R27 Cadmium Red is a balanced red Copic Marker which mimics diluted Cadmium Red watercolor. This is a very popular red which helps tame the stubborn tendencies of R29. R27 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.
R27 Cadmium Red
Let’s take a closer look at this Copic Marker and it’s ink characteristics.
Temperature: A balanced red.
Resemblance: Cadmium Red watercolor.
Actual Value: N7
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 an R27 Sketch marker looks more like 4 coats of R27 but is also slightly warmer than the actual ink color.
Buildup: R27 layers well up to 3 layers. Beyond that, you’ll see slightly oily looking streaks or patches.
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: R27 stains the paper.
Lift: Very little lifting.
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: The sample faded about 10% during testing.
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: R27 is the dark end of the R-Twenty family. The R20s are the most popular reds Copic makes and its light reds are often substituted for pink (even though they’re light red, not pink).
R27 is often used in combination with R29, not because this value is truly needed in a red blending combination but because R29 is a stubborn blender and R27 gives the colorer an extra shot of solvent to make R29 blend.
Family Members: R20, R22, R24, R27, R29.
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 medium true blue like B24
Underpaint: We suggest B93
This is simply one suggestion. Many possible colors exist. Test to find a color that pleases you.
Pushing Pencil: Prismacolor 931 Dark Purple is a reliable choice.
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 R27:
Box of Colors (MPF 2): a four episode Copic + Colored Pencil challenge for graduates of MPF. Covers color theory & form sculpting with group feedback. For more info: Box of Colors.
Doughnut Stack: Amy shows you why underpainting provides the basis for realistic coloring with accuracy. Find more info here.
Vanilla Arts Digi Stamps using R27:
We continue to create new digi stamps and we will update here as more become available.
Visit the stamp shop at our sister site VanillaArts.com for a wide variety of versatile digi stamps.
Color palettes and swatches using R27:
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)
