The 52-Week Illustration Challenge: learn: Copic Markers with Vicky Pratt

STEP 1

Start with a pencil sketch on Bleedproof marker pad (Canson or Eckersley’s) or card stock (scrapbooking shops). These are best because they don’t soak or bleed and the markers blend well without the paper pilling.

STEP 1

STEP 2

Either keep the lines with a waterproof liner like I have, (Unipin is available from Officeworks for around $3) or lift off most of the pencil with a kneadable rubber. I work in small panels of colour because I’m not confident enough to do large open areas of colour. Ciaos (smallest size) are not the best for large areas. There are 5 different sizes of Copics and different nibs too. I choose mostly Ciaos because I work small and they are the cheapest.

STEP 2

STEP 3

I wanted a very specific colour palette for this one so I had to work out what colours I had, what I needed to buy and how much I needed to eat that week. Art supplies or food, up to you. The free blank print out chart is available on the Copic website. You can fill it in with each colour you buy. I tend to buy 3 of each colour. A light, mid and darker version of each colour. This chart is a must have and you can download it HERE.

(I wanted a whole blue/green look to my piece but instead of buying a new blue/green range I worked in my 3 normal greys that I already had and went over the whole piece in a light blue/green.)

I work out which colours will work together by doing a few thumbnails beside the actual picture. I work at night but I like to choose my colours during the day. (Don’t trust the “Flesh” sets that you can buy. I don’t know whose flesh they were thinking about when they made those sets but it’s not human)

STEP 3

STEP 4

THE WAVES (Blended) (B00, B02, B24, C5 and B24 colours)
Decide what technique you’ll use for which area. I chose a blended sea and a non-blended sky. Blending has to be done quickly and in small areas. I've used 4 colours in one wave so you need to always have a wet edge to your colour. Always start with the lightest colour first. You can go back over it to soak the paper before you add the next colour.

Don’t get distracted by ANYTHING when you are doing blending. Don’t watch TV, answer the phone or have a 3 year old anywhere near you. Work fast and in small sections. Make sure there is a wet edge, otherwise you’ll get a stain line. Some people use a colourless blender but I find that leaves a line and pools.

I always write the colour combination down beside my piece because I have to hide my markers at the end of the night. Children can be very VERY curious.

STEP 4

STEP 5

THE SKY (Non-blended.)

First colour, the lightest. (N1)

STEP 5

STEP 6

Second colour, mid grey (C5). Added in after the first colour is dry.

STEP 6

STEP 7

Third colour, darkest. (BV29) Added in after the second colour is dry.

STEP 7

STEP 8

Forth colour ( BG72) Added all over everything to change the entire colour scheme. It’s like adding a filter in Photoshop but with a pen!

STEP 8

STEP 9

Go back over it and fill in any little bits, add shadows on boats and a general tidy to bring it all together.

STEP 9

STEP 10

Raindrops. I lost most of the rain drops during the process but I knew the white could be added in later so I didn't stress. Posca White marker pens work well but need two coats. Copic has a small white bottle called “Opaque white” which is great for fine, solid, white lines. It looks like a bottle of white-out with the brush in the lid so it is incredibly convenient. This time I chose Posca because I wanted fat raindrops. Then I have given a black shadow on the raindrops with a Unipin fine liner. Finished.