I would use Copic Marker RV32 Shadow Pink to color this pelican. We test alcohol inks for quality. Is this a good value marker? Does it fade? Does it stain? Test results here.

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.

RV32 Shadow Pink*

Let’s take a closer look at this Copic Marker and its ink characteristics.

* Be sure to read the color warning below for this color

Temperature: A cool, earthy, diluted magenta. This color has blue undertones but also something grayed in the mixture.

Resemblance: diluted Potter’s Pink watercolor

Name: “Shadow Pink” is a highly unusual name. I’ve never encountered it in other art supplies. I think Copic is signaling that there’s something brownish or desaturated in this color— it’s not your normal cheerful pink.

Marker Styles: RV32 is only available in Sketch and Classic style markers.

For a Copic Wide marker in this color, you must purchase a “blank” or empty marker body and fill it with refill ink. Copic Wides have been do-it-yourself colors since 2019.

Copic makes refill inks for all 358 colors and every style of Copic is refillable.

Actual Value: N2.5

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.

WARNING: This marker deviates from the normal Copic numbering system. RV32 and RV34 have been placed into the same number group (3) but the two inks are NOT related.

See shattering test below plus the shattering test for RV34 here as proof.

RV32 is made with a pink and gold ink blend while RV34 is a single source ink. This explains why the two markers do not blend easily with each other. An RV32-34 blend will require an extra amount of RV32 to make a smooth transition… and even on good paper, the blend may not fully smooth to your liking.

We tested RV32 Copic Marker ink for quality. Test results show layering, staining, lightfastness, and cap accuracy. How does this alcohol ink compare to other inks?

Cap Accuracy: Close. The colored plastic on a Sketch marker matches the color of 2 layers of RV32 ink.

Buildup: RV32 reaches maximum value at 4 layers but it starts to look over-inked and oily at 3 layers.

Shattering: RV32 shatters into a dirty pink plus gold

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: RV32 does not stain

Lift: RV32 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.

We tested “Shadow Pink” RV32 Copic alcohol marker ink for layering, staining, lightfastness, and cap accuracy. Test results here.

Lightfast: RV32 faded less than 5% during the test period. The fade is almost imperceptible, I had to tilt the paper and re-swatch to confirm that I was truly detecting a fade. I almost want to rate this as “no fade”.

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: As mentioned in the warning above, there is no natural RV-Thirty ink family. There are only two members of this group and they’re made with two completely different ink recipes. This explains why RV32 and RV34 are reluctant to blend with each other.

Family Members: RV32, RV34 (numerically adjacent but not related)

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 light viridian green like G12

Underpaint: We suggest BG10

This is simply one suggestion. Many possible colors exist. Test to find a color that pleases you.

Pushing Pencil: PC1026 Greyed Lavender is a excellent 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.

MAGENTA WORKSHOP