Testing Copic Marker Shadow Colours

Today I'm taking a huge leap and experimenting with different colours to add interest to shadows.  Now I'm not sure if you've seen this post but in it, Mandi-Lee talks about using complimentary colours in your shadows for extra wow factor.  I've previously tried using the BV family and even the occasional B, but I was wondering what else might work other than complimentary colours.

To test some combinations, I created a grid using a single Copic colour marker and a single colour for the shadow - not the easiest blending combo in many cases, but this provided some incredibly interesting results!  I was expecting many of my shadows to look pretty awful, but was quite surprised by how good so many of them looked - some of these colours even blended rather well!

Now for the best results ideally pick a colour darker than you are colouring with, (this didn't always work out that way the way I did this), as a result some of these colour combos may have looked better with a slightly darker colour for the shadow.  Also though I didn't use them here (as we know these should work),  don't forget about the complimentary colours when looking for shadow colour options!

On to the test...

First I tried some of the light/bright colours - these were a bit tricky to blend and some of the combos turned out a bit interesting, the yellow in particular proved quite fussy.

My favourites for shadows on:

• BG02 were W3, BV00 and R02 - though C3 was also ok
• YG05 were BV00, B01 and W3
• Y02 were B01 and E02
• V04 were C3, B01 and W3 - though some of these aren't really shadows but they do look great!
• E11 were C3, BV00, R02, E02 and W3

All in all, there were many more colours than I was expecting, that produced great results, though not all results are 'shadows' exactly!

Next I tried some mid tones and darker colours - I think these were even more successful, but again I ended up with some interesting combinations. 

My favourites for shadows on:

• V06 were T5, BV17, G28 (closest to complimentary colour)  and B37
• RV29 were G28 
• B08 were T5, BV17 and B37
• YR09 were RV19, TR18 and B37 (closest to complimentary colour) 
• YG67 were T5, BV17, G28 and B37

It turns out there are many more choices for interesting shadow colours than I originally thought, and not at all what I would have predicted!  I had hoped to find some pattern to what works - something like the complementary colours - but it seems to be a little random.  I would encourage you to try your own version of this to find exciting options for your shadows!

If you're a bit nervous then the amazing team at Copic have made it easy for you with the new Copic Colour Wheel.  For reliable shadows with the wow factor,  try using the complimentary colour for the marker you have chosen - you will find potential colour choices opposite your chosen colour on the new Copic Colour Wheel.

Back with more soon,

Kate

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Support Breast Cancer Awareness in October with Copic Oz

Did you know that one in eight women in Australia will be diagnosed with breast cancer in their lifetime?  I'm sure you know that early detection saves lives and that the earlier a cancer is discovered, the greater the chances of successful treatment.  To help raise awareness for Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Copic Marker Australia have decided to donate to the McGrath Foundation to help raise awareness and money, to support the fight against breast cancer.  YOU will all help to decide how much is donated by participating in the #COPIC4ACAUSE project.

While I may not be eligible to win a prize, I have decided to create a project in my Copic Art Journal aka Copic Blending Journal for #COPIC4ACAUSE. 

I have created a special pink doodled heart, using as many pink Copic markers as I could.  The outline for the project was done in Black Copic Multi Liners:  0.5, 0.3 and 1.0

The doodled image was coloured with RV02 and RV04

RV00, RV04 and RV09

RV55, RV66 and RV69

RV23 and RV25

Now because this is a piece of doodle art - it's not supposed to be fussy, or planned or time consuming, so the only blending I've done is on the very large swirls.  To colour these I've added RV09 to the ends.

Then RV69 to the base

I've added a little RV66 between the RV09 and RV69 - making sure to flick where the colours meet.

I've continued to use the flick blending method with these 3 colours until I had an image that was nice and smooth.

Add some RV09 and RV000

 Fill in any white areas in the design with RV10

Accent with N1, N3 and N5 for a little shading.

and you are finished.

Do you think it's pink enough?

I can't wait to see what projects you all create to support this amazing cause, don't forget to upload your creations to Instagram with the hashtag #COPIC4ACAUSE and tag @COPICMARKERAU.  I really hope you all get behind this amazing initiative, because every dollar counts in the fight against breast cancer.

Back with more soon,

Kate

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Doodling Over Printed Images with Copics

I thought that for today's post I'd give all of the nervous doodlers out there a hand and show you a straightforward project that looks stunning!  You can complete this page with just a few materials and with only a little experience and imagination.  Now this is quite a step-by-step project so grab your Copics and let's get started, because we are going to be creating this masked lady!

You Will Need:

• Copic Multi Liners in 1.0, 0.5 and 0.3 
• Copic Markers: 0 (Colorless Blender), C1, C3, BV0000, BV000, Y26, E47, E49, E00, E11, E21 and E23
• Copic Airbrush (optional)
• X-Press It Blending Journal or Blending Card
• Magazine Image - Photocopied or Laser printed in black and white
  (ink jet printed images will not be suitable unless the ink in your printer is Copic safe)
• Tracing paper
• Soft lead pencil
• Favourite Stencils or masks

Instructions:

Copy or print a black and white portrait onto Blending Card.  For mine I have scanned an image from a magazine advertisement and using a black and white laser printer, I have printed this directly onto a page in my Blending Journal.  You could also print onto a piece of Blending card and glue this into your journal later.  If you are a little more adventurous you could draw your own image or even use a face stencil as the basis for this technique.

Using your Multi Liner 1.0 outline the major facial features - you are aiming for a comic book style outline for this step.  Colour in and dark areas (nostrils and inside mouth) for a dramatic look.

Lay tracing paper over the face and plan a simple mask - the tracing paper allows you to draw and re-draw the mask until you are happy with it.  Once satisfied with your mask design, trace the image onto your face in pencil.  Go over the pencil with Copic Multi Liner and erase all signs of pencil marks once the ink is dry.  If not sure what to draw, Google filigree masks for interesting ideas.

Grab some of your favourite stencils and add stencilled designs to your image, you may like to use these on the hair, the mask or even the face!  You may like to draw outlines only or use the images to add design elements eg: a birdcage ear-ring!

Add as much or as little doodling as you like.  If you have a look at mine below you will notice I've used lots of repeating patterns and have varied the width of my lines for some added drama and to really draw the attention to the eyes.

You can leave it like this or you can be brave and add a little colour - if you are nervous about ruining your art then either take a photo or scan your image, you can always print the black and white image onto card and start again!  If you have an airbrush this is a very quick way to colour the base layer of skin on large images (which is what I've done using E00, E11 & E21) you can also do this by hand if you don't have an airbrush.  Either way add as little ink as possible - you only want the skin to have a hint of colour.

Use E00 to add a base layer of colour to the skin - I added an even layer all over the face and neck.  You might be able to see that I had cut a mask to go around the face and protect the background and hair - this made sure my airbrush work stayed clean and crisp.

Be guided by the shadows on the image and add E21 to these shadowed areas.

Finish colouring the skin by adding E11 into the shadows for a little extra depth, I've also added a little extra around the jaw and hairline.  If you are using a mask - you can remove it at this point.

Using BV0000, BV000, Y26, E49 and E47 - carefully colour the eyes - these are the focal point of the whole page so pay attention and colour carefully.

Add some grey to the mask to distinguish it from the face - just a little and keep it light.

I used C1 and C3 - blend with a little E00 if it begins to look a little too grey.

 As a final touch add E23 and E21 to the pattern on the neck and as shading around the eyes - really amp up the colour near the eyes.

You can immediately see that by colouring the eye area more heavily than the rest of the image, it really focusses your attention.  I've intentionally left the hair and background uncoloured to enhance the look of the face.  By keeping the colours to a minimum and using what is essentially a monochrome palette, I think it produces a softer look that is still appealing.

So while at first glance this project may look difficult and complicated, by taking things step-by-step I think this is something anyone can try!

Back with more soon,

Kate

PS- Make sure you pop back tomorrow morning to see if you were one of our lucky blog hop winners!!Pin It

Happy Friday!

From Copic Marker Australia on Instagram: http://ift.tt/1qPEfke

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