Posted on December 28, 2016December 21, 2016 by Michelle

Refill your Copic Markers!

How many of you would like to know how to refill your Copic markers? It is one of the questions instructors get frequently and although we go over the information in the Standard Certification class it is valuable information to revisit! There are a few ways to refill your markers including using the booster (needle that screws onto the refill bottle) and pulling out the chisel nib to poor ink into the core. Below I will share my favorite way to refill my markers. I need my markers that are low in ink, Various Ink (the refills bottles) and I am using a pocket scale.

refill-1

The first thing that I am going to do before trying to refill any markers is measure a full marker so I know what I am aiming for with my scale. I place a new sketch marker on my scale with both lids on and find out how much it weighs. ** Notice I have a label on my marker. If you have tape or a label marking your Copics make sure that the new marker you weigh also has that label so you have an accurate starting point.

refill-2

I know that I have colored with this Copic a few times, but very little, so this is about what I am aiming for when I refill one of my sketch markers. Then I pull both caps off and measure again, often I will have to measure several times as I am refilling and I would rather not have to pull the caps on and off as I measure each time.

refill-3

I go ahead and measure one of my markers that needs refilling so I know how much ink I might need to add.

refill-4

Next I pull both caps off my Copic Sketch marker, this allows air flow through the core and the ink to be pulled into the body of the marker. THE MOST IMPORTANT STEP IS NEXT! Check the lid of your marker and lid on your Various ink not once or twice but THREE TIMES! Just be super duper positive you have the right ink going into your Copic marker!

refill-6

Then I slowly drip ink onto the chisel nib. I usually drip 10-12 drops and then weigh the marker and repeat until I get to my target weight. You can also watch the chisel nib and as the body of the marker gets full the ink will no longer pull into the body of the marker, the nib will remain shiny and wet.

refill-7

When I reach my goal with caps off I double check with caps on and call it good!

refill-5

refill-8

You will notice this is higher then my original new marker. As I said, the above marker was not brand new and I was using it as a starting point. I will keep an eye on this one and watch for blobbing as I color, but I think I should be good!

Copic markers are made to be refilled. Once you have purchased a marker it will last you for your entire coloring career with ink refills and nib changes as needed.

If you have any questions let me know! And do not forget you can get all your refill supplies at Imagination International, Inc.

Have a Happy Colorful Week!

Posted on December 21, 2016January 3, 2017 by Michelle

Transfer Paper from X-Press It

X-Press It has come out with a new product that Imagination International, Inc. is now carrying! Transfer paper 🙂 I saw this one last year at CHA and I have been waiting NOT SO PATIENTLY for the product to arrive! I know transfer paper has been around for a very long time. But this is a new and improved version that is worth a look.

transfer-1

Remember the mess transfer paper was? all that black stuff all over your hands and smearing on your paper? Not from X-Press It, clean hands and clean projects the transfer only goes where you put it. And it used to come in gray and or black, but X-Press It has designed both graphite (gray) and white, for transfers onto darker papers. One other bonus (and it is a doozy) is it’s ability to run through a printer. You can print an image or design directly onto the transfer paper, lay it on top of the surface you want to create your art on and go over your lines to transfer. EASY PEASY!

Today I am going to use it in a more traditional way and transfer a rough draft onto a final surface. I have my rough draft, my paper for my final project, Washington tape to keep things from wiggling and my white transfer paper.

transfer-2

When using the white make sure you check with side to lay towards your final project. The cream side is actually the transfer side.

transfer-3

Then I make a sandwich of my papers. I tape my rough draft on top of my final paper with two small pieces of tape at the top edge and slide my transfer paper in between the two layers.

transfer-4

transfer-5

Next I go over all of my lines with a pencil. If you are concerned you do not have the correct side facing down take a peek after drawing one or two lines to make sure. With the tape holding the paper together you can look with out messing up the transfer.

transfer-6

Then I finish up my art work. I have been doing a lot of practice for our new Hand Lettering Workshop and the X-Press It Transfer paper has been an invaluable tool! Wait till you see how some of the other team members are using the transfer paper with photos!

Make sure to check out all the information at Imagination International, Inc. AND also check dates for all the upcoming Copic Workshops and Certifications. There are several Certification classes that are now open for registration!

Have a Happy Colorful Week!

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!

Posted on December 8, 2016December 7, 2016 by Michelle

Holiday Stamp #4! Merry Christmas!

We have reached the 4th week of my mini giveaway and the fourth stamp in the series that I created for all of you. This week has a Candy Cane for your coloring fun.

kmh-candy-cane-stamp

I colored it up and photoed all the steps, you can find the tutorial at Pinterest HERE OR grab the link over at Copic In The Craft Room.

Color away Copic Friends!

candy-cane

Have a Happy Colorful Day!

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!

Posted on December 5, 2016 by Michelle

The 2017 Copic season has posted

I know I shouted the news that the 2017 classes had been announced and that the first classes are currently available for registration. Our first round of Standard Certification, Intermediate certification, Copic Coloring Flowers, Hand Lettering, Copic Coloring Animals and Comic Coloring Landscapes are filling up FAST!

I happen to know that a few of them only have one or two spots left!

2017-copic-workshops

The Phoenix classes run Wednesday January 18th through Saturday January 21st. I would love to see you there! For full descriptions of each of the Certification and Workshop Classes make sure to check out the Imagination International, Inc. page HERE.

What you may NOT know yet is that the ENTIRE 2017 class season has posted! You can see the full schedule now at Imagination International, Inc. Remember that classes open for registration 60 days prior to the event. If you want to make sure not to miss your location check back here, I continually update my class openings in the sidebar of my blog OR sign up to be on the mailing list at III.

Find out if one of our FAB-U-LOUS instructors will be in a city near you this coming year and save the date!

Have a Happy ColorFull Week!

Remember to check back Thursday for the fourth and final free digital stamp for the holiday season!

Posted on December 1, 2016November 26, 2016 by Michelle

Holiday Stamp #3

Here is the third digital stamp for your use this holiday season. Remember to please direct people back to my blog if you decide to share this image on your social media outlets! Thank you!

kmh-holly-stamp-2