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.
E00 Cotton Pearl
Let’s take a closer look at this Copic Marker and its ink characteristics.
Note: This Copic Marker color has been renamed. Older markers may be marked “Skin White”
WARNING: E00 is an incredibly popular color and is likely their best selling E marker. This is because E00 is recommended by instructors and bloggers as a caucasian skin tone. WE DO NOT RECOMMEND COLORING SKIN WITH E00!
Yes, one layer of E00 resembles pale porcelain skin. But how often do you color skin without blending? 2 layers of E00 starts to take on an odd glow and by the time one has smooth blended their entire image, the skin starts to look very orange and fake with a noticeable florescence. Sadly, skin colored smoothly with E00 rarely looks real. Instead, try E50 which can be layered without the orange glow.
Temperature: A warm peach toned beige-brown
Resemblance: Highly diluted Burnt Sienna watercolor
Actual Value: 1.5 (note this marker looks very light but it’s about 2 steps darker than the cap value indicates)
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 on a Sketch marker cap matches 1-2 coats of E00.
Buildup: E00 layers beautifully and reaches maximum value at 4 coats.
Shattering: 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: E41 does not stain. Note, the photo of the test results above appear faded but this is a digital anomaly. One layer of E00 is hard to capture with a scanner.
Lift: E00 lifts very easily.
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: Shockingly, E00 did not fade at all during our 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.
Natural Ink Family: E00 is at the lighter end of the E-Zero family.
Family members: E0000, E000, E00, E01, E02, E04, E07, E08, E09
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: Brown is not a hue on the color wheel and does not have a complement.
Underpaint: C00 neutralizes this color well.
This is simply one suggestion. Many possible colors exist. Test to find a color that pleases you.
Pushing Pencil: Prismacolor 1026 Greyed Lavender pushes this color 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 E00:
We have not taught a class using E00 to date. We will add the listing here if/when we do. In the meantime, please see our range of classes here.
Vanilla Arts Digi Stamps using light brown markers:
Color palettes and swatches using light brown:
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)
