Are Mixed Media Sketchbooks and Paper Good for Markers? - Video Resources

December 20, 2024 Amy Shulke

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WHICH MIXED MEDIA PAPER IS BEST FOR MARKERS & COLORED PENCIL?

As I search for Christmas presents for the family, I’m always finding irresistible art supply bargains for me.

Then after Christmas, I’ve always got a few gift cards to spend at the art store.

As if Christmas wasn’t bad enough, there’s also our New Year’s resolution to draw and color more.

So if you’re an alcohol marker or colored pencil person…

You may be considering mixed media sketchbooks or mixed media paper.

Is mixed media paper good for markers?

Today, I’ll be coloring in one of my favorite mixed media sketchbooks.

I’ll tell you what I like about it…

But more importantly, I’ll show you why mixed media paper probably isn’t what you want.

“Twinkle Light”. Copic Markers and Holbein Colored Pencil on Stillman & Birn Zeta Mixed Media Paper. 7 × 7” by the author, Amy Shulke.

WATCH: MIXED MEDIA?

Latest Video - Mixed Media Sketchbooks and Paper: Worth It?

(supply list at bottom of this article)

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LEARN MARKER + PENCIL COLORING TECHNIQUES

Marker with a dash of colored pencil…

The Blend - A 12 week online course for beginners/intermediates which focuses solely on smooth blending with Copic Markers. Learn to blend or improve your current blending technique with this intensive skill building approach to coloring.

Colored pencil with a touch of marker…

The Point - A 12 week online course for beginners/intermediates which focuses on efficient techniques for Prismacolor colored pencils. Learn to layer colors with confidence and artistry through this intensive skill building approach to coloring.

TECHNIQUES USED IN TWINKLE LIGHT

The following techniques can be spotted in the MIXED MEDIA MAYBE video:

To keep from damaging this soft mixed media paper with graphite lines or an eraser, I’ve done the sketching on separate piece paper. When I trace the completed drawing into the sketchbook, I barely press, only trace the most important lines, and I erase most of the tracing with sticky tack.
Because I’m working on mixed media paper, I’ve added an extra marker to my blending combination. YG25 is a high-solvent marker which will add extra muscle as I attempt to blend on stubborn paper. Note in the video footage how slowly and generously I apply this light green color.
I use soft colored pencils like Holbein (DickBlick link) on mixed media paper. Harder pencils rely on numerous layers to build up vibrant color but this paper won’t accept a lot of layers. Softer pencils tend to apply more pigment with every stroke so the color builds faster with fewer layers. Match the pencil to the needs of the paper.
The cast shadow here does not begin with a layer of marker; it’s going to look grainy unless we work the shadow to the burnishing stage. I’ve chosen to stop before the tooth is completely full, it lends a softness to the shadow whereas a burnished shadow might look like plastic.

LIGHT IT UP!

I’m a complete sucker for glass and reflections.

So when I was replacing lightbulbs on a tinsel wreath my mother must have bought before I was even born, I got a little distracted by the shapes and reflection distortions in the bulbs. Not only that, but every color of bulb had weird temperature shifts, so the green lightbulbs were almost blue in places, the red had strong hints of orange, and the blue bulbs had purple zones!

I had to draw and color one… and if I’m drawing and coloring for me, I might as well share it with you, right?

PURCHASE INCLUDES FULL SUPPLY LIST FOR EVERY COLOR BLEND

Watch me color gorgeous green glass, shiny aluminum, and a fascinating cast shadow— then color your own! Use my style and supplies or develop your own unique twist.

Twinkle Light digital stamp comes in two line colors: black lined version for easy coloring and disappearing gray lines for realism.

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