COPIC INFO & TUTORIALS

COPIC COLOR CHART (blank, for you to add your colors.  My 2009 downloads now include a column for all Spica glitter pens, including new colors debuted May 2009 and 12 new light (0000) Sketch colors):

• 2009 PDF fill-in chart of all Copic colors:  Download COPIC MARKER COLOR CHART 2009 GLITTER-SHARON HARNIST
• Aug 2009 PDF fill-in chart of 72 Hobby Lobby Sketch colors:  Download Hobby Lobby 72 Copic Sketch Markers-809

COPIC PROJECT SHEETS:

• Hobby Lobby Bird Nest Gifts Summer 2009:  Download Copic HL Project Sheet Summer low2009-Sharon Harnist

MARKER TYPES (most popular): 

Copic Original (square barrel) -- Available in 216 colors, holds the most amount of ink (5cc) = less reinking.  Comes with standard broad and standard fine nibs; 7 optional nibs available.  Refillable - add approximately 2-3cc of Various ink.  Airbrush compatable.

Copic Sketch (oval barrel) -- The most popular marker type, available in 322 colors, holds a little less amount of ink (4cc) than the Original marker, but more than the Ciao = less reinking.  Refillable - add approximately 2-3cc of Various ink.  Super brush and medium broad nibs come standard on the marker; medium round nib optional.  Airbrush compatable.

Copic Ciao (round barrel) -- Available in 144 colors, holds the least amount of ink (approximately 3cc) = more reinking.  Super Brush nib/Medium Broad nib standard, Medium Round nib optional. Refillable - add approximately 1-1.5cc of Various ink. 144 colors. Not airbrush compatable.

COLOR NUMBERING SYSTEM:

Color Family - The letter at the beginning of a color name B (Blue), BV (Blue-Violet), V (Violet), RV (Red-Violet), R (Red), YR (Yellow-Red), Y (Yellow), YG (Yellow-Green), G (Green), E (Earth), F (Florescent), Grays & Blacks: C (Cool Gray), N (Neutral Gray), T (Toner Gray), W (Warm Gray) 100 Black, 110 Special Black.

Color Saturation - This is the first digit on a color name. Colors that are 00's, 10's, or 20's will be more vibrant (B05, G16, R29), while colors that are in the 70's, 80's or 90's have more gray added (B95, BG78, G94) and are closer to the neutral/earthy end of the color spectrum. Note: E (Earth) markers don't necessarily follow this rule.

Color Group - A sequential group of colors within one color family with the same first digit (i.e. E30, E31, E33, E34, E35, E37, E39) where numbers ending in 0 are the lightest and 9 is the darkest, also called Natural Blending Group.

OTHER INFO:

• Copic 322 Colors Wheel - Copic Library
• Refilling Markers Part I, When Should You Refill? - by Marianne Walker
• Refilling Markers Part II, Different Methods - by Marianne Walker
• Refilling - Troubleshooting - by Marianne Walker
• Refilling Copic Markers - Copic Library 
• Using the Airbrushing System 1 - Copic Library
• Using the Airbrushing System 2 - Copic Library
• Using the Airbrushing System 3 - Copic Library

MY COPIC TUTORIALS:

• Coloring Tutorial One 
• Coloring Tutorial Two - Selecting colors, and storage 
• Copic Direct to Rubber
• Cornucopia Coloring (at Ellen Hutson's the CLASSroom)
• Creating Custom Copic Colors
• Hummingbird & Morning Glory coloring tutorial
• Pumpkin Coloring Tutorial
• Red Fruit Coloring & Blending

OTHER COPIC TUTORIALS:

• Coloring Things Black - by Marianne Walker

 COLOR MATCHES:

• Color Match Chart to Most Stampin' Up! Colors - by Ellen Hutson
• Copic Sets to Match SU Color Families - by Ellen Hutson

MY FAVORITE CARDSTOCK TO USE WITH COPICS:

• Neenah Classic Crest (80 lb): Solar White, Natural White, or Cream
• Taylored Expressions Choice (100 lb): Snow White or Buttercream
• Gina K Designs Pure Luxury White Cardstock (80 or 120 lb)

MY FAVORITE INK TO USE WITH COPICS:

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

RECENTLY REINKED: (Which means these are some of my favorite colors that I've used most often.  Under normal use/conditions, you probably won't have to reink your markers for about a year.  As of Sep 2009 I've had most of my markers for about 2-1/2 years and have reinked prior to Sep 2009, but just didn't note which ones.)

- Sep 2009: W1, B41, BG11, BG72, YG03, YG91, YG93, YG95.
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MY FAVORITE COPIC COLOR COMBOS:

• Neutrals: C1 or W1-favorites for shadows

• Earths: E21, E25, E27 & E29 / E31 & E33-favorite range of browns. E08-favorite red-brown. E50-favorite ivory

• Blue: B21 & B24-favorite light to mid-blue combo. B95 & B97-darker gray/blue combo

• Blue-Green: BG10 or BG11 (paler aqua), BG72, BG75

• Green: G40, G21 & G24 or G28-mossy green combo

• Yellow-Green Combos: YG01, YG23, YG25 or YG03, YG13, YG17 

• Yellow: Y11, Y21-my favorite, light "buttery" yellows

• Yellow-Red: YR21 & YR23 or YR24-saffron to mustard combo

• Orange: YR00, YR12, YR16

• Peach: YR01

• Red: R02, R22, R35 or R27-coral/red combo. R02, R20, R22-lighter coral combo.  R20, R22, R24, R29-darker red combo 

• Red-Violet: RV32 & RV34-soft rose. RV02, RV04, RV06-more vibrant pink combo

• Pink: R81, R83, R85-soft mauve combo

• Violet: V01, V12 & V15 or V17-soft lilac combo

• "Americana" combo: R24, R29, R39 & B32, B34, B39

Visuals of some of my favorite combos:

These swatches are done on Georgia Pacific (from WalMart) white cardstock.  I didn't alter my photos other than to lighten them up a bit, but still the RV's shown below are looking a bit too bright -- they are a little more subtle in person.  On the Red combos below, the top selection is a darker version of the bottom selection.  My favorite "true" red is R29.  These are a more coral selection of the reds.  The R81/R83 on the far right is a very nice mauvy-rose combo:

The YR21 below is my very favorite yellow -- reminds me of Stampin' Up's So Saffron.  Y21 is a very close match, just a little bit lighter.  I've included it with a combo up to a mustard color.  These greens are my favorites to use for leaves; they are a softer, mossy green grouping.  These lighter blue-greens are a great turquoise combo:

Below is the darker blue-green combo (on the far left) I like, followed by some lighter blues (the lighter B21 is very close to Stampin' Up's Bashful Blue, so it's looking a little darker here on my monitor).  For the Earths combo below, you could add E21 for a lighter, caramel to the top of the combo and E29 for a darker chocolate brown at the bottom of the scale.

 

 

Comments

[Roz]

Thanks so much for sharing this valuable information! I am trying to learn all I can about coloring with the copics. If there was a certification near me (in FL) I would definitely attend!

[Evelynn Saddler]

Thanks so much for the info. I dom't have many copics yet but hope I can get more along. I love them. tfs.
Ks.stamper
!!!!!!
Evelynn

[Bev Barker]

I have not invested in copic markers as of yet. Your tutorials and color charts are very helpful to get one started.
Thanks for sharing

[Linda]

I was wondering where you found 2x3 microscope slides..I've tried everywhere..PLEASE HELP!!

[Mary]

Thank you for all the priceless information!!

[JoAnne Micon]

I am a new stamper and am reading about Copic markers. Where should I begin purchasing them & what should I start with?
thank you
JoAnne

[Tamekia]

Thank you for all the info and the blank chart. I'm buying the markers a couple at a time, so it is really helpful to take the chart with me when I shop to avoid purchasing duplicates as well as making new color choices.

[graciesgram]

This is a resource I have been looking for. Many of us will be able to collect only a few of the Copic products at a time, and this will surely help me in deciding where to begin. Thanks so much.

[Mary]

Thank you for this very valuable information. Those of us who collect a few at a time can really profit from your suggestions! The shades of Copics can be mind boggling!

[Lynda K]

What a great source of information! I am new to Copics and really struggle with choosing the correct colors and then the combinations of color. Thank you!

[Janelle]

Sharon! You are awesome! I finally have some markers and was so dissapointed when my StazOn bled. So I came back to your blog for answers. Not only names for others inks there was a link to your tutorial over at Ellen Hutson's site. Completely amazed at your generosity of knowledge. Thank you!

[Cheryl Outhier]

Sharon, Thank you for the new chart to accommodate the new markers!!! You, my dear, are Speedy Gonzalez!!! I can hardly wait for them to come now, and add them on to the new chart... oh boy!! I just purchased them at Ellen's store and with the priority mail should have them before the end of the week...be still my heart!!! Are we not too funny?? I wonder if this is what an alcoholic feels like? Oh my gosh.....well I will never know.

[Mary C. Anderson]

Thank you, Sharon for the information that you have shared with all of us. I took the Copic certification class in June and I am very happy that I did. I can hardly wait to purchase the newest colors. Thanks for the charts and for your tutorials.

Mary

[Tammy Murphy]

I am new to copics and enjoying reading all of this good info. Thank you for sharing.

[Tami]

thank you for the valuable info. and chart. You rock!!! I need all the new colors and your favorites too. I have some of them!!

[CherylQuilts]

Sharon, this is a fabulous resource! You are amazing, and I so appreciate what you do. Congrats on the great Hobby Lobby sheet. How cool is that??!!

[Ann]

Just stumbled on this. Thanks for this great information! I'm just starting, and this is so helpful!

[tina]

Sharon:
I have been doing lots of homework on copics! I would have to say your site was most valuable with your color swatches as I made my choices! Thank you for your help in chosing the correct colors! I placed my first order of $100 ! Cant wait to be
copic-ing along with you!
Tina

[Deebi27]

Sharon, Your help with Copics is invaluable. Your sharing of information is very appreciated as I continue into the world of Copic Markers! Thanks so much!