The Stupid Simple Trick to Smooth Marker Blends

[@AmyShulke]

Want to see my test results up close? Resources, tips, and my test photo with notes here: www.vanillaarts.com/blog/refill1-resources

[@susantodd6963]

I seriously wish I had seen this video years ago! I love my Copics, and will watch your whole series, as well as sharing it with my artist friends. No more starving markers! Thanks!

[@AmyShulke]

I'm so glad you found me now-- better late than never? Thanks for watching and thanks for all your shares, I very much appreciate it!

[@susantodd6963]

Indeed! Ordering a scale today!

[@MxS1996]

I will certainly be checking out the rest of this series! One of the things that I did when I first discovered that alcohol markers it could be refilled, back when I didn't have a huge set, and this is when I was just working with copics, was that I eventually bought all the markers that my Hobby Lobby sold and the rest of them I bought online, which were cheeper than retail. When I bought a new marker color, I would always make sure that I had the refill to go with it. One of the tips I did find was to use marker paper, specially the Xpress-It Blending Card, and I started with the 25 sheets. After using them and finding that I did enjoy the process, I would always try to buy them in bulk when they were available. I hope I don't get too annoying in the comments. I am very much enjoying what is being presented in these videos! I may say it over and over again but thank you for providing your Saucy takes as well as the experiences you've had. I'm very curious to know if you have a video out explaining your Discovery and history of copics

[@AmyShulke]

@@MxS1996 I’ve never made a video about myself, too much better stuff to talk about. I learned marker techniques for a BFA Illustration which back then was more marketing, print, & design related than current degrees. I did medical tech illo but always taught adult ed on the side and eventually the side hustle took over.

[@lightheartedcoloring]

I have been binging your videos since I found you. I want to take a class of yours so bad! Maybe one day. I don’t own any copics yet.

[@AmyShulke]

This is great, when you finally get them, you'll know about the refill issue and won't face the dry issues others do. thanks for watching!

[@CarlaHead-c7y]

I never let my markers get below 13.7g. In addition, I've noticed a tendency for my chisel nibs to dry out. Probably because I rarely use them. So, I have started to make sure I flow ink through both nibs when I use them, even if it is only on scrap paper.

[@AmyShulke]

That's awesome! So happy to hear you're keeping those markers full. As for the chisel nib, it's naturally supposed to be dryer than the brush end. It doesn't hurt to use it every once in a while but if you're expecting it to ooze ink the way a brush nib does, it will never do it. The chisel is dryer because it's the control nib for drawing and lettering.

[@susies001]

Thank you can’t wait for the next part 😊

[@AmyShulke]

Thanks, Susie! I just finished narrating it. Lots of info coming your way!!!

[@AoiLucine]

Oh my gosh, this explains so much?? I'm super new to copics and markers, didn't realise this at all. I guess it's more logical to buy both the marker *and* the refill ink too, huh? I also use cardstock for my drawings... ahhh what's a better paper to use...? But, I also did notice something about my copics-- I've gotten a lot of markers recently that have a really loose cap, usually on the non-brush side, and those markers tend to dry out super fast. Is that a problem you've ever had to deal with?

[@AmyShulke]

Glad it was helpful! Cardstock for commercial printers is designed to dry fast. Markers require slow drying paper. And I know what people will say, "X-Press It Blending Card is too expensive!" But so is Copic ink. Good marker paper requires less ink. Here's an article which will help: www.vanillaarts.com/blog/tools-marker-paper The loose cap thing is a relatively recent manufacturing error and you're right, I do hear about it on the chisel end of Sketch markers more than the brush nib end. I have a full collection now but I finally purchased the florescent markers last year and one had this issue. I noticed that if I switched the two caps, then they fit properly... or at least better. My friend Michelle Houghton (Copic in the Craft Room) once told me that the caps are created from the marker barrel. They're not not cranking out millions of generic caps in a cap wing of the factory-- so each cap is unique to the marker and it stands to reason, they're unique to a certain end of each marker. Just checked, that FYR marker which I switched the cap ends is still juicy. Check the caps immediately when you purchase and if there's a loose one, return it ASAP. Loose capped markers are doomed.

[@debbiekayw5134]

Wonderful video!

[@sinydedeugd6989]

Very helpful, Thank you so much!😊

[@AmyShulke]

I'm so glad it was helpful! Thanks for taking the time to comment, I appreciate it.

[@lap83199]

It’s pretty sketchy (pun intended) of Copic to start shorting their markers to make a bit more money. They already downsized the refills without an equal reduction price. However, they really are the best marker for blending and realistic coloring so I will continue to use them!! I’m just glad I scooped up a bunch of the old style refills. They are sitting quietly in the dark waiting for their day!!

[@AmyShulke]

I guess I'm not ready to grab a pitchfork and protest about Copic ink levels or refill size. Yes, it sucks. But at the same time, you have all these cheap knock-off brands sending free markers to everyone on KZbin in exchange for saying "These markers are 82,000 times better than Copic!!!!". It's really hard to compete against 2 cent markers who spend their entire budget on shady marketing. At this time, Copic can't charge more because their price is exactly what every cheap marker fan is complaining about. I'd rather Copic downsize than go out of business.

[@dinacarroll9211]

Good info! My problem is I only have a few refills.

[@AmyShulke]

I totally understand. At one time, the sales staff at Utrecht (now owned by Blick) used to tell people to buy a refill at the same time as the marker but the clerk said she stopped doing it because people always acted skeptical, like she was trying to upsell them. So really, there isn't anyone warning people how quickly we'll be needing that refill. Most people (including me) focus on growing the marker collection long before we grow our refill collection.

[@Antony_Oscar]

If you refill your markers more often, do you get more than the recommended/average refills out of one refill bottle? 🤔 For example, one webstore said that you can get up to 9 refills for Copic Ciao out of one refill bottle.

[@AmyShulke]

No, it's the same amount of liquid no matter how frequently you dispense it. BTW: that refill estimate is misleading because I think it assumes that the marker is always being filled from a completely empty state. You'll never drain the marker completely dry so it seems like we get more than the promised 9 refills.

[@colinehasaki]

omg thank you

[@AmyShulke]

Was I right about your markers being low? I have a rule now, as soon as I start to have those thoughts, "gosh, I stink at blending today" or "this sucks"-- I immediately stop and check my art supplies. The marker is usually low or the paintbrush has weird hairs sticking out. Sometimes it truly is my fault but far too often, it's the tool.