How to Understand and Use Copic Markers for Beginners

Take your adult coloring techniques to the next level when you use copic markers for your coloring pages.
Copic Markers are a great tool for coloring but they do come with a learning curve!
Here are my go-to tips for beginners looking to give them a try.
~~Featured Coloring Artist: Katie Vaz
---------------------------------
Copics are high-quality alcohol based markers and a great for blended rich colors.
There are 4 different styles of Copic markers:
• Classic
• CIAO
• Wide
• Sketch
All of the Copic markers have nibs you can swap in and out; you can also refill the inks or mix your own for custom colors. The brush tip nibs are great for things that are loose or organic where you can fill in large color blocks really nicely.
Copics markers are on the pricey side, ranging from $2 - $9 each depending on what kind and where you buy them from.
---------------------------------
Deciphering the Copic Marker labels:
Each marker has a color code, a mix of numbers and letters
• The letter indicates the color family (ex. R = red, BG = Blue Green)
• The first number indicates color saturation or intensity
○ Numbers range from 0 - 9
0 = a pure saturated color with no gray in it
9 = a very desaturated color with lots of gray in it
• The second number indicates how light or dark a color is
○ Numbers range from 000 - 9
000 = a very light, barely there color
9 = a very dark color
---------------------------------
When you first start using Copics it can be tricky to get the color to lay down evenly.
It's best to NOT use zig zag strokes because that can lead to uneven ink distribution.
Try using small even circles to fill the space with color.
You can also use 'flick' type strokes starting from the outside and pulling the tip in.
---------------------------------
2 Main Ways to Blend Copic Markers
1. You can use an array of 2 or more colors themselves
- Try to pick colors that are in the same color family
- Stick to colors where the second number is within 2-3 of each other
- Use the lighter colors first and gradually add in the darker shades
- Color the entire area first with the lighter color
- Layer in the darker color using the 'flick' stroke
- Then take the lighter color back over where the two colors meet
----
2. Use the colorless blender
- This has the same alcohol solution as the markers but without color
- The secret to this tool is it actually removes ink
- Perfect for removing colors, fix mistakes, and adding fun textures
- Try coloring the entire area with the colorless blender first
- Then take your darker color and apply it to small portions of your area while the ink is still damp
- Fill in the space all over with your lighter color in small circles
- The colorless blender is also great for adding highlights
- You can also use it to remove edges

[@JollyOl]

*My brain is accepting such great knowledge*

[@teehee5700]

Jewel3lc AJ LmAo

[@mudassirahmedi5617]

I am watching this instead of preparing for my engineering paper

[@micah_me6464]

100th *like*

[@danniRamirez68]

Ikr

[@clarisesuarez5527]

Me to❤

[@Gertrude-Intrudes]

*Her: *explains**
*Me: “oohhhhhhhh”*

[@danniRamirez68]

Lol, same

[@susan3156]

I just paid $53 for your book. I’m looking forward to it. It makes me feel good when I support caring and kind artists. Cheers from Tasmania, Australia 🇦🇺

[@lamajamjoom3126]

Thank you very much for this video it was very helpful especially because I’m a beginner!👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻😀😀

[@MrGWils]

Great vid, thanks for uploading!

[@49ijue]

What sketchbooks do you recommend for the Copic markers ( Not counting the Copic Sketchbook )

[@poppyssad6545]

Best are are manga paper and marker paper if you really need i can put a link to very good paper for copics

[@bettyholland8500]

Poppy's Sad yes please add a link thank you!

[@marthangugi8293]

If this still helps,
I use a mixed media sketchbook.
Though I put a folder under it.

[@idk.-.3834]

@@poppyssad6545 Can you leave a link?

[@barbaramatthews4735]

Thank you for sharing. The information is helpful

[@humairaseddighi72]

I just bought an 80 pieces comic marker from amazon this really helped thank you!

[@alexsantoro597]

Do colorless blenders get ruined by colors over time?

[@caprisunsess1753]

yay

[@danniRamirez68]

Wow, im hoping to get copics for Christmas.
This video was actually pretty helpful, thanks

[@caprisunsess1753]

I got copics for Christmas and they're really cool :) I recommend buying online tho because in the artsy store in our town each copic is 7$ but I got about 50 for 20! Which is still alot but way better than 300 bucks

[@nidhi2182]

Thanks because now I know how to use them!!!!

[@mattsartstory2379]

This was an amazing video!

[@BUNNIFER10]

Very helpful. Thnkyou.

[@danycarneiro2016]

Thank you very much...Very useful and informative your video.

[@Emma-yc8yx]

thanks for sharing btw your voice is so soothing

[@emilyrose6546]

Super helpful!

[@albasabina]

Hello. Great video! Could you tell me the number of the red you're using in the video? Thank you!

[@mohammedkamal6877]

Great

[@egomezct]

Thank you so much

[@starlight.brahxx]

I wanted to get the brush tip copic markers but got the wrong one..... 😭😭😭😭😭😢😢😢😓😓😥😥

[@cyyberella]

Hey, thanks for the video, But do copic markers have a brush at the end??

[@danniRamirez68]

I think some do.....im not to sure though

[@ania-edit0r10]

But how much this markers

[@natfrey]

Ania Drawing EXPENSIVE but worth it!

[@jennifers8843]

My biggest problem is knowing where to put shading

[@sophside9931]

I like you.

[@sugar_ventricles]

I couldn’t get actual copics so I got knock off ones :,)

[@csianahmed]

And why is it so expensive

[@jas_.t]

Who’s here after the 97 cent per piece Michael’s Copic sale?

[@bee3484]

WHAT????? I DIDN'T HEAR ABOUT THIS IS IT ALL COPICS?!?

[@jas_.t]

GalactiiBun If it is one single copic marker, then yes, they are 97 cents. Doesn’t matter if it’s ciao, original, or any other type of marker, it is 97 cents. If it is a set, no. If you wanna go for the sale, you better go quick, lol. They’re all starting to run out. Even if they do run out, there’s another copic sale. Buy one, get another 50% off. This one should apply to sets, ink refills, marker nibs, and markers (including sets). Of course it’s not as good as the 97 cent per piece sale but it’s still something.

[@bee3484]

@@jas_.t I DIDN'T KNOW ABOUT THIS I JUST SPENT 76 BUCKS ON 10, COPIC SKETCH HABDMXMX

[@bee3484]

@@jas_.t is it in Texas?

[@jas_.t]

GalactiiBun if I’m correct, the sale is in any Michaels craft store in the USA. The sales last until they run out of markers.

[@Emily-cw8hv]

I’d love to go to the place where each copic marker only costs 2$

[@marey.marshmellow5253]

Tlshp shop copic sketch 3.67 $ each

[@ericgamer0399]

Her: "Stick to the same color family-"
Me: *grabs BV00 and E00* No

[@maulikartzone2787]

😂

[@abbythebest1018]

Lol same

[@wxslw_]

Still can't blend and I get angry easy so not a good combination xD

[@tsuqii9530]

Athestic K/DA
*Oh nooo*
*prepares for rage*

[@bigbuckuk]

Why? it’s not exactly rocket science

[@wxslw_]

@@bigbuckuk I've never done rocket science .v.

[@samueljohansson6584]

Hmmmm ,still after 1year?

[@wxslw_]

@@samueljohansson6584 actually I gave up .v. I still draw and paint I just gave up on the markers though

[@chantalle7340]

Very informative. Thank you

[@PoshColoringStudio]

We're so glad you like it!

[@karenbriones9708]

*thanks Kanye , very cool*

[@mjdancer1998]

I love how she said A BIT on the pricey side 😂😂😂

[@merafosterart3118]

Lol yeah vm.tiktok.com/JeNyqSS/

[@たこ-n7m]

😭😭😭

[@chantalle7340]

I would like to see more videos by you on beginners using Copics, color choices for coloring different objects such as trees, etc.

[@PoshColoringStudio]

I'll make a note for our content team! Thanks! There a few articles on our site about choosing color: www.poshcoloringstudio.com/tips-techniques/6-ways-make-color-wheel-work-you

[@jaelyn1526]

i literally thought the colorless blend marker was like an actual white i can use i-

[@jessicayuriarlopez4943]

This was well explained and very helpful! Thank you for posting! :D

[@Skeleemonz]

When u spend 50+ on the markers and just got 40+ of em : 👁👄👁

[@brookelambert7204]

I've been looking to buy. best video on the subject.

[@aitorgonzalez4657]

I didn’t know how to properly use the colorless blender marker, especially when pushing the ink to correct coloring. Thank you so much for that!

[@imasheepbahbah5101]

Keep on begging my niece to trach me this who uses copics does beatiful manga...finally taught me then I'd forget but now I have this vid to refer back to! Thanks! She bought me my 1st set of copics

[@elizabethdreier7582]

This was a fabulous help to me, as a beginner! I just had no idea how to start! I'm still afraid to try, but I'm going to! And I'm going to look for your book as well! Thanks so much!

[@FelisTerras]

Thank you so so much. I bought a set of about a dozen various colours, but when I tried using them, I ended up with lots of splotchy/uneven surfaces and no blending really worked. With your explanations, I'm going to tackle the next drawing I make. Your way of showing and explaining things is both soothing and easy to understand.

[@minaryn1501]

Thank you👍

[@em-mq8oq]

This was very helpful! >w

[@aprilrodriguez5874]

Love this video … she made it so simple to understand and follow for us beginners, thank you so much for sharing.

[@Vengothics]

thank u for this i had no clue what the ends meant

[@princepeterwolf]

$2 each?! Girl where?

[@marvinsprettyboy]

I’m getting them for 41.99 on amazon

[@togaemrich7872]

just make sure they’re not fake :) that would suck

[@jadedeleon_]

Toga Emrich what they can be fake?? How the heck can markets be fake? Lol

[@alexsantoro597]

Jade uwu the brand.. amazon and eBay often sell knock offs/fake copic brands

[@bingbongwingawong4491]

Literally just bought 5 of them for 40 bucks

[@yuyucontent]

just got 242 for 40bucks. (it should be fake lol)

[@lpssimpleproductions538]

Omg thank YOU SOOO MUCH I was lost on how to use these properly I love them now I know how to use them :3

[@kenyon46]

I have a lot of Coptic markers I’m so afraid to use them That I might mess up my art project

[@francesarhipoff2864]

Thank you for a great informative video

[@ewdesignsatl]

thank you so much for the explanation on the numbers. it makes so much sense now. this is a great tutorial !

[@atticuslin8962]

Can young artists draw with copic?

[@caprisunsess1753]

I think it depends on the person's maturity for me I guess. When I am 8 I really really wanted copics like my sisters so my mom bought me (1!) copic and I lost it after a week. I'm now 11 and I thiiiiink I'm mature enough. We'll see though!

[@pixydust4806]

After seeing this video, I just realized how coloring has its own techniques and how it effects the drawing you're coloring. I knew that but not to this extent. Btw, thnx for the tips!

[@horseyhunters9426]

You have no idea how much this helped thank you so much

[@-l0s3r-16]

Me having the square shaped comic markers watching this like: 👁👄👁💥 I’m screwed

[@rebeccahammitt8214]

Great video. Thank you. Far less intimidating now. You have a soft, sweet voice too. Very relaxing.

[@wesrobinson2990]

Very helpful to understand what the markers are capable of, and how to use them in a clear message. Thanks

[@lamberto6405]

That's really fantastic. The end result looks very professional!!! Great markers!

[@thewitchertales]

Ive honested always loved copic markers the comors make art so beutiful and lively and 3d! But ive been to intemidated to try them and i sketch alot.
I feel alot better sbout trying them now after this, thank you!

[@linobeann]

Ik this is kinda old but I got a marker set that looks exactly like copic they have up to 3 numbers and comes with a colourless blender but they are called graphic markers i tried the techniques you showed and they worked so im a bit confused

[@Patty-qd1lz]

Are these made in the USA?

[@evelynmitchell7758]

I have Copic markers that have not been used very much if not at all for the last ten years. How can I rejuvenate these so I can start using them again. Thanks

[@junem4102]

You said the first number is the saturation of that color. But another video said the second number denotes saturation. Which is right?

[@indigoimouto3703]

This saved me so much stress. I've been looking for the right markers color the shade of cake and I can't seem to find the right ones.

[@nunyabizzish]

This is the most helpful video I've come across tbh

[@billmcswain2502]

Thank you for making this video. It helped

[@Ak-os7rr]

Thank you so much this was very helpful!

[@Zia_theLibra]

Perfect. Most informal Ive found

[@fluckter_600]

learned alot just know, thank you 🙏

[@nero.5733]

Thank you so much

[@arshianafisahaque276]

Finally my parents accepted to get me copics

[@noorallawati5390]

Thank you for this!

[@miguelquintana8076]

Where have you ever seen a copic for $2.

[@chibispock1011]

Domo arigato

[@chipblock2854]

I have watched a few videos on Copic markers but yours really tell me how to use them. Especially the blending one. I now better understand the numbers. Thanks.

[@raghubirdalal2266]

Thank u so much u helped me a LOT. I am starting doodling so I needed copic markers. I I also needed knowledge about them before buying em. So thanks very much.

[@yvetteirene7074]

Great video, thank you! I agree with many of the comments below some very funny and so me! Very helpful. Would love to see a video on coloring animals, such as dogs. Thank you!!

[@skrillexfan2000]

This is honestly been the best and fastest teaching of Brush marker techniques and I THANK YOU FOR IT!!

[@AbbyMarmionMusic]

Excellent!

[@sebastiangarcia2590]

Thank you soooo much for making this video!!! I've been strugling so hard with copics and now I have a good result 😊

[@debbiemarchbanks8538]

THANK YOU!! I’m not an artist and struggle with beautiful comic coloring!

[@ramonsjc]

were do you find your book you have i turned ten i i got monye for my birthday so i am buys copic just a little and that book if you can tell me what book that is and pls

[@roselewsley4125]

Thank you soooooo much, that was such a good demonstration of how to use copic pens. Please put up more videos 👏

[@karenskillender6684]

Your video was very helpful and informative. Thank you.

[@carlinpadgett2796]

Thank you for not making this video like 25 minutes!!

[@ChanaeMorris]

This is the video I needed, thank you! Can't wait to put these tips to use.

[@spoiledchocolatemilk3889]

Who else is here because they heard about the huge deal going on?

[@Nexus2Eden]

Seriously, excellent video - very helpful and inspiring. I feel like I learned a great deal - thank you.

[@apersonsm]

This is incredibly helpful. Thank you so much!!!

[@milkkk300]

Very helpful tysm

[@nereaparamoormaetxe5851]

The eay her mouth moves disturbs me. Im sorry

[@lisabromley8924]

Hello what paper are you useing ?

[@jqv002]

2:04

[@clm39able]

Great introduction. Thank you 😊

[@JeannieWhite49]

Thanks for sharing, it helps a lot!

[@claudiahurd9855]

Thanks! This was very helpful!

[@wandafincher4713]

Thank you! This was very helpful!

[@Nurse3811]

Really great advice!! Thank you

[@Wdlfake]

The best

[@danniRamirez68]

You watch gawx art?

[@terriok1]

So very nicely done, KaTe!

[@fliktony91]

Amazing. THANK YOU