What is copics??
 

Can someone provide me with information on copics technique?

Copics are actually a type of marker:)

Check out the blog I Like Markers... she has lots of stuff on Copics there.

In general, they are an alcohol ink marker that is used for Magna and (in the stamping world) coloring in stamped images. They are very popular due to their blending abilities.

HTH

Are they equivalent as the SU markers?
Judy

Waaaaaaaay better. But also waaaaaaay more expensive.

I've never used SU! markers, but as a former art student I know a little about the Copics. Copics are used in the animation world. You can find them at some art stores but they don't carry the sets, let alone all 322 colors! :) Hobby lobby has them for $5.99ea. I've found them cheapest at dickblick.com $4.68ea. They sell sets too, but they end up being close to the same price as the individual markers. The copic sketch markers come with a brush tip and a chisel tip, but have different tips you can purchase separately. They're also refillable. Copics also sell a Caio marker that come in fewer colors and are aimed more for arts and crafts. Copics has a website. You can check it out. They have some awesome examples of art using their markers as well as some cards. Hope this helps. :)

www.copicmarker.com

Hi Colleen! Haven't said hi in awhile! This is Timbo.

Copics are pretty awesome, expensive, but awesome. They seem to last a long time though and they don't dry out.

Copics are different than SU! Markers, while SU! are water based, the Copics are alcohol based (think sharpie or BIC Mark it!)

As for the price, I would not say that the COPICS are waaaay more expensive than SU!

I get my Copic Ciaos for $2.90 from Oozak, and one SU marker is $3.25, the Copic sketch markers are $3.63.
So the price is around there.

What is the difference btwn Copic & Prismacolor
 

I've read so much here about how wonderful Copic markers are to use. Does anyone know how they differ from Prismacolor Markers?? Are they the same or do they use different ink, not blend as well, etc??

oozak
 

I've never heard of that site. Thanks! Although when I looked around I didn't see them sold individually. Maybe I'm not looking in the right place?:confused:

there are lots of reasons why copics are better than those other markers.

1. They don't stink (low odor!)
2. they color very smoothly with no streaking
3. they blend
4. they're refillable- I've had some of my markers for over 8 years
5. they come in more colors- 322 colors to be exact
6. you can airbrush with them
7. since they are alcohol based they won't cause your paper to pill up when you blend like watercolor markers would
8. the brush on sketch or ciao is super flexible and it won't break
... there are too many features to list!

you get the idea. they are top-of-the-line fine art tools used for all sorts of beautiful work. check out my blog for some tutorials- dig through the archives and you won't regret it. HTH!

lol. You should listen to her... :) With a name like "Ilikemarkers" she probably knows what she's talking about. :)

Any idea what the cost of copic markers are? Are they sold in a set or individually! I'm tempted to get something to help with my coloring in skills! I just believe the way some of these girls can color! Truly amazing!
Appreciate your help...Jan

ilinacrouse has answered my ?'s..i just scrolled up a bit more...thanks for the info..jan

Can you use copics to color directly on to a rubber stamp or will it ruin it because of the alcohol?

Can Copic markers be used on regular cardstock? It isn't necessary to use watercolor paper? No pilling of the paper from using them?

Coloring directly on Rubber
Yes you can color with Copics directly on Rubber stamps. Gina K. showed a demo of this (I can't remember when, but it was a few months ago). I think she even did a weekly inkling with this technique- read the comments because she has cleaning tips in there as well.

Coloring onto regular cardstock
Don't color onto watercolor paper or SU whisper white!!! I just had a chat over lunch with Cambria Turnbow on this subject today. You'll get best results on Neenah Classic Crest Solar White, PTI stamper's select, Prism simply white (or whatever their basic paper is called), or even Georgia Pacific (though it's a little soft for my taste). To test your paper with alcohol markers, check here. And whatever you do, DON'T USE StazOn! Cami, Nancy Morgan, and I really had problems with StazOn. It will bleed and look bad, so stick to Memento, heat set Brilliance, Adirondack Pitch Black, Palette Noir Hybrid ink, and others. Just run a search in the threads here on SCS and you'll find what works and what doesn't.

alcohol markers don't cause the paper to pill, no matter how many times you soak and layer your colors. that's part of the reason why people love 'em :)

Marriane...I didn't know you were on SCS! I spent 2 LATE nights in a row reading your blog from start to finish about a month ago. I appreciate all of your advice, and especially the effort you put into showing how colors blend together without having every one of the 322 colors! You not only convinced me I NEEDED copics, but you have saved me money as well!!

So...here's a BIG THANK YOU to you!!

Hey, the OOZAK site has a special on their 24 color combo of sketch copics!!!! Type in DIAPERS and get 10% off their already low prices...free ship at $50!

I don't have Copics...YET!!!

I read the inks that Marianne says to use...thanks so much...great information for everything.

Does anyone know if we can stamp our image using Stampin Up's ink pads?

Thanks,
Karen

Just out of curiosity, does anyone in Ontario, Canada know where I might find Copics?? Somewhere close to the Niagara Region would be great! Thanks!!

No, the SU! ink will bleed.