Copic Marker Color System

It can be overwhelming with all the choices of Copic Markers Colors to decide which colors go well together. Once

you understand the way the markers are labeled, it will make it much easier for you to select colors for your

projects. Let’s take a look at the Copic Sketch Markers together. I have selected 3 Markers in the Same Color

Blending Family: R20, R21, and R24.

As you will notice each marker has a Letter followed by a number or numbers. In this case you will notice the Letter on these Markers is R. The letters on the markers represent a Color Family. The Color Families are divided into groups on the chart below. Locate R which is the Red Color Family.

COLOR FAMILIES

� E-Earthtones YG- Yellow Green

� C-Cool Grey G-Green

� W-Warm Grey B-Blue

� T-Toner Grey V-Violet

� F-Fluorescent BV-Blue Violet

� RV- Red Violet N-Neutral Grey

� R-Red

� YR-Yellow Red

Each marker will a number or numbers after the letter. It will help you if you think of the numbers separately. Example: R-2-0 instead of R-“22”.

THE FIRST NUMBER

Locate the 1st number which is 2

The first number between 0 and 9 relates to the Color Saturation or the Intensity (Tone) of the color. (This is achieved by the varying amount of grey that is in the color)

Take a look at the markers in the photo above. By just reading the code we know that R20, R22 and R29 all have the same intensity of Red-(the same amount of grey in each of them). We know this because they all start with the Letter R and all are followed with the number 2.

Locate the 2nd number which is 0. The second number also ranges from 0 to 9 and it relates to the brightness or lightness of the color.

The second number on the marker is the DARKNESS of the marker. It will range from 0-9. Zero being the lightest and 9 the darkest.

NATURAL BLENDING GROUPS:

Within each Color Family there are natural groups of sequential colors. For example: Look at the chart below: R20-R39

The colors all come from the same Color Group which is R and have the same color intensity which is 2. The variation is in the lightness and brightness of the color which is the 3rd number.

Groups such as these form what we call “Natural Blending Groups”. When used together it will allow you that have the most seamless blending as possible.

In order to get the most out of your Copics:

� You need to use at least 2 colors from the same blending group. � To ensure consistency but having sufficient variation chose groups of 2 or 3

colors with the same letter and the same first number. � Try to always keep a couple digits between your second numbers.

When creating a color family which means colors that will blend well together, KEEP THE FIRST NUMBER the same.

Example: E41, E42, E43 These 3 markers will blend well together. They are E in the Earthtone Family and the 1st number on all 3 markers is 4.

WHAT ARE THE DIFFERENCES BETWEEN GREYS

Cool Grays are bluish, or cool. Neutral Grays have not tone, warm or cool. Toner Grays are slightly warmer, or brown than neutral. Warm Grays are browner than any of the other grays.

When viewing the Copic Color Wheel it will all start to make sense to you. The vibrant colors will sit on the outside of the color wheel with the lowest first numbers. This is those that start with 0 and 1. Then move towards the center of the wheel are the de-saturated colors, starting with numbers such as 7, 8 or 9. If you select a set of colors try to select colors from the same ring.

MORE IMPORTANT TIPS

� To get started with Color Families that will work well together use the above tip as your guideline and also see my Basic Color Starter List.

� Highly recommend using/purchasing a Colorless Blender. You will use this often and throughout the classes and when you are done.

Use the Copics Color Chart. Start immediately by printing it out with the link provided from the Copic Website. This chart will be used quite often not only to record the colors you have on hand or that you want to get but to match up