Should I Use Copic Markers?
Should I Use Copic Markers?
I am not a Copic marker set user, yet. The marker pen market is booming worldwide. Everytime I walk into my favorite art store to pick up supplies, I see the Copic branding on my face. And everytime I catch up with my drawing sketch group (before Covid-19), a lot of them would show off their shiny Copic markers.
This shows the popularity and amazing marketing trend of the Copic brand. Here is why I want to use Copic markers and how I think they would fit into my process.
What Are Copic Markers?
Copic markers are the most popular alcohol-based markers used by professionals, artists and designers. Copic is a Japanese brand known for their refillable markers with replaceable parts.
There are 4 types of Copic markers:
Classic: Has chiseled tip with a fine nib. 214 colours.
Sketch: Has a brush side and a classic chiseled nib. 358 colours.
Ciao: Has a brush side and a classic chiseled nib. 180 colours.
Wide: One very wide-chiseled nib. (Discontinued)
At this stage of creating sketch cards and custom artworks, when I commit to investing in Copic markers I will be using the Sketch brand because of their brush nib and the 358 colours covering the colour chart.
What Copic markers to buy, how to use and blend them?
Here is a link that a good friend gave me:
Why Are Copic Markers The Best?
The current debate with Copic markers is that they are literally way too expensive. It’s interesting that they are now marketed toward the amateur artists and young professionals. This can be seen in their new range of Sketch and Ciao.
There are a plethora of other alcohol/water-based markers that give the same quality in vibrancy and blending consistency at a fraction of the cost.
However, where Copic excels is that not only are they professional level markers that give consistent blends and vibrancy in colour. But, they are also fully replaceable in parts and refillable, an option that competitors don’t offer.
Here in Sydney, Australia, the main places I’ve seen that sell the Copic brand are OfficeWorks, boutique stationery stores and Eckersley’s art stores. All these places commonly have the price tag of between $11 to $13.
However, I love a good deal.The cheapest price I found is $5.99 per marker online and if you buy over $50 you get free delivery.
WHAT ARE Copic Markers
Alternatives?
Arteza and Ohuhu
There are Copic markers alternatives that can give pretty much the same results. Here are two equivalent brands that I have watched numerous review videos and tutorials on YouTube. If I were to use an alternative to Copic, these are what I would use:
Arteza Real Brush Paint Markers (Water-Based) - Comes with one brush nib. 96 colours.
Ohuhu Dual Tips Art Marker (Alcohol-Based) - Dual nibs: one chiseled, one fine nib. 100 colours.
Note that I have not tried these alternatives yet but upon watching YouTube reviews I’m confident I want to try them in the future.
Mont Marte
However, what I have committed to trying as my first brush marker is the brand Mont Marte. They are water-based markers and are what I’m using in my current process.
The reason why I have chosen Mont Marte water-based markers is that they are an entry-level option that is affordable and the most important feature for me is that they have a brush nib. I have used them for 3 of my latest artworks.
I use them as the flat colours which is the second part of my current five part art process. I’m finding them to be quite adequate for my current needs and have noticed that I am able to build shades by multiple paths of the same colour.
I understand that once the water-based ink is finished I will have to either buy more or invest in Copic (which I most likely will do).
For More Information About Copic Alternatives, Check Out This Link As Further Guide:
my drawing Tools Including Copic Multiliners
Although, not having invested in Copic markers at this stage, I have invested in other tools of the Copic brand and other brands that I think you would find helpful.
These are: Copic Multiliner BS (Brush), Copic Multiliner 0.3, Copic Multiliner 0.1, Copic Multiliner 0.03.
Copic Multiliners are a type of black felt-tipped pens that are professional level, fully replaceable, refillable, and with these options available, are super expensive. So I have committed to investing at the sizes of BS, 0.3, 0.1 and 0.03 purely for the fact that I can create more details using fine tips. At the time of purchase, I also grabbed a couple of Copic Ink Cartridge refills.
The next group is Mont Marte Fineliners at 0.4m, also felt-tipped pens, water-based. I bought a packet of 12 assorted colours. I use these for stages two and four of my art process, meaning laying down precise flat coloured lines and at later stages adding detail when shading.
Copic Opaque White Brush + Uni-Ball Signo White Pen
What I use for highlighting is Copic Opaque White brush and Uni-ball Signo White pen. Both have a heavier constitution that sits perfectly on the top layer. I use these at the final stages of my art process.
Strathmore’s Bristol-Vellum for Copic Markers
Last but not least, the best paper that has been consistently recommended to me to use is Strathmore’s Bristol-Vellum. It is 270 gsm, so it’s thick and the Copic markers won’t damage the surface easily. The Vellum surface creates consistent blending of whatever marker you use.
Bristol-Vellum paper in general is a great surface for a multitude of mediums such as acrylic and watercolour paints. I have been told to also use X-Press It Blending Card specifically for blending markers whether they’d be water-based or alcohol-based.
All these tools previously listed I have used for the first time in creating my sketch card of Juggernaut.
Conclusion
In thinking about my next step and having good experiences with using Mont Marte brush markers, I will invest in Copic sketch markers once I have finished using my Mont Marte brush markers. Now that I know what entry-level markers feel like, it’s time to investigate on the other side of the spectrum.
This doesn’t mean buying a whole lot of the same colour in different gradients. At this stage, I would start with primary colours, then buy secondary colours and so forth. I am wanting to do this because I am laying down flat colours in my art process. I am not using brush markers to blend tones and make gradients.
Check out these related blog posts:
What Makes Sketch Cards So Special?
Juggernaut Sketch Card Tutorial.
what is your experience with copic markers?
I would love to hear your experience with the Copic brand, especially ‘Sketch’ markers. Are you having similar thoughts? Let me know in the comments section below!
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