How many markers do I need in my collection?
I continue to get asked “What EXACTLY do I need to have in my marker stash to color images?” “Do I really need all 344 colors (and more as the collection grows)?”
Sorry, Copic fans, there is no clear cut answer for this. But I can share my common sense approach on how to start your collection.
Your collection should start with a base of 36 markers
Why 36? This number allows you to get one blending set in each color family group with a couple to spare for skin and a gray. Here is the list that I would recommend. The colors I have chosen are some of the most common you will see in crafting and Copic tutorials and it is the reason they are in the base set of 36.
- B00, B02, B04 (beautiful sky blues)
- BG11, BG13, BG18 (mint greens) OR BG72, BG75, BG78 (sea greens)
- BV00, BV02, BV04 OR BV11, BV13, BV17 (both fairly similar blue violet series)
- V12, V15, V17 (pretty purples)
- G21, G24, G28 (nice rich greens)
- YG11, YG13, YG17 (grass greens)
- Y11, Y15, Y19 (bright yellows)
- YR04, YR07, YR09 (oranges)
- R22, R24, R29 (the must have set of reds)
- RV63, RV66, RV69 (raspberry pinks–this is a total preference ) OR RV21, RV23, RV25 (if your prefer bubble gum pinks)
- E33, E35, E37 (this is a great starter set of Earth tones or browns)
- E25, E27, E29, E00, E02 (the standard for skin tones–but there are TONS of options)
- N1 (just to have one gray for simple shadows and edging images)
Note: In the starter set above I did not include a Colorless Blender in the set, but I would still consider this to be a must-have, so that is marker number 37.
A few of my favorites
I also have a few favorites beyond these first 36, that that I use FREQUENTLY. Remember: this is a list of my favorites. Every artist–yes that means you–will find a few of their own personal favorites.
- E09 is a color I love to add to red hair and brighten up my browns.
- YR31 is one I love to use under yellows and yellow reds to warm them up.
- B0000 and BV0000 are favorites to fade backgrounds to white and fairy wings of course.
- A few more grays to color black and white objects (one series really is enough for most people)
A look at my personal collection
I currently own about 130 markers. Yikes that is a lot! And I am quite happy with my set. It does all that I want it to do and I know I do not need ALL the colors.
In addition to what’s listed above, here is what else I have in my bag:
- B21, B24, B28 (royal blues)
- B91, B95, B97, B99 (denim blues)
- BG (I have both the teens and the 70’s series)
- BG93, BG96, BG99 (very dark gray blue-green)
- BV (I have both the 0’s and the teens, but really do not need both)
- BV23, BV25, BV29 (this is a great set for shadows!)
- V01, V04, V06, V09 (not a real big fan of this series I like 04 but by itself)
- V91, V93, V95, V99 (a very light grey purple series except for the 99)
- G17 (a bright kelly green)
- YG93, YG95, YG97, YG99 (a great olive series)
- Y23, Y26, Y28 (love this series for blond hair, but do not use the 28)
- Y32, Y35, Y38 (yummy golden yellows)
- YR14, YR15, YR16, YR18 (very similar to the 0’s but slightly warmer) YR30 (a nice partner to YR31)
- R000, R01 (another skin tone)
- R83, R85, R89 (a lovely rich wine series)
- RV (I have others but honestly the ones that come out of my bag are the 60’s)
- E (I have the 20’s and the 30’s and use them both regularly)
- E11, E13, E15 (suntan skin)
- E44, E47, E49 (my newest additions a very nice gray brown group)
- C1,3,5,7,9 (these greys seem to suit me just fine)
I see you counting and it is not adding up is it? I did not list them all. There are a few that I count them in as a part of the whole, but did not list, because I’ve found I simply do not use them.
So there you have it, “Michelle’s Picks”–my personal list of markers. I hope it can help guide you in your choices. And if you have questions as always please ask! [mhoughton]
