Ripe Red Grapes

Real shade is not darker color, real shade is desaturated color.

To create the desaturated colors that Copic Marker does not make, Vanilla Arts Company teaches Online Workshops and Livestream Coloring Challenges using the underpainting method. Students learn to layer colors realistically rather than blend.

Underpainting creates natural colors found in everyday life.

Red Grapes

Elena’s Advice:

Red is my favorite color. I use it so often that when I have a new photo reference with a lot of reds in it, I can easily chose the right colors.

But not so quick… look at these grapes, do you see the white dusty color on top of the grapes. Wow. What now?

Since I’m using Copic markers and because Copic doesn’t make a WHITE marker, I knew I need to figure this. I can’t just grab a colored pencil and add it to an all-Copic swatch!

After some intense testing, I found the answer.

My V95 marker!

When placed on top of the prior three markers in this combination it resulted in that white film look that I see in the photo reference.

And by the way…

Don’t be stingy with the ink! The secret to a good blend is to have enough moisture and then giving it time to dry before decide if it actually needs fixing.

Red Workshops

Vanilla Arts Company - Rosie Gets the Blues

Vanilla Arts Company - Scarlet Geranium

Violeta Ink - Online Coloring Classes

Further Reading:

Color Palettes: A Beginner's Guide to Coloring with Sophistication

Color Smart: Marker Recipes Hurt Your Coloring

Artistic Coloring: How Black-Line Stamps Slow Your Artistic Growth

Looking for More Underpainting Combinations?

Elena Cazares is a Vanilla Arts student with beautiful sense of color and style. She is a hurricane of positive creative energy.

Elena runs Violeta-Ink.com, an online boutique shop specializing in Copic Markers, refills, and coloring accessories. Join Elena’s Copic Facebook group here for news and updates.