copics copics copics

One of my all time favorite, can't live without, art journaling supplies are Copic pens. Copic Sketch markers to be exact.

I often get asked what I'm using to get the colors I do, like in the postcards in post below, or pages like this:

and very often, the work that people are referring to when asking the question is colored in with Copics. The truth is, I use everything I see or have exposure to, including watercolor paints, Caran d' Ache crayons, Prismacolor, Faber Castel, Pentel markers and really, any other marker or color making tool in my work play, but most often it's the Copics. To know them is to love them. I could give you lots of reasons why, but at the end of the day, mostly it's the color choices and the way the brush feels on the paper while I use it. And the end result is yummy.

If you are curious and want to know more about why they are so great, Copic has a blog, and there are tons of videos and classes online, a YouTube search would be a good starting point. 

So lately, while making the posters, and wanting them to be the very best they can be, I've become obsessed with wanting every single Copic color there is. I can hear you laughing out there, those of you that use Copics and know how expensive they are! There are 346 colors available now (11 new ones added in 2011).

 I haven't found any solution for lower price points than the usual...if anyone has any ideas or good sales/sources, please put it in the comments for all. Someone mentioned Overstock.com once in a class, but all I see there are the Copic Ciao markers which are different.

What I did find in my hunt was that my  hand color chart was outdated, so I downloaded a new one on 2 different types of papers, as the markers look different on different papers and I was getting really anal about it all. The old chart is underneath, the two new ones on top. Although I have quite a few Copics, you can see that I'm missing many. I don't even own a third of the beautiful colors that are out there! The horror...just think of how much prettier my pages and artwork could be haha. All the color combinations I'm missing out on....

You can print your own Copic Hand Color Chart here, but be sure you print from the pdf file, or it will be too big and not print on one page. While you are over there, you will see lots of other products they have as well. I did order this filled in (see photo below) Hand Colored Chart here, so that I would know the true colors of the pens and know what pens I really do want to add, as the colors shown on screen and even on the cap lids are slightly different than on paper. At $19.99 I really had to think about it, but now that it has arrived, I'm glad I did it. It's worth it to me to see the color as it is, from out of a marker, not a print. Here's the one I received from my order:

At the same time I ordered the free Copic catalog, and was so pleased to see the work of friends Traci Bautista :

and Tracy Moore inside. Tracy's wife Teesha is the one that first turned me on to Copic pens in the first place. She's known for her stunning journal pages in which she often uses Copics. 

I even ordered some nib replacements and some ink refills for my long used up pens. It was super easy to refill them, and I wouldn't waste my money on the boosters, now that I've done it. Cleaning the booster and taking out the nib seemed to make the process more complicated and messy, vs. the time saved in my opinion.

My favorite find though, in all my linking around, was the Copic swatchbook, which I ordered here. You can see the swatchbook below. It's about the size of a check register and once you fill in all the colors you have, you take it with you in your purse and when you find yourself somewhere tempted to buy new pens, you know the colors you already have. If you look closely at the first photo you will see that duplicate color purchases is a mistake I've made a few times. Just be sure you order the most recent swatchbook, with all the colors, as they are still selling the old one out there. 

And that my friends, sums up my recent fall down the Copic marker rabbit hole! Hopefully the info in this post will help some of you out there, and maybe someone knows of a great Copic sale or place with better than the standard price, because I calculated it last night, after making my dream colors list, (which was not all the markers I don't have, just a partial), and it was well over $400.00. Um, ya, that's not happening. But I love them just the same. Standard retail (around $5.50 each)  is a fair price for the product, don't get me wrong, it's just not a price that's in this girl's budget. Maybe when I finally get those darn posters done...ya...earn some money so I can buy some more art supplies, that'd be the right way to do it vs. buy all the art supplies so I can earn some money like I usually do. Oh art supplies, how I love them so, especially Copic markers. Off to fill in my swatchbook...have a great weekend!

Comments

[cindi]

Now that Michaels carries Copics they sometimes have them for buy one get one 50% off.

[Marcia Beckett]

You could also buy Copics one at a time at Michael's and use a 40% off coupon, lol. It's crazy how many different colors there are. I heard someone found a really good deal on a used set on craigslist. Love your color palettes on these pages.

[Leigh]

OOOh Copics....I actually blogged about them myself the other day. I haven't used them since art school (I studied Fashion design and that's ALL we used)- which was 20 years ago! I've decided to start using them again - but, as you say...the cost and there are sooooooo many. They're on my Wishlist for 2012. Thanks for all the great tips!

[Alicia@ eco friendly homemaking]

Great tips! Love all of the colors. On my next trip to Michael's I will have to check these out!

[Nola Hart]

I found that Mister Art online had them for 5.24 each. I know that is not a lot less, but if you are ordering a bunch, it helps :-)

[Nola Hart]

Ok, I just looked at mister art and for $25 you can but them at $4.54 each if you join the VIP club. The cost of the membership may out weigh the savings if you are only getting a few, but if you are getting a bunch, it may be worth it. I think that I am going to get mine from Santa!

[Chelsy]

I've always wondered what you were using! Thank you so much for this info- very generous of you. I've been using acrylics and I don't like how chalky they are to the touch- plus messy to get out and use while juggling small children. Copic pens are on my shopping list! Thank you!

[cathyb]

Hi Pam - I too am a copic fanatic - and have yet to find a marker that creates as beautiful color as the copic. I often get asked if my doodle art is watercolor - and yet it is really just copiccs.
How do you find the refills, I never find that the pen works as well with the refill I dunno - I prefer them new. Also mine tend to run out since I cover a lot of survace sometimes with them, YIKES - pretty pricey but so worth it. I have not found a better deal than any of the ones mentioned above - and I am here in Canada

[jackie]

Thank You for all the information on the Copic markers!

[sharon from farm and fru fru]

oh no! now i have a new wish! thanks for sharing (i think!)...i see copics on my christmas list!

[Suzy]

Where are you buying them for $5.50 each??? I bought most of mine in the States for $6.20 each, which I thought was a deal. Here in Canada they're $9.50 each!!! Seriously.

[Becky]

I bought some at Hobby Lobby on sale right around Christmas last year. Does Blick ever have them on sale? Might watch them, too.

[Margie Cansino]

5.24 at dick blick and they are having 10% and 15% off right now. whoopee!

[Carin]

I buy a few markers each year and tend to stick to a certain color range. I love the blender marker for pumping up and smoothing the color of my colored pencils. If you have a Dick Blick locally they have 40% off coupons and the double discounts every couple of months. You have to join the club for the coupons but they waive the fee during back to school and anytime if you have a school id (teacher or student).

It's worth it sign up for the e-mails on all the major art sites so you can get a discount and a free shipping deal and build up your collection.

[Monica]

Thanks for sharing this - I'll be picking some up today!!! I love markers and used to use them all the time. Thanks for sharing about where to get them.

[Kimmy Davis]

Copics are now on sale at Joann's Fabrics!
http://www.joann.com/joann/search/searchall.jsp?qsearch=copic&keyword=_usrch%3Acopic

[Kelly]

What papers do you recommend for drawing on with Copics, Pam...?
I have a set given to me two Christmases ago... maybe this year I'll start drawing again and use them!
Your work is beautifula and inspiring!

[Tara]

I just hopped over from whatever, and your lovely, lovely prints. I have never heard of Copics before, so I clicked to Overstock, to see what you were talking about. They DO have the Copic SKETCH markers now. They don't seem to be much better of a deal than the ones already posted here. There is one set, of 72 pens, that comes out to 4.90/pen.... 35 cents times 72, adds up. And if you want to broaden your collection, it would certainly add to it. Not sure if it is the colors you need/want/long for though. Your work is gorgeous, and I love the colors. Thank you for sharing!

[Lisa Cooper]

I buy mine at Carpe Diem. It is online and the cheapest price I found anywhere. You might want to check it out.