B04 is a medium blue Copic alcohol marker which can be used to color sky scapes like this. We tested B04 for quality. Read test results here.

Every Copic Marker has unique characteristics based on its unique ink formula.

Knowing how a color behaves will help you blend effectively and make art with confidence.

B04 Tahitian Blue

Let’s take a closer look at this Copic Marker and its ink characteristics.

Temperature: A slightly green-shifted blue. Close to a true cyan.

Resemblance: Cerulean Blue watercolor.

Name: While Tahitian Blue paint tends to be a blue-green aqua color, this color is close enough to the color of the waters around the island of Tahiti that the name makes sense.

Copic Styles: B04 is only available in the Copic Sketch and Classic style markers. There is no B04 in the Ciao line.

Actual Value: N5

All Copics are measured on a Neutral Gray value scale. The last number on the cap is supposed to indicate value but we’ve found discrepancies where the actual ink value is different than cap designation.

Cap Accuracy: The plastic on a B04 Sketch marker is just a tiny bit darker than one layer of B04 ink.

Test results for Copic B04 “Tahitian Blue”. Is this alcohol marker lightfast? Does it stain or shatter? How accurate is the cap number or color?

Buildup: B04 reaches maximum color at four layers.

Shattering: B04 does not shatter.

Chromatography testing shows this ink’s behavior when it comes in contact with #0 Colorless Blender (solvent). High shattering colors may leak unexpected color when you make corrections or attempt to blend with any color that has a high solvent to colorant ratio. Shattering is not bad, it’s just something to be aware of.

Staining: B04 stains the paper with just a hint of yellowness.

Lift: This color lifts fairly easily but not completely.

See staining swatch. Sample was given 6 stripes of #0 Colorless Blender, drying between each stripe. Results indicate how much lifting you can expect.

Lightfast: We saw almost no appreciable fading during the test period,

Samples were swatched on X-Press It Blending Card. 1 layer of ink was exposed to windowsill sunlight for 21 days. Approximately 10 hours of sun per day based on weather conditions. Note: we do not recommend displaying original Copic art under these conditions.

Copic B04 Tahitian Blue— does it fade, stain, or shatter? We tested it to find out.

Natural Ink Family: B04 is in the middle of what may be Copic’s best selling blue group. We highly reccomend the B-Zeros as a good first purchase. Sadly, Copic stops the family at B06 which seems odd since Copic started with this blue and offered almost every number in the group but then stopped at 6. I would welcome the darker versions of this color, especially a B09.

Family Members: B06, B05, B04, B02, B01, B00, B000, B0000

Shop for B markers at Violeta-ink.com (affiliate link).

We include this information because many Copic users never think deeper than the letter groupings (R, BV, G, etc.). Every ink has its own temperature variations and underlying flavors. Understanding what an ink looks like in its different dilutions helps when creating your own blending combinations.

Complement: A light orange or soft red color like R24 or YR65 (affiliate link).

Underpaint: We suggest W2 (affiliate link).

This is simply one suggestion. Many possible colors exist. Test to find a color that pleases you.

Pushing Pencil: PC103 Cerulean Blue or PC901 Indigo Blue can push B04 nicely.

VanillaArts.com (our sister site) teaches a Push & Pull technique for dimensional coloring. This is simply one suggestion. Many possible colors exist. Test to find a color that pleases you.

BLUE WORKSHOP