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What are Copic Ciao Markers?

What are Copic Ciao Markers?

Professional quality markers

Copic Ciao markers are a high quality, alcohol-based, ink marker pen, made by the Too Corporation group in Japan. They are incredibly versatile and are used as a colouring and sketch tool within many fields of the creative industries, such as; graphic design, animation, illustration, they are used by fashion designers and architects. They are perfect for technical drawing, automotive design, landscape architecture and Manga style illustration.

Copic Ciao markers are fast drying and will not smear, so are also suitable for beginners, students and hobby artists. Their popularity stems from their many positive attributes such as; low odour, fast drying, non-toxic, easy to use and their inks do not damage the paper fibres which remain smooth. They have a small round barrel shape that is easy and comfortable to hold whilst working. Copic Ciao markers are refillable and can be refilled up to 15 times.

Copic Ciao Markers

Copic Ciao professional quality markers

These professional quality markers have a dual nib, with a super brush at one end to block and blend colours and a medium broad chisel shaped nib on the other for blocking out colours, laying down large areas of colour and for creating sharp geometric shapes easily.

The soft brush nib will help to blend out your colours easily, whilst providing soft gradients. The Super Brush nib can also create a variety of drawn lines by simply altering the pressure whilst drawing you can change the quality of line from thick to thin. Using the side of the soft brush nib will allow you to fill large areas quickly and provide a thick line.

The reservoir in the middle is filled with high-quality, alcohol-based ink that is low-odour and non-toxic. From a great range of 180 colours you can choose your own palette or buy a set already curated for you. They are refillable and so incredibly economical.

Understanding the codes on the Ciao markers

Copic has its own colour system, each marker pen is identified by a colour 'letter' followed by a 'number' code. The letter identifies the colour family, for example R for Red, B for Blue, G for Green and E for Earth colours; and some can have two letters like BG which mean Blue Green or RV for Red Violet.

The first number digit identifies how pure the colour is, its colour saturation and intensity. It can range from Zero '0' to Nine '9'. Zero would be a pure saturated colour with no grey in it and more transparent. Nine would be a desaturated colour with lots of grey in it meaning it would be dull or muddy.

The second number or digit indicates how light or dark a colour is, this number can range from 0000 to 9. 0000 would be a very light colour while 9 would be a very dark colour. There are 180 colours for you to choose your perfect palette.

 Copic Ciao Greens

Multiple sets for the beginner, intermediate and professional artists

Ciao professional quality markers are one of our most popular products. They are great on price, and we have a huge collection of specific palettes and multi coloured sets with a huge range of individual marker pens in stock.

Discover our range by clicking our links below and go straight onto our product page. There are lots of sets already curated to help you decide on the best palette for your projects.

Individual Marker Pens

Professional quality markers in various permutations of palettes - brights, skin tones, pastel tones, grey tones cool colours, grey tones warm colours

Marker Pens sets 5+1, click on the links to take you straight to the products on our website.

Sets of 12 Copic Ciao Markers - Basic Colours, and Skin Tones

Sets of 36 Copic Ciao Markers - Sets A, B, C and D

  • COPIC Ciao Marker Set of 36 Colours Set A -Set contains 1 of each :- B00, B24, B29, E00, E21, E29, E37, C-3,100, YG03, YG06, YG11, G00, G05, G17, BG01, BG09, BG23, R20, R29, R32, YR02, YR07, YR20, Y00, Y06, Y17, BV00, BV02, BV08, V04, V09, V12, RV02, RV04, RV10.

     

  • COPIC Ciao Marker Set of 36 Colours Set B -Set contains 1 of each :- E08, E33, E35, E47, E51, C-1, C-5, C-7, 0, BG10, BG15, BG93, B05, B23, B32, B39, E02, E04, YR00, YR04, Y02, Y08, YG41, YG67, G02, G21, G99, BV04, V17, RV21, RV23, RV29, RV42, R02, R27, R59

  • COPIC Ciao Marker Set of 36 Colours Set C -Set contains 1 of each :- B02, B12, B60, B63, E11, E31, E50, E53, E71, Y21, YG00, YG23, YG63, G000, G07, G14, BG05, BG34, R05, R11, R22, YR16, YR23, YR31, YR61, Y11, Y15, BV13, BV23, BV31, V000, V06, RV000, RV06, RV13, R00

  • COPIC Ciao Marker Set of 36 Colours Set D -Set contains 1 of each :- E49, E57, E77, E93, E95, W-1, W-3, W-5, W-7, G85, G94, BG49, BG96, B45, B93, B95, B97, E43, R37, R46, R85, YR68, Y28, Y38, YG91, YG95, G28, BV17, BV29, V15, V91, V95, RV34, RV95, R17, R35

Sets of 72 Copic Ciao Markers - Sets A and B

  • COPIC Ciao Marker Set of 72 Colours Set A - Set contains 1 of each :- B39, E00, E02, E04, E08, E21, E29, E33, E35, E37, E47, E51, C-1, C-3, C-5, C-7, 0, 100, G00, G02, G05, G17, G21, G99, BG01, BG09, BG10, BG15, BG23, BG93, B00, B05, B23, B24, B29, B32, R29, R32, R59, YR00, YR02, YR04, YR07, YR20, Y00, Y02, Y06, Y08, Y17, YG03, YG06, YG11, YG41, YG67, BV00, BV02, BV04, BV08, V04, V09, V12, RV02, RV04, RV10, RV21, RV23, RV29, RV42, R02, R20, R27

 

  • COPIC Ciao Marker Set of 72 Colours Set B -Set contains 1 of each :- B93, B95, B97, E11, E31, E43, E49, E50, E53, E57, E71, E77, E93, E95, W1, W3, W5, W7, YG63, YG91, YG95, G000, G07, G14, G28, G85, G94, BG05, BG34, BG49, BG96, B02, B12, B45, B60, B63, R17, R22, R35, R37, R46, R85, YR16, YR23, YR31, YR61, YR68, Y11, Y15, Y21, Y28, Y38, YG00, YG23, BV13, BV17, BV23, BV29, BV31, V000, V06, V15, V91, V95, RV000, RV06, RV13, RV34, RV95, R00, R05, R11

 

 

What is the Copic Multiliner SP Pen?

Copic Ciao markers can be used with the Copic Multiliner SP Pen which is a permanent pigment liner with a brushed aluminium finish.

It’s waterproof, marker-proof and lightfast. Since the ink is waterproof yet water-based, it will not bleed or smear if used with watercolours or alcohol-based markers. Copic Multiliner pens are ideal for sketches, outlines and general writing.

It comes in 10 different nib sizes; 0.03, 0.05, 0.1, 0.2, 0.25, 0.3, 0.35, 0.5, 0.7 and Brush. They are refillable and you can also replace the nibs!

COPIC Multiliner SP Spare Nibs

COPIC Multiliner Refill

Copic Fineliners Multiliners 

What paper and pads can I use with my Copic Ciao marker pens?

Copic Ciao marker pens are permanent markers, however if you don't use the correct paper the colours can feather and bleed at the edges. If you are using non bleedproof paper, always protect the surface underneath with a few more pieces of paper.

Paper products compatible with alcohol-based marker pens.

Winsor & Newton Bleedproof Marker Pads - A superior, bleedproof, smooth paper, providing optimal performance for alcohol-based markers.   Available in A4 and A3 sizes.

Bespoke paper for your graphic marker choice, blend-friendly, ensuring the most impactful graduations of colour. Ink bleed is prevented to ensure clean lines and maximum precision.

-Vibrant and flat colours
Superior performance paper to ensure rich, vibrant colours and clean, precise lines without streaking.

-Bleedproof paper
A coated smooth, matt, archival paper designed for optimal marker performance, without soaking through.

Seawhite Marker Pad A2 70gsm 50 Sheets -A2 (420 x 594mm)

The marker pads are bleed-proof with a stiff 2mm board backing. Pad contains 50 sheets of bleed-proof 70gsm marker paper, glued and taped on the short edge. Suitable for pen and ink.

Made in the UK.

Frisk Manga Paper Pad 70gsm 50 Sheets -High quality bleed proof paper, ideal for use with markers, technical pen, sketching and drawing pencils. Acid free for longevity.

  • 70gsm

  • 50 Sheets

  • A5, A4 and A3 sizes.

Frisk Marker Paper Pad 70gsm 50 Sheets -An exceptionally high white bleedproof 70gsm paper pad for use with all spirit based markers and felt tip pens. Available in three different sizes, A3, A4 and A5 - these pads all have 50 leaves.

Frisk Essentials Marker Pad 70gsm 30sheets -Ideal for beginners & hobbyists, great for use with all markers, pens and pencils. Comes in sizes A5, A4 and A3.

 

A few top tips for using Copic Ciao Markers

Copic Ciao Markers will always work better on marker paper, although you can use it on a range of different papers, the only thing you need to be aware of is the absorbency of the paper. Some papers will allow the marker to bleed through, so be mindful of the surface you are working on.

On some papers the colours may differ as the ink soaks into the paper and doesn't sit on the top in the same way as pigment dyes do. We recommend you always test your paper before embarking on a big project.

Copic Markers are made with dye ink, so be aware that over time, some colours may fade a little. There are a few things you can do to prevent this from happening to your art work.

  • Keep and store all your work in a portfolio away from sunlight or Seawhite Professional Quality Museum Archival Box.

  • If displaying or exhibiting your work, to ensure longevity, use UV protected glass in your frames.

  • Don't hang in direct sunlight.

  • Scan all your work using a high quality scanner on the highest setting at least 6000dpi. and always keep a digital copy as a master copy. Don't give away your original artwork, give away a copy.

  • After scanning, print your artwork on archival paper with archival inks.

Application and blending colours

 

Colouring large shapes or small shapes

When using Ciao Markers brush nib, to create a large flat coloured shape, use a light touch and move in small circular motions. Work quickly while the ink is still damp to avoid streaky or patchy marks. You can also use a sideways flicking motion, whilst colouring, lifting the nib up at the end of the flick to soften the end of the mark. This is a great technique when working one darker colour over a lighter colour.

When colouring shapes, work with light colours first, then if you require a darker colour, to add definition, create a 3 dimensional shape or introduce shadows, gradually work in the darker shades but choose colours within the same colour family. Only use the colours that are one or two numbers away from the original, add the darker colours over the top of your base colour, then go back with the lighter colour blending the two colours together where they meet, this will create a seamless transition from dark to light or from one colour to another.

Creating gradients

When creating colour gradients of the same hue, lay down your lightest colour first, then work over with the closest numbers in the same colour family, gradually going darker.

If you want to create a two colour gradient, lay your lightest colour down with downward vertical brush strokes, do this twice, then whilst the ink is still wet, create a darker line parallel to the first underneath but not touching the first line of colour, working the darker colour upward vertical strokes making sure you overlap the first colour in the middle. Work back over the join in the middle with the lighter colour to blend the mid section to create your gradient.

Colourless blender

Use the colourless blender to fix small mistakes, clean edges, take out colour to create highlights, create textures and blend colours together. You can work the colourless blender over a colour already laid down or work the colourless blender down first and work a colour or colours over the top, but you must work quickly to avoid blotchy colour mixing.

Creating darker colours or creating new colours

To darken your colour, simply work over with the same colour in layers, this will lessen the colours transparency and darken the area.

Layering one colour over another colour can create new colours, for example yellow over blue to create green, or yellow over red to create orange and so on...If you work one colour over the other when the first colour has dried this will act as a glaze, if you work over the first colour with another colour whilst it is still wet then you can blend them together but you have to work quickly.

Softening lines

To soften a line, use the colourless blender either on the paper first before using your marker or after. The edges of your shape or line should blur into a softer edge.

 

Hopefully we have shed some light and provided a little information to demystify what Copic markers are and what they can do. Copic is a reliable and professional brand which is used globally. We have lots of this great brand in stock for you to discover, wishing you a great creative adventure!

 

Ellie Jakeman
Ellie Jakeman

I have had a strong interest in the visual and creative arts since a very early age. After completing an Art and Design Degree and Post graduate studies I have taught Art and Design, Fashion and Textiles, Textile design , Fine Art print and Illustration for over 20 years. Before teaching I was a freelance artist and illustrator and decided 4 years ago I would return to freelance and commissioned work. I have created many domestic and commercial murals for hospitals and hospices. I work part time for ARTdiscount as a content creator and product tester.


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