Dark or Light First??

If you are new to Copic Markers and have been looking around for tutorials on how best to use them, you may have found that some people start with their darkest colour first and others start with their lightest.  There is no right or wrong way as each person will do what is best for them - however, the girls on on the Copic Design Team and all Regional Instructors start with their lightest first.

Why colour with your lightest marker first?  The reason is that you soak your paper with your lightest colour and 'prime it' so that when you add the darker colour it doesn't take as much work to blend the two into a smooth, seamless blend.  You are also much less likely to have streaks in your work.

Here's a sample I did using some flowers (let's pretend these are hibiscus), from JustRite's Plant a Little Love set.  I stamped it with Memento Tuxedo Black onto X-press It Blending Card.

For the first petal I started using my darker colour, YR07.

Then I added my lighter colour, YR02, blending in circles with the side of my brush tip.  you can still see the hard lines of the darker colour.

For the next petal, I started using the lighter colour first, YR02 and soaking the paper.

Then I feathered in the darker, YR07 colour - at this point the two petals look quite similar.

Then I took the YR02 again and blended in circles with the side of my brush tip just as I did with the first petal, with the same amount of time and effort.  Now you can see a big different between the two petals - the first still has harsh lines and the second has a smooth blend.

Now I'm planning on using this flower on a project, so I complete the hibiscus working lightest to darkest and then blending with the lightest again and reworked the first petal so that I now get that same smooth look as the rest of the flower.  I've coloured the leaves with YG03, YG63 and YG67 and I've also darkened up the centre of the flower with a little R27 and R59 to highlight the stamen.  In real life it has much more contrast - I think my light is too bright!

This has been my first ever tutorial so I hope you've enjoyed it and that you pop back next week and see what tips Mandi has for you!!!  :)Pin It

Glimmer and Sparkle with Spica Atyou Pens.

Hello Everyone and WELCOME to the NEW Copicoz Blog.
Today Mandi and myself (Debra) would love to share our card creations using the fabulous "Spica Pens". We are also excited to annonce that the 11 new colours are now available in Australia.These pens are are designed to match your Copic markers and add that extra "WOW" factor of Shimmer and Sparkle to any creation.!

DEBRA

On my card I have used Copic markers, GO0, BV00, E35, E33, E31. E51, E00, E02. W5, W3, W1, C5 and the fabulous SPICA ATYOU PENS.

I wish you could see this up close as the glittery soft shimmer is amazing with these pens. The pens will go over any of your Copic coloured image and just add that "WOW" factor to it!!
The Spica Atyou pens I used are Clear-00, Sand-19, Gold-11, Blossom-14 and Baby Blue-18.

My images ( Magnolia Fairy Tale Collection) were stamped with Memento Tuxedo Black Ink on X-Press It Blending paper.

Enjoy your day, Debra xx.


HELLO FROM MANDI
Hi Everyone, I'm Mandi and I am so excited to share my first card for COPICOZ with you!


For this card I have used the gorgeous Flutter Bear Image on X-Press It Blending Card... which I love!!!! I love using my Copics to colour and blend! For the beautiful Bear I used E31, E33, E35 and E37 and for his gorgeous wings I used BG000, BG10, R20& R22. I have also added a whole lots of Spica pens!

I add Spica to everything, and am so so excited that there is a whole new range of colours to add to the existing colour range. In this card I have used Buttermilk, Chocolate, Peach, and ofcourse my clear!

It is very hard to see in the photos, so below I have included a close up of the bear, which I have lightened considerably using Photoshop, just so you can see the shimmer of the Spica Pens! If you haven't already got a collection of these Spica Pens....RUSH....as quickly as you can.....and buy the existing colours as well as the beautiful new colour range!!! After all you can NEVER have enough glitter....right!!???!!


Please also jump onto my blog if you are Melbourne based and interested in doing Copic Workshops with me!

Happy Colouring.....Mandi
xxx

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New Spica Colours are Coming!!!

Hello Everyone!!!  I'm Kathy and I'm thrilled to be part of the team bringing you the brand new CopicOz blog!!!  We're also excited to say that the new Spica Colours are coming to Australia!!  Woohoo!!!  The really cool thing about these colours is that they are designed to be matches for your Copic Markers ---

Pitch Black (100), Blossom (RV22), Mint Green (G82), Baby Blue (B21), Buttermilk (Y21), Garnet (R39), Peach (E01), Sand (E33), Lilac (BV00), Lipstick (R29) and Chocolate (E58).

I love how Spicas have the most beautiful soft shimmer which gives a lovely elegant glow to your work!

Today I've used the new Mint and Lilac colours on my hydrangea (perfect matches for G82 and BV00!).  I coloured the hydrangeas with Copics - BV00, BV02, BV04, G82, G99, C1, C3 and 0 and I've also coloured the border surrounding the flowers with BV00 and the button on the bow is coloured with BV04 so they match perfectly - got to love that!!  :)

For a little close up on the shimmer I put the card on an angle to photograph it.

Recipe -
Stamps - Plant a Little Love (JustRite Stampers)
Paper - X-press It Blending Card, 2 shades of Purple Bazzill, SU Cottage Wall DSP
Ink - Memento Tuxedo Black, Copics (BV00, BV02, BV04, G82, G99, C1, C3, 0), Spicas - Mint and Lilac.
Accessories - Standard Circle (Large) and Large Scallop Circle (Large) Nestabilities, SU Scallop Border Punch, White Satin Ribbon, Bow Easy, Button, Silver Cord, Paper Piercer, Mat Pack, Kaisercraft Snow Pearls, Kaisercraft Foam Tape.

I hope you've enjoyed my project today and thanks for stopping by!!  :) Pin It

Australia's Copic Card Challenge

We are excited to announce Australia's Copic Card Challenge. All entries will be displayed at the Brisbane Scrapbook & Papercraft Convention from 12th to 14th June. The winners will be announced at the convention on Monday 14th June 2010. If you will be there on the day, keep your ears open.

To enter create a card in A6 size (when folded) coloured using Copic colours: E02, Y06 and BV02. Each of these colours must appear in the design and you may incorporate other Copic colours to compliment these.

Check out this gorgeous example which Kathy prepared!

There are $450 worth of prizes to be won so get your entries in. Entries close on 4th June 2010 so visit the Copic Australia Web Site for more details and to download the entry form.

Send your entries to:

Copic Card Challenge
P.O.Box 80
Moorabbin VIC 3189

ENTRIES EXTENDED UNTIL TUESDAY 8TH JUNE 2010 

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Welcome to Copic Oz

We would like to welcome you to our Blog. Copic Oz will contain regular posts from our talented and creative team of Australian Copic Certification Regional Instructors who will also be our Design Team. They will share with you some Copic techniques and their creative ideas through tutorials and other hints and tips. We hope you like the Blog and keep coming back for more.

We are pleased to introduce you to our Design Team / Regional Instructor Team.

From Left to Right


Jacqui Kaplan - X-Press Graph-X Supplies (Copic Distributor)
Debra James - Western Australian Regional Instructor
Kathy Jones - North Eastern Australian Regional Instructor
Mandi Lee Klinger - South Eastern Australian Regional Instructor
Jonny Felbel - X-Press Graph-X Supplies (Copic Distributor)

Feel free to visit each of their personal blogs to see their incredible work.Pin It