Copic Blending Tutorial For Beginners | How To Blend Copic Ciao + Copic Sketch (2019)

Welcome back, this week im showing you how to blend copic markers (including Ciao + Sketch) for smooth transitions.
■ Skillshare is my favorite place to go when I’m looking to learn new illustration skills. Click here to get 2 free months of online illustration classes.: skillshare-ambassador.pxf.io/V127J
Copic markers are incredily expensi.... I mean popular! but can be daunting to use as a beginner.
In this tutorial I'll show you my recommendations for which paper is best to use with copic markers as well as lots of tips and tricks to help you get smooth blending.
Xpress it blending card: amzn.to/2YxmkDC
Copic Ciao set A: amzn.to/2SMdaBB
Copic Ciao set B: amzn.to/2SMGIPE
To start with we won't be using the colorless blender. I don't discuss this in the video but I prefer not to use it except for specific circumstances.
Stick around untill the end of the video where I show some extra tips on using color pencils to give your artwork extra depth.
To blend our sphere, we'll be using 4 different tones. The more different tone markers you use for blending, the easier it will be for you. I recommend at least 3 but ideally 4 for a smooth blend from dark to light.
Arrange your copic markers in your hand from lightest - darkers making sure the brush tip is facing down - this allows you to quickly cap and uncap different markers for quick blending.
Completely fill the area you will be blending with the lightest tone. Don't worry about getting a flat even tone as we will be going over this area with several layers.
Get your darkest marker and start to color the area you want to be darkest. Copic markers special brush tip allows you to vary the pressure almost like a real paint brush, use this to your advantage and lighten your strokes toward the inside of the sphere (where will be blending next)
Next we take our mid-dark marker and start blending with the darkest. To do this, overlap your strokes onto the darker color and either use a back and forth or ideally a circular motion to smooth out the harsh edge that is created bewteen the 2 tones.
Because the ink is alcohol based and our excellent choice of paper you will be able to blend very well, pushing the pigment into each other and making a mid tone.
Move onto the light-mid tone and do the same thing, bring the edges of the dark area curving around to the light to create a 3D effect. Blend your copic markers in the same way as the previus layer.
Take the lightest marker and start blending the last area.
As alcohol is absorbed into the paper, it will distort and ripple slightly. Don't worry about that, when the alcohol starts to dry it will even out nicely.
We need to blend a second layer to smooth out our transition and get a smooth even tone. Follow the steps again going from darkest to lightest marker.
Once the alcohol has dried and we are happy with the blend we can use some colored pencils to really give extra depth and contrast.
Find similar colors including white and black. Layer the pencils over the top of the markers, using lots of light layers and blending the colors together as you go.
I hope you enjoyed this copic marker blending tutorial for beginners, if you need any help or have any tips for beginners, drop a comment below.
If you enjoyed this video and want to see more, leave a like, subscribe and share with a friend.
Music Credits:
Adventures by A Himitsu kzbin.info/door/gFw...
Creative Commons - Attribution 3.0 Unported- CC BY 3.0
creativecommons.org/licenses/b...
Music released by Argofox kzbin.info/www/bejne/bnO7f6qkrcaJh6c
Music provided by Audio Library kzbin.info/www/bejne/g5yxlnyLnLODh5o
To see all the materials I use in my drawings, please visit my amazon store. I've created lists of all the materials I've purchased and use daily:
www.amazon.co.uk/shop/farrell_artist
For Prints of my artwork visit:
farrellartist.com/shop
Subscribe for more videos weekly: kzbin.info
Follow me on instagram and facebook:
instagram: farrell_artist
Facebook: farrellartistt

[@mweart1409]

"You get your expensive marker might as well get your expensive paper" 😂😂😂 that's true

[@FarrellArtist]

haha 😀

[@shaderickard3606]

That paper is £23 a pack!

[@cjs8833]

Edmond how many papers are there per pack?

[@zaharacomel9261]

@@shaderickard3606 oh my...that is too expensive.. I mean I am Malaysian and one dollar is rm5 here...qwq

[@hellobzisndbaksbflzksjfnv6539]

Yes

[@Wahh9045]

He used so much ink just to teach us how to blend... legend

[@pwaslurrr]

HOW DID THIS GET 98 LIKES IN 2 YEARZ

[@FarrellArtist]

Did you find this useful?

[@toga5091]

Realy helpfully advice 👍 off to draw n practice more n save up for copics too ha but enjoying using promarkes for now

[@FarrellArtist]

Awesome! Thanks for the feedback. Pro markers are great from what I hear. I’ll be doing a blending tutorial for artezas everblend markers soon. It’ll be very similar to pro markers so you may find that even more useful 😊

[@nataliecow4637]

Absolutely! I just found your channel, you are a really unrecognized AMAZING artist! You just earned one subscriber :D! Please keep being awesome! :D

[@FarrellArtist]

ah thank you so much, that made my day! thanks for joining the community. Got lots of new stuff to come!

[@jesxswtf]

Thanks dude I really needed this thx dude ツ

[@PinkNeptunee]

2:52 he’s not lying... I messed up my goku drawing doing that😂

[@abdullahraa9636]

Hey, I know this is video is old, but can you make a tutorial on skin tones with copics.

[@FarrellArtist]

I will definitely do that, thanks for the suggestion

[@abdullahraa9636]

@@FarrellArtist Thanks man! And no problem! It's always nice seeing a creator that actually does what their viewra want and actually cares about them. Thats why you are my favorite artist.

[@animationerror7852]

That poor charmander

[@FarrellArtist]

😂😂😂

[@isidrogomez2021]

@@FarrellArtist hi how u doodle

[@MicahBuzanANIMATION]

As someone who works in digital art, copics has been a learning curve. Thanks for making this!

[@midori.4464]

DUDE YOU'RE AMAZING, I watched cause I'm getting some for Christmas and I wanted to know how people do so good. This is extremely useful, Thank you!!

[@FarrellArtist]

Thanks for the feedback, enjoy your new markers! that's a really cool christmas present to get

[@Luvvmeii]

i’m also getting some for christmas!!!!!!

[@abozzo6579]

I getting some for Christmas too

[@arunlakshmanan211]

SAME MAN

[@carmenultrasoft2007]

I also got these for Christmas and I'm slowly getting better at using them

[@cherrycordiaI]

I always say the best accessories for copics are a good set of smooth, creamy colored pencils. They really bridge the gap between colors in your collection and facilitate smoother blending.

[@FarrellArtist]

100% ! That’s why I wanted to include it in the video, for new people it’s not obvious that you should combine the 2 for best results. It really does add extra depth. 😊 I’ll probably do a separate video on blending pencils

[@SnapShortsSpotlight]

I just got these markers like 2 weeks ago, thanks for teaching me how to blend them and the best shades to blend :)

[@FarrellArtist]

no problem at all, enjoy your new markers!

[@zebrasncrumpets1831]

This is really beautiful! Thank you! If you are ever looking for ideas as to what videos to do next, I would love to see a skin colour and hair colour tutorial with copics- which colours to blend for what effect etc 🥰 thank you again! Beautiful art!!!

[@marytodd1911]

thank you Farrell you were very helpful - it is 2023 almost 2024 I hope you are doing well and do more videos

[@extremelyfungibletoken6903]

If you can't I afford the expensive blending paper, I really reccomend cardstock paper. The colors are vibrant and the markers blend very well!

[@quotess6359]

Hi I'm saving up to get COPIC markers I'm watching this video so it can help me not to waste it..REALLY THANKS

[@FarrellArtist]

no problem at all, thanks for watching. I'll be making some more copic tutorials in the future.

[@tammysunderman4734]

Very nice. I stay with the copics, I'll have to try the Press It Card- paper. I use the paper that Blicks recommended years ago. Thank you

[@FarrellArtist]

Give it a go, it's such a good blending card!

[@judygordon2935]

Thank you. I am a newbie with Copics and I have no art background very helpful

[@FarrellArtist]

Glad it was helpful!

[@hoodkid3683]

Who came into this video just being shocked by what you just saw on this picture

[@FarrellArtist]

😂

[@carmenultrasoft2007]

I was shocked right when I saw the picture and clicked on it right away

[@HollywoodColt]

No, I came to actually learn some SHIT

[@peachcakesanimations]

This tutorial really helped! My coworkers bought me copic markers as a gift and I had no idea how to blend lol

[@Shabuart]

First! Haha, love your videos ❤️❤️

[@FarrellArtist]

You got in there quick!! Haha thanks for supporting, really appreciate it 😊

[@japaniamanga3191]

That was so usefull! Thank you so much! :)

[@FarrellArtist]

no problem!

[@grannysharp772]

So you have to use the marker while the previous color is still wet? Can you add color to these layers after they are dry or does the ink get blotchy and sit on top of the last layer?

[@FarrellArtist]

It is easier if the ink from the previous hasn't dried yet but I wouldn't stress about rushing to get there before it dries.

[@kendraarnold1842]

I have been using copic markers for a while now, and I really like them.

[@itemreceived2283]

Wow, this is a very well made tutorial, the blending looks so awesome!!!! But just one question, what's the deal with Arteza? I saw then on instagram, a new brand, or a higher quality than Faber Castell has already?

[@extremelyfungibletoken6903]

Arteza markers are about the same good quality of markers, although they don't offer much colors as copic does. I don't know about the Faber castel but I know they're less good quality than arteza and copic

[@traceybartlam5940]

Arteza is a budget brand. Some of their stuff is however v good, some not so much IMO. Fabre Castel is not budget and is great quality. The polychromos are beautiful pencils.

[@lukefalconer4903]

Hi I know this video is quite old but I just got some copics for my birthday and I was wondering if this was serious but whenever I tried to blend like that I would stain the tips of my markers. Is that something I should be worried about?

[@FarrellArtist]

It's nothing to worry about if it's just ink from other colors. after a few strokes the ink will clear, even if you can still see it on the nib, it'll be nothing to worry about.

[@queenofpents3442]

i used your technique and it worked really well with the colored pencils! Thanks a bunch!!

[@jacobdonaldson8744]

Farrell: Just work your way around this corner. Me: 😔 there are no corners on a circle.

[@FarrellArtist]

😂😂

[@yowul.m4485]

True -.-

[@puppylove3411]

This was very useful!

[@FarrellArtist]

Thanks! I'll be making some more copic tutorials soon

[@puppylove3411]

Cool!

[@dragongscales4741]

Very helpful i think am understanding . Am trying my best to get better . Things can be hard for me to keep data stored to remember lol

[@annachaudhry]

Thank you so much was awesome tutorial!!!!

[@ETA_002_Min]

I know this video is a year old but I have an important question :x if I try to blend a light color with a dark one, will the dark color manifest itself into the lighter pens brush? So if I use the lighter pen again, will it start drawing a darker tone at first? Just asking so in don't make a mistake and trash an expensive pen first try :D

[@FarrellArtist]

if you use the marker briefly on a scrap bit of paper, it will have a mixture of the colors but it disappears straight away. the tips can become a bit 'stained' but it won't cause any permenent color changes

[@ETA_002_Min]

@@FarrellArtist okay cool, thank you for your tutorial and the quick answer!

[@dsm72]

thank you so much! I got copics, I wanted to use them goodly!

[@devinking7034]

Which side of the XPRESSIT paper are you suppose to use? Or are both sides the same? I know some marker paper has a coated side. Wasn’t sure if this paper is the same. Thank you!

[@FarrellArtist]

Both sides are the same as far as I’m aware. I haven’t noticed any coating or similar 👍

[@devinking7034]

Farrell Artist Thenk you!

[@thebroster4677]

Great vid and a lot of tips

[@1rage17]

My favorite color is teal/ turquoise too. Teal I consider a dark turquoise actually. But yeah my whole room is turquoise always been my fave!

[@shaderickard3606]

What paper is next best but not so expensive?

[@brucenunn3268]

Very Helpful.. Subbed 👊😎

[@FarrellArtist]

thank you and welcome 😄👍

[@Oskiito]

Really good but what was the second circle for?

[@FarrellArtist]

A future video perhaps 😀👍

[@Oskiito]

@@FarrellArtist ahh, u actually helped me with this vid, didn't know which paper to get lol

[@matthewhuang8923]

Thanks =) You really helped me start off

[@livart2951]

Thankyou was really helpful :)

[@felikowski]

would be interesting to see the back of the paper. i also got special marker paper but the back always gets a bit colored. and there is even a special plastic thing to put it under the paper

[@jesseschanel2519]

Great stuff man!

[@jmfernelius]

Do you think that the Strathmore 300 is good enough? also, Where can I buy the x=Pressit paper in larger sizes?

[@FarrellArtist]

I find bristol board works fine but the colours look a bit duller. I buy all my xpress it card from amazon.

[@jmfernelius]

@@FarrellArtist and you thinknthat I can find Larger pieces of Xpress-It on Amazon? Anything In particular you search for to find various sizes? I seem to only find the 8.5x11

[@Kenji871]

This Is So Cool!

[@FarrellArtist]

thank you very much 😀

[@Tyler-yk4os]

Hi I know I am VERY late but what type of Copic markers are they??

[@Livwthtalal]

Is the strathmore toned grey or tan paper works good with copic markers?

[@etherealdreamerart]

Thank you for this knowledge. I will be using copic markers for my webcomics I hope to post someday. That poor, poor Charmander... xD

[@FarrellArtist]

no problem, glad you enjoyed it. good luck with the copics .... RIP charmander lol

[@razk9843]

Looking to buy copic sketch.. which set would you recommend to start off with if I were to get one with 72 markers? A, B, or C etc? thank youu :)

[@Sweatyeminems]

Will it work if I have normal Copic bleedproof paper?

[@malarky27]

The duck blue sounded like a duck on the second layer

[@FarrellArtist]

lol!

[@Ameylynn]

I love that you are a leftie 🍾🌸💕

[@norinemueller4588]

Great tutorial thank you

[@pipborthwick6313]

You say don't worry about the first layer... its it even worth doing a first layer? Good vid dude

[@Zonose]

Can this be done with Arteza brush pens? I don't have these ones. 😂

[@FarrellArtist]

I’ve got Arteza everblend markers and I’ll be doing a review and a tutorial on blending them soon! Not sure about brush pens.

[@artcreationsbydar]

Very cool. Thank you! :)

[@meganmercier5843]

I have to blend colours on my Air Force 1’s and I don’t know how to do it to make a clean transition. I don’t have all the shades of the colours do you have advice to give me

[@andrewbaffico4750]

This helped so much

[@randomben9540]

this was very helpfull

[@FarrellArtist]

thanks for the feedback 👍

[@facehunter504]

Can I use that paper to print images off the internet to color?

[@peterbennpan7288]

To blend colours do they have to be in the same colour group?

[@mr.magillacutty2100]

Thank you for this video

[@MasterTow1994]

Is printing paper really that bad with copics?

[@FarrellArtist]

Yeah it sucks IMO

[@natsuki4021]

Yeah, its too thin so It will bleed completely through and probably tear the paper

[@PabloEscobar_905]

Is ucreate sketch book a good one for blending?

[@gavlev8747]

Can you do a tutorial on crayola blending markers

[@FarrellArtist]

I don't actually have any and haven't used them before. If they are alcohol based then the same principals should apply.

[@gavlev8747]

Ok thx

[@senpai_noitice_me8717]

Can this be done with keebor alcohol markers

[@_nahnahnah9207]

Senpai_noitice_me ! Sure

[@FarrellArtist]

I haven't used the brand but it should work with any alcohol markers

[@redgeminiarts3674]

Thank you for sharing. Did you know Copics changed their refill bottle to HALF the size? Buy refills if you can now, most places are out of stock. HALF THE SIZE

[@vivaHSR]

Will acrylic paper be a good choice too?

[@FarrellArtist]

I haven't tried it but I'd guess it might not be as good.

[@brixm]

Is Copic better or touch cool?

[@myspookyanimations1128]

Can you do this with different colors like blue to purple or only blue to dark blue

[@FarrellArtist]

Thanks for the suggestion, I'll look into doing some more 😀👍

[@Anpet65]

“...or caran d’ache... if you’re rich” I FELT THAT

[@FarrellArtist]

haha I still only have the white 😂

[@genecoetzer5738]

I love you and copic

[@xboxgamertrev6763]

Would you let the ink dry before adding more layers on top?

[@calebcampbell5951]

no, if you want them to blend. If you want to transparently layer right on top, yeah you can wait to avoid the strokes feathering out, but don't have to

[@InsertMyChineseUsername]

printer paper actually works surprisingly well for alcohol markers

[@GomezBro]

Amazing blending 😟

[@nvsphantomios1620]

I have 72 set A but can’t find BG49

[@FarrellArtist]

Oh damn, double checking, it looks like it's from the B set!

[@MiraSmit]

Canson XL marker paper is nice.

[@RobertKimballartist]

Skip to 3:30 to get to the point.

[@FarrellArtist]

Checkout my latest Galaxy using copic markers: kzbin.info/www/bejne/bqjVi3troqh9jNE

[@ixuren600]

But how to buy one

[@morizkahearunisa1925]

that megic

[@itsdominic9267]

I use canson paper, i have no X Press it But thanks 😊

[@FarrellArtist]

It should still work fine 😀

[@itsdominic9267]

Farrell Artist 👍🏻

[@cchild12789]

What sharpener did you use for those pencils?

[@brannonmcclure6970]

👍

[@pandy3668]

ya know, once I had borrowed someones markers in primary school. the colours were so pale and there was a lot of strokes in my drawing and I thought what sort of marker is this?! a dollar store marker? little did I know it was a Copic marker...

[@sandabotar2339]

I know no one will read this but I got the bullet nib can someone make a tutorial on how to use those too 😂 😂 my mistake 😆😆

[@FarrellArtist]

If you checkout my tutorial on skin tones using arteza everblend markers, they use a bullet nib and you can get some tips from there.

[@samruddhiwathore9663]

I want it but cannot afford i guess I am not getting them

[@FarrellArtist]

😟 not everyone can afford copics or the paper/card. Arteza do a fantastic range of alcohol markers which I'd recommend and I've found bristol board from a local art supplier is a good place to start.

[@samruddhiwathore9663]

@@FarrellArtist thanks

[@samruddhiwathore9663]

@@FarrellArtist what is a alternative of copic

[@gurhukamaulakh2222]

Left handed national day was last week

[@BronzeOrwin]

in my experience using a colorless copic marker, filled with 90% rubbing alcohol, and a bullet nib, to blend colored pencils, is that it works great, and the pencil doesn't really clog anything. It comes out pretty easily using scratch paper. But obviously it's easier to see where the colored pencil is on a colorless marker tip, and it's a lot less expensive to draw it out on scratch paper when they are filled with rubbing alcohol lol. For anyone wanting to use a colorless marker specifically for blending pencils, I find a bullet tip inside the sketch markers works best alongside rubbing alcohol. You cannot, however, overblend. You can either blend very very lightly a few times over your pencil, or hard and fast very quickly. The key is that rubbing alcohol is not as strong of a solvent as odorless mineral spirits... Giving you more working time to only take off the surface of your colored pencil, and spread it around. It is one of the fastest ways to blend, but takes a bit of practice.

[@luciekatz6160]

Now I feel bad for getting the ones for 1$ per set from wish😆

[@FarrellArtist]

😄

[@leck1933]

Lucie Katz I got 40 markers for 25$ on amazon and it looks just like these and are actually really good

[@leslieb4415]

I got 70 for 50$ uwu

[@a-8-shreyasbuddhadaskadam328]

Use cheap and best ohuhu markers

[@blinkybli8326]

The circles are perfectly aligned to each other, just not to the edge of the paper. Tilt the paper, problem solved.

[@purposeinabundance6063]

I liked the video but I still feel like I don’t know how to use or blend after watching this.

[@classycarsautomotiveportra8514]

I hope you drew a 3D emoji 😜

[@ipokiller2g940]

You're a lefty •~•

[@tanjirokamado7403]

Me who has the 120 set: 😎😎😎

[@barzfrommarz1249]

When you only have two kinds of red

[@LimSandy69]

Looks like an ender pearl.

[@dido5862]

So you made two circles not on the same line, and then you didn't use the second one. Man, you don't have to do this to us OCDs.

[@excursioncomics8841]

For those who never heard and for those who wanna share it. HERE IS THE MILLION-DOLLAR QUESTION: Will you go to Heaven when you die? Here’s a quick test: Have you ever lied, stolen, or used God’s name in vain? Jesus said, “Whoever looks at a woman to lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart.” If you have done these things, God sees you as a lying, thieving, blasphemous, adulterer at heart, and the Bible warns that one day God will punish you in a terrible place called Hell. But God is not willing that any should perish. Sinners broke God’s Law and Jesus paid their fine. This means that God can legally dismiss their case: “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” Then Jesus rose from the dead, defeating death. Today, repent and trust Jesus, and God will give you eternal life as a free gift. Then read the Bible daily and obey it. God will never fail you.❤❤❤

[@klompi]

expensive hobby :( ill stay with crayons

[@FarrellArtist]

True true, they aren’t cheap. Arteza everblend markers are an awesome cheap alternative. I’ll be doing a review and tutorial soon for them.

[@weinsalexisbonnin1557]

that colors in the thumbnail reminds me of a lgbtq+ flag i don't remember :