PaperFections: Copic FAQ, Color Charts & Tutorials

COPIC COLOR CHARTS

Download the 2013 newest 358 Copic Color Wheel HERE.

(Not for profit -- please do not sell or offer these as your own creations. Please do not distribute these files to others but instead, link them here to download for themselves. These files are given freely for download from my site only. Thanks for your understanding!)

You can find a comparison I did on the new 2012 colors and where they fit into the existing Copic color spectrum HERE.

Blank charts, for you to add your colors:
(Watermark is only on the preview at left, your download will not be watermarked).

2012 PDF 1-Pg landscape hand color chart of ALL 358 Copic marker & 24 Spica Glitter Pen colors: Download 2012_1-PG_Copic Blank Color Chart_Sharon Harnist

(You can find a portrait 2-page version below!)

HOBBY LOBBY 2010-11 PDF hand color chart of 144 Sketch colors: Download Hobby Lobby 2010 Markers-Sharon Harnist

GINA K DESIGNS CARDSTOCK COLOR MATCHES TO COPIC MARKERS: Download GinaK Cardstock-Copic Matches 2012_SharonHarnist

MICHAELS ARTS & CRAFTS 2011 PDF hand color chart of 60 Sketch colors:

Download 2011 Michaels Copic Marker Hand Color Chart_SharonHarnist

NEW FOR 2012!

2-Pg portrait hand color chart PDF download of ALL 358 Copic marker & 24 Spica Glitter Pen colors -- larger sized boxes for you to color (watermark is only on preview at left, your download will not be watermarked):

Download 2012_2-PG_Copic Blank Color Chart_Sharon Harnist

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Download the 2012 Copic catalog.

MY COPIC STORAGE:

Four separate Color Cubbie storage towers from Studio 3 Solutions -- LOVE these! (November 2012 Update: The company is producing again!).

RECENTLY REFILLED

(Which means these are some of my favorite colors that I use most often. Under normal use/conditions, you probably won't have to refill your markers for about a year after purchase (sometimes sooner with the lighter colors). As of Sep 2009 I've had most of my markers for about 2-1/2 years and have refilled prior to Sep 2009, but just didn't note which ones.)

Sep 2009: W1, B41, BG11, BG72, YG03, YG91, YG93, YG95
Dec 2009: G40, R20, YG13, YR00, B000, B23, C1
July 2010: BV000, V01, V12, V15, R81, YR00, Y21, YG03, YG13, YG93, YG95, G21, G24, G40, BG000, BG11, BG72, B000, B21, B23, B32, E31, E50, C1, W1
Feb 2011: BG0000, BG01, BG78, E30, E33, E35, G12, R22, R24, R27, R29, R32, Y11, WOO, W1, W3
Sept 2011: B0000, B63, B91, E42, R20, YG0000, YG61, YG63
Dec 2011: BG0000, R22, E30, E50
Feb 2012: BG53, BV13, E25, E41, R21, R39, RV63, RV66, YR30

HERE ARE THE QUESTIONS I OFTEN GET ASKED ABOUT COPIC PRODUCTS:

You can find more Copic Frequently Asked Questions/Answers at the Copic website - Click HERE.

What is the difference between the marker types and which one should I get?

Copic Original

Square barrel
Holds the most amount of ink (5cc) = less reinking
Includes a broad chisel nib and a fine point nib
7 other nibs also available
Nibs are replaceable and marker is refillable; add approximately 2-3cc of Various ink
Airbrush system compatible
Comes in 214 colors
Empty markers are available
Color and number marked on ends of caps

Copic Sketch

Oval barrel
The most popular marker type, holds a little less amount of ink (4cc) than the Original marker, but more than the Ciao
Includes a medium broad chisel nib and a super brush nib
1 other nib available: medium round
Nibs are replaceable and marker is refillable, add approximately 2cc of Various ink
Airbrush system compatible
Comes in all 358 Copic colors (as of Feb 2012)
Empty markers are available
Color and number marked on ends of caps

Copic Ciao

Round barrel
Holds the least amount of ink (approximately 3cc) = more reinking
Includes a medium broad chisel nib and a super brush nib
1 other nib available: medium round
Nibs are replaceable and marker is refillable, add approximately 1-1.5cc of Various ink
Comes in 180 colors (as of Jan 2011)

Copic Wide

Flat barrel
3/4 inch wide nib
Optional calligraphy nib available
Comes in 36 colors
Refillable, add approximately 3-4cc of Various ink
Empty markers are available
Great for covering large areas!

And as far as which one should YOU get? I can't answer that for you, it's a matter of personal preference! Some people like the barrel shape of one type over another, some people like the price of one over another, some people like having the numbers listed on the caps. Some people want to have all the available colors -- It really depends on your own style and preference for use.

How should I store my markers?

You can store your markers either vertically or horizontally. You can see how I store mine by scrolling down towards the end of THIS POST.

What do those letters and numbers on the caps mean and how do I use that to choose good color blends?

It's easy to choose colors that will blend well, once you figure out the color/numbering system. Here are the basics:

• Letter: Broad Classiﬁcation - Color family, the basic hue.

B - Blue BV - Blue Violet V – Violet
RV - Red Violet R - Red YR - Yellow Red
Y - Yellow YG - Yellow Green G - Green
BG - Blue Green E - Earths C - Cool Grays
N - Natural Grays T - Toner Grays W - Warm Grays

• First Number: Intermediate Classiﬁcation - Color Saturation. Lower numbers are vibrant; higher numbers have more gray.

• Second Number: Speciﬁc Classiﬁcation - Color Brightness. Lower numbers are light and the higher numbers are dark.

How to choose blending colors:
1. Match the color letters, keeping the color family the same.
2. Match the color saturation number. This will keep the tone the same.
3. Choose color brightness numbers within 2-3 digits from each other. Use 0,1,2,3’s for highlights; for mid-tones use 4,5,6’s; and use 7,8,9’s for shadows.
4. Using more colors helps to achieve a smoother blend and adds more contrast.

You can also blend outside the color families:
1. Choose colors that have similar numbers but different letters.
2. Keep the color families near each other on the color wheel.

Download the Copic Color Wheel HERE.

What inks and papers do you use and recommend for use with Copic inks?

This is an area that again, really depends on personal preference and ink application style. Each person applies ink in a different way and with a different hand. The amount of ink you use can have an effect on the type of results you get with different papers.

Here's what I personally use...

Inks:

Tsukineko Memento Tuxedo Black or Rich Cocoa
Tsukineko Brilliance Graphite Black (must be heat set)
Ranger Adirondack Pitch Black dye ink (allow to dry thoroughly or heat set)
Comparison of these inks, made by me, can be found in Ellen Hutson's InTouch Newsletter

Papers:

Copic X-Press It Blending Card, white (92 lb)
Neenah Classic Crest (80 lb): Solar White, Natural White, or Cream
Gina K Designs Pure Luxury White or Ivory Cardstock (80 or 120 lb)
Taylored Expressions Choice (100 lb): Snow White or Buttercream

I strongly suggest that you test your ink and paper combinations with your Copic markers to find the combination that works best for YOU.

I'm a beginner, what colors do you recommend getting?

This is the number one question I'm always asked, along with "Which colors blend well together?"

I put together this chart of some of my favorite go-to color combinations and natural blending groups I use all the time (total of 74 colors). I hope you will enjoy using it!

(Only the preview photo at left has the watermark, PDF download version does not have watermark). Click onthe following link to download:

Download SharonHarnistFavoriteCopicColors

Individual Sketch markers to build your blending groups and add to your current collection are available from my favorite Copic retailer, Ellen Hutson LLC, HERE.

HELPFUL INFORMATION: