Susan ....... OH! Susan!!!!!!

[luv2scrap]

Okay I was looking at my poor collection of Copic Ciao Markers and have : Blush ( R20 ) Prussian Blue ( B39 ) Honey ( Y38 ) Nice Green ( G07 ) Chamois ( E35 ) and Mauve Shadow ( BV00 )


What would you recommend I get for them first 10 I buy to start a better Collection? Thanks!

[Nikki]

I know you want a Susan-y answer but I also wanted to offer my opinion since I have only about 20 and tried to make sure to get the most useful ones that I could!

Blush is a good one-I use that, E00 (skin white), E21 (Baby Skin Pink) and R02 (Flesh) for skin.
I only have colors for brown hair, so I can't live without E33 (sand) and E37 (Sepia).
0 (Colorless Blender) is a must-have in my opinion. It pushes color back inside the image if you go out of the lines, and it also lightens up places where you may have it darker than you want.
C3 (Cool Grey #3) and C4 (Cool Gret #4) are good for shadows underneath the image or to the side, but I've also liked how the blend for blue jeans.

I'm looking forward to Susan's top ten list (although I think about 25 colors is really what it takes to get to a good start!). Just remember that each person probably uses a unique concoction when they blend, so you want to find what you like best. I highly, highly recommend a search on YouTube for Copic coloring. There were a few people who made suggestions on the first colors to buy and that helped me make some choices as well!

[Karen W]

I think everyones Top 10 would be different. Things to ask yourself - what do I like to color? what colors do I reach for first?
I slowly built my collection based on what I wanted to color.

I have a mix of Ciao and Sketch based on color availability. So you need to decide what type of marker you want.

When I choose a color, I typically try to get a min. of 2 in the color range - but I grow to 3.
Remember the what the letters and numbers mean- BG - Blue Green,
The numbers explain the qualities of light, dark, and gray colors in that marker. The first number stands for the Saturation, or how vibrant the color is. 0Œs will be very vibrant, while 9Œs will be more dull or gray. The last digit tells you how light the marker is within that saturation group

For example, a BG01 will be light and make a nice bright highlight color. BG05 is a vibrant mid-tone, or middle color. BG09 would be a strong shadow that matches that color group. If you substitute a BG99 for your shadow, it will add a lot of gray for that color blend and may look out of place.

To pick colors that feel natural when blended together in one color family, choose colors that have the same letter and first number, then keep 2-3 digits between the last digit. Start with the lightest color and gradually add in your darker tones.

Susan has alot of terrific Copic videos that I think you would find helpful and I think she even gives some colors to build upon. You just need to check the Archives on the blog and UStream.

Here are some suggestions:
Blender pen 0 colorless
Skin E000, E00, E02 and the R20 for blush
Really pale blue (B000, BG10, or B21) for sky, water etc.
Pale Gray- C1 or C3 for cool shadows,
Look at the Greens, Browns and pick 2 or 3 of your favorites

So you see I really can't pick for you.

Karen

[AnnaMatrix]

I agree with Karen - its hard to pick. She gives good advice, though.

Definitely get the colorless blender - 0

Try to turn the colors you already have into duos or trios for blending by buying compatible colors following Karen's advice...

I'm very partial to the greys - both cool and warm. The light-medium shades work great for shadows.

Consider buying the Copic Coloring Guide that Dani carries: www.scrapyland.com/Magazine_Copic_Coloring_Guide_p/7010271.htm
I bought it, and its great to have it to refer back to for blending ideas and techniques, since I tend to forget between one session and the next! Don't be afraid to play and experiment - if it doesn't work out, it's just paper and ink - no harm done!! Gail

[luv2scrap]

I have about 80 Stampin Up' ( Did I just mention a brand name ooops! ) Stamp Pads. I bought them with their refills over time. I wanted to have 3-4 in each colour family to start with. I was thinking that was the same thing I would do with the copies. I have several of the SU markers but the Copic Markers seem to go a softer look so that is why I thought I would try to collect 10 a month to add to the other six I have. Having not used the Copic Markers I just don't know how they look alone and blended.
As to what I want to color that would be anything and everything. I have a HUGE collection of stamps, several for every theme ( except Halloween I don't have many of those as I am no longer finding the same use for them ). Therefore I was looking at the colors and was getting tied up in a knot trying to think what to buy first. Perhaps I should do the same as I have done with my Stamp Pads and just write down each color family and start buying 3-4 in each family until I have a collection. I should have enough by next year ( unless we all die on December 23 ) to be able to begin using them.
I just feel a little overwhelmed at the way they are listed and wanted some help.
Thanks Girls for your input! I really appreciate you sharing your thought with me.