getting [started] - part 1 [supplies]
as my first post ever, i'm going to be making this one with a bit of information for the marker beginner. this post is all about supplies, as you can't start without them. :)
what brand of markers should i buy?
i'll be honest. i'm bias about the brand. i really like copics because they have a really versatile marker (that can be refilled and re-nibbed), tons of colors, and blend like the gods.
you can also go prismacolor, as they're not all that bad either. i find that they have a stronger smell than copics, however, and nothing can beat copics brush nib in my opinion.
i've tried other markers and brands, but after a while [and as your funds begin to slim], you just got to stick with a brand you like and want to spend money on that's more worthwhile. i stuck with copics. =3
okay...i get it. you like copic. so if i buy copic, which one?
if you're just starting out, or if you know that you're not going to be using your markers too much, i would go with copic's ciao marker. they're smaller [and cheaper], but they're run out of ink faster [really based on how often you use it]. their aren't as many colors available for ciao as there are for copic's sketch markers, but they'll get the job done.
if you know you're going to be using the markers a lot and jumping right in, go sketch. they provide a decent amount of ink and have the most available things for it. if you're going to do airbrushing, you can use sketch for the airbrush system too, but i would pick copic originals to do those, as they hold more ink.
all the other types i would hold off right now until you're more comfortable with using the marker in generally.
quick rundown of all the types [full run-down at copicmarker.com]
[ciao] cheapest; least amount of ink; has brush nib; less colors; best for beginners and light users but not airbrush users
[sketch] pricey; good amount of ink; has brush nib; most colors; best for anyone, really
[original/copic] pricey; great amount of ink; has pen nib but doesn't come with brush nib; less colors; good for airbrushing and solid coloring [aka no smooth brush blending]
[wide] pricey; great amount of ink; is single nibbed with the wide nib; least colors; great for backgrounds and large spaces to be covered but not good for airbrushing
alright. so i now know what type, but what colors? should i just buy a kit?
colors is a bit tricky, so I've set up a whole page just on colors! the copic marker system has a particular set up for how to identify the different types of color. this helps determining how to select natural coloring [blending] groups and makes coloring a lot easier.
i've also created marker set guides. copics [as the company] tend to create sets for the markers that they think work best together. although they're a good way to start a collection, they don't really provide the best combination of colors, especially when you're trying to be as thrifty as possible. so i've created my own "sets" on what i think provides a good coverage of things based on what you're trying to color with them. ^_^
okay...that was a lot of information, but now i got my colors. :D what about paper?
although not as tricky as selecting colors, papers can be a bit time consuming. i've often bought different pads of paper just to see how they test out with my markers...only to find that they're less than appealing. :/
the only thing you can do is test out the papers yourself, to see if it is giving you the effect you want. you can also check out my already tested papers, to check out the papers i've already tested out and see if that's the effect you want. :D
this just covers the information about the markers. i wanted to give just a brief overview of the markers available so you know what to buy on your next trip. :D
