“Using up Copic Reinkers?? What are you thinking??”
I have a bunch that have just a few drops left in them; some I already bought a new one (coz I’m a panicked artist!) and some are on the order-next-time list. But it was pointed out to me that on Copic’s website, they look to be putting out totally different reinkers….they look like tiny vials? I’m hoping the prices become tiny too, but that doesn’t seem to be info I could find as yet.

Supplies for this project are linked at the end of this post. Compensated affiliate links may be used at no cost to you.
So….I thought of an idea recently while laying in bed – I wanted to use up the bottles that are in the way, and replace them before they’re gone. (NOTE: Ellen Hutson’s Copic stuff is always on sale!) I figured that’d remind me to follow through, and would alert you too!
The stamps that arrived in happy mail from Colorado Craft Company are their new animals – and they would be PERFECT for my little idea! These stamps have also got me thinking of a whole OTHER idea to come – maybe a class, not sure where the idea is headed but stay tuned!
Watch the video and see what I did with my refills!
TECHNIQUE TIPS
First note that these stamps are big – part of the Big and Bold collection. That means either your cards need to be a little bigger than usual, or you can trim the card down so the animal peeks in from the side! I opted for oversized cards.
- When choosing colors, analagous ones are best – next to each other on the color wheel. If you mix colors that have yellow blue and red in them, you could end up with mud!
- Work on a nonporous surface – I like my Craft Assistant!
- Saturate the paper in some way (pour, squeeze, spray) with 99% Alcohol . Lower % may work, I’m not sure. You can also use Copic blender solution, but as long as you’re just splooging like this, and not coming into contact with nibs, the alcohol is fine.
- Remember as it dries it gets lighter and brighter – the paper turns greyish while wet.
On the giraffe version with such pretty, light colors, I opted for my Uniball Signo White Pen to create the doodles – following the splotch edges created with the background.

I used neutral colors – greys and a little desaturated green – for a more natural look. Dripping the alcohol creates streaks!

I love this llama! The background was such fun, tracing around each bloop with a Copic Multiliner, .5 – if the black pen work is the LAST part you’re working on, any black pen is fine.

SUPPLIES
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- Colorado Craft Company Clear Stamps:
- Copic Markers: EH – Blick
- Craft Assistant (metal mat)
- Jet Black Lawn Fawn Ink Pad
- Neenah Cardstock, Solar White: 25pk – 250pk
- Copic Multiliner
- White Uni-ball Gel Pen: EH – AMZ – BLICK
- 99% Alcohol
Awesome alcohol ink creations! I love the doodling on the llama!
Austin Powers Llama! Yeah, Baby!
Wow, awesome cards Sandy. I love the doodles and was suprissed by the white ones on the giraffe card, that looked stunning.
Most of the time when I see doodles on some art it are black ones.
Great stamps, I love the glasses in the Lama set. I thought also would it fit the giraffe, I saw some one else did to and you answered her already.
Thanks for showing this fun technique, always love your awesome artwork. Have a wonderful day.
Damn this looks good! going to try it with watercolors. thx for the idea. Love the cards.
So much fun, imagine the smile on the recipients face when they open this card. The alcohol markers I use don’t have refills so I need to think away around this but I’m really eager to try this method. Have a great week x
These are amazing Sandy … and those stamps are really fun too!
Love these cards Sandy as always love all your work I wonder if the glasses would fit the giraffe -that would be cute. Love the llama but love the giraffe and elephant more.thanks for the ideas using refillers alcohol inks would probably work as well I suppose the dots in the background looked like bokeh
GREAT cards thanks for sharing
They do fit, I checked – but the eyes are way out to the edges of the glasses so it’s not a perfect fit. I might try stamping each eyeglass and extending the middle a little. 🙂
Wow – a huge Tuesday surprise! This new technique is amazing – can’t wait to try it. Those stamps are pretty cool as well… Glad you’re getting your MOJO back, altho I hadn’t noticed any reduction in the quality or imagination in your work… just sayin’… And as always, thanks for all you do.