Light, medium, and dark Copic Marker combinations

As a coloring newbie, you didn’t really know what to do, so you colored the center of a daisy with one yellow marker or pencil. The petals were one solid color of pink. The leaves were one green.

It was fun but you quickly noticed it looked flat.

So you searched for “dimensional coloring” and learned to use blending combinations to add a bit of depth.

But now what?

Now that you’ve got the combo concept mastered, why do your projects still look candy-colored?

Are you still missing something? Is there a next step beyond blending?

Yes, but the internet doesn’t talk much about the next step, does it?

Maybe you should find better blending combinations?

Or maybe you need more color?

Should you layer on another medium?

Stop!

The deep, interesting, and complex color you’re searching for is already at your fingertips. You’ve had the tools all along.

Instead of finding new coloring tutorials, let’s look at how artists create sophisticated color.

"Add some Phthalo Blue to the Alizarin Crimson plus a touch of Burnt Sienna..."

Think back to watching Bob Ross paint on PBS. Did Bob ever say:

“Okay friends, let’s pick up this tube of ultramarine blue and squeeze it right here on to the canvas. Get a really big blob! Now spread it all around until you come to the edge of a tree or the mountain. Yes, let’s make that summer sky one big solid expanse of pure ultramarine blue!”

We loved watching Bob mix brand new colors on his big wooden palette…

Let’s color Illustrated Monarch together!

Select supplies used in Illustrated Monarch:

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Pin an inspirational reminder. Save this color palette for future projects!