Why Are Copic Markers So Great

Copic Markers

Featured In / October 2021 ScrawlrBox

We realise you may have never seen or used products like this before so we have put together a few hints, tips and techniques to test out and get the best from these supplies.

Copic Sketch markers are professional-quality art and graphics twin-tipped alcohol markers that are fantastic for your all your fine art requirements. These pens feature a soft and flexible brush nib that is ideal for detailed work and variable-width strokes, as well as a chisel nib that is great for filling in large blocks of colour. These versatile pens will layer and blend perfectly and are highly favoured amongst marker artists. These markers are alcohol-based with saturated and long-lasting ink and they are also refillable, so your pens should last forever!

Things To Try...

~ Copic markers are refillable and tips are replaceable - keep them once they’re out of ink to re-fill and use again. You can even mix them to create unique colours.

~ For seamless coverage, slowly work your marker in small circular movements across the area you are colouring.

~ It’s best to use the brush nibbed end of the marker to blend. Mix different colours into each other with small circular movements, kind of like massaging them into each other.

~ You can also use a feathering technique- Hold the brush side of the marker at a slight angle to feather it out to create smooth shading and gradients. 

~ For best results, blend while the ink is still damp and settling into the page.

~ The kneadable eraser can be used to remove unwanted pencil marks under your artwork - lightly dab/roll over your over your pencil lines to take away the dark lines. This will leave you with a subtle outline to start your colouring. 

~ If you prefer to do your line work with the fine liner first, wait for it to completely dry to avoid unwanted smudging - It’s worth noting yellow ink pens are notorious for being extra smudgy so use this pen a bit more care.

Notes From The Artist 

Alexandra Olivia

Understand The Colour Code
 Each marker has a code that corresponds with its colour to help you find specific hues and blend colours nicely. The code starts with a letter, followed by a set of digits: The first letter in the code represents the colour family, for example R=red, Y=yellow, BG=blue/green. The first digit refers to the colour saturation; the higher the number, the lower the transparency is. The rest of the digits indicate the brightness, with 000 representing the brightest colour and 9 the darkest.

Blending and Layering
Blending is great way to achieve smooth colour gradation. I personally like to start with the darkest colour before gradually adding the lighter colours in. You can also try out layering or blending different colours to create more variation.
If you only have one marker or limited colour options, you can still create more depth to your drawing by adding layers. The more layer you add, the darker/more intense the colour is, and this technique is great for shading. Start with the first layer and add more layers only to the area where you want it to be darker.

Note: Copic markers work great with other materials such as fineliners and coloured pencils so you can also use them to assist you with the blending or adding the details.

Don’t Forget to Experiment and Have Fun!
Remember, there is no right or wrong when it comes to creating art, so don’t forget to experiment with different techniques and methods and find one that you love the most. And most importantly, have fun!