Y17 Golden Yellow is a warm yellow Copic Marker which resembles Gamboge watercolor. This ink is a mismatch to other inks in the same color series and not recommended. Y17 is available in Sketch, Ciao, and Classic 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.
Y17 Golden Yellow
Let’s take a closer look at this Copic Marker and its ink characteristics.
WARNING: THIS COLOR HAS BEEN MIS-NUMBERED! Y17 is darker than Y18 & Y19 which breaks the Copic numbering pattern! We suspect this marker would be more accurately labeled in the Y30s group! Please read the test results below, especially the Natural Ink Family category for more proof.
Because this ink has been mis-numbered and because the color so closely resembles Y19 and Y38, we do not recommend this marker for purchase. Save this purchase for last and only if you’re compelled to own all 358 Copics.
Temperature: A warm yellow, unlike other members of the same color group (Y-teens)
Resemblance: Gamboge watercolor. (Other members of the Y-Teen family resemble Cadmium Yellow watercolor)
Actual Value: N4. Notice the extreme discrepancy between the actual value and the value indication Y17 on the marker cap! This marker is not as dark as you’d expect!
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: Close. The plastic cap of a Sketch marker is close to two coats of Y17.
Buildup: Y17 develops an oily or blotchy appearance on the first coat which doesn’t disappear until the color reaches full strength 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: Y17 does not stain the paper much. There was a slight yellow tint left after 6 stripes of colorless blender but we think this would disappear with a bit more blender.
Lift: Lifts fairly 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: Fading was significant, about a 50% 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: WARNING Y17 has been inserted into the Y-Teen family but it doesn’t share the same base ink as Y11 through Y19. Y17 is actually darker and warmer than Y18 and Y19. We think Y17 would be more accurately placed as Y37 because it behaves like a lost member of the more golden Y30 family. The color of Y17 is midway between Y35 and Y38. It even blends better with Y35 than with Y15!
Family Members: Y11, Y13, Y15, Y17*, Y18, Y19
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 blue violet such as BV04
Underpaint: We suggest V12
This is simply one suggestion. Many possible colors exist. Test to find a color that pleases you.
Pushing Pencil: Prismacolor 1026 Greyed Lavender works wonderfully.
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 Y17:
We continue to create new content and classes and we will update here as more become available.
Visit the workshop resource page at our sister site VanillaArts.com for a wide variety of Copic & colored pencil classes.
Vanilla Arts Digi Stamps using Y17:
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 Y17:
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)
