.
Copics hit the stamping world in a big way a couple of years
ago, and have remained popular ever since. They are alcohol-based markers, often used by graphic
artists, and while they cost more than your average marker the results you can
achieve are well worth it. There
are other brand names, eg Promarkers, but Copics seem the most popular.
If you’re going to colour a stamped image with Copics, you
need to use a special paper to stop the inks from bleeding. This is a white, coated paper – you can
buy that specially made for use with Copics, or you could simply use a cheaper
version. The key thing is that it
has to be coated.
You also need a specific ink, otherwise the markers could
react with the stamped image and smudge it. Memento inks are by far and away the best for this purpose,
you will have no problem with your stamped image if you use Memento.
Copics come with a potentially confusing set of numbers and
letters as shades, but you really don’t need to be confused by them. The letters stand for the basic colour,
eg R is red, G is green, GY is green/yellow, and so on. The numbers indicate what shade/tone
they are, making it easy to choose markers that will blend seamlessly together.
Now, I am not a super Copic colourer by any means. Surf the net, and you will find that
some people have taken colouring in to an art form. You will also find lots and lots of tutorials telling you
how to colour hair, clothing, etc, for the most realistic results.
I am just going to tell you that to avoid lines, like you
get with felt tips, it is best to colour in little circles. If you want a very slightly darker
colour than the one you have, simply colour over the area two or three times.
If you want to add some shading, then again you can simply
re-colour over part of your image with the same colour, or you can use the next
colour down.
Here’s a picture of my Copic colouring. Not particularly special or clever, I
just stamped onto coated paper with Memento ink, and coloured in the image! I used a slightly darker colour for
shaded items, such as the sole of the wellington boots.
The joy of using the Copics, despite my
distinct lack of technique, is that they will not rub-up the paper, making it
look rough like some markers do, nor will they leave distinct lines where you
have overlapped. They simply give
a smooth, professional look.
Once finished, I added some Glossy Accents to the umbrella
and boots for extra impact, mounted the image onto blue scalloped cardstock,
and popped it onto a card blank.
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HINTS!!! {hot tips}
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While
I have used Glossy Accents here with my Copics, and it looks just fine,
sometimes the Glossy Accents can react with the colours and change them a
little, especially, it seems, with reds and pinks. This isn’t a big deal, it is simply something you need to
allow for. If you’re not sure, try
it on a small sample area first.
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