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.