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So, if I have never used a Copic marker before would you recommend that I just jump in and try or research online about how to color with them? I have been wanting to try them for awhile and have finally set aside some money to buy a few.
Also, would I have my hopes up too high to want to have the CHF Thomas Kinkade stamp images to color for my Christmas cards? Is that asking too much of myself since I have never colored with them before?
Thanks for any input at all, I appreciate it!
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1) the thomas kinkade stamps are hard to color.. BUT, if you're artistic, as in you've coloured and shaded with other mediums in your life you may take to copics quickly... it didn't take me long to learn..
2) is there a store that offers classes near you? It's a great way to learn a lot of the tricks quickly instead of figuring them out yourself by trial and error, but yes, online is a great place to learn too!!
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I design for: Stampendous!, There She Goes, Technique Tuesday,
SRM Stickers and Deconstructed Sketches.
Kinkaid's with Copic? Check out Sherrie Siemens. If you scroll down the right side of her blog, she has video tutorials. I would check those out. She has lots of general Copic info on her blog, as well.
For Christmas cards with Kinkaid, I might suggest one of the TK vignettes or using the spotlight technique where you only highlight a small portion of the image with actual coloring. You can find a tutorial for that here.
Kinkaid's with Copic? Check out Sherrie Siemens. If you scroll down the right side of her blog, she has video tutorials. I would check those out. She has lots of general Copic info on her blog, as well.
For Christmas cards with Kinkaid, I might suggest one of the TK vignettes or using the spotlight technique where you only highlight a small portion of the image with actual coloring. You can find a tutorial for that here.
Thanks Lori!....Actually, I find Kinkades one of the easier things to color as all the shading is already in the stamp...all you have to do is lay down the color. I have a tutorial on coloring a kinkade stamp HERE.
As said above, there is lots of info on-line or better yet, take a copic class from a certified designer nearest to you. I am doing one in Langley...which is a little far from Indiana...I realize...
When I received my first ones, I was very disappointed. There's a learning curve even with the tutorials. I love them now. I had to do it my own way. I saw a demonstration just a couple of weeks ago on the proper way of shading. So I tried it when I got home. I'm sticking to what works for me. It's also said to get 3 of a shade with skipping numbers. For example (and totally making up #s), you could use B3, B5, & B7 so shading will work. That's great if you have a lot of $ up front. But I had to build my collection slowly. What I learned is that you can shade fine with 2 markers. And with some colors you can get away with just one color... works great with the lighter browns.
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Miss Boo - a.k.a. jen70
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So I am curious.. what colors could you not live without?
The more I have the less able I can decide.
But a light color for highlighting around an image is a must. I currently use C0, C-1, E0000, Y000, B60, YG11, & BG10. I know I will eventually increase that highlighting collection. I go with very light colors... an analogy would be less make-up can make a person look more natural
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Miss Boo - a.k.a. jen70
SCS Fan Club Member since 2005
Retired Challenge Hostess (2005-2014)
Limited Supplies, Featured Stamper, Clean & Simple
I think that in order to master Copics, you definitely have to have "hands on" experience with them in order to love them. I would say that you won't "love" them right off the bat because, as others have mentioned above, there is a learning curve. But if you watch the YouTube videos (I first learned from watching Sherrie Siemens' videos - {*waving HI Sherrie!!*} - and then took the Certification Class from Marianne Walker in Seattle. I would definitely recommend taking a class nearby - sometimes they'll supply the product so you can try them before you buy them.
Copics are great markers, but they do have a learning curve, so if there is a class in your area I would advise taking it! In terms of colors, I've found that as a beginner it is best to start small and work your way from there. You don't need dozens of markers to start with. The Flourishes Copic Collection was designed both for people just starting out in trying these markers, as well as for those who have a large collection. The Flourishes Copic Collection is unique in that it groups markers into their natural color blend families, and does so in groups of 3, 4 or 5 markers. So you don't have to spend a ton right off the bat! If you like pinks and yellows get those groups and play with them.
Information of the Flourishes Copic Collection can be found HERE.
Also, I've put together a few copic tutorials that are very simple to follow here are the links:
Girls, Thank you so much. This is all such great information. I am so aprpeciative of you all taking time out of your day to reply. I'm going to check into the Archiver's class. It's kind of far away, but maybe I could make that work. Your blogs are all amazing and all of the links provided were fantastic. Again, thanks for the info as well as the vote of confidence. I think that was just what I needed! Thank you so very, very much.
__________________ Be thankful for all that you have been blessed with, no matter how big or small.
Archiver's is having a Copic class beginning in October.
Which Archivers?
__________________ ************************************************************** Deborah "Imagination is more important than knowledge" ~ Albert Einstein
Girls, Thank you so much. This is all such great information. I am so aprpeciative of you all taking time out of your day to reply. I'm going to check into the Archiver's class. It's kind of far away, but maybe I could make that work. Your blogs are all amazing and all of the links provided were fantastic. Again, thanks for the info as well as the vote of confidence. I think that was just what I needed! Thank you so very, very much.
Well I think I will jump into this topic as well. I have taken the Copic Class twice plus (hehe) with Marianne. She is a great artist and loves Copics. I reach thread after thread with questions and issues regarding Copics.
I spent a lot of hours on the subject and this we Flourishes put together the package we call our Copic Collections. Each of the packet is name for a flower at this time as so many of the FLLC images are florals. The color is this packs is guaranteed to blend. We done all the work for you.
Yes, there is still some learning curve to Copics..
1--a feather like touch;
2--the right papers ( at FLLC we even have come up with our own line of paper with Copics in mind.
3--color, blending --using the FLLC Copic Collections makes this oh so easy.
Well I think I will jump into this topic as well. I have taken the Copic Class twice plus (hehe) with Marianne. She is a great artist and loves Copics. I reach thread after thread with questions and issues regarding Copics.
I spent a lot of hours on the subject and this we Flourishes put together the package we call our Copic Collections. Each of the packet is name for a flower at this time as so many of the FLLC images are florals. The color is this packs is guaranteed to blend. We done all the work for you.
Yes, there is still some learning curve to Copics..
1--a feather like touch;
2--the right papers ( at FLLC we even have come up with our own line of paper with Copics in mind.
3--color, blending --using the FLLC Copic Collections makes this oh so easy.
Thanks for posting this. I didn't realize y'all had come up with your own paper with Copics in mind, but I will keep that in mind for my next order!
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"Archiver's is having a Copic class beginning in October."
I think it's ALL the Archivers. I live in IL and was in Archivers today and asked about it. They won't have the full October schedule until Tuesday. At least that is the story I got. I'm thinking of taking it too. They are going to do 4 Christmas cards that were cute!
__________________ How far you go in life depends on your being tender with the young, compassssionate with the aged, sympathetic with the striving, and tolerant of the weak and the strong because someday you will have been all of these.--George Washington Carver
Thanks Lori!....Actually, I find Kinkades one of the easier things to color as all the shading is already in the stamp...all you have to do is lay down the color. I have a tutorial on coloring a kinkade stamp HERE.
As said above, there is lots of info on-line or better yet, take a copic class from a certified designer nearest to you. I am doing one in Langley...which is a little far from Indiana...I realize...
I will be there with bells on :mrgreen: See you then Miss Sherrie!
I am taking a class online, everything copic, on this site: http://www.mycreativeclassroom.com/
check under course catagories; you could probably catch up on the current
class, second week. It's been just knowledge these two weeks, but now we
are starting on techniques. Also another class in November. I find it formative
__________________ Carolyn
my avatar: (such desparation), Dear God, if you can't make me thin; make my
friends fat"
I took the Copic class at Archivers last week (Aurora/Naperville, IL) and I was VERY disappointed. The class was more about the cards (there were 4 cards - 1 didn't even use markers) and the other products you used to make those cards. Very little coloring - mostly single color - no blending. I wouldn't recommend this class if you want to learn more about Copics...and I'm a big Archivers fan, just not this class. Sorry...
I have taken the Certification class with Marianne from Copic. That being said - last week I got an email from someone working at Archivers wondering if I had any tips or tricks that would help her teach a class. She had never used Copics before:confused:. I was really surprised because there is no way you could teach a class properly unless you have actually used the markers. Be sure when you are paying for a class that the person is Copic Certified. That way you will get the most bang for your buck!
I have taken the Certification class with Marianne from Copic. That being said - last week I got an email from someone working at Archivers wondering if I had any tips or tricks that would help her teach a class. She had never used Copics before:confused:. I was really surprised because there is no way you could teach a class properly unless you have actually used the markers. Be sure when you are paying for a class that the person is Copic Certified. That way you will get the most bang for your buck!
Yes yes yes what Debbie said.
A local store here is having a Copic class, and in the class kit they want you to bring, they said Stazon ink!! I was in there one day and mentioned using stazon could ruin the tips...they had no idea!
Yes yes yes what Debbie said.
A local store here is having a Copic class, and in the class kit they want you to bring, they said Stazon ink!! I was in there one day and mentioned using stazon could ruin the tips...they had no idea!
Thanks Latisha!
I didn't want to come off sounding like a know it all but you should get what you pay for!:mrgreen:
I have taken the Certification class with Marianne from Copic. That being said - last week I got an email from someone working at Archivers wondering if I had any tips or tricks that would help her teach a class. She had never used Copics before:confused:. I was really surprised because there is no way you could teach a class properly unless you have actually used the markers. Be sure when you are paying for a class that the person is Copic Certified. That way you will get the most bang for your buck!
I taught Copic classes for over a year and a half before I was certified only because they only offer certifications once a year in my area. I have always been qualified, if not MORE THAN qualified to teach classes about Copics. In my mind, the certification was a piece of paper that I wanted so my LSS could put it up in the store.
Maybe researching the teacher's background and work instead of looking for that certificate would be a more accurate way of judging what kind of teacher she is, because MOST of the people at the certification I attended had never touched Copics before. After the certification they were QUALIFIED to teach, but certainly not ABLE to teach because they had 6 HOURS with the markers.
Just sayin'..
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{Gallery}{Blog}
I design for: Stampendous!, There She Goes, Technique Tuesday,
SRM Stickers and Deconstructed Sketches.
Yes, I was at Archiver's picking up Copics the DAY that they came in and when I was looking at the display I was getting asked all sorts of questions about coloring and shading and blending.
the card class is NOT a certification class, but I'm hoping it might open the door for those types of classes in Northeastern Ohio.
I taught Copic classes for over a year and a half before I was certified only because they only offer certifications once a year in my area. I have always been qualified, if not MORE THAN qualified to teach classes about Copics. In my mind, the certification was a piece of paper that I wanted so my LSS could put it up in the store.
Maybe researching the teacher's background and work instead of looking for that certificate would be a more accurate way of judging what kind of teacher she is, because MOST of the people at the certification I attended had never touched Copics before. After the certification they were QUALIFIED to teach, but certainly not ABLE to teach because they had 6 HOURS with the markers.
I am taking a class online, everything copic, on this site: http://www.mycreativeclassroom.com/
check under course catagories; you could probably catch up on the current
class, second week. It's been just knowledge these two weeks, but now we
are starting on techniques. Also another class in November. I find it formative
Anyone in the know that could ask for a certification class to be brought to SE Michigan?
I saw they were offering that copics class at archivers, as soon as I asked if the teacher was certified and they todld me no, I knew there was no way in heck I'd take the class.
Anyone in the know that could ask for a certification class to be brought to SE Michigan?
I saw they were offering that copics class at archivers, as soon as I asked if the teacher was certified and they todld me no, I knew there was no way in heck I'd take the class.
did you read what i wrote earlier??
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{Gallery}{Blog}
I design for: Stampendous!, There She Goes, Technique Tuesday,
SRM Stickers and Deconstructed Sketches.
Anyone in the know that could ask for a certification class to be brought to SE Michigan?
I saw they were offering that copics class at archivers, as soon as I asked if the teacher was certified and they todld me no, I knew there was no way in heck I'd take the class.
I'll be in Grand Rapids teaching a class at the end of the month. Sign up by sending an e-mail to [email protected]
I know how frustrating it can be to take a class from someone who is not competent. There have been a lot of good points brought up in this thread.
1. Even if someone is certified you should check to make sure they know what they are doing. Copic Certification is for Beginner-intermediate Copic users. It really was a way of helping LSS who don't have time to be constantly searching the internet and doing a lot of trial and error. After a class their heads will be swimming with information but without practice you're no better off than before. That being said, there are plenty of people out there who already know much of the stuff on their own that is taught at a certification without ever taking the class.
2. Archivers' first workshops were to introduce people to a new product, and their designers were learning as well. The quality of the first classes will vary from store to store depending on how much the teacher has used the markers before. Next year they plan on doing more technique based classes, so just be patient.
Should you attend a certification on your own? If there's one in the area and you really have your heart set on it then go for it. If you don't have one in your area and you study videos and blogs then you'll get most of what you need online
I did place an order after starting the class, but just to fill you in ahead.
You need three copics of the same color range to blend, choose a refill for one of those colors, maybe one that you will use a lot and a memento ink pad to stamp with. Maybe another fall
color combination to use with a favorite stamp set. Otherwise, I would wait with ordering anything until you have taken the class. We talked about color combinations in that class, also.
The price sure is right for a beginner class Carolyn
Quote:
Originally Posted by Stampnf1n
I signed up for the Nov 2 class.
Bonnie
__________________ Carolyn
my avatar: (such desparation), Dear God, if you can't make me thin; make my
friends fat"
I have taken the Certification class with Marianne from Copic. That being said - last week I got an email from someone working at Archivers wondering if I had any tips or tricks that would help her teach a class. She had never used Copics before:confused:. I was really surprised because there is no way you could teach a class properly unless you have actually used the markers. Be sure when you are paying for a class that the person is Copic Certified. That way you will get the most bang for your buck!
For all of you Copic gals...
