The latest episode of “Art & Soul” features project ideas and techniques using the Splendor paper packet.

Learn how to:

• Use sentiments from different stamp sets to create your own customized sayings with the masking technique
• Make cards with Clear Cards
• Create different sized photo mattes in the Studio J online scrapbooking program

Watch!

Level 1 – “Simply Beautiful”

Level 1 paper packets come with pre-printed paper and My Stickease cardstock stickers.  These packets are great if you have limited time or are new to scrapbooking.  Look on the back of the My Stickease sheet to see the sample layouts you can make. Then follow the pattern and your layout is done in minutes!  All of the Level 1 designs are based on layout patterns from the Reflections Scrapbook Program book.

Level 2 – “Especially Creative”

In Level 2, you can build upon Level 1 by adding embellishments like brads, ribbon, rub-ons, flowers, buttons, Dimensional Elements chipboard and more.  No stamping required!

Level 3 – “Masterfully Rewarding”

In Level 3, you add stamped images to further embellish your layouts.  At this level, you can master various stamping techniques and experiment with new ideas.

Watch the videos below to see how I used one pattern from Reflections to create three layouts using the Level 1, 2 and 3 scrapbooking approach. (This program is in two-parts).

Here are the layouts from the videos.

L1 Materials: Passages paper packet, My Stickease, Reflections pattern: “Front & Center-Basic”

L2 Materials: Same as L1 + Mini Medley Pewter Collection (brads in the Stickease buttons, spiral clips on the journaling strips), Marks™ Passages (on the bottom right), Cocoa Designer Ribbon

L3 Materials: Same as Level 2 + Live Inspired stamp set (bird, corner design, sentiments), Desert Sand and Cocoa Exclusive Inks stamp pads

Here’s another example of this technique.

L1 Materials: Passages paper packet, My Stickease, Reflections pattern: “Title Topper-Basic”

L2 Materials: Same as L1 + Mini Medley Pewter Collection (decorative brads), Marks™ Passages (clipped to the photo), Cocoa Designer Ribbon

L3 Materials: Same as Level 2 + Happy Journey (quote) stamp set, Live Inspired stamp set (postage marks) and Cocoa Exclusive Inks stamp pads (plus a few more Stickease)

You can also use the L1, L2 and L3 approach with cards.  I’m using the same materials from the layouts and a Clear Card as my card base.

What’s your style – level 1, 2 or 3?  Or all of them?  Leave your comments below for a chance to win this Mini-Medley Winter Cozy set!

In researching all things Copic, I’ve realized the importance of the cardstock you use with your markers.

As with any tool used by scrapbookers and stampers, there are varying opinions as to what is the best cardstock.  From what I’ve read, it seems to come down to personal preference, but there are some important qualities to consider when making your choice.

Why Cardstock Choice is Important with Copic Markers

Copic markers bleed through paper and feather easily.  They also blend better on some papers than others.  This is important because we know what makes Copics special is their ability to blend colors.  To get the most effective blend, you need to choose paper that can give you the best results.

Additionally, you want to look for matte paper that is bright white and has a smooth surface.

Check out this post from Marianne Walkers’ I Like Markers blog for how to test cardstock.  She’ll explain bleeding, feathering and ink absorption in depth.

Popular Cardstock Choices for Copic Markers

As I mentioned before, Copic users are all over the map in terms of their favorite cardstock, but it seems these are the most popular brands:

• Georgia Pacific (GP)
• Papertrey Ink
• Gina K 80#
• Neenah Classic Crest 80#

My Experience

When I first started using Copics, I purchased a Bristol pad from Michael’s because I read that really heavy cardstock was best and that you didn’t want something that would bleed through.  That’s not entirely correct as you’ll see when you read Marianne’s post (see link above).  I like that the Bristol surface is smooth and how the markers move over the paper.  However, I only use it to practice coloring and blending.

In a Copic class, I tried Georgia Pacific and Neenah.  They were okay, but I didn’t like that the ink feathered outside of the lines on both papers.  I didn’t think the surfaces were that smooth and I wasn’t that impressed with the blending effects.  I know I was using the right type of ink, so perhaps I was coloring too quickly?  I’ve learned everyone has a different coloring style and you have to compensate for that depending on the paper you use.  In any case, GP and Neenah are popular choices, so I figure they’re probably good papers.

I’ve been using Papertrey Ink white cardstock.  It has a smooth surface, it blends well and the colors don’t bleed outside of the lines.  I’ve used it successfully on several projects.

Of course, stamping ink also plays a role in all of this and I will discuss that in a future post.

What cardstock have you used with Copic markers?  Which ones do you prefer?

This tool is perfect for punching circles (obviously) and it’s sized for punching out stamped circle images like the “thank you” on this card.

You can also use the Circle Punch to make paper flowers and other embellishments.

Watch the videos below to see how!

So what’s the deal with all those letters and numbers? What do they mean? They are the keys to getting the best coloring and blending from your Copic Markers.

Understanding the Copic Color System

There are 334 colors in the Copic Color System, and each color has its own classification within the system.

Color Type
These are the letters you see on the markers’ caps.

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

Color Tone
This is the first number on the marker cap. On a gray scale, numbers 0-4 tend to be lighter and 5-9 tend to be darker within that color type.

Color Brightness
Brightness is how much light is reflected from a color. This is indicated by the last number on the marker cap. On a gray scale, numbers 0-4 are brighter and 5-9 are darker (reflecting less light) within that color type.

For example, here’s marker B45.

Color Type – B = Blue
Color Tone – 4. This means that this is a medium light-toned Blue.
Color Brightness – 5. This means that this marker is medium bright.

Here’s another example, B00.

Color Type – B = Blue
Color Tone – 0, a very light-toned blue.
Color Brightness – 0, very bright.

Markers also have Color Names like Smoky Blue and Frost Blue, but they have no real relevance to the system, except that the names are cool.

So how does this translate to coloring?

Picking Blending Colors

I’ll defer to Marianne Walker, the Copic Guru. I started writing it all down and I realized I can’t explain it any better than she can. Here’s her explanation of Natural Blending Families.

You can use as many colors in your blending as you want.  Using more colors gives you a smoother gradient blend.

I’ve heard where people have digressed from these blending rules of thumb. They are also expert colorists. I suggest you follow the “Natural Blending Families” formula until you get the hang of the color system.  Then experiment.

What Copic Markers I Picked and Why

When I initially purchased my Copic markers, I bought a set of 36 from JoAnn’s based on how many of the colors matched with Close To My Heart’s color palette. Once I read up on the Copic Color System and Marianne’s “Natural Blending Families” post, I realized that I didn’t have enough markers to effectively execute blending.

(Here’s where you get to see how persnickety I am). So I printed out this blank chart from the Copic site and colored in what I already had. Using the guideline of picking colors that are about two or three digits apart, I came up with possible Natural Blending Families for each Color Type in my current stash.

Next, I visited iCopic.com to check out colors and see if I liked my choices.  Then I made adjustments. I also looked at color selections from other Copic dealers/users (Ellen Hutson, Papertrey Ink, Debbie Olsen) to verify that my choices made sense. After a bit of tweaking, I ordered from iCopic.

At the end of the day, I really just picked colors that I liked and would use most often.

What Else?

Download the Copic Marker Color Chart so you can keep track of all the markers you own. I also put a list on my iPhone so when I’m out shopping, I don’t purchase what I already have. You can also download the Copic Color Wheel to see how the colors align in the Copic universe.

The other thing I’ve learned is that it’s a good idea to keep a sketch book of your coloring. It’s a great way to practice techniques.  Be sure to write down the colors you’re using on your images so you can refer to them later on when you want to replicate a particular blend.

In the next post, I’ll talk about what cardstock and stamping ink to use with Copic markers.

View other posts in the Experimenting with Copics series.

Copic (pronounced “Co-pic”) Markers have been around for about 25 years and were developed in Japan. Its most popular use is for the creation of Manga (Japanese comics). Illustrators, architects and professional designers also use the markers. Most recently, Copics have become popular among stampers and scrapbookers.

What Makes Copic Markers So Special?

Copic markers are unique because they are low-odor, alcohol-based markers that can be layered and blended on many surfaces. Unlike water-based markers, they will not cause paper to pill or tear when you are coloring. Copics are also waterproof and the ink becomes acid-free as soon as the alcohol evaporates on your paper.

Many of you may be familiar with Prisma markers. I’ve never used Prismas, so I’m not going to say which is better, but in reading this thread on Splitcoast Stampers and doing a search across the Internet, I could find no real difference between the two except that the marker nibs are different, and Copics are refillable and more expensive. Both markers are of high quality and I think which marker you decide to go with is based on your personal preference.

Copic Marker Types

There are four types of Copic markers.   Here’s a breakdown of each:

Original – generally used in architectural and industrial design, and product rendering

• Square-shaped barrel
• Medium-broad and fine tips
• 214 colors
• Refillable
• Replaceable nibs
• Compatible with the Copic Airbrush System

Sketch – most popular marker generally used in professional illustration, manga, fashion design and paper crafting

• Oval-shaped barrel
• Medium-broad and Super Brush tips
• 334 colors
• Refillable
• Replaceable nibs
• Compatible with the Copic Airbrush System

Ciao – most economical marker and considered a good choice for beginners

• Round-shaped barrel
• Medium-broad and Super Brush tips
• 144 colors
• Refillable
• Replaceable nibs

Wide – made for coloring large areas like backgrounds

• 3/4″ stroke
• 36 colors
• Refillable
• Replaceable nibs

Multiliners

Multiliners are pigment-based pens that come in various colors and black. They are generally used for illustrations and are compatible with Copics. You can draw something with a Multiliner, color it in with a Copic and the inks won’t bleed or smear.  The black pens come in 10 sizes, including .03 through Brush.  They are refillable and have replaceable nibs.

atyou Spica

atyou Spicas are glitter pens.  The glitter is made with micro glass flakes which are more reflective than other pens.  The pigment is transparent so it can be used over your Copic markers.  They are supposed to have twice the writing length of other glitter pens on the market.  atyou Spicas come in 24 colors including Clear.  They are also acid-free and archival-safe.

What I Bought

Initially I purchased Copic Ciao markers and I was very satisfied with them.  Then I took a workshop and played around with the Copic Sketches.  I liked how the oval shape of the Sketches felt in my hand and I also appreciated how the color name and number were on the top of the marker’s cap.  When you are storing your markers in an upright position, it’s nice to be able to quickly scan your pens for your color choice.  You don’t get that convenience with the Ciaos because the color name and number are only on the marker’s barrel.  To work around this, I wrote the numbers on the Ciao caps.

I also want to point out that it doesn’t matter if you store your Copics in an upright or flat position.  However, Spicas must be stored flat.

I’ve been practicing with Copics for a few weeks and I can say I really appreciate the quality of the markers.  The blending technique is what sets these markers apart and I understand now why so many stampers love them.  They really add that special oomph to your stamped images.

I also purchased the Spicas and I love how the ink is transparent which gives you a nice glitter sheen over your images.

Here are some samples of some of my coloring.  Stamps are by Fiskars.  (Yes, I know, but the stamps were so cute!)

On the coffee mug, I’ve used a green Spica on the circles.

Red Spica on the heart and Clear Spica on the steam.

In a future post, I’ll talk about the Copic color system which will explain all those letters and numbers you see on the individual markers.

To learn more about Copic markers, check out the FAQs on their Web site.

View other posts in the Experimenting with Copics series.

If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to leave below.