Vendor Spotlight: Copic Markers

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Reported by Dana Vitek

I was certain that my fellow reporters would showcase the awesomeness of Copic markers on their intended surface (meaning paper of course), so I chose to focus my review on non-porous materials: shrink plastic and polymer clay. And one card, because that's just how I am.

Copic's ink is alcohol-based, and that allows you to color on non-porous surfaces. Notice I didn't say that it would be permanent (unless sealed), because even when dry, rubbing alcohol will remove Copic's ink. And you know what else will remove Copic ink? More Copic ink. It's self-repelling on solid surfaces... the same properties that allow it to blend easily on paper allow you to move it around on non-porous materials; that's not a bug, that's a feature!

Here's a polyshrink charm I made for my sister:



I'll usually start out by coloring with a medium color, and put down a solid coat. Then I'll go in an add stripes of a darker color, and then a couple of lighter colors:







See how the ink repels itself and creates blank spots:


Before the ink is all the way dry, it's kind of sticky. I decided to go with it, and stick my palm print on each piece that I work... can you see the ridges it left?


Flip it over and stamp it with the monogram of your choice:


And then shrink it up! Quarter for scale:


Slap some metallic ink on the back to fill in those blank spots left by the self-repelling ink (see, now do you see why I think it's a feature!), and voila... happy belated birthday!

And here's another little one that I put on my key chain with a message that sometimes I need to see during the day:


A while back I made a bunch of polymer clay "blanks" by squishing some scrap clay into the bottoms of some silicone muffin trays and curing them in the oven. I threw them in a drawer and forgot about them. Here's five of them:


Here's the same five after I colored them with Copics, and dusted them with some Pearl-Ex. Yes, really, they're the same ones. I know!


Dress them up or down, they're down right wearable...

not too shabby for junk clay and a little ink!

Finally, here's a card for my son, Max, who could use a little encouragement in first grade.



I stamped the "Billy" image (from Pink Cat Studio) with Ranger's Nick Bantock Ink in Lamp Black (here's why I know that's THE BEST black ink to use with Copics. For the step-by-step shading, you can check out my blog, but it's not rocket science, really... if I can do it, you can do it!

See that dark blue line around all the layers? That's courtesy of the chisel nib end that I thought was not really all that useful. Guess what... it's useful!

The Copics blendability is really amazing, and I have to admit that I'm both a convert, and an addict. I've used other high-quality alcohol-based markers, and I've got to say, these are the best that I've used. The brush tip is fabulous. FABULOUS! In fact, there are only a couple of changes I would make in general:

Pros:

• Ink is blendable on paper, self-repelling on solid surfaces, creating lots of different effects
• TONS of colors to choose from
• Several marker sizes and nib options
• Replaceable nibs
• Refillable ink
• There's a Copic airbrush, which introduces a whole new way to make a mess art! YAY!
• The Copic website has a top notch FAQ section... if you have a question, you can bet they've already answered it!
  

Cons:

• The ink can be sticky on non-porous surfaces. Letting it dry overnight is key, but who has time for that?
  
• Copic doesn't make what I'm calling "Dana's Perfect Copic" which has a super brush nib on one end, a fine bullet point nib on the other, an oval-shaped barrel like the Sketch, and costs 12 cents.
  

I almost wish I didn't get picked for this review, because now I'm addicted to Copics. And with an art supply store within walking distance from my office, well, lunchtime just got a lot more expensive! But, that's what a new love is all about right? What do you love about Copics?

GIVEAWAY!
Leave a comment on any of our Vendor Spotlight: Copic Marker articles, and you'll be entered to win a set of 12 Copic Atyou Spica glitter pens. I've used these pens myself, and they're awesome!
We'll pick a winner on Saturday, September 19th.