If you have been following my blog for some time then you will know that I started coloring in images using Prismacolor markers. I have always loved the quality of Prismacolor products and have used them since high school. Before I even began to color with Copics I honed my blending skills using the double tipped Prismacolor Premier Art Markers. I still use them and enjoy coloring with them.
Prismacolor markers are also an Ethanol based marker. They are mostly Ethanol, dyes and methoxy propanol . Copics are mostly Ethanol, Isopropanol, n-Propanal and dyes. So there is a difference. You can blend the Prismacolor Premier with Copic and visa versa. I have never had a problem using them together.
Well, Prismacolor has created a new marker called Prismacolor Premier Illustration Markers. They come in sets of 4 or 8. Chisel, brush and fine tip. These are different that the larger double ended markers.
Okay so you ask what are the differences between these markers and Copics. Lots!
First the obvious. Size. These are cute - small markers. Perfect for detail work and line art. They come in a limited color palette. Brown, black, red, orange, purple, sepia, blue and green. They are dark.
You can buy:
Premier Fine Tip Illustration - Point sizes -005,01,03,05, 08
Premier Brush Tip Illustration - flexible tip, brush vibrant ink, thick, thin or varied lines within one stroke
Premier Chisel Tip Illustration - chisel tip perfect for lettering or to
cover larger areas
They are not refillable.
They are nontoxic, light fast, acid free and archival. And here's the best part- they don't bleed through the paper! I used them on the same paper that I use my Copics, side by side test and both the Prismacolor Premier Double Ended and the Copic bled through, not the Premier Illustration ones. Nada!
Here's the comparison, side by side of the chisel tips of the Copic and the Prismacolor Illustration. You can see that it's tiny. Perfect for hand lettering. Or adding details over top of your Prismacolor or Copic coloring.
I found that the colors do bleed (blend) when you put either the Copic or Prismacolor blender on top of the colored area. (The blender did not remove the color.) However, when you color over them with either blender it will stain your tip. And it won't come out! It doesn't seem to prevent the tip from working but make sure to clean off all the color before you use it or the color will transfer on to the paper.
Here you can see the black Prismacolor Illustration smeared a bit using my Copic blender. I did this right after I drew the line. I think if you heat set it or color the next day it may not smear much. (Same results with Prismacolor blender.) So.....I'd use these great little markers to fill in the lines when stamped black lines of an image need some touch ups.
Unlike Prismacolor Premier Art Markers the Illustration markers do not blend. You can not color in an area, as I did in orange, then add another color - I used brown- and blend them together. The paper will pill! So use these little markers to add extra details on top of your finished illustration - but don't scrub.
I colored in my apple from "Fruitful Harvest" using Poppy Red (Prismacolor Art Marker) and then added some more shading using the Illustration Brush Red.
How do these colors compare to Copic?
Glad you asked!
I tried to find the colors that I felt best matched. I only own Ciaos so I did leave a couple of places blank for colors that I "thought" might be close also. The red leans towards the orange family. The Sepia is very dark, great for darker hair colors.
The purple is almost identical to V09. Love the Green! It's not leaf green but closer to the blue family. And the Orange is the brightest of all the colors and I found several Copic colors that seemed similar.
Prismacolor is offering a wonderful rebate until October 15. Any purchase of $50 or more of Prismacolor art supplies made at participating U.S. retailers from July 1 through October 15th is eligible for a $10 mail-in-rebate. For details and to download an form go to Prismacolor.
Just remember they are NOT Copic markers and will NOT blend like Copic do. They are different, but you know what different is okay.
In our Sunday paper there was a Michael's flyer and they are offering 50% off on Prismacolor products. How cool is!
Plus....
If you leave me a message on my this post I will pick a lucky winner to win the 2 sets of Prismacolor Illustration markers I received. You have until Friday September 4, 12 pm EST. I'll post the winner on Saturday morning.
Good luck!