Texture techniques, part 1

Texture without the colorless blender
 It has been a while since I made a tutorial about textures. Today I want to share an image that you can print and practice with on your own. Be sure to test your ink compatibility before coloring, or photocopy this image so you do not ruin your marker nibs.

In the past, I have shown how to get the look of fur or sweater using the colorless blender solution or a rag. However, sometimes you just don't have those tools around, so I want to share techniques I use to achieve that look with nothing more than the marker itself.

Is texture needed? How will this change my image?

First, decide if you need texture. The lines will tell you if it should have texture. This sweater is drawn with rough edges and little dots to suggest texture, so it needs a texture to match. The fur is not smooth, it is drawn as long tufts, so it would not get the same, short stubby texture that the sweater needs. If an image is drawn with smooth lines, wiht no suggestion of texture, then it may look strange if you give it too much texture.

Here is the cat colored with no texture (blended), then a sample using almost exactly the same colors, with texture added.

Look at how the colors change because of how they were applied. The darker brown, E44, on the first cat is almost lost. When it is layered on for texture, without blending, it stays much darker and retains the contrast.

On the sweater, I decided to leave the highlights white. The other three greens are the same. However, the difference in contrast is so much stronger. These are all creative decisions you will have to make. EXPERIMENT! it is only a piece of paper. try coloring the sweater a couple different ways to see how much contrast you like, or how strong/subtle you want the contrast.

Usually, when I add texture using a rag or cloth, it will lighten an area up as well. Keep this in mind when you are choosing colors. If you add blender it will get lighter, if you layer dark colors, it will go darker.

Next week I will finish up with more examples. This weekend, practice coloring this cat with texture in a few of your favorite ways, then I'll show you some techniques I use. Feel free to post samples of this to your blogs (giving credit to where they can get the image for themselves) and post links on the comments here.

I look forward to seeing what you come up with!

Quick Sketch and Certification

Back from Japan
I just had the wonderful opportunity to spend a week in Japan, teaching some wonderful Japanese people all about Copics. This was my first time in Japan, so I got to travel all over Tokyo and see some amazing things. What a great experience! In honor of that trip, I drew this quick sketch, based on a beautiful garden we visited in Tokyo.

This was drawn with N0, N2, N4 and N6 on a sketchbook (I can't remember which brand, as this drawing was for a friend).

Traveling to other countries and seeing the skill and talent of so many diverse people really reminds me why I love this industry so much. While I can't speak Japanese, art and crafting crosses so many language barriers. We all create for similar reasons. The things we make come from our hearts. I really felt the love from all my new Japanese friends. I hope they had just as good a time taking my classes as I had teaching them.

But, now I am back to my desk, and back to catching up on work. Time to update people on Certification classes in North America.

Standard Certification Classes, North America

We are entering our busy Fall class season. There are many locations coming up in the next few weeks, so keep checking your e-mail for our newsletter to see which classes are coming to your area. These classes fill quickly, so register as soon as you see them!

To register for any of the standard classes listed here, please visit our website.

Aug. 24th Dallas TX taught by Cindy Lawrence FULL

Sept. 14th Orlando, FL taught by Colleen Schaan FULL
Sept. 21st Vancouver, BC taught by Sherrie Siemens
Sept. 28th Sacramento, CA taught by Debbie Olson
Sept. 29th Warwick, RI taught by Cindy Lawrence

Oct. 5th Indianapolis, IN taught by Colleen Schaan
Oct. 12th, Philadelphia, PA taught by Debbie Olson

Opening soon:
Oct. 26th Portland OR, taught by Sherrie Siemens

Intermediate Certification Classes, North America

To register for any of the Intermediate classes listed here, please visit our website. 

Aug. 16th Kansas City, MO taught by Debbie Olson there are still spaces left, Call!
 Aug. 25th Dallas TX taught by Cindy Lawrence FULL


Sept. 15th Orlando, FL taught by Colleen Schaan FULL
Sept. 22st Vancouver, BC taught by Sherrie Siemens
Sept. 29th Sacramento, CA taught by Debbie Olson
Sept. 30th Warwick, RI taught by Cindy Lawrence

Oct. 6th Indianapolis, IN taught by Colleen Schaan
Oct. 13th, Philadelphia, PA taught by Debbie Olson Almost FULL!!

Opening soon:
Oct. 27th Portland OR, taught by Sherrie Siemens