Certification Classes 2008, 2009

The Charleston Copic certification class is now open to the public. I still have a couple spaces left, so if you can come play, Wed. October 1st, Charleston SC 9am to 4 pm. Call the office to sign up. Toll free: 866-662-6742

Kansas City will open up next Monday to the general public, so let us know if you can come October 9 or 10th, Kansas City MO. Space is limited, but we would love to see you!

This week I will be mailing out applications to anyone who is on my mailing list for the Vancouver BC or Seattle WA classes coming in early November.

Copic certification classes are open to any store owners, teachers, or designers in the papercrafting industry. I am always collecting names for mailing lists, so if you want to be notified of upcoming classes in your area, just send me a quick e-mail. These mailing lists also help me justify a class in your area, so if you know of people who would be interested then have them e-mail us as well. Let me know if you have access to a classroom in your area.

Possible locations for 2009:
Canada- Toronto, Calgary, Vancouver BC
East Coast- Westport CT, Rochester NY, Florida
Central- Denver CO, Salt Lake City UT, Phoenix AZ, Dallas TX
West- L.A. (CHA), Portland OR, San Francisco CA

What do you cover in a Copic Certification class?
Here is my basic outline. Remember, these classes are geared around papercrafters who will go out and be teaching or sharing these techniques to others. We don't have time to cover all of my little tips and techniques that I share with you here on the blog, just the most frequently asked questions that come up during classes. This is an opportunity to get hand's on Copic training that you can take and share with others.

Copic Certification Topics

I. Introduction
Why are alcohol inks special?
permanent on many surfaces • smooth colors • doesn’t cause paper to “pill”
Why are copic markers special?
Quality, durability, flexibility, lifetime guarantee
universal features (color system, low-odor)

1. Product Overview
Different Marker types &
why one is better /different than another,
what are they each used for • Copic, Sketch, Ciao, Wide
Multiliners • Airbrushing • Spica & Other accessories

2. Choosing papers & Inks
Different Papers, different coloration
basic cardstock • soft vs. hard papers • vellum • watercolor paper
Inks
qualities to look for in diff. inks (pigment vs. dye vs. solvent)
heat-setting • embossing • troubleshooting ink problems

3. Coloring
before you color- protect your surface
Basic Coloring Techniques
Smooth Colors • Large areas

Shading & Blending
marker + marker on paper • feathering • marker tip to marker tip • marker on palette

The Colorless Blender
lightening with the blender • fading to white • patterns

Copic Color Theory
picking color combos, what the numbers mean • color wheel, color chart
warm vs. cool • how shadows work • using the number system in your projects

4. Inks, Airbrushing, and Altering Everything
Airbrushing
Set-up & Parts • Masking tools & techniques

Inks & Special Effects
inks directly on surfaces • faux stone
Altered Items (everything but paper)
Plastic • metal • fabric • airbrushing accents (flowers, etc) • embellishments- ribbon, brads, etc.

5. Miscellaneous
- Refilling Marker Guide
Cleaning and marker Care- storage, etc.
Q & A