Copic Beginner Tips: Skin & Hair
Hello, welcome back to more Beginner Copic Coloring Tips. We’ll start with smooth surface coloring, similar to the coffee cups from my last post, and move into skin and hair.
Grab your beverage of choice & get comfy, this video is longer than normal. There was a lot to share! Comment, here or at Youtube, to let me know if the length and format works for you.
Use Products with Colored Artwork on their Packaging
Packaging with colored artwork is invaluable to a new colorist. It is especially helpful to see where the artist adds shading.
Stamping Bella is an excellent example of such products. Elaine Hughes, from Marker Geek, colors Stamping Bella’s packaging artwork. She posts great videos of her coloring on her YouTube channel. When you purchase from stampingbella.com, you receive access to the Copic Colour Map, which shares the colors Elaine used on the packaging.
Comment below to share others stamp lines that feature colored packaging.
Pick Images & Colors that You Love
This may seem like a no brainer, but I was recently practicing shading flowers with orange, which is not one of my faves. I chose it because I wanted to branch out of my comfort zone, but throughout the process, I was feeling uninspired and well, meh.
While learning, choose colors you love and an image that you’ll want to color multiple times. You’ll notice that my shading and technique isn’t the same as the packaging. Once you’ve colored it once, and found your footing, do it again with a different light source and try different techniques.
Work in Small Sections for Skin
Generally, when we’re new to a medium or just learning it, we take our time and work slowly. In order to get a successful blend, I find my paper needs to be damp with ink.
Think of it like watercolor. If your watercolor dries, you’ll need to rewet the area if you need to blend further. That means I need to work in small sections to prevent my ink from drying before I’m ready to add the next color.
While learning, color 1 body part at a time rather than base coating the entire body, this will give you adequate time to blend.
I will list the Copic markers used below and refer you to the video for further coloring tips & instruction. I believe seeing is more impactful than reading in this case. ;o)
Violet: V12, V04, V17
Skin: E51, E11, BV00
Wings: BG10, RV000, BV00
Cosmo: RV02, RV04
Glass: BG10, C1, C3
Olive: G43, G67
Once coloring was complete, I covered everything but her skin in Clear Wink of Stella Glitter Brush Pen, because hey, she’s a fairy and should be sparkly!
I added a few star sequins, matted it with Simon Says Stamp Royal Purple cardstock and popped the panel up with purple fun foam onto an A2 sized top fold card base.
I hope you enjoyed this card. Be sure to subscribe to my blog, YouTube, and Instagram so that you don’t miss future posts and giveaways. Get creative and remember to Breathe · Ink · Inspire.
Supplies
