Do you struggle to balance Markers & pencils?

You love the look of colored pencils over Copic Marker but when you’re coloring on your own with independent, non-tutorial projects, do you start to question “how much pencil should I add?”

How much is too much?

Or is it enough?

I’ve taught Copic + Prismacolor classes for over a decade (and I started using this technique in freelance illustration long before that).

I see this beginner confusion all the time— not just on independent projects but also when they’re sitting in class with me!

In general, students assume they need more colored pencil than is necessary.

Let’s look up-close at the real amount of pencil in my projects.

Because more pencil is often less pretty.

Mixed media coloring is a balancing act. It’s not always obvious how much colored pencil to use over the top of Copic Marker. Professional artist Amy Shulke shares enlarged scans of her latest project to show the ratio of pencil to marker plus tips to celebrate the beauty of each medium.

Let’s color efficiently

First let me say, the amount of pencil to marker is going to vary from project to project. I can’t tell you it’s always a 60/40 or a 30/70 split because every project has different goals and requirements.

But having given you that disclaimer, I do have two hard rules that never change:

I do not hide the Copic.

And I never waste time laying matching pencil over the same color of marker.

Nobody taught me to color with pencils over a base of marker or watercolor, I developed this process on my own.

I’m not saying I invented it, I’m saying I had a problem, got an idea, and figured out how to do it, all on my own.

The reason why I point this out is to explain that I developed my version of this method for efficiency.

Freelancers get paid by the job and colored pencil artists are at an extreme disadvantage because quality colored pencil art takes too darned long.

The marker/watercolor underpaint allowed me to conserve valuable production time without sacrificing vibrancy and color complexity.

So covering every last square inch of Copic with colored pencil is against my efficiency rules.

And re-coloring the basecoat with the same exact pencil is pointless.

How much Colored pencil do I use?

Not as much as you think.

On this leaf, 100% of the green is pure Copic Marker.

I’ve used Goldenrod for the veins, I pushed with Dark Purple, and I pulled with Jasmine.

No green pencil.

The colored pencil here is an accent. I’m adding detail and refining the form but I’m not making any attempt to cover, hide, or change the Copic.

Check out the butterfly close-up above. I used White, Dark Purple, and Jasmine pencils. No orange. The marker is still doing the bulk of the work.

So why use pencils at all?

Well, I love colored pencils. My brain thinks in colored pencils. So I’m going to use my beloved medium wherever I can.

But there are also two major advantages that colored pencil has over Copic or even watercolor.

First, colored pencil is a control medium. Ink and paint are wet and tend to ooze, so if I’m doing fine veins or texture, I’m always going to pick up the pencils which I can use for tight and accurate marks.

But here’s the real reason and it’s likely why you were drawn to my art and classes in the first place. Colored pencil sits up on top of the paper surface. It doesn’t sink into the paper fibers the way wet media does.

This means colored pencils (when done right) have an opacity, depth, vibrancy, and a visual presence that wet mediums do not have.

Pencils are a lot like oil paint; the colors have life because they’re right there on the surface interacting with the light.

Tinted or dyed paper fibers simply can not compete.

Mixed Media

I see students labor over their pencil layers.

Struggling to cover every last bit of marker, often with the same exact color as the marker. Green on green or blue on blue on blue.

There’s no need to re-color your coloring.

Markers and watercolor are gorgeous mediums. They’re quick to use and can cover wide areas with smooth silky washes or color gradients.

They’re also a timesaver for pencil artists; by tinting the tooth of the paper with ink or paint, they eliminate the need for solvents and even the first few layers of base color.

But this form of mixed media coloring is no longer efficient if you waste time repeating layers of marker with the same colors of pencil.

Let both mediums do what they do best.

Set the stage with markers and show the details with pencils.

Let us see your Copic, don’t hide it.

The Life of a Butterfly

Join Amy for a vibrant Copic + Colored Pencil lesson

Marker Painting Workshops - online!

Illustrated Monarch features ”Monarchs & Milkweed” from PowerPoppy.com

Illustrated Monarch is an advanced level coloring class

Real time coloring, recorded live

Live Workshops are unscripted demonstrations which provide students with a real look into the authentic coloring process. You’ll see mistakes being made and corrected. It’s just like visiting Amy in her home studio.

Log in and color with Amy at your convenience. Anytime access, no expiration dates.

Class was recorded in July 2020 and featured a live student audience. Amy answers questions from the students and offers many tips for better colored pencil art.

Monarchs & Milkweed

Illustrated Monarch uses the “Monarchs and Milkweed” digital stamp, an instant download from PowerPoppy.com.

Easily print your stamp on Copic safe paper and color along with me!

Join me for an online lesson…

that will change the way you think about marker and pencil technique. You don’t have to follow the same old blending rules to make beautiful realism.

Plus, it'll be tons of fun!

Select supplies used in Illustrated Monarch:

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