Copic Coloring Foundations - Imagination International Inc.

Teaching from the
Copic Coloring Foundations
book series by Marianne Walker
Sponsored by Imagination International, Inc.
Copic Markers www.copicmarker.com
About Imagination International
Imagination International, Inc. is the North American importers for Copic
markers and accessories. We also source many other high quality art and craft
supplies from around the globe. Our company was founded by Professor Ken
O’Connell, with the vision to promote arts and creative education to all people.
Developing a curriculum of hands-on education, focused to the needs of the
individual is one of the driving goals at Imagination International, Inc. This is
why we are so thrilled that you have joined us today to explore ways to inspire
your customers and help them see the artistic vision that guides our company
each day.
Copic Coloring Foundations Books
Each book in the new Copic Coloring Foundations series is aimed at the
beginner to intermediate Copic user. The price is kept at $9.95, with approx. 52
pages. We want cost to not be a factor preventing consumers from getting the
proper information. These books are meant to be topical, stand-alone books
that teach the basics of consistent coloring techniques for Copic Markers.
Someone with no knowledge of Copic markers can step through the
easy-to-follow directions, project by project, gaining a good foundation in
marker coloring. By the end of the book, a user who has followed each project
and practiced the techniques found in each section should be brought to an
intermediate skill level.
People who have been using Copic markers for a while, or who have taken a
few simple classes in marker usage will also gain valuable tips and
technique ideas to help refine their skill.
Currently available books in the series:
Coloring Flowers
Coloring Faces & Hair
Upcoming:
Intro to Coloring (Fall 2015)
Coloring Cats & Dogs (2016)
Coloring Birds
Coloring Fantasy
The Coloring Foundations books are meant to be timeless, meaning that they
do not contain finished card projects, featuring stamps or patterned papers that
may be discontinued in a year or two. Rather, each book is meant to be a
topic-by-topic coloring guide. Consumers can build a reference library of these
books to help them color a variety of themes.
Right now, coloring books for adults are becoming very popular. The Coloring
Foundations book series is intended for people who want to know HOW to
color coloring books using Copic markers.
Why is coloring so popular?
Articles and research papers proving the
importance of coloring and making art are exploding all across the internet.
One recent article sums it up:
1. Coloring reduces stress
2. Coloring relaxes your mind
3. Coloring sparks creativity
4. Coloring lets you reconnect with your inner child
5. Coloring is mindful
6. Coloring has therapeutic benefits
7. But above all: Coloring is fun!
https://visual.ly/7-benefits-adult-coloring
People who color usually aren’t actively thinking “ I must
do this to de-stress” rather, they color because they
know it feels good. Coloring with crayons or pencils
is fun, but using professional tools like Copic markers
takes the process of coloring to a whole new level.
Copic Markers are cooler than kindergarten
When we were kids, coloring with markers was cooler than pencils or crayons.
Think about being in kindergarten and how special it was to use markers or
scented markers on a coloring book of your favorite stuff.
Recently I was working with a group of K-12 public school teachers at a
drawing concept workshop. At the end of the workshop I handed each
participant a line drawing and Copic markers. No one in the room had used
or even heard about Copic markers before. The second they began coloring
you could hear little squeals of happiness. Many of them delayed lunch a half
hour just so they could keep coloring. The smoothness and vibrancy, the ease
of blending, the colorless blender allowing them to erase...all of these things
combined to make for an awesome coloring moment!
These college students stopped by
my demo table. They had never
colored with Copic markers before,
but after a 5 min. make-n-take from
the Coloring Flowers book, they
ended up purchasing a 36 set of
markers!
Copic markers give the smooth vibrant results that first made us excited to use
markers as kids. They turned a room full of teachers into a room full of happy,
creative, grown-up kids!
The coloring recipe
Copic markers are simply one part of a recipe. For a positive coloring
experience, consumers need 4 things:
1. The right paper
2. The right ink
3. The right markers
4. Tips for good coloring
The Coloring Foundations books are part of a larger series of supporting
materials that give your customers all the ingredients they need for success.
Paper, Kits & Line Art Packs
Besides books, the Coloring Foundations Series includes
starter kits, line art packs and blank paper. Pairing these with
small intro marker sets will help your customers complete the
recipe.
Paper
Many coloring books are printed on paper intended for
water-based markers, crayons, or colored pencil. When
working with Copic markers, for best results you need to
work on paper that doesn’t feather out beyond the lines, and
allows for smooth layering and color blending. We suggest
people photocopy their favorite images onto a good marker
paper. Photocopy toner will not bleed with Copic markers,
whereas some inkjet printers might.
The new Art Paper Pack paper is ideal for running through
a photocopier. These are sold as 25 sheet packs for $12.95.
You can also use X-Press It Blending card or Copic Stamping
Illustration paper.
Recommended papers:
• Art Pack / Mini Pack Paper for Markers
• Copic Illustration Paper Natural White
• XPress It Blending Card
Book + Image Kits
Each book in the series is also sold as a kit including copies
of the tutorial images printed on high-quality marker paper.
These kits are perfect for people who don’t want to
photocopy the blank images from the back of the book, or
who don’t have the right paper.
Book kits are sold in a peggable plastic sleeve, for easy
presentation in your store.
Line Art Packs
Once someone learns the fundamentals of coloring from
the book, then they can purchase matching line art packs,
themed to match each book. Each line art pack retails for
$9.95 and includes 12 pre-printed images in a variety of
styles, ranging from simple and whimsical, to more detailed.
All artwork is printed on high-quality marker paper.
Flowe
r Line
COLO
R IN G
Ar t P
PA G E
S
Ideal for techniques
learned in the book
Coloring Flowers
with Copic Markers
• Inclu
d
• 8.5 es 12 flowe
”x
r line a
• Prin 11” size
rt des
igns
ted on
Copic
comp
atible
paper
ack
Book Format
Each book in the Copic Coloring Foundations series is arranged in the same
way. Helping the consumer become comfortable with the format will increase
your sales of these books. Whenever possible, display them in your store right
next to your Copic Marker display.
Books in this series are formatted with both Spanish and English on each page.
Why? Because our goal is to educate ALL people and language should not be
a barrier for learning new skills.
Introduction The first few pages of each book are identical. The intro section
gives a foundation to the use of Sketch and Ciao markers that we feel is key for
anyone who wishes to grow their coloring skills. Information on how to choose
the proper paper and ink combinations can be found in
this section, along with diagrams on how to read the
Copic Color wheel and color number system.
Artwork and directions are arranged
in a clean, easy-to-follow format.
Additionally, many projects include
alternate color variations.
Section 1, Basics The first half of each book contains
projects that begin with the most basic marker usage
skills. These projects are ideal for total beginners or newer
marker users. Topics include (but are not limited to):
• Smooth coloring
• 2 color blends
• 3 color blends
• Tips for how to properly hold your marker in many
different situations.
Section 2, Beyond the Basics The second half of each
book builds on the skills and concepts taught in the first
half of the book. These projects are more appropriate
for users who have had some experience with Copic markers, but who wish
to refine their skills. Topics are more varied from book to book, but will usually
include (but are not limited to):
• Ways to use the Colorless Blender
• Adding texture and patterns to your work
• Color Theory (using a wider range of colors to make your work interesting)
Resources & Color Charts The end of each book
includes blank images that consumers can photocopy and color along with the tutorials. Also included
are blank color charts relevant to the content of each
book (the Faces & Hair book includes skin & hair
charts, other books include useful color-matching
charts). These should be copied onto the paper that
the reader is most comfortable using.
All colors used in the book are also listed in a handy
reference page in the back. Use this chart to help you
order markers for your store that are relevant to the
books or to create color suggestions for sale with the
books.
Besides tutorial pages, each book
also includes theory pages, with
further explanations of the concepts
stepped out in the projects.
Teaching From Coloring Foundations Books
Many adults these days feel that they can’t do something without taking a class
to learn the proper process. They need validation and confirmation that they are
doing it the “right” way.
As clear and concise as the Coloring Foundations books are, they in no way
replace the need for hands-on classes with a personable, knowledgeable
instructor. That’s where YOU are so important. Your store provides the
one-on-one experiences that build loyal, happy Copic users. We value the time
and energy it takes to create successful consumer classes, so we hope that the
outlines given in this packet will allow you to easily reach your audience.
These books are great for people to use as reference, but they are also ideally
suited for you to teach at your store as a series of shorter classes. Use these
tips and ideas to incorporate the books into other projects and with products
manufactured by other suppliers.
Create Interest
The best way to sell any Copic product or book is by helping the customer use
it on their own and walk away from you with a beautiful example.
This finished image is from the
Coloring Flowers with Copic Markers
book. You can find blank images from
the first 4 books at the back of this
packet. Please copy those images
onto nice paper and use them only for
Make-n-Take events promoting either
the Coloring Foundations books or
your store workshops.
The very first project in each Coloring Foundation book is a great way to get
people in your store excited about coloring, without a large monetary
commitment on your part or theirs. The first project usually involves smooth, flat
coloring of a base color, then adding some other small tidbit in a second color.
To generate interest, host a free make-n-take using the first tutorial from each
book. Make sure they have a positive experience by testing the color
combinations and paper before you teach. If you can’t get the colors to
blend, then they will probably encounter the same problems.
Hosting A Book Make-n-Take
1. Copy the image from the back of the book onto the high-quality marker
paper of your choice. Keep it consistent! Use the same paper that people
would use if they were to take a full Copic coloring class at your store.
2. Provide two or three appropriate colors. These do not have to be the
same colors suggested in the book.
3. Color the image with attendees, while talking about the features and
format of the book (see previous page). Use this opportunity to talk about
longer classes you can offer.
4. When they finish, encourage them to write down the colors they used and
show them more colors that will go well with those colors for future projects.
You can drum up extra interest for a class by giving away discounts when they
bring a friend that has never attended one of your workshops before.
On the Copic website you can request
loaner markers for special events or
open-house gatherings. Please make
your request months in advance.
Loaner markers are subject to
availability.
Book Project Workshops
Each book in the Coloring Foundations series can be divided into 4-8
individual workshops. These can be spread out, one a month, to
continue interest in the topics and help people build on their knowledge.
Simply adapt these concepts to each book you bring in.
Suggested classes from one book
Although book topics are different, for a 1.5 hour class, you can basically
break each book into sections as follows:
Class 1- Beginner Project 1 & 2, with intro information + extra concepts covered in that section
Class 2- Beginner Project 3 & 4 + extra concepts, review intro basics
Class 3 - Intermediate Project 1 & 2 from the second half of each book
(Marker knowledge recommended)
Class 4 - Intermediate Project 3 + extra concepts, from the second half of
each book + extra, longer matching project
Class 5 - Intermediate Final project in book. Recommend that students have
taken a couple of the other classes before this class. The final project combines
techniques and concepts discussed throughout the whole rest of the book.
IMPORTANT: To avoid copyright infringement, EACH attendee in these classes
needs to own a copy of the book. The simplest way to solve this is to roll the
cost of the book into the class fee.
People who have a good experience
will want to come back and learn
more. Good teachers will have people
who repeat classes many times, so
make each class interesting, even if
you are teaching the same class more
than once. You can always spruce up
a repeat class by making a different
finished project at the end.
Timing: Some students will color faster, some will color slower, so print plenty
of spare images and encourage people to try alternate color combinations.
When teaching concepts from the first half of a book, assume that your
students can color one image for every 20-30 min. of class time.
Projects from the second half of each book are more complex and will take
more time. Depending on the skill of the students, allow 30-45 min. per project.
Try not to burn out class attendees. Give them just enough to keep them busy
without feeling rushed or overwhelmed. It’s better if they complete 2 great
projects instead of 3 or 4 okay images. Students will
be more likely to come back for more if they don’t feel
intimidated.
Provide blank images: Provide students with
pre-copied artwork from the back of each book, on
high quality marker paper. Then they don’t have to
bring their own, and potentially have it on a strange
paper surface that you can’t troubleshoot on.
Providing free blank color charts on the marker paper
you use is also a good business plan, especially if you
add your store address or a coupon/refill offer onto the
bottom of the chart. Then whenever people look at the
chart they remember your name and think of you first
for getting more markers or refills.
Students tend to get burned out after
more than 2 hours, especially if you
are teaching trickier concepts. Try
to mix up complicated coloring with
other activities, like turning the project
into a card or gift tag.
Markers: Make sure you order markers specific for a class at least
2-3 months early. When they arrive, set them aside so they will be
available for the class. A good idea is to be flexible or offer alternate colored samples for each project so that people can use other
colors. When teaching alternate colors, teach coloring as “light,
middle, dark” instead of being specific about using “X color, then
Y color, then Z.”
Beginners may find it strange when people in class talk in numbers
instead of color names. Help them become comfortable with the
Copic color number system, as explained in the first section of
each book.
Incorporating products from other manufacturers: We encourage you to
add your own details to the tutorials in the book. Turn a finished flower from
the book into a cute card or project. Add fun patterned paper that matches the
images from the book. Here I found in my stash a piece of Graphic 45 paper
with the perfect repeating umbrella pattern to match one of the projects from
the Intro to Coloring Book. Go around your store and look for things that match,
then merchandise them near the book, or show them in class.
Teach your class attendees how to match the marker colors they own to
patterned paper or embellishments you carry in the store. For beginner classes,
it is a good idea to provide attendees with a blank Color Matching Chart printed
on the paper that you use for workshops. A copy of this chart is attached to
this handout. You will see that each color swatch has a circle in it. This is meant
to be punched out after the swatch is colored. Then, the chart can be placed
over another object or photograph to find colors that are close. Encourage
students to make these charts and use them in class.
Don’t forget that with Copic markers, embellishments and papers can be
changed to different colors that might match better. Reminding students that
they can color rhinestones, ribbon, metal, or plastic with the markers will
encourage them to purchase items from you that might not otherwise match
exactly.
Copyright
Projects from the book are intended for personal use only, and are not for
resale. Students who take the class should not photocopy the images for any
purpose except personal use. This is part of why each class attendee should
own a copy of the book when taking the class. Don’t give away
information when your goal is to sell products and the books are a product! The
only exception to this rule is using the first image from each book for a store
Make-n-Take event.
People love using the color matching
chart, as it makes color picking much
easier.
Coloring Clubs
Informal coloring clubs are becoming more and more popular these
days. Last year, my mom started a coloring club that met weekly at
the local library. Each person brought their own artwork and my mom
loaned them markers. Friends were invited, and it was a relaxed
gathering that the ladies looked forward to each week. People would
purchase their markers from the local art store, as you usually can’t sell
product on-site in a situation like that.
You can host an unstructured coloring drop-in night at your store, or work on
community outreach. We have had great success hosting free coloring events
at public libraries, church events, senior centers, assisted living facilities and
more. These are a low-commitment way to reach new
people in a relaxed environment.
This clownfish is found in the Intro to
Coloring book, but you can also color
this coloring sheet from the Intro to
Coloring Line Art Pack.
For new crafters, try to help them have a positive first
experience with both the markers as well as your staff.
Additional Coloring Opportunities
After attendees have had a successful coloring class,
encourage them to try coloring one of the matching
full-sheet line art packs. Line art packs incorporate artwork
that can be easily colored using the skills they learned from
the Coloring Foundations books.
Line art packs are 8.5 x 11” images, so although they
match the books, they might be difficult to color
start-to-finish in a workshop. However, these pictures are
great to color at home or as part of a club.
Conclusion
Thank you for taking this workshop, and we hope you were able to pick up
some ideas for adapting these books into your store class curriculum. Look
for more books released throughout 2016. If at any time you have questions,
please contact us!
Marianne Walker - Product Director - [email protected]
Ron Sprafkin - Sales Manager - [email protected]
When coloring tutorials from the Faces & Hair book,
it might look strange to have a card with just a face.
Instead, use these images as a step-by-step tutorial
then turn around and color stamps that you sell in
your store.
To the left is an example of a detailed tutorial from
the Faces & Hair book, then on the right is a colored
stamp project with similar hair. Pairing tutorials with
stamps you carry in your store helps consumers see
the relationship between tutorial and finished projects.
Make-n-Take Artwork Images on this page can be duplicated for store promo use only.
Artwork from the book: Coloring Flowers With Copic Markers
©2015 Imagination International Inc. For Educational Use Only
Artwork from the book: Intro to Coloring With Copic Markers
©2015 Imagination International Inc. For Educational Use Only
Artwork from the book: Coloring Cats & Dogs With Copic Markers
©2015 Imagination International Inc. For Educational Use Only
Artwork from the book: Coloring Faces & Hair With Copic Markers
©2015 Imagination International Inc. For Educational Use Only
Color Matching Chart
Carta de Color a Juego
For personal use only. / Solamente para uso personal.
©2015 Imagination International, Inc.
Color Matching Chart
Carta de Color a Juego
For personal use only. / Solamente para uso personal.
©2015 Imagination International, Inc.