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As I stated, I can't afford to buy Copics to color my stamped images. Currently, I use SU watercolor crayons anda blender pen. Yet, I would like to know what else could be used.
Great question curious myself.....I too can't afford the Copics, I did buy 4 just to give them a try and they are amazing but......$$$ I am starting to play with the Tombow markers and I also have a bunch from Close to My Heart which I like a lot. Will be curious to see what others say.
I have 3 copics markers...LOL! but I haven't used them yet, i am intimidated by them! There is a class next week at my Local Stamp Store which I am going to try to take.
I have been using Koh-I-Noor woodless pencils and I love them. They can be blended with odorless mineral spirits or baby oil and I've been using baby oil since i can't find the OMS in stores and just haven't gotten around to ordering online.
They are very affordable too.
I am like you ladies in that I just can't afford a bunch of copics. I buy the Sharpies markers in Walmart and they are very affordable. I also buy the large packs of them in Micheals when I have the 50% off coupon! They seem to work really well.
__________________ PatsyB "If you don't rescue, don't breed!"
I found that the Copic Ciao markers (the smaller ones) are essentially the same price as Tombow markers (around $3.50 each up here). I started off with them bc they are a bit cheaper.
I also agree that the Kohinoor pencils are really great and inexpensive and richly coloured.
I've been using Bic Markit's to get similar results. They are very inexpensive and come in many different package sizes. You can get a 36 pack at Target for around $20. You can also get a coupon off bic's website for a few dollars off this price. There aren't tons of color choices, but they are a very good alternative to copics. I did buy a very pale gray copic marker just to do the shading around the outside of my images. Hope this helps.
If you have the SU markers have you ever seen Julie Buhler's tutorial? I know they had it somewhere one SCS and I tried to find it for you but you can go to her blog and see it here:
Wow! Bic Markit's? Really? Your cards are so pretty and I love the subtle shading!! You did this with Bics? I could probably get them at Wal-Mart! How'd you achieve the shading? Love it!!!
Wow! Bic Markit's? Really? Your cards are so pretty and I love the subtle shading!! You did this with Bics? I could probably get them at Wal-Mart! How'd you achieve the shading? Love it!!!
Yes! Bics! Thank you!! You can get them at walmart too, just not the biggest size package (only the 24 pack, but the 36 pack at target has so many more good colors). The shading is done just by coloring in the image with the lighter color, outlining the edges (wherever you want a shadow) with the darker color and then using the lighter color again in a circular motion to blend the two together. Hope this helps! They're fun to color with!
__________________ Jessica -"what could be better than stamps & chocolate?" My Etsy Shop My Blog
If you have the SU markers have you ever seen Julie Buhler's tutorial? I know they had it somewhere one SCS and I tried to find it for you but you can go to her blog and see it here:
__________________ If you don't want your tax dollars to help the poor, then stop saying you want a country based on Christian values, because you don't. ~ Jimmy Carter
I have been using blick studio markers from dick blick. I found these while looking online for an alternative to copics as well. I really like them. They are two ended markers one chisel end and one smaller end. Heres a link to a card that I did with them :Christmas Card 08 by sammsmom1 at Splitcoaststampers
They do come in like 75 colors or something close to that and they are less than $2 each.
Can you use the Copic colorless blender with the Bic's ? They are both alcohol based,right?
Barbara
yes you can. I have one, but all it does is take color away, not blend the colors. I don't ever use it cause it doesn't work like I thought it would. Just a heads up for you.
__________________ Jessica -"what could be better than stamps & chocolate?" My Etsy Shop My Blog
I use the Bics too and love them!!! The Copic blender does work with them...all it is intended to do is take color away (the name is a little misleading) but it does the job well. Like anything else, you need to play around with them and see what combo's/techniques work best for you...
here are two of my favorites using the Bics...for the price, you can't beat them!!
yes you can. I have one, but all it does is take color away, not blend the colors. I don't ever use it cause it doesn't work like I thought it would. Just a heads up for you.
yes the name doesn't really suit it's function. it should be called a bleach pen or something. but it sometimes helps to blend really hard lines that you haven't blended well and the way to do this (it's better with a sketch or ciao blender) is just to do a quick, light swipe across the area you want to blend, then wait till it evaporates, then if it needs more, do it again etc...
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yes the name doesn't really suit it's function. it should be called a bleach pen or something. but it sometimes helps to blend really hard lines that you haven't blended well and the way to do this (it's better with a sketch or ciao blender) is just to do a quick, light swipe across the area you want to blend, then wait till it evaporates, then if it needs more, do it again etc...
Thanks for the tip. I just got this one Copic and I used it pretty liberally, not knowing it would "remove" color.
I use regular colored pencils with excellent results. I'm also a very big fan of watercolors, particularly watercolor pencils. The results aren't as "smooth" as markers, but pretty just the same. Just different. I may have to check out those Bic's though.
I've been using Bic Markit's to get similar results. They are very inexpensive and come in many different package sizes. You can get a 36 pack at Target for around $20. You can also get a coupon off bic's website for a few dollars off this price. There aren't tons of color choices, but they are a very good alternative to copics. I did buy a very pale gray copic marker just to do the shading around the outside of my images. Hope this helps.
I second everything she just said. Even the grey copic marker for the outline.
__________________ Bonnie~Proud Fan Club Member~Marine Wife My Gallery~One of Kota's Kids My Blog~Bonnie's Creative Corner Every Job is a Self-Portrait of the Person Who Did It. Autograph Your Work With Excellence.~Author Unknown
I too use the Bic's. I also use Prisma Color Markers. They are pricier than Bic's but I buy them one at a time at M's with a coupon. I uploaded a project to my blog today that is colored with Bic's.
I have been using blick studio markers from dick blick. I found these while looking online for an alternative to copics as well. I really like them. They are two ended markers one chisel end and one smaller end. Heres a link to a card that I did with them :Christmas Card 08 by sammsmom1 at Splitcoaststampers
They do come in like 75 colors or something close to that and they are less than $2 each.
This is what I have started with! I got them at the local blick store for about 1.69.
They have the same tips as prisma markers. I have started to get a few copics though (with coupon at HL) because of the brush tips. But blick studios are really a great alternative.
You could also try prismacolor pencils (if you don't have any yet). They are my second choice of coloring medium (with baby oil).
You can get the exact same look with SU or Tombow markers ,blender pen and watercolor paper that COPICS do.
Watercolor is great for blending the markers and pulling off color with a blender pen.
I signed up for the Copics class at my local store and I can't wait! But, in the meantime, I bought the Bic Mark-it's from Target and I LOVE THEM!!!!!!!!! Thanks for sharing about them
I have the Bic Mark-it's, SU markers and Derwent watercolor pencils. I mostly use watercolor paper and an aquapainter. I have some SU blender pens but they don't seem to last long for me.
__________________ Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved. Acts 4:12
I'm teaching an introduction to Copic Coloring class today at my local stamp store. I totally understand everyones reservations when it comes to Copic's cost. However, the Ciaos are priced for beginners and IMO a great deal. Before I bought my Copics (I only own 36-set D at the moment) I bought Prismacolor markers at Michaels using my discount coupon. They are not low order as the Copics are and do not have a brush tip. But if you practice A LOT you can get very good using the broad chisel tip of the Prismacolor Markers. The smaller tip usually goes dry long before the bigger end. (Prismacolors are not refillable)
The reason I switched to Copic Ciaos was that they are refillable and the color choices. One refill bottle will fill the marker about 12 times. This, IMO, is more cost effective in the long run.
I use my markers a ton. And they run out of ink more frequently than someone who uses them once in a while.
I also own lots of sharpies. I wouldn't used them for the type of coloring that I do with my Copics because the shades are not as subtle as the Copics and personally I couldn't deal with the strong smell.
I think you just have to find what works best for you.
You can find Copic Sketch markers at Hobby Lobbies and use their coupons. Sketch markers cost more than the Ciaos but they also contain almost twice the amount to ink in their well.
__________________ "In the end, it's not the years in your life that count. It's the life in your years." Abraham Lincoln
Another vote for Prisma markers here! I, too, could not afford the COPICS, but wanted to use a marker for shading and blending abilities. I think that everything a COPIC does, a Prisma does, too. No demarcation lines, blending, shading, you name it. They are awesome! My friend Beth, who designs the Saltbox Studio stamps, told me that all the major artists use Prisma markers and pencils for coloring (like Mary Engelbreit). Beth has had some Prismas for years and hasn't had the need to replace them yet.
You can get them for great prices at Dick Blick.com, and make sure you check out the cheap marker case to go with them. I think they sell one for around $3!
I have many different brands of markers, paints, inks, copics. pencils, pastels. So what I have found to be very much like the copics are Sharpie markers they are alcohol based so they layer, blend and shade the same way. The difference I notice is Shaprie has a harder/stiff nub so they don't fell as smooth as the copics. try this:
I was reading this thread this morning and when I went to Target later I saw a 36 + 4 free pack of Mark-It's for $19.75. I gave in and bought the pack. I just finished trying my first attempt at coloring and was pretty pleased with the result. I found though that even the really pale pastels were pretty dark when you put them on paper, especially as you layered and blended. And I couldn't get a very good flesh tone. I guess I would need to add to this with a few other markers from other lines like Prismacolor or Copic for some of these tones.
Once I get a card together I'll post it, but I must say I had fun trying this out!
__________________ Melanie "Today I will be happier than a bird with a french fry."
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I was reading this thread this morning and when I went to Target later I saw a 36 + 4 free pack of Mark-It's for $19.75. I gave in and bought the pack. I just finished trying my first attempt at coloring and was pretty pleased with the result. I found though that even the really pale pastels were pretty dark when you put them on paper, especially as you layered and blended. And I couldn't get a very good flesh tone. I guess I would need to add to this with a few other markers from other lines like Prismacolor or Copic for some of these tones.
Once I get a card together I'll post it, but I must say I had fun trying this out!
Yay for you! Target's where I got mine too. The colors are darker than what the marker actually looks like, but there are quite a few different colors. I have just bought a couple copic markers to go along with the bics. I bought a pale flesh tone and a pale gray, for doing shading around images and people. Just experiment and keep practicing and have fun!
__________________ Jessica -"what could be better than stamps & chocolate?" My Etsy Shop My Blog
I too went to Target and picked up the Bic's based on Jessica's comments and I REALLY like them! I'm having a good time trying to learn how to blend them and I have a bunch of other markers from Close To My Heart but they were mostly neutrals and fall colors so the Bic set was a perfect addition. Thanks!!
I actually took the plunge and purchased Prismacolor markers. On the Bay I got a set of 12 for $12.95 w/ free shipping. Like many of you, I only owned 1 copic which was a great skin tone. I am really happy with my prismacolor markers, it has really good saturation and can be used like a copic as well. I am still learning how though although I have done some recent cards in my gallery. You can also find a nice selection of them at M's as well for $3.99, but with a coupon it only comes out to about $2 or so. There are tons of tutorials on Youtube.com as far as coloring with different types of medium. HTH! Have a great day!
I got the Bic markers at Target based on an enabler alert here on SCS - thanks!! :grin: When you want that deep marker look they really are great. I find you can get the shaded look by letting the color dry and then coming back later and shading with the same color...
Can't afford Copics, so what's next best?
