Color Theory for R Red Alcohol Markers
Copic makes 30 Red alcohol markers— ranging from the palest Copic of all (R0000) through skin blush tones, warm scarlets, fire engine reds, and deep burgundy wine colors.
They make a lot of pretty red markers but let’s be honest, you shade them all with one of three markers: R39, R59, or R89… because Copic doesn’t make any warm dark reds.
Have you ever noticed that red blends look flatter than similar blends with blue, green, or purple?
Let’s look at how to shade warm reds with artistic style.
Copic R08: Red Marker, Green Shade
(click below to watch at YouTube)
Tips for Coloring with R08
TIP: Red ink is staining
Red ink wants to bond with the paper fibers and once it sets, it will not move easily. Don’t allow R08 ink to dry until you’re finished blending.
TIP: Use less shade color than you think
People assume shade is the key to realism but more shade definitely does not mean more realism. Take it easy with the darker inks, you don’t need as much as you’d expect.
TIP: What’s Amy’s best tip for keeping red blends looking red?
Watch the video to learn my two rules for red marker highlights and the pencils we use over red areas.
Color with R08
Copic Postcard Kit + Swatch Cards
Six fall colors, learn about them all!
Easy print PDF digital stamps. Perfect for every skill level.
The Colors of Autumn: Gold, Orange, Vermilion, Brown, Sage, and Lavender
Perfect for Copic Markers with or without colored pencils
Class Printable Pack Includes:
SIX digital stamps, one for every color- YR16 Pumpkin (shown here), YR24 Mulled Cider, E29 Pinecone, BV31 Dried Hydrangea, YG93 Chestnut, and R08 Red Capped Mushrooms
SIX easy-print PDF swatch cards for every color. One card includes Amy’s color suggestions, the second is blank for your experiments
Cards are sized 5x7” with margin room for binding into a color reference booklet
Marker & Pencil List
Copic Markers and Prismacolor Premier Colored Pencils
MUSHROOM CAPS:
Red Copic Blend: G94 (underpaint), R08, R05, YR16
Push Pencils: 931 Dark Purple, 1097 Moss Green
Pull Pencil: 914 Cream
STEMS & GILLS:
Beige Copic Blend: W3 (underpaint), BV31, E41
Push Pencils: 931 Dark Purple, 122 Permanent Red, 942 Yellow Ochre, 1054 50% Warm Grey, 1056 70% Warm Grey, 1097 Moss Green
Pull Pencil: 914 Cream
SPOTS:
White Posca Paint Pen (Extra Fine), W3, 931 Dark Purple
MOSS & GRASS:
Copic: G99, G94
Extra: Posca Paint Pen, 1097 Moss Green, 931 Dark Purple
Related Red Reading
Learn more about R29 and the “Cool Peppermint” Copic illustration.
The realism in this “Dewy Leaf” Copic illustration does not come from blending combinations
Take a Class
Amy has classes featuring orange markers and realistic coloring techniques
“Real Crayons” an introduction to grisaille underpainting for photorealism.
“Rustic Maple Leaf” teaches how to create shade and shadow values for photorealism
More About Red Markers
We test Copic inks. See results here.
Copic underpaint blending recipes.
Copic project palettes using color theory.
Supply List: R08 Vermilion Postcard
