N1 Neutral Gray #1 is a balanced gray Copic Marker mimics highly diluted Black watercolor. We highly recommend purchasing N grays as your first gray markers because of their usefulness and versatility. N1 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.
N1 Neutral Gray No. 1
Let’s take a closer look at this Copic Marker and its ink characteristics.
Temperature: A balanced gray, neither warm nor cool
Resemblance: diluted Black watercolor
Actual Value: N1 (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: Yes. The plastic end of a Sketch Marker matches 1 coats of N1.
Buildup: N1 reaches maximum color at 4-5 layers and starts to gather an oily appearance at 4 layers.
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: N1 does not stain the paper.
Lift: N1 lifts 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: N1 faded slightly, less than 10% and the fade turned the color slightly cooler than neutral.
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: N1 is at the low end of the Neutral Gray family.
Family Members: N10, N9, N8, N7, N6, N5, N4, N3, N2, N1, N0
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 Prismacolor 1061 30% 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.
Vanilla Arts Classes using N1:
Vanilla Arts Digi Stamps using N1:
We continue to create new content and stamps and we will update here as more become available.
Visit the Stamp Shop resource page at our sister site VanillaArts.com for a wide variety of Vanilla Arts stamps.
Color palettes and swatches using N1:
We are building our palette and swatch collection a little more each week and will update here as more become available.
Visit the color resource page at our sister site VanillaArts.com for a wide variety of Copic palettes and swatches.
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)
