How do I Use Copic Markers?

Fill your sketches with color using Copic markers.

Illustrators and sketch artists commonly use Copic markers to illustrate art or comics for publication. These markers are alcohol-based as well as acid free and low-odor. Additionally, the markers are refillable, which makes them an environmentally-friendly choice of drawing tools. Artists, whether professional or amateur, can chose from various colors to draw and sketch on surfaces such as Copic paper, leather and wood.

Things You'll Need

• Newspaper
• Copic paper or card stock

Instructions

1. Remove the cap from the marker. Some Copic markers contain two ends with different tips. One tip is slanted and used to draw outlines, while the other is more of an airbrush-style tip.

2. Apply the tip of the marker to the image and begin drawing. Use the slanted tip for letters and pronounced edges and the airbrush tip to color the areas in.

3. Color the areas in small circular motions, to ensure an even application. Blend colors by beginning with the lighter of the two colors, followed by the darker one.

Tips & Warnings

• Refer to the cap of the Copic marker to determine the marker's color name as well as code. This will be useful when you must refill the marker.

• The rule of thumb for coloring shadows with Copic Markers is to color the light source in your image the opposite color as the shadow.

References

• Copic Marker: FAQ
• Copic Marker: Sketch Marker
• Copic Marker: Paper
• Copic Marker: Tutorials