B29 Ultramarine Copic Marker. We swatch and test Copic colors- layering, staining, lift, value, lightfastness, saturation, and cap accuracy. | MarkerNovice.com | #copicmarker #howtocolor #swatch

B29 Ultramarine is a red-shade, all purpose blue Copic Marker which closely resembles Ultramarine watercolor. This intense marker color is useful for clothing, water, and birds. B29 is available in Copic Sketch, Ciao, and Classic marker styles and is an excellent first purchase.

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.

B29 Ultramarine

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

Temperature: A mildly reddish blue.

There is much debate in the art community over the true temperature of Ultramarine. Personally I think of Ultramarine paint as a neutral blue and the B29 marker feels slightly cooler than traditional Ultramarine.

Resemblance: Looks like a standard Ultramarine watercolor paint.

Actual Value: N9

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: Yes. The plastic end of a Sketch Marker matches 2 coats of the ink.

Buildup: B29 contains a lot of colorant. Caution should be used when layering beyond 2 coats.

Shattering: Does not shatter at all.

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: No staining. Blue Copics do not usually stain and even though this marker is a value 9, it doesn’t bond well with paper fibers. See the shattering sample for how easily it detached from the paper.

Lift: Lifts very easily. 6 applications was not enough to erase B29 but this is one of the few dark Copics which offers you a chance to make corrections.

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: Significant fading. We estimate more than 50% loss and assume this marker could fade to nothing if given time.

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.

Natural Ink Family: B29 is the mother ink used to make the entire B20 family. All B20’s are dilutions of this marker.

Family Members: B29, B28, B26, B24, B23, B21.

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: Golden Orange, try Y38 or Y15

Underpaint: We suggest W07 (a warm gray to neutralize the cool shifted blue)

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

Pushing Pencil: We suggest Prismacolor 1067 90% Cool Grey

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.