Sharpies are a popular brand of permanent marker known for their strong pigmentation and wide range of bright colors. However, some may wonder if they come in more natural, earthy tones like brown. This article will explore whether brown Sharpies exist, looking at the various original and specialty color options within the Sharpie line of markers. We’ll also discuss why brown may be a less common shade among permanent markers and the alternatives for brown permanent markers.
Overview of Sharpies and Their Color Options
Sharpies are markers produced by the Newell Brands company (formerly Sanford Manufacturing Company). The original fine point Sharpies were introduced in 1964 and came in basic colors like red, blue, green and black. Over the years, the brand expanded its offerings to include:
– Ultra fine point
– Extra broad point
– Brush tip
– Highlighters
– Metallic colors
– Pastel colors
– Neon colors
While they branched out into more creative hues, the core original colors remained largely unchanged. Even today, their classic 12-pack features just Red, Blue, Green, Black, Orange, Brown, Violet, Pink, Yellow, Light Blue, Light Green and Purple.
Availability of Brown Sharpies
Upon examining their color lineup, you’ll notice that brown is included among the 12 original colors. So standard brown Sharpies definitely exist! They offer the true brown tone in fine, ultra fine and broad point markers.
However, there are some caveats around the brown Sharpie:
– It may not be included in every assortment/pack. While brown is one of the 12 originals, retailers or the company itself may choose to omit colors when creating multipacks. So brown may be excluded from some sets.
– The shade is not very dark. Reviewers note that the standard brown Sharpies have a light, soft brown closer to tan than a rich, deep brown. For a darker brown, one would need to look at specialty options.
– It’s one of the less popular colors. Colors like black, blue and pink tend to be most used, while brown doesn’t make it into every art or DIY project. So it may not be stocked as consistently as other shades.
So in summary, true brown Sharpies do exist, but the basic light brown may be harder to readily find than their vibrant, often-used counterparts.
Specialty Brown Sharpie Options
Beyond the 12 original colors, Sharpies now have many specialty and limited edition color packs that introduce new, richer browns:
Sepia
– Part of their Elegant Suede Collection
– Deeper, grayer brown that imitates leather
Dark Brown
– Released as part of the Wood Collection
– Richer true brown closer to mahogany
Espresso
– Included in the Coffee Collection
– Has a gray, chocolatey tone like the coffee drink
Latte
– Also in the Coffee Collection
– Lighter milky brown
Dark Chocolate
– Designed for Valentine’s Day packs
– Deep brown with a reddish tint
So for those seeking a darker, deeper brown, these special packs deliver. However, they are limited releases and may only be available during certain times of year. The core brown is still the light, soft shade.
Reasons Brown May Be Less Common
There are likely a few reasons why brown tends to be a less popular and prominent permanent marker shade:
Brown is viewed as “boring”
Color names like neon pink or glitter purple are far more fun and eye-catching. Brown is seen as a mundane, natural color, even though there are many shades.
It’s meant to imitate nature
Markers want colors that pop and stand out. Brown is designed to blend in and look natural rather than draw attention.
It stains more easily
Light brown can end up looking dirty or stained if it bleeds or mixes with other colors. Darker browns show this discoloration less.
Its limitations
Brown doesn’t work as well on darker papers or backgrounds. Lighter shades like yellow and pink show up better on a range of surfaces.
So brown gets overlooked for more versatile, exciting options. But it can still be useful as an earthy, neutral tone.
Alternatives for Brown Permanent Markers
For those who want a brown permanent marker outside the standard light Sharpies shade, here are some options:
Prismacolor Premier Double-Ended Art Markers
– Offer a wide spectrum of brown tones
– Rich sepia brown and dark walnut brown
Copic Various Brown Multiliners
– Shades like cocoa, tan, bread and toast
– Designed for manga, comics and precision drawing
Sharpie Professional Browns
– Part of their arts and crafting line
– Contain espresso, coffee, chocolate and other deep shades
Bianyo Alcohol Markers
– Have a full range of browns from cream to chocolate
– Also offer brush tip brown markers
So browns from neutral tan to near black exist among art markers from Sharpie and other brands. Specialty fine art stores or online retailers will offer the widest range of shades.
Conclusion
In summary, while standard brown Sharpies are available in their original 12-color lineup, the shade is on the lighter side. Special edition packs offer richer browns like sepia and espresso, but may not always be in stock. The subtle, natural tone of brown means it often plays second fiddle to more vivid marker colors. But brown can still be a versatile, neutral choice for art, DIY projects, crafting and more. Those seeking a deep mahogany or chocolate shade can find it among professional art marker brands focused on a wide spectrum of pigments. So devotees of brown have many permanent marker options to capture the perfect earthy hue.