B45 Smoky Blue is a red-shifted gray blue Copic Marker which resembles diluted Indigo Blue watercolor. This is an easy to use natural blue, ideal for land and seascapes or striking blue eyes. B45 is available in Copic Sketch, Ciao, and Classic marker styles.
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.
B45 Smoky Blue
Let’s take a closer look at this Copic Marker and its ink characteristics.
Temperature: A red-shifted and grayed blue.
Resemblance: Indigo Blue watercolor.
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 Sketch marker is darker than the color of B45 ink; more equivalent to 4-5 coats of this ink.
Buildup: B45 reaches maximum color at three to four layers.
Shattering: Shatters very easily with faint magenta 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: B45 stains the paper blue.
Lift: This color lifts moderately well but leaves stained paper behind.
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 slight fading during the test period, perhaps 10%
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: B45 is one of only two markers in the very small B-Forty family. We wish Copic would expand this very natural blue which would be very popular with those who prefer more realistic, less bright colors.
Family Members: B45 and B41
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 color like YR12 or YR65
Underpaint: We suggest W3 or even W4
This is simply one suggestion. Many possible colors exist. Test to find a color that pleases you.
Pushing Pencil: PC208 Indanthrone Blue can darken B45 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.
Vanilla Arts Classes using B45:
Vanilla Arts Digi Stamps using B45:
Color palettes and swatches using B45:
Looking for beautiful color palettes?
We absolutely love The Color Catalog 1 & 2 from Sarah Renae Clark. It puts hundreds of Copic friendly color palettes at your fingertips.
(note: affiliate link)
