Supplies Will brush markers work for faceups?

When trying a new material that the community has not largely tested there is always risk. Is that risk worth it? That's my very first question. In what way do you expect using the markers to be better than using something already tested to be low risk?
I know they say water based but I personally don't think it's worth the risk at all. Because you don't really know the full components. I'm not sure the regulations on markers especially when we are looking at things manufactured in places with more lax regulations for labeling. There are many different parts of the materials which can be an element that damages the dolls.
Are you looking for materials for resin, vinyl or both? Vinyl is incredibly easy to stain even with materials normally safe for resin.
What about getting the pen base that's empty and you can use it for watercolour painting, but you load the colors yourself? If you really like the idea of this pen applicator that seems much safer to me, however I worry it still isn't a great choice because the pens for watercolour are drawing with a heavily diluted pigment and it's already difficult to get watercolor to adhere to a doll face, it's nearly impossible if it's very diluted at all.
I hope that wasn't excessively discouraging, just trying to be objective without knowing whether others have had success with using those in the past.

 

Water based is one thing, pigments another. I fully agree with what Alison said in all points. How would using these be better than anything that has been tested before, and is it worth the risk for that? I've painted quite a few faceups, nothing there ever made me feel like it would be easier with a marker to be honest.

And yes, there is a huge difference between working on vinyl vs resin. Vinyl loves to stain. So even if these are waterbased, they might still cause issues down the line.

I'd also suggest getting refillable marker bases with this type of brush nib. That way you can fill in watercolor or even heavily diluted acrylic paint. I have one of those and while not yet used on dolls, it's nifty to have!

 

TBH, that's an experience issue though. The finest, smoothest lines you definitely make with a brush and diluted paint...it just takes quite a bit to master!
So don't give up just yet and just keep going.

 

If you’ve been using acrylic paint, Liquited flow aid/flow medium is a lifesaver for getting it to a smoother consistency without watering it down too much.