Copic Crash: Primer on Drawing With Alcohol-Based Markers/Copics & Other Brands
This single session class outlines how alcohol markers differ from water-based ink, how to avoid making frustrating yet common mistakes, how to properly care for your markers and a few key technique tips.
Michelle Baker
Average rating:
4.9
Number of reviews:(90)
What's included
1 live meeting
1 in-class hoursClass Experience
US Grade 4 - 7
TOPIC: Learners will be introduced to the fundamentals of properly using Alcohol Markers. This includes gaining an understanding of how and why they differ from water-based media, which kinds of paper to use, how to properly use and care for these markers, and how to combine effects and colors to improve their blending. STRUCTURE: There will be a few short Skill Drills during class that allow learners to apply the lessons in real time with their markers. This class is a "crash course" so it does not have lengthier projects (for the full project-based class, please see the multi week "Copic Crush" class that I offer) PREREQUISITE: The main requirement of this class is that learners possess the materials in the Learner Supply resource list. Please contact me with any questions about supplies. MY EXPERIENCE & TEACHING STYLE: I offer 30+ years of professional experience in digital design and traditional illustration. From my background of fine art and graphic design, I am able to provide insight to mixed-media drawing techniques, composition and design concepts, as well as proficiency with various studio materials. INTERACTION: I teach through the use of my own pre-recorded video tutorials and slides. The class itself is a live meeting over Zoom with full, real-time interaction between the instructor and the learners.
Learning Goals
Alcohol markers can be an amazing, powerful art media -- but can be frustrating if a few key fundamentals are not understood. The main goal of this primer class is to outline some pro's and con's / do's and don'ts which help artists have greater control over their inking techniques.
Other Details
Supply List
Specific materials are IMPORTANT for this class! REQUIRED: - Set of 36 or more Alcohol Based Markers in EXCELLENT condition (NOT water-based or watercolor markers.) Any brand of Alcohol Based Marker is fine. (Copic, Premiere, Ohuhu, Spectrum Noir, Spreey and any others) The student should have light, medium and dark shades of a broad spectrum of colors. - PAPER: Please have some paper that is a smooth finish, designed for marker or mixed media. Bristol paper and smooth white card stock work very well. (Sketch paper for dry media is NOT a great surface for alcohol markers and seriously effects the results.) - Please have atleast one marker that is a "0" or Blender (no pigment) that is in great working condition. Also suggested (but optional for this class) - Black Fine Liners (Copic or other permanent/alcohol ink NOT water based) Ultra Fine Tip Black Sharpie markers will do, Here are some purchasing links to suggested Alcohol Based marker sets and a little info about them. COPIC brand is the "gold standard" (and they are expensive.) Their quality is really unmatched. Copic markers can be refilled and their nibs can be replaced. In this class, we will talk about how to take proper care of supplies like this. https://www.amazon.com/Copic-I36B-Ciao-Markers-36-Piece/dp/B000MRSUUI/ref=pd_di_sccai_1?pd_rd_w=pZHhY&pf_rd_p=c9443270-b914-4430-a90b-72e3e7e784e0&pf_rd_r=HBESA3Y9CN33T7N6ZXN7&pd_rd_r=38b5bf7c-2518-49d0-8db9-a731ec4b76b0&pd_rd_wg=VHW2O&pd_rd_i=B000MRSUUI&psc=1 Economy brands are totally fine for learners just starting out with alcohol inks! The quality is not as consistent (I have found that from batch to batch, inks may not match even if you buy the same brand and same color.) These markers are also disposable so once they dry out or the nib gets exhausted or damaged, they're done. https://www.amazon.com/Ohuhu-Permanent-Highlighter-Sketching-Alcohol-based/dp/B01H1NV1RE?ref_=ast_sto_dp https://www.amazon.com/128-Pack-SPREEY-Beginners-Sketching-Illustration/dp/B07ZRTD7F3/ref=sr_1_7?crid=30QLLTJTSABRT&dchild=1&keywords=alcohol+markers&qid=1612538001&s=arts-crafts&sprefix=alcohol+markers%2Cgarden%2C222&sr=1-7 - PAPER is an integral part of the success for Alcohol Markers. Please have access to lots of smooth surface, marker-quality paper. I suggest white card stock or Bristol. This is the paper that I use. It is extremely bright white, heavy, smooth and a lot cheaper than the Art Pads that only have 20 sheets in them. =) (And you can use the extra sheets in your home printer) https://www.amazon.com/Hammermillamp-Cover-Brightness-Letter-Sheets/dp/B004E3JWTO/ref=sr_1_10?dchild=1&keywords=hammermill+cardstock&qid=1612887733&sr=8-10 Black Fine liners are not required for this class but are a great addition to your artist's toolbox: Sharpies are good: https://www.amazon.com/Sharpie-Permanent-Markers-Ultra-Fine-32175PP/dp/B00L3Y27N0/ref=sr_1_15?crid=2TWAA0GGPZ8FV&dchild=1&keywords=sharpie+ultra+fine+point+markers&qid=1612887899&sprefix=sharpie+ultra+fine%2Caps%2C188&sr=8-15 I also suggest this set of black fine liners by COPIC: https://www.amazon.com/Copic-Markers-9-Piece-Multiliner-MLB2/dp/B000MRSUZ8/ref=sr_1_5?dchild=1&keywords=copic+markers&qid=1612536961&s=office-products&sr=1-5
External Resources
Learners will not need to use any apps or websites beyond the standard Outschool tools.
Joined September, 2019
4.9
90reviews
Teacher expertise and credentials
Bachelor's Degree in Music or Theatre or Arts from Notre Dame College
My students learn about art and design through the perspective of pop culture and personal passions as we work through skill drills that sharpen artistic abilities. My lessons are built to keep the FUN in fundamentals.
MY PROFESSIONAL BACKGROUND
I’m Michelle Baker, a mixed-media artist, designer and instructor. I work in traditional media like pencil, charcoal, chalk, and ink, combined with Digital (Photoshop and Procreate).
My students learn about art and design through the perspective of pop culture and personal passions as we work through skill drills that sharpen artistic abilities. My lessons are built to keep the FUN in fundamentals.
MY PROFESSIONAL BACKGROUND
A professional artist and designer since 1990, my first creative ventures included being a sign-painter, muralist and caricature artist. After I received my Bachelor's Degree in Commercial Art with a minor in Fine Art, I worked in a mix of professional settings doing print design, storyboarding, multimedia, illustration, animation, and branding. I have taught art, design and illustration as adjunct faculty at the college level as well as K-Grade 8 at a Private Academy. I've been instructing Grades 4-12 here on Outschool since March of 2020.
My studio, Rockin’ Chalk, specializes in Food and Beverage art. I’ve created for thousands of customers and have been commissioned to create artwork for well known food, beverage and retail brands such as Torani, Yerbae, Weber Grill and Cavender’s, along with many smaller, independently owned restaurants.
MY WORLD
I am a married mother of 2 amazing boys and I live with my family on a lake in Southern New Hampshire. A few creative people who have inspired me in my lifetime include Jim Henson, Tim Burton and John Lasseter. I love classic rock music and have a serious weakness for tacos.Reviews
Live One-Time Class
$21
per classMeets once
60 min
Completed by 14 learners
Live video meetings
Ages: 10-15
1-5 learners per class
Financial Assistance
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