1. Why I use Copic Markers
Added 2017-06-26 08:00:01 +0000 UTCClick here to return to the course index
I’m asked why I use Copic markers all the time and if I’ve tried other markers/methods to coloring my maps. Yes, I’ve tried other markers and yes, I’ve used other methods to color maps. So why Copic markers? Though they are a bit costly to start (each marker runs about $7-8 USD a piece) they are well worth it if you plan on coloring often and/or do this professionally. However, they are not for everyone and if you find that you’re struggling with them too much, don’t get frustrated, perhaps they just don’t work for you. Perhaps you would do better with watercolors, different markers, colored pencils, or simply not adding color to your maps at all but instead creating them on colored/aged paper.
That said, the reasons I personally enjoy them are:
- When I first started exploring art as a career, I learned Japanese ink painting and that’s where I developed my light touch with a paintbrush and now markers. Copics remind me of that a bit and therefor it was a very easy transition for me. However, if you have a hard touch, they may not work as well for you.
- I love that I can blend them on the paper, by touching marker tips, and/or creating all new colors by filling a colorless marker with different inks.
- They lend very well to my style of cartography that few other methods do, in my opinion.
- It’s like being a kid and playing with a coloring book….only… with maps and illustrations I’ve made.
- Refills are about the same price as a marker only I can refill a marker easily 6-8 times with a single refill bottle.
- They don’t smell like most alcohol inks/markers do.
- The color coverage is pretty damn impressive.
And there you have it. Hopefully that answered that question adequately enough and it’s time to move on to seeing if Copic markers are you thing!
