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Well my sister bought me a starter set of Copics for Christmas, and I was so excited because so many people here on SCS rave about them!!! But I haven't used them a bit!! I found that I would much, much, MUCH rather color in a stamped image with my watercolor pencils than use my Copics!! The main reason is that the color ends up being so dark - I prefer lighter images. I feel bad because I know my sister paid a lot for the pens, but I just don't know how to change from colored pencils to Copics!! Did this ever happen to any of you? If so, what did you do about it?? Any help on this matter would be greatly appreciated!!
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~Rebekah~ My mind works like lightning - one brilliant 'FLASH' and it's gone!
Well my sister bought me a starter set of Copics for Christmas, and I was so excited because so many people here on SCS rave about them!!! But I haven't used them a bit!! I found that I would much, much, MUCH rather color in a stamped image with my watercolor pencils than use my Copics!! The main reason is that the color ends up being so dark - I prefer lighter images. I feel bad because I know my sister paid a lot for the pens, but I just don't know how to change from colored pencils to Copics!! Did this ever happen to any of you? If so, what did you do about it?? Any help on this matter would be greatly appreciated!!
If you got a "starter" set I'm assuming you have the primary colors, plus green, orange, brown, black, purple, etc. And I am sure they are dark intense colors.
If you have a Hobby Lobby in your area, they sell Copic Markers. I went to HL with my trusty coupon and got pale, pastel Copics one at a time with the coupon. I got pale pink, blue, green, aqua, lavender, peach, etc. They do pretty well to use with the brighter, darker colors that come in a starter set of Copics.
I am by no means a Copic artist, but I generally just color my image in the pale, light color, and then kind of outline (but inside the lines) and shadow here and there with the darker shades.
__________________ Bugga in OK
"Be kind whenever possible. It is always possible." Dalai Lama
If you're happy with the pencils, I think you should stick with them and just play with the markers until you get a feel for them, if you want to learn how to use them. You might not like them at all. I don't think anyone should feel bad for not liking something "everyone" else does or for not using a gift that she doesn't really like. Good luck and have fun.
I agree that your set may be lacking the light colored markers. When I color with my Copics, I always start with a SUPER light color (the last number being a zero or a one)... and then I add a medium color which actually becomes the main color of my object (the last number being a 3-5) and then I add shadows with a dark color (the last number being a 6-9) But I use this very sparingly... as the dark colors can really overpower the lighter colors.
Give the lighter colors a try and see if that makes a difference.
Copics are very different from your pencils... and will give you a totally different look. It's okay if you prefer the softer look of the watercolor pencils.
__________________ Colleen Schaan - Education Specialist at Imagination International Inc.,/Copic Marker
Blog - Distinctive Touches;My Copic Books!
I just got my basic starter set this week as well. I had a skin tone one and a blender pen before because I use it with the Sharpies and Bic markers as well. One thing I discovered for myself today actually is how to get lighter shades with the markers I have. I put some of the colour on a scrap piece of acetate and then pick up the colour with my blender pen. This really lightens the colour and it isn't so intense. Here's a couple pictures. One is with straight markers and the other is with picking up colour with the blender pen. Hopefully, once I practice more, I'll won't have it bleeding over my lines (I'm a colour inside the lines kind of person).
Copic Sketch Markers are my favorite coloring medium, and I hardly ever use dark colors, like you I like the images to be light colors. This tutorial is the one that helped me get the hang of it, and after I got more familiar with the copics I found my own small techniques to improve my coloring..
I hope you do not give up just yet, as they are so much fun to play with!
I just wanted to ask what type of ink you are using? If you are using SU! or stazon or similar your lines will bleed with alcohol markers. Try Momento inks or Adirondak no heat setting neccessary. Or brilliance with heat setting. Also keep in mind that the Colorless Blender is somewhat deceiving it is more for removing color rather than blending colors. I use mine only to fix mistakes or remove color in some areas. CS is also VERY impotant. You what a CS that will soak up some of the ink rather than sit on top...I use Paper Trey ink white, Neenah Classic crest solar white is also good. Some use Georgia Pacific from wally world because it is very cheap. I don't prefer it because of the weight and it is not white enough for me. What I do is lay down my lightest color add a darker coordinating color where I want depth then go back in with my lighter color and always coloring in a circular motion, go over the line between the colors until I achieve the effect I want. I am now working on blending with three colors... Copics do have a huge learning curve and need ALOT of practice but once you settle into a technique you like you will love it! Sorry to be so long winded and hope I did not step on any toes...:rolleyes:
Quote:
Originally Posted by cat_woman
I just got my basic starter set this week as well. I had a skin tone one and a blender pen before because I use it with the Sharpies and Bic markers as well. One thing I discovered for myself today actually is how to get lighter shades with the markers I have. I put some of the colour on a scrap piece of acetate and then pick up the colour with my blender pen. This really lightens the colour and it isn't so intense. Here's a couple pictures. One is with straight markers and the other is with picking up colour with the blender pen. Hopefully, once I practice more, I'll won't have it bleeding over my lines (I'm a colour inside the lines kind of person).
GREAT TUTORIAL, Thank you! Like I said I am working on a three color blending and this is the pefect example!
Quote:
Originally Posted by jorunn
Copic Sketch Markers are my favorite coloring medium, and I hardly ever use dark colors, like you I like the images to be light colors. This tutorial is the one that helped me get the hang of it, and after I got more familiar with the copics I found my own small techniques to improve my coloring..
I hope you do not give up just yet, as they are so much fun to play with!
I just wanted to ask what type of ink you are using? If you are using SU! or stazon or similar your lines will bleed with alcohol markers. Try Momento inks or Adirondak no heat setting neccessary. Or brilliance with heat setting. Also keep in mind that the Colorless Blender is somewhat deceiving it is more for removing color rather than blending colors. I use mine only to fix mistakes or remove color in some areas. CS is also VERY impotant. You what a CS that will soak up some of the ink rather than sit on top...I use Paper Trey ink white, Neenah Classic crest solar white is also good. Some use Georgia Pacific from wally world because it is very cheap. I don't prefer it because of the weight and it is not white enough for me. What I do is lay down my lightest color add a darker coordinating color where I want depth then go back in with my lighter color and always coloring in a circular motion, go over the line between the colors until I achieve the effect I want. I am now working on blending with three colors... Copics do have a huge learning curve and need ALOT of practice but once you settle into a technique you like you will love it! Sorry to be so long winded and hope I did not step on any toes...:rolleyes:
I just used stazon ink on Wasau 110# cardstock (either office depot or staples - can't remember which one sells this brand). I kind of figured it would smear, but I was more interested in trying to practice some shading. I'll probably have to pick up some Momento ink soon. My Stazon doesn't smear like that with Sharpies or Bic markers, but I notice the ink is a lot more "liquid" in the copics - if you know what I mean. So many things to learn....
I just used stazon ink on Wasau 110# cardstock (either office depot or staples - can't remember which one sells this brand). I kind of figured it would smear, but I was more interested in trying to practice some shading. I'll probably have to pick up some Momento ink soon. My Stazon doesn't smear like that with Sharpies or Bic markers, but I notice the ink is a lot more "liquid" in the copics - if you know what I mean. So many things to learn....
Not sure if I'm too late to help out with this, but if you still have your Copics, you can use both your favorite colouring method & Copics. It's not the standard colouring method, but I much prefer it. You can colour as you normally would--with the watercolour pencils in your case--and then deepen the shadows or add a boost of colour with Copics. (Going back in with the pencil, a colourless blender pen, or lighter Copic marker to blend your lines.)
I also find colouring embossed images (embossed with clear embossing powder) to make a huge difference. Colouring on the back of vellum (with your image embossed on the front) is also a LOT of fun & easier. Hope this helps you out some. I find the colour in Copics is incomparable, but I'm with you on not enjoying the traditional Copic method so very much...but I'm no pro. :O)
You can colour as you normally would--with the watercolour pencils in your case--and then deepen the shadows or add a boost of colour with Copics. (Going back in with the pencil, a colourless blender pen, or lighter Copic marker to blend your lines.)
Combining other coloring mediums with your Copics can lead to some STUNNING results. Just a tip though... always use your Copics first and then add additional layers with your other coloring mediums. If you use your Copics over another medium, you could clog the nib.
__________________ Colleen Schaan - Education Specialist at Imagination International Inc.,/Copic Marker
Blog - Distinctive Touches;My Copic Books!
Combining other coloring mediums with your Copics can lead to some STUNNING results. Just a tip though... always use your Copics first and then add additional layers with your other coloring mediums. If you use your Copics over another medium, you could clog the nib.
Thanks Colleen; That's a fantastic point! (I'm SO bad that way, hehehe) :o)
I am also curious about getting better results too, as I find the colors a bit "harsh" on my images. I prefer a watercolor look on my stamped images, but I have seen some great "watercolor" looking cards somewhere. I can't find them now, but I am assuming it's because they used lighter colors? I am right in the middle of committing to Parisma Pencils or Copics, or maybe have a few of each (?).
By the way, I hope I didn't hijack anything, I am just as curious about Copics Thank you
Nancy K has some great tutorials. She put a link in to pull some of them up. Go to Ilikemarkers and look at their tutorials. It is just great. Also if you don't like them that"s what makes the world go round. It would be pretty dull if we were all the same.
These video tutorials by Suzanne (a 4 part series that shows how to get the look of distress ink watercolouring--Scandinavian style) are incredible & might be just the thing for those who want a lighter look. I know I'm droolin' ;O)
These video tutorials by Suzanne (a 4 part series that shows how to get the look of distress ink watercolouring--Scandinavian style) are incredible & might be just the thing for those who want a lighter look. I know I'm droolin' ;O)
Do you have the "blender" pen? It doesn't really blend, but lifts ink off the image making lighter areas. You definitely need more in between colors. I buy mine from Oozak which I think has fair shipment rates. I usually buy 5 at a time to fill in the 72 pen set I originally bought.
