Copic markers will be a sort of de ja vu for many.  Do you remember when you were a child, you used to color?  Yes, I understand that many of you grew up in the electronic age.  My granddaughter, at the age of 2, had her own I Pad.  I know her dad is a computer guy but REALLY?   However, she’s 4 now and still plays with coloring books and crayons and knows how to use them…..well, sort of.  I’m a stay in the lines kinda gal and her…well, not so much.  LOL.

Copic markers are an adult coloring tool like crayons were as a child.  They are perfect for coloring in stamped images.  They come in a variety of styles:

– Original marker

• Square body
• Fine nib at one end; broad chiesel nib at the other
• Approx 216 colors to choose from

– Sketch marker

• Most popular (ones I use – I like the brush and ALL the colors)
• Oval body
• Flexible brush on one end; medium chisel nib at the other
• Approx 358 colors to choose from

– Ciao marker

• Round body
• Same tips as Sketch but not compatible with air brush system (we won’t address this)
• Approx 180 colors to choose from

– Wide marker

• Short, flat body
• Single wide chisel nib
• Approx 36 colors to choose from

This is a great overview of the Copic markers:

A couple things that I’d like to reiterate for best results are:

 – These markers are alcohol based so using computer paper is not recommended. It’s best if you use something thicker such as Manga Illustration paper or artist sketchbook paper

 – If you’re going to stamp an image then color with Copic, test the print first. Some of the inks will bleed.  The safe inks are Memento ink pad and Ranger ink pads.

 Copic markers have a number system.  See the numbers on the end of the Sketch markers.

– The letter indicates the color family

– The first digit indicates color saturation. Colors that are 00s, 10s or 20s will be more vibrant

– The second digit indicates the shade 0 being the lightest and 9 being the darkest.

I admit that I tried other markers because my first thought was these are too expensive but, in the long run, I like these the best.  When you factor in that they can be refilled, over time, they do end up being less expensive than the others.  While you can get them in Michaels or Hobby Lobby, as usual, Amazon seems to have some good deals.  That’s where mine came from.

As you can see, this isn’t your coloring book colors but most of us that are scrapbookers also make cards (perfect way to use scraps right?).  These are great for those projects.  You can alter background papers for your pages or color in rubber stamps for personalization like hair and eyes.

I focus on papercrafts but I’ve noticed that coloring has become a very popular form of therapy.  I know many people are using markers to create art which in turn, relieves stress.  Please see a friend’s website where he uses art as therapy:

http://emotionsuncovered.com/discovering-art-therapy

While he doesn’t use Copic markers, his art is still none the less beautiful.

I LOVE my Copics but you can use whatever you like just as long as you can escape and be a child for a while, relieve your stress and be creative.  It’s a mini vacation or meditation in itself.  Life can be overwhelming at times and our brains are going at warp speed.  Quiet the chatter for a moment.  Use your imagination, color and create!

Of course, I just covered the tip of the iceburg.  Yet, I hope I’ve peaked your interest.

Please leave questions and/or comments.

Thanks for reading.

Debbi

Founder of Scrapbooking for Anyone