Coloring in Black and White using Copic Markers
I’m so excited to share this post with you today using Your Next Stamps. It’s been so much fun being apart of their team for this month. This will be my last post as a guest designer and I’m so excited to share that I’ll be choosing one lucky commenter to win this adorable stamp set, Purrrfectly Cute. I’ll draw a winner this Friday!
I think Coloring in Black and White using Copic Markers is so much fun and perfect if you don’t have many colors to choose from. I think many people get intimidated when coloring in Black and White because it starts to look the same and your shades start to get repetitive. So here’s a few tips on how to color a black and white scene.
Coloring in Black and White using Copic Markers – getting that color balance
- You still want dark, medium and light images. So break up your image and decided what to color dark, medium and light. I started with my smaller flowers and colored them medium. So, I colored them W3, W1 and W00. I added just a tiny bit of w5, for the centers of the flower.
- Next, I colored my leaves. I colored them W00 and very lightly used W3 and W5 for shadows. So now my leaves will appear a little lighter than the small flowers.
- Then I colored my one big dark flower using W1, W3, W5 and shadowed with W7.
- For the butterflies since I wanted their wings to seem a lot lighter (transparent-like) I used W00, W1, W3 and W5. So the darkest area was dark but the lightest was still very light.
- For my other larger flowers I wanted them to look white so I just shadowed them, leaving a white space. I used W00, W1, a tiny bit of W3 and then outlined the darkest part of my stamp with a tiny bit of W5.
In the photo below you can tell I have a variety of different shades in my flower bunch. You can tell it’s a black and white image but if it were in color there would be different shades of colors in this image. — I hope that makes sense! 🙂
Step by Step Tutorial
I wanted the cat to be darker than anything on this scene. It’s easy for it all to just start blending it. So, here’s step by step the of the Copic Layers of how I added color and texture to this adorable little cat!
Once I colored the cat fully I added color to all the wheel, grass and added some W00 and W1 to my background using my dotted technique. If you need a tutorial check out my How to created a Dotted Background using Copic Markers.
You can use any grey set, I chose the Warm Greys because it’s my favorite. If you are confused about the greys you should check out my free Copic Marker e-course where I go into details about the different colors. 🙂
Join my FREE Copic Marker E -course today!
•••Limited time Mother’s Day Coloring Class•••
Pin the image below so you always find your way back to this page!
Oooh I love how this adorable kitty and her flowers have come out. The black and white coloring has given it such a unique look. Thanks for the tutorial:)
Hi Mindy! I am in awe of your talent. Your Next Stamp is adorable and your copic colouring using five tones is AMAZING. This is a lovely introduction to YNS and your blog. Thank you.
You make it look so easy . . .
I love how this looks. When I do black and white it tends to just blend together without much texture.
Thanks for showing how you put down the different layers of color.
GORGEOUS black and white card using copics! I didn’t even know this was a thing, and it’s an amazing thing! I love this look and can’t wait to try it. Thanks for the tutorial and the tips!
Take Care!
Michele
Lovely card and fantastic coloring!Thank you for all the tips and the step-by-step guide!:)
Wow! Super cute image and a super cute card!!!
Love this technique. Thanks for sharing the tutorial, Mindy.
Ok thank you so much for doing this tutorial.I have been wanting to try this for a while and now I can I absolutely love your work as well as your creation..Thanks for taking the time to share your talent!!!!
This is adorable ,I love yns. I have just started my collection of their stamps. I have never tried coloring in blacks and greys, very cool idea!!! I will try that!!!
I like the B&W look, thanks for sharing, and the give away!!
Amazing to see how you achieved such a fun result with just one shade of markers! Congrats on having guested with YNS, it led me to your blog :o) Dennice
Such a cute stamp and thanks for all the info on coloring in black and white with Copics.
Wow!
Very impressive, simple, and elegant. I’ve never really noticed copic coloured black and white images before but this one really catches your eye. You make it look so easy. Thank you for sharing your ideas. Happy Easter!
This is the first time I’ve ever seen a B&W colored image. It’s beautiful!
You are very talented. I absolutely love the kitty card!
Love all that texture on your kitty. Very cool black and white coloring!!!
Great tutorial and your card came out fabulous! I have a bunch of those warm grays, I will have to try this sometime.
You are a master with your Copic markers! Thanks for sharing the tips too. Sweet card!
Such an adorable card and what a cute stamp. Nice coloring!
Wow, your colouring is amazing. I love this stamp but was intimidated by how to colour it. Never would have thought of black and white!
Fabulous coloring
with all the shades
of black, grey. Very
pretty.
Carla from Utah
Very cute image. It looks so unique with it coloured in greys! Thanks for the great tutorial.
I just started following you and your coloring techniques which I love. I’m still a beginner with my copics so I love tutorials and I hope one day to color like this!
Thanks for sharing!
I just love this cute stamp and love your wonderfully coloring too. Really great job!
Valerija xx
Thanks for the great tutorial! I love the finished product!
Wow!!!! I just discovered this blog and new stamp company by seeing a haul video on YouTube. I love the cute kitten stamps and I love black and white designs. I can’t wait to shop this site and see all the goodies you have to offer. Thank you.
Very striking!!! I love the look and will be trying it soon. Thanks for the tutorial on this adorable image.
Your coloring is stunning. For me black and white color combination is the best, but unfortunately very difficult to color .Hope I will improve my skills thanks to your super tutorial. Image is super.
Greetings , Marjeta
LOVE how you colored this sweet kitty image – the fur looks so real! Thanks for the tutorial, it’s hard to believe you can create all that detail without bright colors.
So gorgeous! I had no idea about this type of monochromatic coloring. Thanks for the intro and I definitely bookmarked this for future reference!
I have never tried black and white, but will now. Thank you for the tutioral.
Lovely card.
Love this cat!
Your coloring is stunning!
Thank you for sharing with us!
What a lovely card. So nice to see it done in black and white. I will have to give it a try.
This is a super cute card and i love the adorable kitty!! Thanks for the amazing tips on coloring. Loved the tutorial 🙂
I just love the look of the B&W. Just a beautiful card. I just adore the cat with the beautiful flowers. That stamp is actually one of the stamps on my wish list. Thank you so much for the tutorial on how you colored it.
So pretty!! I love this tutorial!! Thanks for all the pics!! Super cute image and you brought it to life!! TFS. Hugs!!
I love it! Your work is always top notch in my eyes.
This really does look stunning! I would never have been brave enough to try it previous to seeing your tutorial. I just might have to give it a go! Thanks very much
What a fantastic stamp! Your colouring and tips have given me the courage to give greyscale colouring a try…it’s always scares me!
Very cute design! I love the character in the kitty stamp. I never think to color in black and white, so thanks for the inspiration!
I’ve never done a black and white coloring. Looks fabulous bus so scary, lol.
And what a sweet little cat. Love the stamp. Thanks
Wow! Loving the black and white coloring. Maybe I’ll give it a try this weekend?!
Your coloring is amazing. Thanks for the tutorial.
Never thought of that…beautiful
I love how this turned out using black and white. It is stunning.
Wow! Your copic coloring is gorgeous and I do love the black and white. It’s refreshing! Thanks for the tutorial.
Love, love the stamp and coloring. Thank you for sharing. You make coloring in black and white fun and easy.
Black and white, imagine that! I never thought to colour in black and white until now!
I like the detailed information about each category coloured and especially the added feature of including the marker used.
Thanks for showing each layer of colouring the kitten.
You’re the best!
Sheila
I love this tutorial that you have given here, the card is just beautiful. It would be an awesome card to receive! Thank for sharing this!
WOW! Love the black and white! Can’t wait to use this technique.
I love this tutorial! Especially helpful for making more masculine cards or just neutral cards. Love it!
I love this stamp! The kitty is so cute. Thank you so much for the tutorial! I pinned it to refer back to. 🙂
I never thought of using copics to color black and white. I’m building my collection a little at a time. I can’t wait to try out this new to me idea! Thank you!
I’m always amazed at how much adding a little grey does for my images. I’ve never actually tackled a black and white before. It is now on my to do list!
gorgeous card! love the black and white colouring! thanks for the chance to win this beautiful stamp!
I look forward to your posts just to see what you are up to next, your so inspirational. Thanks for all that you do for your followers
Very cute! Love the black and white look.
The card is too cute. The kitten looks like he is really enjoying the flowers
Thank you for the chance to win this great stamp! The coloring is just perfect.
This stamp is absolutely adorable.. and as always your coloring is amazing
Amazing! I am definitely not brave enough to color an image in black and white!
What a great idea! I would not have thought of trying black & white, but I definately need to try this. Beautiful work!
Hi Mendi! Your coloring is awe inspiring! Do you color with other markers of only Copics? I would love to take your coloring classes, but only have Chameleon pens. Would your classes still benefit me or should I wait until I can purchase Copics? Thanks for your time and advice! Happy Easter!
Hi Carey. I’ve never used the Chameleon Markers before so I’m not sure of the technique with them. The classes would benefit you in the sense of shadowing, depth perception etc. But I’m not too sure with the technique of actually how to use the markers. I hope that makes sense.
I never thought to color quite like that, but I really like it. Really cute stamp and awesome coloring!
So cute! Love that kitty!
This is such a cute image! I love the way you colored it. Thanks for sharing 🙂