Blending trios stink for pink!
Deep down you know I'm right.
We've all been there. We want to color something pink and according to all the Copic laws, we're supposed to select three pink markers in a row.
Which leaves you sitting there with one or two red markers.
To color something pink?
Yep, and it all goes downhill from there.
Stop shading with red markers!
And ditch the hot pink markers too.
Want to know why your pink coloring always looks nice but totally fake? It's because you're using a BLENDING combination instead of a SHADING combination.
They're not the same thing, no matter how many people use the terms interchangeably.
Let's try to color pink bunny slippers...
...using the standard Copic rules.
The R20s are a popular Copic Blending Trio and the lighter end of that set feels very pink.
But if we use the +2 method, we end up with R24 which next to R20 looks downright red. I don't see any red in that bunny slipper photo!
Instead, let's try some RVs. RV11 might work but look at where that run of color leads us. I don't see any pinkish-purple in our bunny slipper photo either.
So then you fall back to the standard Copic Cop-out.
Yes, the Copic Cop-out.
When you can't shade something accurately, you step all the way down to the zeros and color the slippers super pale.
Because at least they're still pink then, right?
So basically, the Copic rules are saying that we can never color anything medium pink.
Nope, you have two choices in Copic-land: you can either shade with an inappropriately dark red or magenta OR you can make everything washed out and barely pink.
But the world is full of medium pink!
And rose, blush, salmon, coral, amaranth, flamingo, and tons of other glorious middle range warm rosy colors.
Look, the problem isn't with Copics markers, the problem is with Copic Blending Trios.
You've locked yourself into a world of coloring by the numbers, using mathematics when you should be using your eyes.
You're also trying to squeeze realism and realistic depth out of a marker rule that wasn't designed to generate realistic color.
That Copic "shading" technique? It's a shortcut for quick and easy coloring projects.
Artists do not do this weird shading thing that Copic experts teach. Artists don't purchase or mix paint, pencils, or pastels using "+2" or "+10 +2" rules. In four and a half years of art school and decades as an illustrator, I've never taken a class or read a method where you step-up in color to simulate a step-back in depth. This Copic shading stuff simply doesn't work for realism.
And Copic's pink problem makes that crystal clear.
Join me for an online introduction to Color Sculpting
Color sculpting is a method that has been used for centuries to create depth, dimension, and realism.
It's not hard. You can do it too!
Sorry, this class has expired. For the current list of Vanilla Livestream classes, please see here.
What is Vanilla Live-Stream?
It's a live broadcast- just like the evening news but with me instead of the creepy weather guy in a toupee...
We'll have fun coloring with lots of Copics!
This is just like my local advanced level coloring class but online.
I'll walk you through my creation process, discussing the ins and outs of each image. We always cover a bunch of artsy tips and tricks which you can apply to tons of other projects. There's even a live chat feed so that you can ask questions and I'll answer live.
Every month, we tackle a new art technique, helping you develop your artistic skills and realism!
Can't attend live?
Not a problem!
All livestreams are recorded and available to members immediately for replay. You can watch six months worth of recorded sessions, playing and replaying them as many times as you need to understand the lesson and finish the project.
You can't do that in my live class!
20% off "Rose' All Day"
Marcella Hawley, the amazing artist at Power Poppy is giving all my Patreon members 20% off the class digital stamp!
It's an instant download from PowerPoppy.com; just print it to a Copic safe paper and color along with me!
Patreon Members: log into the class page to get your monthly discount code.
Want more info about how this works?
Want the January supply list and lesson info?
February Live-Stream:
You must be an enrolled at Patreon.com/VanillaArtsCo to participate
Sorry, this class has expired. For the current list of Vanilla Livestream classes, please see here.
Lesson: Color Sculpting technique for realism, focus on pink and light red objects.
Stamp: Rose' All Day by Power Poppy
Medium: Copic Marker and Prismacolor Premier Pencils
Skill Level: Intermediate through advanced colorers. Once you can blend Copics smoothly with confidence, you're ready to join us! No drawing skills necessary.
Join me online for Color Sculpting with Pink
And lots of fun!
