B04 is a medium blue Copic alcohol marker which can be used to color flowers like this. We tested B16 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.

B16 Cyanine Blue

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

Temperature: A slightly red-shifted blue.

Resemblance: Cobalt Blue watercolor.

Name: “Cyanine Blue” implies a relationship to the color Cyan which is a slightly green shifted bluish color. B16 actually leans the opposite direction making Cyanine a misleading name for this blue.

Copic Styles: B16 is only available in the Copic Sketch and Classic style markers. There is no B16 in the Ciao line.

Actual Value: N6

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 B16 Sketch marker is close to 1-2 layers of B16 ink.

Test results for Copic B16 “Cyanine Blue”. Is this alcohol marker lightfast? Does it stain or shatter? How accurate is the cap number or color?

Buildup: B16 reaches maximum color at four layers.

Shattering: B16 shatters into blue with pink leakage.

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: B16 stains the paper with just a hint of yellowness.

Lift: This color lifts a bit, enough to lighten a mistake but not erase it.

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 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 B16 Cyanine Blue— does it fade, stain, or shatter? We tested it to find out.

Natural Ink Family: B16 is in the middle of the Copic B-Teen family. This is a useful blue family but also an easy blending set of markers which is why we strongly recommend for beginners.

Family Members: B12, B14, B16, B18

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 YR16.

Underpaint: We suggest a violet like V15 or V17. For something less strong, try N3 or N4.

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

Pushing Pencil: With light pressure, PC931 Dark Purple makes a lovely push for B16.

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