Learn how to use Copic Markers in five easy steps! This week we are featuring Copic Markers once again here in the CLASSroom and on our social media platforms. With so many stampers discovering our site we felt it was time for a little update here in the CLASSroom. Carly is new to coloring with Copic Markers and she is here today to share five tips for getting started, from one newbie to another!
What are Copic Markers?
Copic Markers are very high quality, alcohol ink markers perfect for coloring in stamped images and creating stunning backgrounds. They are permanent, non-toxic and acid-free when dry. Each marker is hand-tested for consistency & quality. As Copics are refillable and the nibs are replaceable, a Copic marker must only be purchased once. My tips below focus on the Copic Sketch Markers which have an oval barrel, feature the super brush nibs and medium broad (chisel), and are compatible with the Copic Air Brush system. Copic recently added the optional Sketch fine nib replacements to easily swap the Medium Broad nib. This slightly firm, thin nib was developed to allow artists to achieve more precision for adding color to the smallest details of an illustration.
Overview of the Copic Color System by Debbie Olson
#1. Taking The First Step
The beautiful rainbow of Copic colors called to me but with 358 colors to choose from and no experience with alcohol ink markers, I was completely overwhelmed. I'm guessing a few of you out there can empathize. But coloring should be fun and I was making it stressful! So to finally get started I purchased just 4 colors, 2 pinks and 2 purples close to each other in number so they would blend well (more on that in a minute) and I colored a flower to see if I liked them. My first flower was super basic, no shading or blending, just coloring. And I loved it! Here's the first card I created coloring with Copics:
#2. Basic Supplies
The first thing I learned about coloring with Copics is that the paper & ink you use are very important! If you are coloring stamped images, make sure to pick a Copic friendly-ink like Memento or Brilliance. If you are coloring a printed image, make sure to use a toner/laser print; and test your drawing pens for compatibility or try the Copic Multiliner. For cardstock, a smooth white cardstock, will be the easiest - we really love Neenah Solar White here at EH. Of course Memento inks & Solar White cardstock are not the only compatible options so testing others is easy...
To test paper/ink combinations...cut 2x2 swtaches of each paper you are testing and label with both ink type and cardstock name. Next stamp the same image in the inks you are testing. Let dry for 10-15 minutes. Color part or all of the shape with a Copic marker, coloring right up to the edge in some places and over the line with a Colorless Blender in others. Let dry and then check the results. Has the color "feathered" out over the line in the area you colored to the edge? If so, that cardstock is not a great choice for Copic coloring. If the stamped images bleed & blur where you covered over the line with your marker and/or Colorless Blender, that ink is not a great choice for Copic coloring.
#3. Basic Coloring Techniques
Tip: to avoid streaking thoroughly saturate paper with alcohol ink.
Single Color Layering - the intensity of your colors will shift as you lay down even a single marker. Test laying down your color covering your entire image once. Then add a second layer of the same color to a portion of that image. Continue adding additional layers of color until you are unable to discern a difference in the tones with each addition. Your paper will be fully saturated at this point and the color will no longer deepen.
Natural Blending Group Layering - natural blending groups consist of Copic markers that have the same letter, same first number, and a few digits difference in the last number, i.e. RV02, RV04, RV09 These combinations are the easiest for beginners to blend.
#4. Blending & Shading
My first attempts to blend and shade were a big 'ol mess - my stamped image bleed even though I used Memento Tuxedo Black, my colors didn't blend nicely despite lots of effort...:(. But I stuck with it and the next attempts were much better. Turns out that the colors I had chosen, didn't really make good blending partners and my vain attempts to make them blend were over-saturating my paper and causing the stamped image to bleed. Sandy Allnock's Copic Blending Groups was super helpful in helping me to chose better colors to blend.
Blending Techniques
Tip: Create a blending chart of your favorite combinations (download this chart here).
Direct to paper blending - use a technique called flicking. Start with lightest tone, leaving a little white space for highlights. Create strokes all in one direction. Add darker color at one edge flicking the color, leaving some of the lightest tone and a little white space revealed. Continue to add colors in layers reducing the size of the flicked area with each additional color. Once complete, color over entire area with the lightest tone.
Transfer technique - tip-to-tip - touch markers tip to tip and then color using flicking technique.
OR scribble color on clear acrylic block with one color and pick up that color with a lighter color, then color using flicking technique.
Feathering - used to blend colors that are from two different color families. Flick color from one end of image, turn image and flick second color towards the first, overlapping in the middle. Suitable for butterflies, birds, and flowers that have two distinct colors in them.
#5. The Next Step
So now you've got markers, paper & ink...oh my! How do you become an awesome with Copics? Practice! I highly, highly recommend taking a class like Sandy Allnock's Copic Jumpstart class or Online Card Classes Copic Markers for Card Makers.
Copic In The Craft Room is also a great resource for additional information.
And here are some awesome techniques from The CLASSroom archives that I can't wait to try out:
Copic Letterpress by Sharon Harnist
Color-Bleed Grid Technique by Julia Stainton
Copic Poppies by Sharon Harnist
Copic Flick Feather Blended Poppy by Sharon Harnist
Happy coloring!
