Color Theory for Red Alcohol Markers

Episode 11 - Red (Rosebud) Swatching

Everyone loves to color with red markers— which is strange, because if you look at the average alcohol marker collection, there’s usually not many red markers to choose from.

The lighter reds are really more pink or carmine. The darker reds are wine or brick. But in the middle, you usually only have 4-5 classic fire-engine style reds to choose from.

Which is probably why so many Copic fans shade all their red objects with R89.

It may not always be the best option but when it’s all you have to work with, you try to ignore the fact that your dark red marker clashes with all the other reds in the blend.

Color theory can change your over-reliance on badly matched dark red markers.

Instead of relying on Copic to make the markers, let’s make it ourself.

In our blue lessons, we encountered a similar problem but violet adds two new challenges— value and temperature conflicts.

Episode 11 of my Applied Color Theory lessons shows you how to make beautiful red shade which actually matches your base reds instead of clashing.

Resources & Learning Aids

FREE Color Theory Lessons at YouTube

Let’s select gorgeous reds for a romantic rosebud

In this episode, Amy shares her color swatching process to select the ideal blending combination to color a sophisticated and sunny red rosebud.

Supplies and colors are listed at the bottom of this page.

Did you miss the episodes covering yellow, green, pink, blue, or violet? Watch ‘em here:

Amy’s Swatch Sheet

(scanned immediately after the livestream))

Final Reds

(chosen during the livestream)

COPIC BLEND: R46, R25, R14

UNDERPAINT: BG34 (darkest) and BG32 (main)

Extra Colors

(background, stem, and sepals)

COPIC GREEN BLEND: G94, G24

UNDERPAINT: BG34

COPIC BACKGROUND: BG11

Prismacolor Colored Pencils

PC905 Aquamarine, PC914 Cream, PC916 Canary Yellow, PC1090 Kelp Green, and either PC926 Crimson Lake or PC1030 Raspberry

Optional: PC1014 Deco Pink

Also: Derwent Lightfast Purple (no numbers) or PC931 Dark Purple*

*Prismacolor 931 is a finicky pencil which can turn hot pink when laid over colors with a high white content. Since we’re using Cream and possibly Deco Pink, the danger is high enough that I recommend using Derwent’s Purple.

PAPER: Strathmore Bristol 300, Smooth finish

TIP: As with the Copic V family, there are few true reds to choose from

Most Copic R markers are either pinkish or wine/brick colors. This is why you’ll see large numbers of people all using the same red blends. R29 isn’t the best red marker ever invented— for many people, it’s the only real red available.

TIP: Red is not as dark as you think. There’s a difference between presence and value

Humans respond to red which is why we use it for warnings like stop signs and safety instructions. Red demands attention but that doesn’t mean red is a dark color!

True red, like apple or fire engine red is actually a mid-value color. Copic gets it wrong when they label R29 as a level 9 value because it’s really only a 7.5 level on the value scale.

We just red is darker than it actually is. Be careful when picking out red blending combinations AND when shading red. Odds are, you’ll choose darker reds and shade the red more than necessary.

TIP: R stains paper fibers, encouraging you to over-ink in response

Red is a stubborn ink which latches onto paper fibers in a way other ink colors do not. As a result, red markers do not blend as easily as other colors.

Be careful as you’re blending red combinations. Yes, one of the benefits of Copic is that you can re-blend an area that doesn’t blend smoothly the first time but every re-blend darkens the red slightly. For example, if you re-blend Santa’s hat several times, his hat may no longer match his jacket. After 3 re-blends, it may look like you used a much darker blending combination.

Purchase the Kit

Color along with Amy - Summer 2023 Color Theory kit

This kit covers THREE months of YouTube lessons: June, July, and August.

Easy PDF digital downloads include:

• 3 flower blossom PNG digital stamps—

  • Forget-Me-Not (episode 8)

  • Iris (episode 10)

  • Rosebud (episode 12)

• 3 PDF worksheets (June, July, August) targeting specific colors from the photo reference

• Amy’s PDF Copic color wheel

Free Photo Reference

Our red rose photo reference provides lots of red color inspiration.

References are important because you can’t color realistic red until you can see realistic red.

Download the free photo reference from Pixabay here.

After You’ve Practiced…

Swatch red markers and color along with Amy using the small rosebud line art in the Summer 2023 kit.

Once you’ve practiced a few times and feel comfortable, use the same marker and pencil selections on a larger iris project.

Floribunda - Digital Line Art

Ideal for Copic Marker, colored pencil, watercolor or mixed media

Illustrated by Amy Shulke.

Color like an Artist

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Announcements and video notifications are also sent to this mailing list. Click to subscribe.

Read More

Color with Red

Designed for large scale, realistic coloring. Amy’s illustrations are drawn with minimal texture marks or decorations to let your marker art shine.

Take a Class

Amy has classes featuring yellow and yellow coloring technique

Or focus on blending skills

More About Red Markers

Supply List

(to be updated after Amy selects markers and pencils in the June 16th livestream)

Previous Color Theory Episodes: