Copic coloring can be done in different ways, all fascinating and artistic thanks to the great versatility of Copic markers. In this article I will give you some tips on how to color with Copic markers, with techniques to then deepen by gaining as much experience as possible.
Copic coloring
A very comprehensive resource for learning Copic coloring is the book by Koshikawa Sorachi, a Japanese mangaka, which is “Copic Coloring. Introductory Techniques.”. This is an illustrated book that introduces all the techniques for coloring with Copics and is a great base to start from.
There are some fundamental steps to start coloring with Copics, including:
- the choice of colors: you need to think of a color palette from which to start to proactively put your coloring technique. It can be helpful to take a look at the Copic Color Classification System and first decide which shade will be predominant in your drawing.
- learn blending techniques. The shades that can be created with Copic markers are something wonderful and that is why they are so appreciated. The colors blend together gradually and naturally and you will be able to decide how the blending should appear through different pressures on the tip, overlapping the colors more or less uniformly.
- learn how to use the brush tip. The brush tip is a wonderful feature of Copic markers. It allows you to create thicker or thinner strokes, depending on the angle and pressure you apply. By learning to master this type of tip, you can create effects from a thin luminous hair to areas of light and shadow blended as you wish.
- learn to use the chisel tip. With the flat tip of the Copic, you can cover large and smaller areas with different effects of color transitions.
- Experiment with mixing colors: the key thing with Copi is to try and try and have fun mixing the various colors, gradually or decisively, overlapping them to see the effect that can be obtained, combining them or using them in a more light and decisive way. Each layering of colors creates a unique and different color and it’s up to you and your imagination to create truly unique effects.
It is important, when coloring with Copic markers, to keep the tips of the markers clean to avoid the colors mixing together in an unwanted way. To clean the tip of Copic markers, you can use the appropriate cleaning solution (Copic Cleaner) or create a homemade solution with isopropyl alcohol and distilled water.
Learning to blend with Copics
It is certainly the ability to obtain beautiful blends that makes Copics exceptional markers.
To create a beautiful blend with Copic markers, you must first select two colors between which to create the blend. They can be two shades of the same color, one lighter and one darker, such as a dark red and a red tending more towards pink, or two different colors, such as a green and a blue.
You can start by coloring two areas of the paper with solid colors that are quite far apart, and then gradually move closer together with light vertical lines.
Through the gradual overlapping of colors, with light overlapping lines, you can mix the colors together and see your shade appear. Little by little you will have to overlap the darker color with the lighter one, so that they gradually blend together.
You can use the Blender marker to create a gradual transition between the colors. The Blender is a marker without an ink tone that is used to mix the colors already present on the sheet.
Proceed gradually by passing the tip of the blender over the colors you have already applied, especially in the area where they meet, making one penetrate into the other.
Learning lights and shadows with Copics
Another important technique that you will have to learn to color with Copics in an increasingly beautiful way, is the ability to create effects of lights and shadows on your subjects.
In general, shadows are never composed of black or gray, but of colors superimposed on the color of your subject, which detaches it from the background giving three-dimensionality. Choose carefully whether your shadows will be warm or cold, therefore using shades of brown, red or green or blue.
To correctly create lights and shadows it is important to decide where the light source is located, and on the opposite side create the shadow and the shadow cone.
Be careful not to darken the drawing too much because it will then be difficult to illuminate it, so proceed gradually.
Even in this case you can use the Copic Blender to create a gradual transition between the medium tone of your drawing and the shaded tone, without leaving sharp breaks but creating a more natural shade and soft effect.
To give more effective highlights in the bright parts you can also use Opaque White, which overlaps the lighter colors giving body to the lights and making them stand out:
Discover Copic Opaque White here
The important thing is to try the various Copic coloring techniques many times, on different subjects and atmospheres, and never get tired of applying imagination and creativity.
Let me know in the comments what point six with your Copic coloring and your progress!
