N0 Neutral Gray #0 is a pale balanced gray Copic Marker mimics highly diluted Lamp Black watercolor. We highly recommend purchasing N grays as your first gray markers because of their usefulness and versatility. N0 is only available in Sketch and Classic Copic 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.
N0 Neutral Gray No. 0
Let’s take a closer look at this Copic Marker and its ink characteristics.
Temperature: A pale balanced gray, neither warm nor cool
Resemblance: Highly diluted Lamp Black watercolor
Actual Value: N0 (All Copic N grays match their true value. N is the only family where this is true.)
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 matches 1 coat of N0 ink.
Buildup: N0 reaches maximum color at 4 layers and starts to gather an oily appearance with the second layer.
Shattering: N0 is so light that I was unable to detect shattering. If this ink is truly a diluted version of N9 (as the cap indicates), then it does shatter but it’s too faint to see.
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: N0 is mildly staining
Lift: N0 lifts easily. Most colors this light will lift without much effort.
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 did not notice any fading of N0 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.
Natural Ink Family: N0 is at the light end of of the Neutral Gray family.
Family Members: N10, N9, N8, N7, N6, N5, N4, N3, N2, N1, N0.
Shop for N markers at Violeta-ink.com (affiliate link)
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: N/A
Underpaint: N/A
Pushing Pencil: We suggest PC1061 30% Cool Grey (affiliate link)
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 Gray:
Big Sable Point: An introduction to coloring landscapes with marker and pencil. Which details should you include? More info here.
Nevermore Manor: Learn to color in grayscale, an exercise in seeing value rather than color. More info here.
Sleighbell: Learn to reflective, shiny metal with photorealism. Find more info here.
Vanilla Arts Digi Stamps using Gray:
Rejoice & Sing digital stamp. More info or purchase here.
Nesting Basket advanced coloring kit. More info or purchase here.
Smiling Toucan advanced artistic coloring kit. More info or purchase here.
Color palettes and Copic Blends using Gray:
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)
