Inside: Review of the Ohuhu Honolulu S Series Alcohol Markers. Includes press sample.
As a mum of two older kids who absolutely love to draw, paint, and create, our house is rarely without sketchbooks, pencils, or markers strewn across the dining table. Art has always been their happy place – a way to unwind and express themselves.
So when Ohuhu sent over their new Honolulu S Series Alcohol Markers, there was plenty of excitement. We’ve tried Ohuhu products before and always found them reliable and great value, but this new series really feels like a step up.
First impressions: thoughtful design
Right from the start, I could tell these markers were designed with artists in mind. The set comes neatly packed in a sturdy zip-up case, making it super easy to keep everything organised – something every parent appreciates!
Each marker is clearly labelled, and the layout of the case means my kids can flick through and find the shade they want without having to rummage. The portability is another big win. My two love taking their art supplies to school clubs, friends’ houses, and even outdoors when the weather’s nice. The case makes it easy to grab and go.
Dual soft tips — flexible, precise, and so much fun
The standout feature of the Honolulu S Series has to be the dual soft-tip design. Each pen comes with two different nibs, a 1–6mm flexible brush tip and a 1–4mm soft chisel tip.
Switching between the two ends is easy and intuitive, and my kids loved the flexibility it gave them. Whether they were outlining a drawing or filling in large areas, these markers handled everything beautifully.
Gorgeous colours and effortless blending
The Honolulu S Series is available in sets of 24, 48, or 60 colours (plus a colourless blender), priced at £28, £44, and £52 respectively. The colour range is absolutely stunning – rich, vivid, and versatile enough for everything from portraits to landscapes.
The alcohol-based ink goes on smoothly and evenly, and the colours blend beautifully without streaking. My oldest is particularly into anime-style characters and was thrilled by how seamless the shading looked. The colourless blender is handy for adding highlights or soft transitions, and the markers layer without lifting the paper or leaving that patchy look you sometimes get with cheaper brands.
Perfect skin tones for portraits
One of the biggest highlights for us was the range of skin tones in the set. So many marker packs overlook this, offering just one or two vaguely “flesh” colours that don’t suit real portraits. Ohuhu has clearly put thought into this selection, and it shows.
There’s a balanced mix of warm, cool, and neutral tones that blend beautifully. My daughter, who’s currently obsessed with drawing faces, said these were the best markers she’s ever used for skin. She was able to layer and shade smoothly without patchiness, and the final portraits looked genuinely professional.
For young artists who enjoy character design or realistic drawing, this range makes a huge difference.
Fast-drying, smudge-free ink
As any parent of creative kids knows, smudging is the bane of every art session. Thankfully, the Honolulu S Series dries almost instantly, which means no smears, no ink transfers, and no ruined drawings after hours of hard work.
My youngest is left-handed, so the lack of smudging was a massive plus point in our house!
After several weeks of use, I can honestly say these have become the go-to markers in our house. The kids use them almost daily, and even I’ve found myself joining in for a bit of mindful colouring!
For any family with budding artists or creative teens, the Honolulu S Series are well worth the investment. They’re durable, versatile, beautifully designed, and perfect for everything from sketching and portraits to hand lettering and shading.