If you enjoy any of a number of artistic endeavors, be them stamping, graphic design, or just drawing for fun, you’ve undoubtedly heard about Copic sketch markers. Copic markers are a part of the larger Copic brand, an art supply manufacturer located in Japan. For many years, these markers needed to be imported from overseas, but within the last few years they have been gaining popularity within the United States, and they can now be found in many large art stores. They are by no means cheap, however; the average store price of one Copic sketch marker in a bricks-and-mortar store is usually around $5, and sets of just 24 markers retail for over $100. Before making such a large investment, it’s important to make sure you’re investing in art supplies that will be worth your money.
The Setup
The first thing that needs to be examined about the Copic sketch marker is, of course, the marker itself. Copic sketch markers have a very simple, yet very appealing, design to them. The main area of the marker is a grayish white color, and embossed upon it is the brand name, barcode, and marker color. On either side of the marker there is a cap tipped with the color of the ink it contains.
Yes, there are two caps! Copics differ from many other popular brands of markers in that they have two usable tips. The first end is flat and wide, to be used for coloring in large areas at a time. The other tip is a more flexible brush edge, which is handy for coloring in small areas and blending colors, as well as using many varying techniques.
There is one other nifty detail about Copics that needs to be mentioned. Nearly everything about them can be replaced. The tips, which are made of felt, can get worn down after use, and like all markers they’ll eventually run dry of ink, but this is nothing to fear. Instead of throwing out the marker when it gets worn out or dry, you can purchase new replacement tips and bottles of refill ink. Once you buy a marker, it will more or less last forever!
Putting them to the Test
Before anything else can be said about Copic sketch markers, let it be known that there is a learning curve to using them, especially if you’ve never had experience with an alcohol-based or brush-ended marker. However, once you get the hang of it, Copic markers are fun to use. The tips on both ends give a smooth, even ink flow, and as long as you work quickly, it’s very easy to get a smooth patch of color down no matter how large of a space you’re working in. As well, by layering ink colors, it’s easy to blend colors together for either dramatic or subtle shading. And as long as you’re working on good quality paper, that color is guaranteed to completely pop from its image!
Unlike cheaper, water-based markers, Copics can be layered over and over eachother in the same area without tearing or messing up the page. The drawback to this is that they bleed, occasionally over the lines if you’re using lower-quality paper to color with them, but more often through the paper itself; this is why it’s important to keep a piece of scrap paper underneath whatever you’re working on if you don’t want to get your work surface stained. As well, it’s recommended to work in a well-ventilated area; Copics, being alcohol-based, have a very strong scent, and using them a lot without a break can leave you feeling a bit light-headed.
All in all, I would say that if you really have a passion for whatever art you do, investing in Copic sketch markers is worth it. While they may have an initially high cost, once you buy them, you won’t need to buy them again, and if you’re looking for bright, vivid color on whatever project you’re working on, you will not be disappointed. All in all, if you have the money, you cannot go wrong with Copic sketch markers.
