Realistic Neutrals
Beige…
Camel, cream, khaki, off-white, tan, taupe, biscuit and buff. Neutrals, such as beige, are the chameleons of Copic Markers and they’re definitely overlooked in colored pencil sets! There’s more to coloring with beige than meets the eye! They match and blend with most other colors, while adding a sense of calmness, elegance and sophistication.
But what if you don’t want your beige to merely blend in? What if you want to unleash the true luster of “deep pearl” in all its glory?
Well, then it's time to pull out Vanilla Arts’ secret weapon…BV20!
Traditional Copic Marker blending combinations can add a little bit of depth and dimension but they can not add realism. As an artist, you will never successfully achieve this goal until you are brave enough to use the dreary, desaturated colors actually found in nature’s shadows.
It’s impossible to flawlessly capture the luscious depths of this unfurled peony with only E43 and E41. That color combination is far too safe for realism and will leave you disappointed. But underpaint that E43 with a little BV20, then step back and watch that peony blossom before your very eyes!
Anyone who learns how to underpaint with Copic markers at Vanilla Arts will NEVER think of beige as boring again!
Always remember: real shade is not darker color, shade is desaturated color.
To create the desaturated colors that Copic does not make, Vanilla Arts Company teaches Online Workshops using the underpainting method. Students learn to layer colors realistically rather than using standardized blending combos.
Underpainting creates natural colors found in everyday life!
Copic - Deep pearl
Try underpainting E43 with BV20 to successfully simulate lifelike shadows in these pretty peonies. The natural “color shattering” which occurs with any of the BV markers will bring to light beautiful nuances of blues, turquoises and violets.
Hmm, don’t know what color shattering is? No problem! Amy Shulke will teach you all about wonderful techniques such as underpainting and color shattering in her fantastic line-up of Vanilla Arts classes!
Elena’s Advice:
Yes, it’s a little scary to underpaint your E43 with BV20, and you may think at first that you made a BIG mistake. But trust me! Let the colors marinate together for a few minutes. You will absolutely love the rich, realistic hue that emerges!
Learn to use your BV’s to underpaint:
Vanilla Arts Company - Triple Scoop - Music & Markers Digi Stamp + Recipe Guide.
Vanilla Arts Company - Texas Yellow Rose - Digi Stamp & Booklet.
Vanilla Arts Company - Expressive Sunflowerd Marker Painting Workshop
Vanilla Arts Company - Donut Stack Marker Painting Workshop.
Looking for More Blending Combinations?
Elena Cazares is a Vanilla Arts student with beautiful sense of color and style. She is a hurricane of positive creative energy.
Elena runs Violeta-Ink.com, an online boutique shop specializing in Copic Markers and coloring accessories. Join Elena’s Copic Facebook group here for the latest coloring news and Copic Marker updates.
