Unboxing Chameleon Marker Tops and the Chameleon Complete Your Collection Set

Posted by Becca Hillburn July 28, 2017

Unboxing Chameleon Marker Tops and the Chameleon Complete Your Collection Set

A few months ago, a little birdie (probably on Instagram) told me that Chameleon Markers were releasing a new product. Not one to resist the allure of innovation, I had to check it out, and found myself doing the unbelievable- backing an Indiegogo campaign.

I was a little hesitant at first- Indiegogo campaigns have a habit of dematerializing. However, Chameleon is an established company, so I figured it would be bad for business for them to take my money and run, so I decided to take a chance.

Surprisingly, Chameleon kept me updated throughout the campaign, and soon I received notification that my order was being processed. I was allowed to choose the color families I wanted, and I opted for Warm, Nature Tones, Cool, and Floral.

Whoops. My hand slipped. I tend not to back Indiegogo's because their TOS is different from Kickstarter- there are campaigns where the founder can keep any funds raised, regardless of reaching goal. Kinda hard to fulfill a project if you didn't raise enough funds, right?

I've complained privately for a few years that there's nothing new under then sun when it comes to alcohol markers. I've tested dozens of alcohol markers here on the blog and over on the channel, and they tend to fall into two categories:

Copic Like- Refillable, replacable nibs

Prismacolor Like- Not refillable, disposable

The cheap ones tend to have a bullet nib+cheap chisel nib rough hewn from fiber, the nicer ones tend to have a bullet nib+nicer chisel nib (Prismacolor), or a brush nib (either fiber or foam rubber) with some variant of the bullet nib or chisel nib. Rinse and repeat this equation over dozens of markers, and you have one burnt out art supply reviewer.

Chameleon markers aren't new- I reviewed them in 2015 here on the blog. The Color Tops are new, and one of the biggest innovations I've seen in marker technology since Chameleons rolled onto the market. Chameleons were already pretty innovative- there's a blender right in the cap that allows you to do seamless blends from colorless blender to full saturated color. I found this a difficult technique to master, as it's the opposite of how I'm used to using alcohol markers, but I've seen younger artists use it to great effect. Recently Chameleon launched their Color Tops- which allow to seamless color to color transitions.

To me, this is a HUGE innovation. I'd found the original Chameleons a bit gimmicky, but Chameleon has found a way to really shake up how artists and crafters use alcohol markers. As I sunk money into not only the color tops, but the 30 additional color set, I swore that this time, I'd learn how to use these markers properly.

Markers have always been the most popular topic on this blog- the more I compare a marker to Copic markers, the better that post seems to do. And while I've moved the majority of my marker reviews over to YouTube (it's just easier to talk while I test, rather than keeping notes), I wanted to make sure my blog fans knew about my Chameleon revival. I plan on doing several posts on Chameleon markers and Color Tops, multiple videos, and even some backer exclusive content once I have these markers mastered.

Oh hey! These Chameleon Color Tops were purchased using funds raised through my Patreon! Enjoy my marker reviews? Become an artnerd over on Patreon for just $1 a month, and help fund future reviews and tutorials! Backers get goodies like early access videos, backer exclusive content, and even art assets and comics!

Chameleon Color Tops Unboxing

Additional Colors:

The Specs:

In this set:

30 Markers in this set
Spare nibs for bullet, brush, and infusing chamber
Tweezers
Helpful Tips Booklet
Refillable
Replaceable nibs
Colors Also Sold Openstock

Chameleon Markers are available in:

openstock
color families of 5
set of 20
additional set of 30
Complete set of 52 (includes blender and detail pen)

Where to Buy:
Blick- $4.79 Openstock
MarkerPop
Amazon
Refills are sold through all three sites.

Colors inside:

Skintones: NU0, NU00, NU2, NU4, BR1
Browns: BR3, BR4
Blues: BG1, BG3, BL2, BL4, BL7
Greens: GR1, GR2, GR4
Reds: RD2, RD3, RD5
Yellows: YO2
Oranges: OR3
Neutrals: NG4, CG5, CG9, WG3, WG7, BK4
Violets/Purples: BV2, V02
Pinks: PK2, PK4, PK5

Other Chameleon Products:
Color Cards
Color Tones Color Pencils

Chameleon Marker Tops

The Specs

5 colors per color family
10 Families- Blue, Pastel, Cool, Earth, Gray, Skin, Floral, Warm, Nature, Primary
Available in sets, does not seem available openstock yet
Funded through Indiegogo and Kickstarter initially
Each color family of tops comes in a plastic case
Cases interlock

The Sets I Purchased

Cool-BL3, BV4, BG4, VO4, PR4
Floral- PK2, PK4, PK5, BV2, VO2
Warm- OR3, YO2, RD5, RD3, RD2
Earth- GR4, GR2, GR1, BR3, BR1

Where to Purchase:
MarkerPop

Chameleon Marker and Chameleon Marker Top Overview and Demonstration

Photos from the Unboxing:

Color Tops and Additional Colors

Chameleon markers, alcohol markers, marker unboxing, chameleon color tone markers, chameleon color tops

Chameleon, Chameleon Color Tone Markers, alcohol markers

I have to say this for Chameleon--any sets they offer come in reusable boxes. The 5 color sets come in plastic boxes, the 30 Additional Colors come in a beautiful, sturdy black cardboard box that even includes a shoulder strap. The box even folds into an easel! In that regard, Chameleon markers are beautifully designed.