No Copics ?? NO PROBLEM !!

When I posted this card (Click Here), I thought the appeal might be big.  There are not that many of us that can afford the big $ for the Copics, or if we can, we don't think it is worth it.  And I don't!  This is just a personal thing, and I have nothing against the markers or those that bought them, it just gives me something to work at now...hehehe.  I am SURE that with practice, I can get my SU markers looking pretty close.  So do you want to know how??  Well, here goes!

What you need is an image stamped with Stazon ink on WATERCOLOR PAPER.  This is very important.  When you color on watercolor paper with SU markers, you will not see lines, since the ink spreads evenly.  The SU watercolor paper is 140lb., and I never tried it on less, but I think having better quality paper would really help keep the coloring at its best.

The image I chose to color is from High Hopes Rubber Stamps, Clarabelle and Riley.  I think he is too cute, and fun to color in.  I also have my markers and an aqua painter.  The aqua painter is for blending an removing excess color (yes, it takes away color.)

First, just like with any other coloring technique, you lay down the lightest color first.  If you click on the picture, you will see NO LINES from coloring with my marker.  I used creamy caramel for the lightest color.  Next is the shading step, and you will pull out the darker color.  It does not have to be the same shade, you can use another color altogther, if that is the look you are going for.

For this image though, I went for the next shade darker brown which is close to cocoa.  I shaded in the areas where I wanted my shadows to be.

Now, with your aqua painter, you start blending the images as in the image above.  You want to get it as even as possible before you start removing ink.  After you are satisfied with that, now you use the aqua painter to move the ink away from your highlight areas.

I am constantly brushing ink towards my darker areas, and then pulling my brush between my finger, so that I remove any extra ink and moisture from the brush.  You can really see how much ink I have removed from the picture above to the next one.

The cows spots were done with close to cocoa and shaded with chocolate chip.  The ear was just as dark as the rest, but I wanted it to be lighter, so I removed the ink again with the aqua painter.  The jeans on Riley were done with bordering blue and brocade blue, and again the ink removed in the front of the jeans, beside and under his back pocket, and on the cuff.

Now, I did make a mistake here.  I should NOT have added so much real red.  I was removing ink till kingdom come!!!  Next time, I will only put the ink on the stripes I want to have darker and then add more if necessary.  The red is such an intense color that a little goes a LONG way!!  You can see here, the cows lighter nose, the lighte areas on his boots, his hair.  It does take practice, and I still have work to do, to satisfy myself, but I can see it will be worth the effort (and the saved $600).  You wanna see the card, after all that?

I grounded him with the charcoal wonderful watercolor crayon (don't have a marker that color - YET), and also added a few shadows around them.  I sponged the edges with creamy caramel then cocoa, and then dragged the edge of the CS through the chocolate pad.  I matted it on kraft that had been sponged with chocolate.

I stamped the sentiment on a piece of kraft that I had cut to fit inside the word window punch.  I then rounded each end where I wanted it by sliding each side in seperately.  I then cut a piece of chocolate a little wider, and rounded its ends with the 3/4 circle punch.  I attached it to the image panel with a brad.

For the base, I sponged kraft with chocolate and matted on some of the Outlaw DP that I had first stamped with the sanded BG in chocolate.  I sponged some more kraft for the horizontal layer, and added more DP adding some brads at the end for interest.  I then used my crop-a-dile to add the 3 jumbo eyelets before putting on my image panel.

I really like the intensity of the colors when you use the markers.  I hope you can all figure this out.  If you upload a card you have done with this tutorial to SCS, put in the keyword NCNP (No Copics No Problem), so I can check them out!! Or, you could post a link back here on this post, so I can see what you've done!  Have fun and happy coloring!!

ETA : NOW ON VIDEO!!

Comments

[jules]

this is great, I wonder if the results are similar to the sugerloaf/whispers markers?

[teresa kline aka va.sunshine]

Thank you for this wonderful info. I am about to order some copics. I want the colors that match su in colors. It is such a bummer that su does not offer the in colors in the markers. don't ya think? Thank you agian, Teresa*~*

[Michelle NH]

Thanks for the lesson! Your web site is terrific! Found it via SCS.

[Alison Shiloh Wear]

thanks for the tips, Julie! I have recently joined a marker club, and now I'm looking forward to trying out my Many Marvelous Markers on watercolor paper.

[laura]

this is great! thanks so much! :)

[Deena (moonrise)]

Wow! Fabulous tutorial! I do not own any Copics and I keep telling myself I don't need them! Thanks for demonstrating a more affordable alternative!
Deena

[AubrieB]

Thanks so much for sharing this wonderful tutorial!! I hope you don't mind if I put a link to your tutorial on my blog. I love the look of Copics, but I just can't justify spending that on them when there are so many stamp sets that I want. Thanks again!

[Julie Kaehler]

Thanks for the great tutorial Julie. I have to tell you that I really appreciate that you haven't gotten on the Copic bandwagon. I don't have anything against Copics but most of us have a full set of markers already and it's great to see that the same look can be accomplished without the added expense. I just used the watercolor paper at my technique club on Friday and the ladies loved it. It is great paper!
Thanks again for inspiring so many of us. I just don't know how you find the time.
Julie Kaehler

[Chat]

WOW!!! this is a great tutorial, I am always in awe on how they color images and just showing this makes me want to try it. Thanks so much for this wonderful tutorial.
tfs:)
chat

[michelle]

I'm so glad for this information. I am a relativley new Stampin Up customer, and I had asked my demonstrator if she knew anything about how the Copics compared to the Stampin up markers. She found me this, and I am impressed...gotta go put in my order....

[Ms. Crafty If You're Nasty]

i hope you don't mind, but i've put a link to this tutorial on my blog... until now, i hadn't been impressed with demos i've seen of the markers, but you've sold me on a set! amazing work... you're very talented...

[Wendy Peatross]

I love this. Thanks for sharing. Now I just need to get the SU! markers and get started.

Wendy www.stampinfromtheheart.blogspot.com

[Michelle Gray]

This such a great tutorial! Thanks for sharing!

[Kristin]

This is wonderful informtion!! I was just trying to "use my SU! markers as copics" the other day by blending them with a blender pen but I wasnt as successful as you were with the aqua painter. I'll have to give your way a try and hope for better results! Thanks so much for sharing the information and for saving me some $$.

[Mel M. M. M.]

YOU are so so so so SO amazing! This is the best. I have to get some watercolour paper A.S.A.P. Thanks for sharing your creative genius! :0) Mel

[Lynne]

What a wonderful tutorial! I am definitely coloring challenged. I own a whole set of the markers (the older ones) but I have never been brave enough to try the shading as you have demonstrated. I will get some watercolor paper and give it a try!!!! Thank you for the inspiration! You did a great job!

[Michelle B]

Wow, I was so excited when I saw this but I don't own the SU markers either. So...I used what I had which was blender pens and ink spots and was able to get a similar effect with little effort. Thanks so much!! You can see my first attempt at http://www.splitcoaststampers.com/gallery/photo/821525?cat=500&ppuser=158949 (Sorry, should have picked a larger image to color and need photography lessons!).

[Alison]

What a fabulous tutorial - thanks so much for sharing your tips - I don't have Copic markers, thought I might need them but now see that I don't. You just saved me $ - well until I spend it on anything SU! LOL
Alison

[Letty]

Wow, I just read this! Thank you, thank you! you saved me tons of $$ because I have the SU markers, aquapainter & just love them! But recently been thinking I need to copics... now I'm soooo happy cuz I can just be content with my SU markers!
Love ya! Letty

[Deborah Golan]

Fantastic tutorial! Your technique certainly is top notch! Thanks! Deb

[Lynn]

Where do I get the water paper from?

[sandy]

THANKS SO MUCH!!! This technique is just what I've been looking for to use with my SU Markers!!! WOW!

[Christina]

Wonderful tutorial! I am so glad that you showed me a way to achieve this same look! I have only the SU! markers , although I would love the Copics, I am not able to purchase them at this time! I may not have to now!!! Christina

[Victoria]

Wow! I have only admired how great the Copic images looked, and have not even considered buying them. BUT, if I only need to buy an aquapainter and some WC paper, I might consider it! I may have to ask my demo to show us this at card club. Thank you so much for taking your time to try and post all of this.
God bless!

[Debbie Olson]

WOW, Julie! You did a fabulous job on this! Great coloring and process explanation!