I have been using Copic Markers for over 14 years now and I still get all giddy to color an image using these markers.
They are an alcohol marker so you can blend the inks together to create different colors, gradients, textures and create shadows. You know when you use a Crayola marker, let’s say a light pink and a dark pink and you want to create shadows or depth in your coloring. Well using Crayola markers will create those lines between colors and the inks will not be able to blend together smoothly. Another bonus to these markers is the fact that they are refillable and you can change their nibs. So, if taken care of they will last you many, many, MANY years!
There are other companies who offer alcohol markers that I have used and I always go back to my Copic Markers.
What do these bad boys cost, you’re probably thinking? I don’t recommend going out and purchasing them right away. Do your research, watch videos, tutorials and soak up as much information as you can about them. If you are looking to make the investment in Copic Markers, I suggest you check out ScrapbookPal.com — they have awesome prices. You can get Sketch Copics for 5.85 and Ciao Copics for 3.90!
I suggest you start your Copic Marker collection slow — buying a few at a time and not those big Copic Marker sets. I know those big beautiful, colorful sets look very appealing. But it’s so hard to blend the colors that are in those sets because most of the time you don’t get the complete color families, so the shades are off and it’s difficult to blend them.
There’s over 350 Copic Colors, do I have them all? NO, I don’t. I do have over 200 of them though that I have bought over the years. I really don’t feel the need for all of the Copics and if you are just starting with Copics all of those colors can be extremely intimidating. Plus, having a bunch of Copics and not even really knowing how to use them can be frustrating. You will feel forced to use them and probably ending up feeling like you’ve wasted your money. 🙁
The first thing you need to ask yourself is, “What do I like to color?” For me it’s people critters and backgrounds. I’m not into coloring a whole lot of flowers and that’s because coloring a flower is very repetitive since you’re coloring petals and leaves over and over. So, if you like coloring flowers you don’t need as many of the browns.
There’s also the question of what Copic Marker style is for me? I personally suggest the Sketch because I like seeing the color number on the cap. The Ciao is the same as far as the way each of them color. Here’s a photo so you can see the differences in each style of Copic Markers.
Skin – E000, E00, E11, E13
Peaches/Reds – R30, R32, R35, R37, R39
Blues – B000, B00, B12, B14
Blue Greens – BG10, BG11, BG13, BG18
Blue Violet – BV000, BV00, BV02, BV04
Brown – E30, E31, E33, E35, E37
Green – G20, G21, G24, G28
Pink – R00, R81, R83, R85
Yellow – Y000, Y11, Y13
Orange – YR000, YR00, YR12, YR14
Gray/Black – N0, N1, N3, N5, N7, N9
I also have a FREE Checklist full of my favorite color combos and what I use them for. You can get the download sent straight to your inbox by adding your email in the box below!
Here’s all my favorite color combos! Perfect if you’re starting your Copic Collection!
Please know by signing up for this free Copic Checklist you are also agreeing to be apart of my mailing list; where you will be sent my bi-weekly newsletters, free digi stamps and special offers on my online coloring classes. Please see my Privacy Policy for full details.
If you are a card-maker like me, you’re probably wondering what ink and paper to use with Copic Markers. You can’t just use any paper and an ink when you are stamping and coloring in the images with Copic Markers. I use Black Memento Ink or if I’m doing the no line technique I’ll use Desert Sand Memento Ink. Paper is also very important– you can’t just use any ole white card stock. It has to be a heavy card stock with a smooth service. My current choice of cardstock for Copics is the Copic Xpress it blending Card. I love it and for me it works really well with all of the layers of colors I like to add.
I’m sure there are plenty of other papers and inks that work just fine with Copics. This is what I started with with 14 years ago and I just stuck with it. I never felt the need to experiment and invest in something else.
Once your Copic Sketch and Ciao super brush nibs become very flimsy, squeaky (when coloring), sticky or dry it will be time to replace your Copic Marker Nibs.
If you’re looking for a Copic Marker Maintenance Guide, sign up for my FREE Beginner Copic Marker Training Course!
If you’re having trouble blending make sure your paper is Copic friendly, I use either Copic Xpress. When you start coloring try not to go back over the dark colors with the light, repeatedly. This causes your darker color separate and make your coloring look blotchy. Another thing that might be happening is you’re not adding enough color to the paper. So, if you’re using V12, V15, V17 (a coordinating family of purples) to color and it’s not smooth. Add another layer in that order exactly how you laid the color down the first time so you can get those colors moving and blending together, while the ink is wet. Once it dries it’s harder to get the colors to blend. So it’s always good to finish a section before taking a break.
Here’s a great video to show you how to blend 2, then 3 and then 4 colors.
If creating Shadows with your Copic Markers isn’t your strong point – try thinking of your image in a fully lit room. Where would shadows make sense? If she was wearing a hat there would be a shadow on her forehead. If you’re coloring a dog with big floppy ears, it will be darker under those ears and onto the sides of his face where the ears are casting a shadow on it.It’s easier to start by doing this rather than focusing on a certain direction where the light is coming, while you’re still learning. It will soon just come to you and you will color without thinking.
Check out this post – STOP trying to find the light Source!
There’s only one Copic Combo I use for all my skin tones E15, E13, E11, E00, E000, E0000 and W5. Depending on how light or dark I want the skin will determine how much of the dark or light I use. My cheek colors are R20 and R22 or R30 and R32. I will usually start darker on the outside of the face and under the eyes and then work my way out with each lighter color flicking in towards the face.
Hair is one of my favorite things to color. I never blend the hair solid.. I always keep the lines.. it’s HAIR! It should look like hair.. so don’t blend it all the way through. That alone really helps people to not overthink coloring hair.. because it is intimidating. Also remember where-ever the hair gathers together so if it’s in a pony tail or at the twist of a curl.. that’s going to be the darkest point. I usually start at the darkest point and flick the tip of my Copic Marker, following the lines and leaving white space between. Then Once I do that with a few coordinating colors E44, E43, E42, I’ll then take one lighter color, E41 and do one swipe over filling in the white gaps. This blends the colors together some but leaves the definition of the lines to create a hair texture.
Check out my post All About Skin Tone using Copic Markers
We all love a getting freebies to color. Well how would you like to get access to all of the digi stamps and coloring pages in My Creative Library? I know you want in!!! So sign up! Everyone who joins My Creative Library will get free digis in their email a few times a month, then I add those digis in there later on in the month. 🙂
Why not check out some of my tutorials? Here’s a few of my favorite!
I love Copic Markers and coloring it is relaxing to me. I have had the opportunity to teach class all over Southern California, Las Vegas and even Puerto Rico! When I would go to my classes I would bring a little information packet about how I color using the flicking technique, how I use grey tones to enhance the depth of my coloring and I have the color list I listed above in this information packet. I’ve created a FREE Copic Marker Class E-Course for you! You will get 6 days of tips and tricks, tutorials, PDF’s, E-Book and access to my Private Facebook Group!
What if I could walk you through how to color a beautiful image and create a gorgeous scene using techniques you will be able to use over and over again?
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If you have any questions don’t hesitate to email me and I’ll help you as best as I can!
♥Mindy
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