A warm red with Copic Markers

Real shade is not darker color, real shade is desaturated color.

To create the desaturated colors that Copic Marker does not make, Vanilla Arts Company teaches Online Workshops and Livestream Coloring Challenges using the underpainting method. Students learn to layer colors realistically rather than blend.

Underpainting creates natural colors found in everyday life.

Pear Blush

Elena’s Advice:

Hmmm, Amy handed me this photo reference and I knew I had to choose the right blending technique to give me the most photorealistic pear blend!

After testing some swatches I chose to use a Rebel Blending technique. Now, a rebel blend needs a lot of ink, this means you should slow down with the lighter markers so that enough ink gets into the paper to make the smoothest blend.

A little warning, because we are using R02 and YG21 on top of the R05 you will get some mottling. This is because of the ratio of solvent to colorant in the lighter markers. More solvent can cause a bit of mottling but it’s ok since a pear DOES have dots!!

BONUS TIP: make sure your markers are full and ready for rebel blending. It takes a lot of ink to create a smooth rebel blend!

Warm Red Workshops

Vanilla Arts Company - Rosie Gets the Blues

Vanilla Arts Company - Scarlet Geranium

Vanilla Arts - Online Coloring Classes

Further Reading:

Rebel Blending with Copic Markers: Learn to blend bold & unusual color combinations

Improve your Copic Marker Coloring: Are Your Darks Dark Enough?

Looking for More Underpainting 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.