Testing Papers for Blending

When colouring with Copic Markers, it is important to consider which type of paper to use.  Just as the type of ink can make an impact on your project, so too can paper. You can colour on different types of paper, however you will get vastly different results so it's always good to test your papers before you work on your final project.

Materials
Copic Markers
Copic Multiliner
X-press It Blending Card
Computer Paper
Glossy Photo Paper
Vellum

Step 1 - Testing X-press It Blending Card
Draw a circle with Copic Multiliner and colour in B00 (or the lighter of two blending colours). A good paper should not have any colour moving outside of the lines.

Step 2 - Testing X-press It Blending Card
Flick B02 inwards from one side of the circle (or the darker of two blending colours)

Step 3 - Testing X-press It Blending Card
Where the two colours meet, lightly blend with B00 (or the lighter of two blending colours). A good paper should allow the colours to blend easily together.

Step 4 - Testing X-press It Blending Card
Place the chisel end of the Colourless Blender (0) in the centre of your circle for a few seconds. The result should be a rectangular shape that shows that the colour is moving and look lighter than its surrounds.

Step 5 - Testing Vellum
Vellum is a non-absorbent paper, the colours will look much lighter when applied. The colours will also lift off when changing colours so be careful and scribble excess colour off your nibs. The Colourless Blender will completely remove the colour underneath rather than move the colour.

Step 6 - Testing Glossy Photo Paper
Glossy Photo Paper is also non-absorbent, although the colours look darker than on vellum. Colours will not blend as well as an absorbent paper and the Colourless Blender does not work very effectively.

Step 7 - Testing Computer Paper
Computer Paper is a thin absorbent paper and after laying down the colours, you may find ink seeping outside the lines as this paper oversoaks quickly. Use a lighter hand when colouring on Computer Paper.


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How to Get The Most Out of Your Copic Multiliners

In the last blog post, Kathy talked about finding the perfect ink to use with your Copics, well today I'll be looking at the perfect pens!  If you would like to experiment with your current pen collection, you can perform all the same Copic compatibility tests with pens, that Kathy talked about with inks.  Let me save you some time though -  hands down the BEST pens to use with your Copic markers are the Copic Multiliners.

Copic Multiliners come in 2 body styles  

the Multiliner

and the Multiliner SP.  

Both styles have:

• Copic safe ink - so you can colour  over the ink without damaging your Copic Markers
• Wide array of colours and coordinating coloured packs available
• Variety of sizes and styles of nib including: 0.03 mm, 0.05 mm, 0.1 mm, 0.3 mm, 0.5 mm, 0.8 mm, 1.0 mm and Brush 
• Ink is archival, acid free, fade resistant and waterproof on most porous surfaces

The biggest differences between are:

• The Multiliner is cheaper and disposable, but for a little extra you can buy the Multiliner SP which is refillable (so will save you money in the long run).
• The Multiliner SP is available in a wider range of colours and you can change the nibs (so if you are a bit heavy handed, no problems, just swap out the nib when it starts to get ratty).
• The Multiliner SP also has a cool metal barrel which is lovely to hold!

HOT TIPS:

• Multiliners are great for embellishing a stamped design or filling in any areas of a stamped image that have mis-stamped.
• Multiliners are not recommended for use over waxy substances (crayon or pencil), the wax may prevent the ink from drying creating smears and can clog your nib
• Copic Multiliners are permanent on many surfaces once dry, heat-set the ink to be certain.
• Multiliners work beautifully over watercolours, producing a consistent even line

Not sure how to use Copic Multiliners in your art?  Then here is a little inspiration....

Mixed Media Squares

Easy Typography

Stendoodling with Copics

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