Learning to color with a limited number of Copics markers

Coloring with a limited number of Copics markers

Copyright Claudia Rosa (c) 2009. Reproduced with permission. This tutorial may not be copied without permission of the copyright holder.

Sarah Kay image with three Copics markers

Sarah Kay image with three Copics markers

Perhaps you've only just started out using Copics markers, or you don't even have any because you're not sure which colors to buy? This tutorial will show you how you can achieve great results with a limited number of Copics markers!

Let's begin with your first choice of markers. You don't need to purchase 3 or 4 shades of a color. Rather, you want colors from each color family. For this tutorial I've used only two markers from color section brown (E31 and E39), two yellows, two reds (R22 and R39) and one green.

Let's get coloring!

I always keep my Designer paper to the side of my white paper and start scribbling. Once I've determined the correct base color, let's say R27, I pick my shades, for example R29. Always pick a number that's about 2-3 shades darker than your base color. From you base color you can lift highlights out with the blender pen. As a side note, I love Memento Ink and Neenah Solar White Classic Ultrasmooth paper, but you can use your preferred inks and papers

Sarah Kay image with base color applied

For this exercise I've chosen Sarah Kay's "Precious Moments".

In this picture you can see how I add first the base color.

Since I know that I can add darker areas with the same marker by drawing multiple times over one area, I carefully made sure that I have just one layer of color overall.

Picking up ink from the marker tip

I now use the lightest colored pen (E31) to pick up some ink from the tip of the E39 marker.

This is totally safe for your marker, but don't do it with your blender pen !

Picking up ink from the marker tip

I use the ink that's now on the tip of my brush to add the shades to the pants. I add the dark color from the top to the bottom. As the ink comes off the tip of the brush I get a nice blend of the color between the light brown and the very dark ink. I can use this to brush the ink out towards the center of the pants and even the two colors out.

Feathering out the colors

Here you can see how I "feather" the brush from the left to the right, smoothing the lines between the darker line and light E31 base out.

An additional layer using the same color

An additional layer using the same color

See the part underneath the patch? This was acheived using only a second layer of E31. You can now use the blender pen to lift some color out, or smooth the ink layers.

Hat coloring

For the hat I only use one color of yellow - making especially sure that on the top I only have one layer!

When I add color I try to mimic how the fabric would lay or flow. Look at the area where the band of the hat is and the hair... later this will give me an easier guide to add highlights and I don't have to work too much with the blender pen to erase lines that don't point in the right direction.

Adding structure with the same color

Now I add some more ink (still using the same color here) to areas where I want shadows or structure.

I might do this up to 3 or 4 times.

Taking ink from a darker marker

Here I do the same as I did previously with my brown markers, I use my lightest yellow marker to get some ink from a really dark maker to the brush.

Add shadows

Adding some more shadows is easy!

Removing some colors using my blender pen

Now I remove some color out on the top of the hat using my Blender pen

Adding skin tones

To color the skin I use E00 and use R20 to add shades (here underneath the arm).

Adding skin tones

Some R20 to create those rosy cheeks! (unblended color in R20 still on arm)

Adding skin tones

Here "rub" in a circular motion with E00 the R20 color to blend the 2 colors together nicely.

Coloring the bow

On the bow you can see the first layer of red. I use the lightest pen and pick again some ink from a very dark color with the tip of the brush.

Coloring the bow

Working my shades with the mixed color right off my brush tip. You will have to pick up color several times off your darker pen. Once your darker color is off the tip of the brush, use this moment to use the light colored pen to smoothen the layers out!

Coloring the bow

Here I used the very dark color E39 to color the hair. Thank you for reading! I hope you enjoyed this tutorial and I wish you lots of happy coloring!

Claudia Rosa