I Like Markers: New Blog Header

Wednesday, September 21, 2011

New Blog Header

Running Horses
You may have noticed that I have a new Blog header. This morning I decided that my old header was just a little out of season. I also felt like drawing some horses. I ran a google search on horses to get ideas on perspective and angles for the three horses.

I drew them with a pencil first onto scratch paper, then I inked the image on a new sheet of paper using my light table...then I didn't have to erase. So, I sketched out the following illustration using a 0.05mm Gray Multiliner and a 0.05mm Sepia multiliner. Then I started coloring. Tomorrow I will post a tutorial with the steps I took in coloring the horses and markers.

Have a great day!

14 comments:

Unknown said...: The horses look wonderful and miniature lifelike almost as if one is jumping out to take a bite out of the marker.; September 22, 2011 at 4:18 AM
Deneen said...: Okay...you are just too crazy talented!!! Love the horses. I want to be you when I grow up:); September 22, 2011 at 6:41 AM
Bast said...: That is just abxolutely gorgeous! I love it. TFS

KimMJ
bast830@comcast.net; September 22, 2011 at 6:45 AM
Delia said...: Beautiful work, love the drawing and your coloring is amazing. Can't wait for the coloring tutorial.; September 22, 2011 at 6:46 AM
Debbie Olson said...: Love it--especially the dappling on the gray horse!; September 22, 2011 at 6:47 AM
BrendaJ said...: WOW! Absolutely love your new blog header!!!; September 22, 2011 at 6:53 AM
Karen W said...: These are amazing, fabulous job on these!!!; September 22, 2011 at 7:02 AM
Patricia St Martin said...: Marianne, You did a wonderful job drawing and coloring the horses. You are so talented. The header looks wonderful.; September 22, 2011 at 7:20 AM
Where Colors Take Me said...: Wow... Beautiful. Very inspirational. Have a great day! Maria; September 22, 2011 at 7:22 AM
Bandon, Oregon said...: HORSES... I've been wanting you do to some Horses.... You heard my heart... I was up in Coos Bay at Memories of Time, some time ago with Kisa and Joy... They were talking about stamp sets.. as I was coloring (with my copics) I looked up and said... I just want a real horse... What?? no.. I just want a real horse stamp set... not cute, not funny, but a real horse stamp set...

Your horses are Wonderful!! Please a stamp set... Pretty Please....

Faith; September 22, 2011 at 7:37 AM
Take care and STAY POSITIVE! Trena said...: Great new header Marianne. It reflects all your artistic talents. What can show your encouraging talent?...a big heart!

Take care and STAY POSITIVE!; September 22, 2011 at 7:48 AM
Elaine M said...: WOWZER!!!!!; September 22, 2011 at 6:17 PM
Cathy Y said...: OMG - your header is spectacular. The gray horse is just stunning. I think horses are one of the most difficult animals to "get right" and yours look pretty darn perfect to me!; September 23, 2011 at 4:30 AM
cgargus said...: You really are amazing! What an awesome job of coloring, not to mention the drawing itself!!; September 24, 2011 at 2:13 PM

Copic Glossary

Click here for the downloadable color matching chart.

ABS/Airbrush System- Copic Airbrush System. Works with either a compressor or Copic aircans. Uses either Sketch or Copic Markers. 1 2 3 4 Troubleshooting

Alcohol Markers- Copic markers are alcohol (ethanol) based dye markers, that are known for being low-odor and giving smooth, vibrant colors. Since they are a dye, they will fade in bright lights, but they are acid free on most surfaces. Anything with alcohol in it will react with these inks. Any Copic marker type is refillable with replaceable tips. They will not cause paper to pill when going over it many times, nor will they dissolve photocopies.

Blender- The Copic Colorless Blender pen/ink. This is ethanol based and is not the same as blender pens from other companies. Used for fixing mistakes, making colors lighter and for special effects.

Booster- A needle that attaches to an ink bottle that makes it easier to refill dry or empty markers.

Ciao Marker- Round body Copic Marker. Super Brush nib/Medium Broad nib standard, Medium Round nib optional. Refillable. 144 colors. Cannot airbrush.

Color Family- The letter at the beginning of your color name (B, BV, V, RV, R, YR, Y, YG, G, E (earth), F (Florescent), Grays & Blacks: C (Cool Gray), N (Neutral Gray), T (Toner Gray), W (Warm Gray) 100 Black, 110 Special Black

Color Saturation- This is the first digit on a color name. Colors that are 00's, 10's, or 20's will be more vibrant (B05, G16, R29), while colors that are in the 70's, 80's or 90's have more gray added (B95, BG78, G94) and are closer to the neutral/earthy end of the color spectrum. Note: E (Earth) markers don't necessarily follow this rule.

Color Group- A sequential group of colors within one color family with the same first digit (i.e. E30, E31, E33, E34, E35, E37, E39) where numbers ending in 0 are the lightest and 9 is the darkest, also called Natural Blending Group

Copic Certification- These are classes for teachers, store owners, or designers who want to learn techniques and advanced tips on using Copic markers, Airbrushing, etc. for papercrafting. Each class is about 7 hrs, and will be held regionally. Check here for listings of upcoming classes.

Copic Marker- This is the original, square body-style marker. Standard Broad/standard fine nibs, 7 optional nibs. Refillable, holds the most ink to start with. 216 colors, empty markers available. Airbrush Compatible

Multiliner- Fine Line inking pens by Copic in 9 different sizes, 5 colors, plastic disposable body design. Pigment based, archival, acid free. Will not bleed with Copic markers (on non-glossy paper)

Multiliner SP- Fine line inking pens by Copic in 10 different sizes, 12 colors in two sizes. Aluminum body, refillable with replaceable tips. Pigment based, archival, acid free. Will not bleed with Copic markers (on non-glossy paper)

Opaque White- Thick white, waterbased paint applied with a brush after you are done coloring with markers. Used for adding highlights and accents into a completed picture.

Sketch Marker- The most popular marker type. Super Brush/Medium Broad nibs standard, Medium Round nib optional. 322 colors, empty markers available. Airbrush compatible- 2 spray patterns

Spica Glitter Pens - also called atyou Spica pens. These fun, pigment based pens are filled with micro glass flakes, giving a very subtle, elegant sparkle. Keep stored flat, though if they are giving you troubles, try storing them point down overnite.

Wide Marker- Large, background marker. Extra Broad nib standard, Broad calligraphy nib optional, 36 colors, empty markers available

Various Ink- Also called Refill Ink or Re-inkers. Each bottle holds 25 cc's of ink. 322 colors available, empty bottle for mixing custom colors also available. Great for making alcohol ink effects, such as Faux Stone or covering large areas. When you see streaking in your work it's time to refill. You can refill directly from your bottle of ink, or you can use a booster needle. Try not to overfill.
For refilling dry markers: Ciao- add 1 to 1.5 cc's ink Sketch- 2 cc's Copic 2-3 cc's Wide 3-4 cc's

Color Disclaimer

Colors on the screen do not match colors printed in color charts, and neither will match the marker colors in real life. To get a feel of what the colors will look like it's best if you get an actual color swatch.

To request a printed color chart, general catalog, Stamping with Copic Brochure, or Airbrushing with Copic Brochure you can e-mail orders@copicmarker.com (remember, printed charts aren't accurate)

Save a tree, get it digital!
For digital copies of the above brochures please look through the Copic Library. Don't see what you need? e-mail me at marianne@copicmarker.com

Check the library also for refilling guides, airbrushing set-ups, and other useful literature.

Books by Marianne Walker

Copic Coloring Foundations Series

These books are stand alone guides for anyone who wants to learn more tricks for coloring with their markers. All images to color are in the back of the book, along with color charts and guides. Each book is printed in English and Español SRP $9.95

• Coloring Flowers with Copic Markers

• Coloring Faces & Hair with Copic Markers

• Intro to Coloring With Copic Markers (Jan 2016)

• Coloring Cats & Dogs with Copic Markers (Jan 2016)

• Coloring Birds with Copic Markers (Spring 2016)

Shadows & Shading: A beginner's guide to lighting placement
This book is for teaching you where to accurately put shadows and highlights when coloring with any medium. Includes clear lighting guides to help you plan where to place your shadows & highlights. Distributed by Copic/Imagination International, Inc.

Copic Coloring Guide Series

Series by Marianne Walker & Colleen Schaan
4 books in the series. For papercrafters. Published by Annie's Attic

• Copic Coloring Guide Level 1: Basics
• Copic Coloring Guide Level 2: Nature

• Copic Coloring Guide Level 3: People

• Copic Coloring Guide Level 4: Finishing Touches

Check your local store for these books, otherwise they are available at many popular online retailers.