Copic markers for a child artist...questions

I've inserted a link to Marianne Walker's blog. She is the person that has brought Copic's into the crafting world. I've taken classes from her using Copics. I don't know that I'd get these for an 11 year old. There are other markers out there that will blend that are less expensive. Now saying that, Copic's are refillable and you can purchase replacement tips.

I wouldn't get a kit. You need markers that are 2 numbers away from each other to get them to blend correctly. Explore Copic's site too. They have kits that they've put together. Don't discount purchasing grays if you get these. I have them and love them. I have all of the Sketch but the florescent ones. I also have their air brush system, but I'm not 11 either.

Copic also has classes, although I don't know if they allow young children to attend. 

Paper--I use Neenah and Copic has pens. Copic does have paper too, although I've found Neenah to be fine for me. The pens that they have are what Marianne uses to draw with, then colors the images. She is a fantastic artist.

I Like Markers


Copic site

Ok my opinion for what it is worth. You know what your daughter's artistic ability is better than anyone. If you think she would benefit from the investment, then that would be what I would do. They aren't cheap but you know that. She may have a career as a graphic artist. I had a boyfriend eons ago and his mother said that is what she thought her son would do for a career. That is what he did. He and his wife have a business doing just that. Getting her started now just makes sense.

If she was musical, you would invest in a piano or cello or violin, right? How is this different? Just food for thought.

I say go for it! Any hobby that a child is passionate about will cost money - art, sports, collecting, etc... This isn't her first time ever using markers, and every artist knows what 'perfect' is to them... If Copics are her 'perfect' then there's so much she will get out of them... If they're not quite 'perfect' for her, then she's learned another media, and they're certainly excellent quality for her to use until they run out... Really though, Copics are pretty perfect for everybody - illustration, colouring, Manga, industrial design, interior designers, etc... They're such a staple that even if in time she goes on to prefect paint or other media, the skills she learns about how to use them will help her...

As far as paper goes, I've used a high quality cardstock (especially when colouring digital images), and various illustration papers... She'll have her own preference... She seems to pay a lot of attention and likes to learn about products before using them so I'd say let her help you choose the type of paper too... If you have an art store, even a basic one nearby, go in there and let her feel the weight and tooth of different papers... Some shops even sell papers by the sheet or in sample packs... That way she can try a bunch out and see which ones she likes best... To start out though, any of the commonly recommended papers will give her a chance to start trying things out... I have a pack of X-Press It Blending Card and I like it... I don't know the name of the cardstock I buy because I get it loose at the office supply place near me...

My dad would always say not to go too cheap on something you are seriously considering... If you go really cheap, you're not sure if you didn't like it because it's not your thing or if you bought inferior equipment and that's what made it unenjoyable...

I was a child that was involved in art and was lucky to have parent that would buy me a $40 paintbrush for my birthday... The opportunity to push your skills as you have access to better tools is one of the things I loved about art - I was always learning and progressing...

If it is not a phase that she is going through, then I would get what would make her happy and work in the long run. My DD loves to paint. But she uses acrylics and canvases. She gets the canvas when it is on sale. She will also spray them white and reuse them. I don't mind buying her supplies at all. It is calming and therapy for her.

Now, will someone please tell me the difference between the sketch and the ciao markers? I have a few of the basics but I want to up my stash a bit. What I have now are the sketch markers.

Ciao: less pricey, hold less ink, but refillable, less colors (but you can mix with the sketch), are round vs oval, and do not have the color name on the end like the sketch markers.

Sketch markers: well, you are familiar with them, but they come in the full spectrum of Copic colors.


ETA:  Oops!  I should have refreshed

People get six-year-old girls $100+ American Girl dolls all the time. I don't think buying Copics for an 11-year-old is outlandish at all. I would do it (or share mine) for my 12-year-old if she were into that sort of thing.

I almost always buy mine in trios of the same color family that will blend.

Totally agree with this. I say go for it!

I'd suggest getting them on sale/with a coupon at Joann or HL, so you can get a better price and pick specific colors she might want. Or check out Dick Blic or Jerry's Artorama online- you may be able to get them cheaper there.There are a lot of great videos on youtube that show different techniques with copics, too.

DD#1 got BFA in Graphic Design and is in grad school now for an MFA in Sequential Art, so she uses markers all. the. time. She bought a few copics at our Archiver's when it was going out of business, but she uses other brands that she likes better. I'd go check to see what they are, but the ones she likes are at school in Savannah with her, not at home in CO.

ETA- If you know specific colors to add to her collection, the pens make great birthday or Christmas gifts from family and friends and don't cost too much when buying just a couple at a time.

ETA again- DD had to use the regular markers that we had and could afford while she was growing up (she's been drawing since she was a toddler), and it never hindered her ability or interest.

Carpediemstore.com has them routinely for 5.24 with frees flipping at some point. Although when I gave ordered I was actually charged 4 something a piece... Good service, too!!

Also copic web site has an inventory to keep track of your markers online.

Look on Pinterest for some great copic storage ideas