Alcohol markers with pencils
by Beate Johns
Use alcohol based markers and colored pencils to color your image.
Supplies
- Stamps (Flourishes Peaches and Cherries used here)
- Cardstock (Neenah Solar White used here)
- Ink, (Black Soot Distress Ink used here)
- Alcohol based markers (Copic used here)
- Prismacolor™ Pencils, or other wax-based pencils
- Gamsol, or other artist-grade odorless mineral spirits
- Blending stumps
Step-by-Step
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Step 1
Stamp your image on your cardstock.
Hint:
When working with Copic™ or other markers always test the ink and paper first to make sure the ink doesn't run and the paper doesn't make the markers bleed outside the image.
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Step 2
Color your image with your alcohol based markers.
No need to add shading, because that will be done with pencils. Think of this step as adding a base coat.
Hint:
When coloring with Copic™ markers, always place a clean piece of scrap paper under the cardstock.
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Step 3
Apply a light amount color with a pencil to the edge of the image where you want it to look shaded.
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Step 4
If you have Gamsol in a dauber bottle, turn it upside down to moisten the sponge top and set it upright. Dip the blending stump into the dauber to pick up mineral spirits on the tip of the blender.
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Step 5
Blend the color with the side of the stump. Start on the edge of the image, pulling the color towards the center of the image in a small circular motion.
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Step 6
For more depth, add a slightly darker pencil color on the edge of the image.
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Blend the pencil again with Gamsol and blending stump.
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Step 7
To add more contrast, add a layer of pencil in a color that is lighter than the marker base color to the lightest spots. Again blend with blending stump and Gamsol.
Hint:
You can clean blending stumps by sanding them slightly with a sanding block or nail file.
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Step 8
Color the rest of the image in the same way, using one or several pencil colors.
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Important:
Once the image has been colored with Prismacolor™ pencils, don't go over the colored image with markers again. The wax in the pencils might damage the marker nib.
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Step 9
Finish your project.
Video!
Variations
Different looks
Try different colored pencil types or leave off the gamsol blending for a different look.
Your Turn
You've seen the tutorial, now you try it! We've got a section of the gallery set aside for Alcohol markers with pencils. Try this technique, then upload your artwork to the gallery. Show us your creations!
***Please note - Internet Explorer/Edge is not a supported browser, and will not allow you to see the videos. Please use Chrome, Firefox or Safari to view our tutorial videos.
Questions and Comments
We'd love to get your feedback or questions. Leave your comment below.
Yes, you can use watercolor pencils with copics. But if you are using watercolor paper, beware that it will take a lot of ink out of your marker. Also, watercolor paper is very soft, the ink might feather out of your lines.
Marian,
I bought my bottle a long time ago from Inky Attics. Gina K. Designs sells empty dauber bottles.
Molli,
I prefer Copic Sketch Markers. They come in 334 colors, have the Super Brush tip I like and fit in the airbrush systems. Plus you can purchase empty markers and mix your own color. Can you tell I love these markers? LOL
Gail,
I used Classic Crest Solar White cardstock that weighs 80lbs.
Hugs and smiles
It's ironic that just recently my friend and I had a discussion about this technique and had lots of unanswered questions which I'm hoping you could help.
1) I know that Gamsol is a mineral spirit, but what does it actually do to the artwork?
2) Aside from Gamsol, will a product like Goo Be Gone do the same thing?
3) Where can one purchase the stump and the dauber bottle?
Thanks so much for your beautiful card and tutorial and for your input on the answered questions.
Bernadine
1.) Gamsol blends the pencil color. You can find a tutorial on just the pencils with gamsol under Gamsol magic here in the resource section.
2.) A lot of people people use baby oil and some use Goo Goneinstead of Gamsol. I haven't tried that. You can find a lot more information and variations in our Prismacolor chatter forum thread.
3.) There are a lot of places you can purchase the stumps and the dauber bottle. In an earlier reply I mentioned that I purchased my dauber gottle with gamsol from Inky Antics and that Gina K sells it as well. She also sells the Blending stumps.
You can find blending stumps in most Art and craft stores.
Hugs and smiles
I only use Copic Markers because they are refillable and you can change their nibs out if they get messed up.
Prismacolor also has Alcohol based markers. Sharpies are alcohol based as well.
Yes, you can achieve shading like that with just Copic Markers. But combining Copic Markers with colored pencils just gives you a different look. Plus it's a nice technique for people that already have the pencils, but just a few markers.
Hugs and smiles
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