strengths

On the right paper, the performance improves dramatically. Lighter colors blend and dissolve noticeably better, and colors like cadmium yellow and Hooker’s green dissolve nicely and spread cleanly. Crimson azarine is a genuinely attractive color, and the greens generally disperse well. Swatches on Canson’s Montval watercolor paper also came out well, and scrubbing side to side rather than working inside a box helped reduce visible marker lines further.

Things to Consider Before Buying

The darker colors are where these markers struggle most. Prussian blue in particular leaves remnant marker lines underneath after water activation, even with heavy scrubbing, and yellow ochre shows the same issue. The lemon yellow is also weak and can be almost invisible next to the stronger cadmium yellow, and the black never reads as a true deep black.

There is also a comparison worth knowing about. Against the same Canson sketchbook used in earlier testing, the colors blend better overall, but darker colors still leave remnants, and the behavior does not quite match the original watercolor markers made in France. Whether the formula has changed is not confirmed, but differences are visible in the swatches. For perfectionists who want every marker line to dissolve completely, these will not be flawless.

Buying Advice

At the end of the day, these are still a good product: a lovely marker that is fun to use and works well in actual sketches, not just swatch tests. The real lesson from the retest is that paper choice matters enormously. On cotton paper they underperform badly; on Canson sketchbook and watercolor papers they perform much better, with dark colors remaining the weak point.

If you sketch on cellulose paper and accept some remnant lines in darker tones, the Winsor & Newton Pro Marker watercolor markers are a rewarding addition to a sketch kit. If you expect the flawless dissolution of the original French-made markers, temper your expectations.

Conclusion

The Winsor & Newton Pro Marker watercolor markers are capable, enjoyable tools for sketching and watercolor activation, provided you pair them with less absorbent sketchbook paper. Light and mid tones blend beautifully, while dark colors like Prussian blue retain faint marker lines. They may not quite match the beloved original formula, but on the right paper they remain a solid, fun-to-use choice for everyday sketching.