C9 Cool Gray #9 is a cool medium gray Copic Marker reminiscent of Neutral Tint watercolor. This mid-vaue marker color is useful for shadows, underpainting, and neutralizing mid-value colors. C9 is only available in Copic Sketch 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.
C9 Cool Gray No. 9
Let’s take a closer look at this Copic Marker and its ink characteristics.
Temperature: A deep cool gray.
Resemblance: Neutral Tint watercolor.
Actual Value: N9
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 resembles 2 coats of C9.
Buildup: C9 can look oily with more than 2 coats. Exercise caution.
Shattering: Shatters with strange hints of greenish ink.
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: Grays are usually not staining but this marker is so intense that it can’t help but stain.
Lift: Lifts with serious effort. It’s not erasable but if you stick with it, you can move the colorant elsewhere.
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: There was some fading which we expect would continue during an extended 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: C9 is barely diluted version of C10.
Family Members: C10, C9, C8, C7, C6, C5, C4, C3, C2, C1, C0, C00,
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 935 Black
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.
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)
W0 Warm Gray No. 0
Let’s take a closer look at this Copic Marker and it’s ink characteristics.
RV32 Shadow Pink
Let’s take a closer look at this Copic Marker and it’s ink characteristics.
N10 Neutral Gray No. 10
Let’s take a closer look at this Copic Marker and it’s ink characteristics.
E25 Caribe Cocoa
Let’s take a closer look at this Copic Marker and its ink characteristics.
G19 Bright Parrot Green
Let’s take a closer look at this Copic Marker and its ink characteristics.
RV25 Dog Rose Flower
Let’s take a closer look at this Copic Marker and it’s ink characteristics.
N8 Neutral Gray No. 8
Let’s take a closer look at this Copic Marker and it’s ink characteristics.
G09 Veronese Green
Let’s take a closer look at this Copic Marker and its ink characteristics.
Y23 Yellowish Beige
Let’s take a closer look at this Copic Marker and it’s ink characteristics.
RV17 Deep Magenta
Let’s take a closer look at this Copic Marker and it’s ink characteristics.
What’s the best paper for coloring with Alcohol Markers?
Are you new to Copic, Olo, Ohuhu, Spectrum Noir, or Pro-Markers?
Or maybe you’ve been coloring for a while and you’re finally ready to invest in better paper? I’ve got six excellent papers for you to try plus a list of not-recommended papers.
Which Blue-Green Copics are Best for Beginners?
I asked three of my favorite marker instructors about which BG Copic Markers they recommend for first time colorers.
Which aqua markers offer students the best value?
Which Copic BGs are versatile enough to color many different turquoise items?
Which blue-green blending combinations do we teach with?
Which BG markers do we use in our own work?
What is the point of a Copic Broad Chisel Nib?
The chisel nib is the most misunderstood and under-appreciated of all the marker nibs. And yet illustrators and professional artists all use them? Why?
Let’s look at what hobby colorers are missing when it comes to broad nibs…
Copic Marker Care and Maintenance
Copic Markers feature replaceable nibs because nibs do not last forever. For accurate coloring and easy blending, replace brush nibs when they show wear to insure juicy, springy, pointed nibs. In this article, we provide photos of worn nibs and offer tips plus the easy steps to install new Copic brush nibs.
Which Green and Yellow-Green Copics are Best for Beginners?
I asked three of my favorite marker instructors about which green and yellow-green markers they recommend for first time colorers.
Which markers offer students the best value?
Which Copic G and YGs are versatile enough to color many different green items?
Which green blending combinations do we teach with?
Which YG and G markers do we use in our own work?
Which Yellow Copics are Best for Beginners?
I asked three of my favorite marker instructors about which yellow markers they recommend for first time colorers.
Which yellow markers offer students the best value?
Which Copic Ys are versatile enough to color many different yellow items?
Which yellow blending combinations do we teach with?
Which Y markers do we use in our own work?
Which Orange Copics are Best for Beginners?
We highly recommend Copic’s YR-Zero series orange markers for beginners and anyone building a small, versatile alcohol marker collection. YR09, YR07, YR04 are easy blending oranges which can be used for food, flowers, and holiday images…
Which Red Copics are Best for Beginners?
We highly recommend Copic’s R-Twenty red series for beginners and anyone building a small, versatile alcohol marker collection. R29, R27, R24, R22, and R20 are traditional reds which can be used for food, flowers, and holiday images. The lighter reds in this series can be used for pink objects.
Horizontal or Vertical Marker storage: Does it matter?
There are so many storage options for Copic Markers. When you’re ready to graduate from the free shoe box you’ve been using, you’ve got tons of options— everything from zipper craft bags to hard plastic locking boxes.
Some storage units stand the markers upright. Some store them laying down. But which option is healthiest for the markers?
I teach Copic Marker classes and work with a lot of beginners. A common question I hear from brand new students is:
“I’m new to Copic Markers. Is it okay to start with Ciao style markers or should I purchase the Copic Sketch?”
Many people say Ciao and Sketch markers are interchangeable. But as an art instructor, I disagree.
Let’s look at why.
Most people research a lot about markers before making that first purchase. And yet whenever I tell students in my Copic art classes that markers are not lightfast, a few people always gasp in complete shock.
Copic Markers fade? But they’re artist-grade markers!? This is not what I expected!
It’s true. All markers fade. Let’s look closer at why.
