BV23 is a cool grayed-violet Copic Marker which resembles Payne’s Gray watercolor. This is an excellent underpaint and an artistic surprise substitution for standard grays. BV23 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.
BV23 Grayish Lavender
Let’s take a closer look at this Copic Marker and it’s ink characteristics.
Temperature: A cool grayed-violet
Resemblance: BV23 resembles some of the more violet versions of Payne’s Gray 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 end of a Sketch Marker is a close match to the color of 1 coat of BV23 ink, but the cap is more gray while the ink has a pronounced violet feel.
Buildup: BV23 starts to create oily patches on the first layer. Exercise caution when layering this color. Color reaches maximum value at 3 layers.
Shattering: BV23 shatters into gray with pale aqua and violet leakage around the edges.
Chromatography testing shows this ink’s behavior when it comes in contact with #0 Colorless Blender (solvent). High shattering colors may leak unexpected colors 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: BV23 stains the paper blue
Lift: BV23 does not lift much.
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: BV23 showed a minimal amount of fade; we would expect further significant fading with extended testing times.
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: BV23 at the middle of the of the BV-Twenty family. At Vanilla Arts, we use this marker family constantly and highly encourage intermediate to advanced students to work this marker family into their routine.
Family Members BV20, BV23, BV25, BV29
We include this information because many Copic users never think deeper than the letter groupings (R, BV, G, etc.). Every ink has it’s 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 pale muted yellow contrasts nicely. Try Y11 or Y32
Underpaint: We suggest W3 underneath BV23.
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 with an incredibly light pressure over BV23.
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 BV23:
Box of Colors (Marker Painting Foundations 2) is a four episode Copic + Colored Pencil challenge for graduates of MPF. Covers color theory and form sculpting with group feedback. For more information: Box of Colors.
Vanilla Arts Digi Stamps using BV23:
Color palettes and swatches using BV23:
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)
