My first class under the Media Arts & Animation major has me learning how to communicate my ideas with markers. The list of supplies included more than 20 Prismacolor markers, which sell for around $5 each at the local [effing overpriced] art store. I figure I already have a cheap set of 100 markers at home, so I'll buy the Prismacolor greys and make do with whatever else I have. I try them out for my first assignment. DAMN do they stink, but DAMN do they work! It's like they change the color of the paper, like the paper was supposed to be that color to begin with. The cheap markers have nice nibs, but ruin the paper to the point altering the colors with colored pencils can't happen.

At least one of my classmates recommended a site that sells markers and stuff for much better prices than the other guys: dickblick.com. I spent $60 rather than $120.