August 5, 2007

Copic Review from Your Average Stamper

Unless you are living in a stamper's cave, you have probably seen and read a LOT about Copic and other alcohol based markers (Prismacolor and Trio) in the past 2 months. These are professional grade markers used frequently in illustrations for Manga (Japanese Anime comics). They are designed primarily for drawing entire images -- not coloring in a stamped image. Used by a professional, they rock. But, to inject a note of reality -- it really helps to have talent when using a product (LOL) -- in other words, design team members are professionals. They are really good at what they do and whether they are using a Copic Marker or a #2 pencil, their work is fabulous. And I also try and remember that many design team members are getting these products free or at a greatly reduced cost. So I set out to see -- are Copic markers sufficiently better to be worth the price for ME -- the average non design team member stamper? I bought a few from my local art store, including the colorless blender. Luckily, I got them at 25% off the art store's regular price, but even at $4.50 a piece plus tax, that's a lot of stamping money. (Aside to my husband -- I owe it to my readers to investigate. This isn't stamping money, it is investigative journalism money, so get over it already...) I will be referring to this card I made with them as I discuss my experience (I purposely chose an image that had a larger piece to color -- in this case from Stampin Up's Summer by the Sea): Blending Ability: Look at the shirt and the pants. I used Copics on those and on the sand castle. Did I get a better result than if I had used water based markers, colored pencils, watercolor crayons, chalks, etc.? You decide: Here is a card I made a few months ago using watercolor paper and SU watercolor crayons and markers: Let me put it this way -- if you can blend and shade beautifully with the other mediums, you will blend and shade beautifully with the Copics. However, if -- like me -- you are blender/shading challenged, the Copics are easier than water based markers, etc. but I don't think that they are any easier than using watercolors -- at least for me. (Side note: If you look closely at the first card, you'll see that the Copic ink bled along the edges of the image. I stamped the image with Palette Noir ink onto Beckett's Expression #80 cardstock. Luckily, Ellen Hutson posted a comparison of inks with Copics on her blog Simple Dreams. Ellen came to the same conclusion that I did -- Palette Noir is not the best ink for Copics.) If you check closely again at the little boy, you'll see a bit of an outline on part of the boy (on the left side closest to the castle). I used the Warm Gray W1 Copic marker for this. This is my attempt to copy what I've seen design team members do (I have no shame, do I?). I've tried doing this type of outline before with other markers, and it always looked a little cheesy. I think the Copic gray marker worked much better for this type of shading and I recommend purchasing some of the neutrals if you are looking to achieve this effect and are not comfortable and happy with your results using other products. My bottom line: Using a Copic or other alcohol based marker will not transform you into an artist. When it comes to coloring in an image, you still need to know about source of light and all that artist stuff to really take advantage of these markers. I don't think they are the best use of my money for coloring in images. But, wait -- there's more. IMHO, the very best thing about an alcohol based marker, such as a Copic, is the ability to color stuff so that you can get coordinating paper, ribbon, etc. See the polka dot paper in my first card? It was originally white with red dots -- from Memory Box's Christmas Brights collection. However, I wanted it to coordinate with the creamy sand color of the main image. On a whim, I just picked up the wider end of the Skin White E00 Copic sketch marker and colored the paper. Here is the comparison. Is this great, or what?? The paper did not warp, bleed, or do anything strange. Note: Copics will bleed through to the other side of the paper. Therefore, they are of no value if you are coloring an image on a no layer card. Next -- the ribbon on my little boy card. It started out as White Stampin Up grosgrain ribbon. I went over it with the same Skin White E00 Copic marker and then very carefully edged it with the B04 Tahitian Blue Copic. If you use a heavy hand coloring in the ribbon, it will bleed onto the rest of the ribbon, so do it carefully. Voila -- perfectly matched ribbon, and kind of cute if I say so myself. The marker changes the feel of the ribbon -- it stiffens it. It feels heavier, but not in any way that was a problem. So, are Copics worth the price? That's for you to decide. For me, I will not be buying large quantities. But a few here and there to match patterned paper, yes.

23 comments:

  1. Well put Joan. I couldn't agree more. That's why I use Prismacolor Markers (with the 40% coupons) they are more affordable for the average stamper to try out. You're right. There's a learning curve with these and having them doesn't automatically make you as good as the designers you've seen. I do like using them to color block in areas and then add the details with my pencils. Great article!

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  2. Thanks for your "investigative reporting"! This was a great review and helps a lot to decide! I appreciate your honesty and I think your sample is beautiful!

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  3. Joan, That was an excellent piece of blogging journalism. I think you are absolutely right. Many stampers are buying Copics with the intention that their image will look gorgeous just by "coloring". This is not going to happen and if anything, the image may look worse than if the stamper had stuck with a medium he or she was comfortable with. I've seen some design team members use Copics and compared them to a card by a non-Copic user in the gallery. Just looking at the coloring (not the sketch or design), I honestly could not see the difference much of the time.

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  4. Thank you for this great review. This is what *I*, as an average stamper, needed to know!

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  5. Excellent post, Joan. Coloring is such a mystery to me, and there are too many choices. I'm still trying to figure out the colored pencil/gamsol thing! But it is easier to stick with one way and practice (for me, at least) than jump on every bandwagon and be frustrated. I do find great success with a brush, little cup of water, and watercolor paper/inks. Thanks for the researching effort.

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  6. I so agree.....actually I'm very good at watercoloring and using gamsol...but I cannot achieve the look I want with the Copics. So far it has been a waste of my money.

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  7. Great comparison!! I love what you did to show your experience with the markers. For me, what it all comes down to is, not if one is better than the other but to what effect one is after. In other words, if I WANT my markers to bleed through a line, which can be a terrific effect, I use a marker that will DO that. To somebody else, this might be a reason NOT to use that marker etc etc. So it isn't really about what marker does what when and where, but can you choose the right tool for whatever effect you want to get :)

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  8. Well done. I've wondered what these were that were causing such a stir. I personally like to use watercolor crayons above all else. The gray shading is very good. The colors in the card seem very vivid. Is that true IRL?

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  9. Hi Joan!

    Thanks for a really great blog entry. I agree that a product alone will not guarantee instant success or stamping artistry. I have a few colors and like playing... but my first attempts had me questioning whether or not I'd made a wise choice in my investment.

    Thanks for some fabulous writing! I love your blog! I stalk... I mean stop by all the time!

    Thanks,
    Lisa

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  10. Some great pointers here, Joan! ;) Much appreciated!

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  11. Thank You! That was an excellent post. I played with a Coptic at the store and scribbled it on the sample paper and just couldn't see why I "needed" it.

    I think you are right- there are some people that are effortlessly talented no matter what medium they use- people like me have to work at it!

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  12. Great review! Thanks for sharing your experiments!

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  13. Thanks for this, Joan. Your review is fresh and unbiased. I don't have any Copics--trying to resist yet another coloring medium. By the way, I'm not going to comment on the post that we're not supposed to comment on...but weren't you just saying "isn't stamping fun"? That comment has stayed with me ever since I read it. Yes, it's just fun--that's all.

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  14. Great post, Joan. I mostly lurk on your site but I just had to respond to this one. Being an average stamper as well, I appreciate your opinion on Copics. I bought a few to try but they have not made me into a Debbie Olson yet. I will have to be much more skilled with them before I sink lots of money into them. Love what you did with the ribbon.

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  15. How stinkin' cool is that ribbon you made!?! That is awesome! I have a total of 6 Copics (that I got here and there with a 40% coupon) and the blender one. I like using them but in the end my favorite is still waterclor or Prismacolors and Gamsol, just like you. Maybe it's because I already 'know' how to do it. Maybe we're just stubborn Joan! {wink} Thanks so much for all of your input!

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  16. I really want these! I just can't justify the money on MARKERS. Yes, they're really awesome markers, but they're MARKERS! I'm considering the prismacolor markers, even if they're not as "cool".

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  17. I want to thank you for posting this. I have been in the same debate with myself. Thank you for your non biased opinion.

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  18. I use Palette Noir with prismacolor markers on smooth bristol paper from the art supply store and I don't have bleeding problems. Try smooth bristol paper.

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  19. great post and awesome cards! don't forget you can also color metal embellishments with them, too--did you see juliehrr's ruby slippers?

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  20. I have never considered you an average stamper. Your card designs are above average IMHO. I *love* how your little boy card came out. You did a beautiful job using the Copic markers Joan. Your review was very enlightning. Great job.

    Mary

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  21. Joan,

    Thanks so much for the fabulous investigative report for us "average stella stampers." I've been tempted by the Copic fad, but I think that the problem with my coloring is not related to the marker rather my weak skills in this area. Still waiting for you to add E-mail updates to your blog :))

    Thanks!

    Shawn K.

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  22. thanks to you and Allison, I just saved myslef some moeny. I too will stick with the Prismas-both ink and pencils.

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  23. thank you for your non designer opinion as it helps me with my choices in making my decision about having them in my collection or not.

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