More Copic Blending techniques to try!

Before I get started on another Copic blending technique to finish off the little birdie that I started working on yesterday, I wanted to address a couple of questions that I received.

Why do you store your Copics in those groups?

- I like to store my Copics in the smaller groups so that I can find the markers that I want that I think will blend best more quickly than having to rifle through the markers each time. If you look closely, you will see that my markers are grouped separately by their last digits 0-3, 4-6, and 7-9. Then within each group, I have them roughly in the same order from small to large numbers and then color groups.

Is there one way that Copics need to be stored? Why do you store your Copics upright? You have them in a cup, I wouldn't think you would want them standing up. Where did you get the black tins?

- One of the coolest features of Copics are that they can be stored both ways... horizontally or vertically (upright or on their side)! Unlike other markers, Copics can be stored upright. Isn't that neat? I found the black tin pails at Target in the dollar bin section last year.

I don't understand the light and shading.....unless the shade is really there I don't now how to judge the light or shadow.....this is very confusing to me. I am struggling with that when I color, I just shade anywhere. Does it really matter?

- It does matter. Take a good look around you. There is a light source somewhere and shadows are cast from it. It takes some time and practice with the eye but my suggestion to you is to start noticing how light casts shadows all around you. Take in the highlights and contrasts of an object that sits in the sun and see where the sun hits it first and where the shadows start and gets darker.

A MUST READ is Marianne Walker (Copic instructor extraordinaire) post on basic shadows - Part I and Part II. Part I will go over outline shadowing your image (like what I do with my gray markers or BG10) and also shadows on the ground. Part II goes further into shadows such as contrasts and highlights. If you still have questions, you can email me (whoopsie.daisy[at]sbcglobal.net) and I can see if I can break it down even more for you. I won't be online for the next several days so you won't hear from me until at least Sunday. But take your time going through Marianne's information on shadows and see if any of it gels for you as you try to apply it to your work.

I noticed you used Copics more often than Sketch or Ciaos. Is there a reason for this?

- My husband bought me Set A of Copics for our anniversary last year (looooooove him!) and so that is why I happen to own more Copics than Sketch or Ciaos. I wouldn't buy Ciaos only because of the amount of ink I use and because Memories Live On sells only Copics and Sketch. I buy all of my 00 and 000 and most of my lighter colors in Sketch because of the blending that I like to do with them... so much easier with the brush. However, I find that in the end, it's the "look" that determines what I use (hard tip vs. brush).



Let's start blending those flowers!

I mentioned earlier that I was going to show a few blending techniques for the flower.
I've run out of time today before I have to catch my flight to Oregon.
So I'm going to show you one technique now and then come back on Monday to show you a couple more.

Now, I am going to demonstrate a technique called "feathering" or "zipper".

To be honest, I had a hard time at first with this technique. I finally caught on to the fact that you need to really get the brush down firmly and then gently lift off the page as you take the brush stroke to get the "feather" or "zipper" effect. Again... practice, practice, practice!
It REALLY does get easier as you try this one over and over again. Also, it helps to not overthink it too much.

Marianne suggests starting with 2 lighter colors that end with a 4 or less.
I'm using RV02 and BV00. She also suggests working in long thin areas (my little flower is a little small for this technique but I have to admit I use this technique often for a lot of different areas where I want this two-tone effect).
However, when you are starting out, DO practice in long strokes until you get the hang of it.






So here I am doing somewhat the same to the flower, only using less of the tip than I normally would (only because of the small area that I am working with).




I went over some of it with a Colorless Blender, just to give it some smoothness:


Final touch is going around the birdie with my BG10 and creating an outline shadow for a little "pop".



I hate to post and run, but I have to really go now.
I will be back online again on Sunday to answer emails and Monday to post another tutorial.
Until then, post any questions or comments here or feel free to email me at:
whoopsie.daisy(at)sbcglobal.net

Toodles!

Basic Paper/Ink Info, a Basic Copic Blending tutorial, and Monday's Fun Day!

Before I get started with the blending, I wanted to quickly address paper and ink for Copic markers.



There are so many companies out there that has paper that work well with Copic markers that I can not say one is better than another. However, I can suggest a few to get you started and it's really up to you to test them out and see what works for you.



I know that most Copic users swear by the Neenah Classic Crest Solar White. It's Marianne's top pick. I need to get my hands on some, Mort! ;)



I have used Gina K's Pure Luxury 80lb cardstock and it is terrific!






Copic's Illustration Paper held up well during my paper test with light blending.
However, I found that it started to bleed outside the lines during my demonstration at the store as I laid down more colors and blended heavily. Needless to say, my notes from the Copics certification class says that Marianne does not recommend it. Good news is that Copics will be coming out soon with a prototype paper for Copics that is highly recommended by Marianne! Yay!







Another cardstock that I use often is Stampin' Up's Whisper White. It's what I have lying around so I use it the most often. I have said it before and I will say it again... not everyone agrees with me about the SU cardstock. It has a glossy finish that not everyone cares for. It goes against what is recommended for Copic markers, which is a "matte" finish on the cardstock.









Others enjoy using Walmart's Georgia Pacific and Papertrey's Stamper's Select White.

Anyone interested in sending me samples of GP or Papertrey cardstock so that I can do a paper test? :)



Whatever you do, avoid coloring on watercolor paper. It will have a beautiful effect in the end, but it will just suck your marker dry!! Trying to blend with watercolor paper is really hard. It took me 8 times with a blender pen before the ink started to even move around. Then there's some bleeding outside the lines once the area has soaked up ink because of the soft paper.





Just for fun, I played around with my copy paper from Staples.






Just remember that there may be no bleeding around the edges at this point but once I start "pushing" the color around with my colorless blender, the ink will start to seep out over the lines because of the quality of the paper. If you look at the sample above where I used the three different ink pads on the Staples copy paper, the colorless blender immediately starts to push at the base color... that's just after the first try!

Remember that the blending pen is not exactly a "blender" like the way we might think a traditional blending pen would work. These colorless blenders lightens and pushes colors and then fades to white.


Ink...

Memento is my favorite. Quick drying and no heat setting required.

Some love Brilliance but you MUST heat set or heat emboss with this ink pad. Brilliance ink pads are really wet and it took me so long to clean my stamps. Aside from those two things, I have to admit that it leaves a beautiful and bold stamped image, rich in color.

I received a couple of emails from my readers voting for A Muse black dye ink pads. I have not tried them yet so as soon as I do, I will post about it.


A quick share before I get started on the blending:



I colored my hand-color chart with the colors that I own.







Here is a copy of the hand-color chart that you can download. Marianne suggests that you download onto paper that you use the most often so that you get the most accurate colors.

I received my hand-color chart from Marianne's blog, I Like Markers.





Let's blend!



Paper: SU

Ink: Memento (Tuxedo Black)



This blending technique is a simple, basic one.

Select two markers to work with... one is the base color and the other is for shading (slightly darker). Find the color you want for the base and go 2-3 digits higher with the last number.

Example: Y13 and Y15



Lay down your base color on your image. Work in small circles, coloring quickly to "wet" your area evenly. If using a Sketch or Ciao brush end, use the whole side of the brush to color instead of just the tip of the brush.







Getting streaks? Is your marker juicy or is it time for a refill? Is your scratch paper (underneath) clean and even? Are you working quickly or perhaps a bit too cautiously? The faster you work, the more wet your image will remain, making for a more even blending. Is your paper too thick? Thinner paper is better for more even blending.

* Keep in mind that learning to color with Copics (and other mediums) take time so take a deep breath and practice! Practice... play... experiment!





Notice the Sketch marker laid down at an angle in the upper left hand corner? That's my pretend "sunlight". It's going to remind me where the sunlight is coming from so that I can shade properly with my darker marker.







Then I go back over the image with the lighter marker, smoothing out the shading.







Tomorrow I will finish up this image with two blending techniques for the little flower that you can use...



Now for Monday's Fun Day!





Isn't that froggie the cutest?

Leave me a comment here! Let me know what you think of my Copic posts so far and how you are doing with your Copic markers. Is there anything about Copics that you want to see posted?

I will draw a name when I return from my bowling tournament in Oregon on Sunday.

Did I forget to mention my trip? I'm leaving tomorrow for several nights to go bowl in JANBA (Japanese American National Bowling Association) tournament. It's a week long tournament that takes place every year in a different city. This year, it's in Portland, OR. I'll be back online again on Sunday.

BTW, does anyone watch The Bachelor? I'm catching up on TIVO right now but OH MY GOSH! Is this really happening? Is he really going to break up with Melissa on the show and go for Molly after breaking her heart? I'm signing off to go watch the rest of the show. WOW.

A few February shares and Monday's Fun Day Winner!

I have been under the weather all week and then lost a fight with a wicked migraine a couple of nights ago... am so sorry that I didn't post all week. I had posts that were half done but they didn't seem "post worthy".

I have a few shares from a few workshops that I had during February.

Crimped Envelope Card




This crimped envelope card was inspired by Theresa. You can see her beautiful sample on her fabulous website, Crafting the Web. She is one incredibly talented artist... if you haven't already, you must visit her site to see for yourself!

As for my roses, just layer by stamping the roses several times and cutting them out in different sizes. Rough up the edges with your fingernail or a distressing tool and push the petals up to curl them in a bit. Then layer them together with dimensionals (pop up dots). Super easy and such a pretty effect!

Here's come one minty Peter Cottontail!




Again... super easy to make!
"Pick a Petal" stamp set used for the ears.
Scalloped Circle punch for the face.
Ticket corner punch for the nose.
Sponge in Pink Pirouette for the ears and nose.
Sponge dauber in Pink Pirouette for the cheeks.
Chocolate Chip strips for the whiskers.
Chocolate Chip marker for the eyes.
Sandwich between one Peppermint Patty using glue dots and you are done!

Other quick shares...

Cupcake Basket


Love this set!



SNEAK PEEKS at my March class at Memories Live On!

Now I have to get started on my March workshop projects!

I didn't post my Monday's Fun Day winner!

Here are your random numbers:

7

Timestamp: 2009-03-02 09:47:21 UTC

Kathy H said...
Thanks for posting the copics info..I have only three but it's good to know more about them!!! Kathy Hering...

Congratulations, Kathy!

Email me your mailing address at: whoopsie.daisy@sbcglobal.net

Now I'm going to go snuggle back under my covers. :)

hugs,

Jane

Monday's Fun Day!

Thank you to all who left such nice comments on the Copics Demonstration post or emailed me privately. If anyone has any requests or questions or if something isn't as clear, please feel free to contact me.

I have been trying to play "catch up" at my craft table with various workshops and a few the cards that are due at the store for my next class (which will be posted very soon!)

The Copic blending technique tutorials are also being worked on. I had a couple of requests that came in that I am trying to work on in a way that will translate well online, iykwm.

In the meantime, it's time to announce last week's Monday's Fun Day winner!

Random Integer Generator

Here are your random numbers:

6

Timestamp: 2009-02-24 15:42:22 UTC

HEIDI! Congratulations!

She wrote:

I enjoy scrapbooking and am currently working on my youngest son's album to complete for his college graduation in May. I am up to his 10th grade in high school so I better get going!!! Thanks for offering your book as a prize.

Heidi, email me your mailing address and I will get this cute little book out to you in the mail! - whoopsie.daisy@sbcglobal.net

I made this little embellishment with my new Hero Arts Patterned Hearts set.

First thing everyone asked me at the store was "What are you going to do with that set? Valentine's is over!" My answer was easy... four leaf clovers! Well... three leaf clovers too. :) My inspiration comes from a sweet girl I met up with at CHA. Laura Griffin posted a cute card and video on her blog, Dreaming Out Loud. Mine's more simple in that I just cut my hearts out after stamping them and then used a small circle punch to punch out a base and a glue dot to stick all of my hearts to. A button with piece of linen thread and some glitter around the button accents the center. I'll probably find some use for this lucky clover on a card or a scrapbook layout.

Now for this Monday's Fun Day giveaway, compliments of Memories Live On!

To have a chance to win this, simply leave me a comment here about anything! :) You have until Sunday evening and I will post a winner that night before I go to bed.

I'll start...

Last night, as I was inking up my brand new Penny Black and Karen Stolper stamps, I realized just how much I love seeing those images coming to life with ink and color!

Have a happy day everyone!

Copic Demonstration Information

Thank you to all who came to Memories Live On and visited with me in the back room as I demonstrated with Copics. I had a terrific time and I hope you enjoyed the time you spent at the store!

Here's a little recap of what we went over today:


What does the letter on each marker mean?

The letter for each marker represents the color family that the marker belongs to.

B = Blue
BG = Blue Green
BV = Blue Violet
G = Green
YG = Yellow Green
Y = Yellow
YR = Yellow Red
R = Red
RV = Red Violet
V = Violet
E = Earth
C = Cool Gray
N = Neutral Gray
T = Toner Gray
W = Warm Gray


What do the numbers on the markers mean?

Basically, the numbers represent the “qualities” of light, dark, and grays in that marker.

The first digit represents “saturation” or how vibrant the color is.
“0” will be very vibrant. “9” will be more earthy / gray.
** “E” Earth markers do not necessarily follow this. **

The last digit represents how light the marker is within that “saturation group”.
Anything with a “1” on the end will be lighter than a “5”, which is more of a mid-tone, and “9” which will be much darker.

Here's visual that might help...



The Yellow Green marker is in the "90" group, which is as gray as it gets for this family color.
The YG91 is the lightest that I have in this group. Then I went to the middle of this group with my YG95. You can see that it is more saturated in color. Then the darkest marker in this color family is YG99 shows you just how much more earthier in tone and how much more saturated it is, compared to YG91.

The exception to all this is the E (Earth) markers.
Here's a visual:



This shows you a little of the graduation in colors but this will not apply to all of the other E markers.


The Copic Markers:



Copic (Original) – 214 colors*
Sketch – 322 colors
Ciao – 144 colors
Wide – 32 colors*
Multiliners - Black multiliners are available in 0.05, 0.1, 0.3, 0.5, 0.8, 1.0mm
- Brush Small (BS) and Brush Medium (BM).
- Colored Multiliners are available in sizes 0.05, 0.1, 0.3, and 0.5mm.

atyou Spica glitter pens
• Non-Toxic
• Acid-Free
• Archival
• Transparent (perfect for adding a splash of color or bling overlays)
• No-Clog Tip
• Pigment Based
• Contains micro glass flakes for beautiful sparkle
• Twice the writing length of other pens (Over 360 Yards)

There are 23 colors plus the clear glitter pen!
It is very important to keep these markers on their sides (horizontally).


* Copic and Wide markers have empty markers available that can be filled with any of the available 322 colors

The markers are different in the style of their bodies and replaceable tips as well as how much ink they can hold. For example, the Copic Marker is square body design which is very different to the oval body design of the Sketch markers and the round body design of the Ciao markers. Copic Markers can evenly cover 5 sheets of copy paper and streak another page before running out of ink. The Sketch marker will evenly cover about 4 sheets and streak 3/4th of another sheet of paper. The Ciao markers will cover even less.

Speaking of tips and designs, here's a closeup of the different tips and how small the multiliners can get. The .03mm is the smallest tip in the world! Marianne was on the phone with NASA and Copic almost made it to outerspace! Unfortunately, they wanted to get to .05mm. Phooey!



Here's a little "tip"...

To make it easier on yourself to find the special end of your marker (ie. brush end or small tip end) just look for the dark gray band on your marker.





I use both the Copic and the Sketch markers. For me, it really depends on the color that I am looking for and the overall effect that I desire… and sometimes the technique that I am using. Because of the option for replaceable nibs, I suggest going with color first and then with your personal preference for the style of markers.

I store them in groups according to their last digit.
0-3, 4-6, 7-9, neutrals & blenders









What is the difference between the grays?

Cool Grays – bluish / “cool” (ie. metal, shadow on ice)
Neutral Grays – no tone, neither warm nor cool
Toner Grays – slightly warmer than neutral – “brown”
Warm Grays – browner than any of the other grays (earthy)

Black 100 & Black 110

There is a difference between these two black markers!
The 100 is “true” black… deep blue black.
The 110 is more of a “matte” black… slightly neutral gray black.
If there ever was a “T11” marker, it would be the Black 110.


Where to start?

I like to start with a color that I like.
Practicing with a few different colors that compliment each other is the way I would go before jumping in and purchasing different shades of the same color. I like to call it "Coloring with limited Copics". You can easily create different shades with the same marker by using it with just a few strokes (original color), going over it several times (darker), or using the blender to lighten it.

Once you are comfortable using these awesome markers and you want to build your stash, I would choose one or two colors from that color family that will naturally blend well together. To find these colors, simply stick to the same letter and first digit of your marker, and select another marker that is 2-3 digits between the last digit on your marker.

Let’s use “BV04” as an example. I could choose “BV00” and “BV06”

* On a side note, any of the “00” and “000” markers would be a good buy when thinking of ways to make your selected marker work without having to buy a lot of markers. I showed you how you can use “00” and “000” markers to blend using various techniques (ie. "plastic" and "tip to tip").

Now, if you want to take this a step further and find markers that blend across color families, then choose markers that have different letters but similar numbers. Also, be sure to stay close to the color families on the color wheel. It would be harder to evenly blend colors that are opposite of each other on the 322 color wheel.

Here's a visual:




The Colorless Blender “0”

The word “Blender” is bit deceiving. This marker is not really a “blender” in the way you might anticipate it to be, but is more for lightening colors, pushing colors, and fading colors to white. I like to use the blender to bring two colors together more smoothly, create highlights, and erase mistakes (as best as I possibly can). It’s also good for wetting the area I am about to color so that when I do apply color to the moistened area, it will be much softer. Let’s not forget a few fun techniques using this “must have” blender.


“Bluing” to make your whites, whiter!



I have read that color experts can distinguish somewhere over 300 different shades of white… the most brilliant white having a slight hue of blue. So in order to make your whites “pop” off the page, I suggest “bluing” your image. Go around the white parts that you want to stand out with a very light shade of bright blue, such as BG10. More often than not, it is just a little too distinct for me so I go back over the blue with my Blender pen and soften up the line.



True white “snow”

I have been asked how to add “true white” with Copics. We have markers with white in them but to get bright white on your projects such as snow, then I suggest using Copic Opaque White (water-based, thick white paint) or if working with less area coverage, the Signo White Gel Pen. The Opaque White is applied with a paintbrush as you are finishing your project and is much like icing on a cake. You can thin it out with water for a thinner glaze. This glaze is fabulous for adding highlights and thinning it down to make clouds in the sky or for making things look shimmery or shiny.

Let's see... what else did we go over?


Recommended Cardstock:
Coconut Swirl (Bazzill)
Neenah Classic Solar White 80lb. smooth finish
Pure Luxury (Gina K Designs)
Select White (Papertrey Ink)
Georgia Pacific (Walmart)
Simply Smooth White (Prism)
Strathmore Smooth Bristol
Stampin' Up Whisper White (some don't care for the glossy finish)




Recommended ink:

Memento Tuxedo Black (dries quickly and does not need to be heat set
Brilliance Graphite Black (must heat set or heat embossed but has a beautiful rich color)

I will post a few more things about Copics soon, including a few fun techniques that I showed during the demonstrations. Be sure to check back on Monday for a Copic Marker Monday's Fun Day Giveaway!

In the meantime, if you have any questions... please feel free to contact me at:
whoopsie.daisy@sbcglobal.net

Thank you!

Jane