Choosing Copic markers for skin and hair can feel overwhelming at first. With so many shades available, it can be hard to know which colors work well together, which ones are worth buying, and where to start.
This collection is designed to make that easier.
We’ve gathered versatile Copic colors for creating a wide range of skin tones and hair colors, from soft fair complexions to rich deep skin tones, plus blondes, brunettes, redheads, black hair, and more.
Whether you’re coloring stamped images, character illustrations, portraits, or handmade cards, these colors give you a flexible starting point without needing to buy the entire Copic collection.
Copic Skin & Hair Colors
Copic Markers for Skin Tones
When coloring skin, you usually want more than one marker. Using a light, medium, and darker shade helps create dimension around the face, hairline, neck, arms, and other areas where natural shadows would appear.
The colors below can be mixed and matched to create different undertones and depths.
Light Skin Tones
E000 – Pale Fruit Pink
A very light shade that works beautifully as a soft base color.
E00 – Cotton Pearl
A warm, versatile light skin tone that is especially useful for beginner combinations.
E11 – Barley Beige
Adds warmth and gentle shadow without becoming too dark.
E13 – Light Suntan
A deeper warm shade that can be used sparingly for stronger shadows.
A Simple Light Skin Combination
E000 + E00 + E11
Start with your lightest color, add E00 where you want more warmth, and place E11 in the deepest shadow areas.
For even more depth, add a small amount of E13.
Medium Skin Tones
E000 – Pale Fruit Pink
A very light shade that works beautifully as a soft base color.
E00 – Cotton Pearl
A warm, versatile light skin tone that is especially useful for beginner combinations.
E11 – Barley Beige
Adds warmth and gentle shadow without becoming too dark.
E13 – Light Suntan
A deeper warm shade that can be used sparingly for stronger shadows.
A Simple Light Skin Combination
E000 + E00 + E11
Start with your lightest color, add E00 where you want more warmth, and place E11 in the deepest shadow areas.
For even more depth, add a small amount of E13.
Deeper Skin Tones
E27 – Milk Chocolate
A richer brown that adds depth and warmth, especially around the hairline, cheeks, neck, and other shadow areas.
E29 – Burnt Umber
A deep, warm brown that creates strong shadows and contrast without immediately jumping to the darkest possible shade.
E49 – Dark Bark
A very deep brown that is best used sparingly for the darkest accents and deepest shadow areas.
A Simple Deeper Skin Combination
E25 + E27 + E29
Start with E25 as your lighter foundation, add E27 through the midtones and shadow areas, then use E29 where you need the strongest depth.
The key is to preserve some of the lighter tones so the skin still has highlights and dimension.
Skin Tone Copic Markers
Copic Marker E000 Pale Fruit Pink
E000 is a light pinkish tan color that is great for landscapes, backgrounds, and portraits. We rate E000 as an easy blending color and recommend it to use with E00 and E02.
Learn more about E000:
Video Link: How to Clean and Maintain Your Copic Markers
Refill: E000 Refill here. We recommend purchasing a refill with your Sketch Marker. Blending is significantly easier with a full marker.
About Copic Sketch Markers: Sketch are a dual-ended marker with Copic’s exclusive Super Brush Nib on one end for juicy and expressive strokes. The other end is a Medium Broad (chisel style) nib for precise lettering and drawing. Sketch style Copics have an ergonomic oval body and are the most comfortable style of Copic for long coloring sessions and for those with arthritis.
NOTE: Due to manufacturer restrictions, Copic Items can only be shipped to the USA and Canada (excluding the island of Oahu, Hawaii).
Disclaimers:
Copic Marker E00 Cotton Pearl
E00 is a light tan color with a pinkish feel. It’s great for florals, food, and portraits. We rate E00 as an easy blending color and recommend it to use with E0000 and E02.
Learn more about E00:
Video Link: How to Clean and Maintain Your Copic Markers
Refill: E00 Refill here. We recommend purchasing a refill with your Sketch Marker. Blending is significantly easier with a full marker.
About Copic Sketch Markers: Sketch are a dual-ended marker with Copic’s exclusive Super Brush Nib on one end for juicy and expressive strokes. The other end is a Medium Broad (chisel style) nib for precise lettering and drawing. Sketch style Copics have an ergonomic oval body and are the most comfortable style of Copic for long coloring sessions and for those with arthritis.
NOTE: Due to manufacturer restrictions, Copic Items can only be shipped to the USA and Canada (excluding the island of Oahu, Hawaii).
Disclaimers:
Copic Marker E25 Caribe Cocoa
E25 is commonly used for medium flesh tones by card makers and hobby colorers but it also works for landscapes or anywhere you need a warm medium brown. We rate E25 as an easy blending color and highly recommend it for beginners. It pairs nicely with E21 and E23 for brown objects.
Learn more about E25:
Video Link: How to Clean and Maintain Your Copic Markers
Refill: E25 Refill here. We recommend purchasing a refill with your Sketch Marker. Blending is significantly easier with a full marker.
About Copic Sketch Markers: Sketch are a dual-ended marker with Copic’s exclusive Super Brush Nib on one end for juicy and expressive strokes. The other end is a Medium Broad (chisel style) nib for precise lettering and drawing. Sketch style Copics have an ergonomic oval body and are the most comfortable style of Copic for long coloring sessions and for those with arthritis.
NOTE: Due to manufacturer restrictions, Copic Items can only be shipped to the USA and Canada (excluding the island of Oahu, Hawaii).
Disclaimers:
Copic Marker E11 Barley Beige
E11 is a light beige with an orangish hue. It’s great for landscapes, animals, and portraits. We rate E11 as an easy blending color and recommend it to use with E13 and E15.
Learn more about E11:
Article Link: Copics Uncapped E11
Video Link: How to Clean and Maintain Your Copic Markers
Refill: E11 Refill here. We recommend purchasing a refill with your Sketch Marker. Blending is significantly easier with a full marker.
About Copic Sketch Markers: Sketch are a dual-ended marker with Copic’s exclusive Super Brush Nib on one end for juicy and expressive strokes. The other end is a Medium Broad (chisel style) nib for precise lettering and drawing. Sketch style Copics have an ergonomic oval body and are the most comfortable style of Copic for long coloring sessions and for those with arthritis.
NOTE: Due to manufacturer restrictions, Copic Items can only be shipped to the USA and Canada (excluding the island of Oahu, Hawaii).
Disclaimers:
Copic Marker E27 Milk Chocolate
E27 is commonly used for dark flesh tones by card makers and hobby colorers but it also works for landscapes or anywhere you need a warm dark brown. We rate E27 as a moderately easy blending color and highly recommend it for beginners. It pairs nicely with E25 and E29 for brown objects.
Learn more about E27:
Video Link: How to Clean and Maintain Your Copic Markers
Refill: E27 Refill here. We recommend purchasing a refill with your Sketch Marker. Blending is significantly easier with a full marker.
About Copic Sketch Markers: Sketch are a dual-ended marker with Copic’s exclusive Super Brush Nib on one end for juicy and expressive strokes. The other end is a Medium Broad (chisel style) nib for precise lettering and drawing. Sketch style Copics have an ergonomic oval body and are the most comfortable style of Copic for long coloring sessions and for those with arthritis.
NOTE: Due to manufacturer restrictions, Copic Items can only be shipped to the USA and Canada (excluding the island of Oahu, Hawaii).
Disclaimers:
Copic Marker E13 Light Suntan
E13 is a medium beige with an orangish hue. It’s great for landscapes, animals, and portraits. We rate E13 as an easy blending color and recommend it in combination with E11 and E15.
Learn more about E13:
Article Link: Copics Uncapped E13
Video Link: How to Clean and Maintain Your Copic Markers
Refill: E13 Refill here. We recommend purchasing a refill with your Sketch Marker. Blending is significantly easier with a full marker.
About Copic Sketch Markers: Sketch are a dual-ended marker with Copic’s exclusive Super Brush Nib on one end for juicy and expressive strokes. The other end is a Medium Broad (chisel style) nib for precise lettering and drawing. Sketch style Copics have an ergonomic oval body and are the most comfortable style of Copic for long coloring sessions and for those with arthritis.
NOTE: Due to manufacturer restrictions, Copic Items can only be shipped to the USA and Canada (excluding the island of Oahu, Hawaii).
Disclaimers:
Copic Marker E29 Burnt Umber
E29 is commonly used for dark flesh tones by card makers and hobby colorers but it also works for landscapes or anywhere you need a warm dark brown. We rate E29 as a moderately easy blending color and highly recommend it for beginners. It pairs nicely with E25 and E27 for brown objects.
Learn more about E29:
Article Link: Copics Uncapped E29
Video Link: How to Clean and Maintain Your Copic Markers
Refill: E29 Refill here. We recommend purchasing a refill with your Sketch Marker. Blending is significantly easier with a full marker.
About Copic Sketch Markers: Sketch are a dual-ended marker with Copic’s exclusive Super Brush Nib on one end for juicy and expressive strokes. The other end is a Medium Broad (chisel style) nib for precise lettering and drawing. Sketch style Copics have an ergonomic oval body and are the most comfortable style of Copic for long coloring sessions and for those with arthritis.
NOTE: Due to manufacturer restrictions, Copic Items can only be shipped to the USA and Canada (excluding the island of Oahu, Hawaii).
Disclaimers:
Copic Marker E21 Soft Sun
E21 is one of Copic’s most popular colors and a best seller here at Violeta Ink. E21 is commonly used for Caucasian flesh tones by card makers and hobby colorers but it also works for landscapes or anywhere you need a warm light brown. We rate E21 as an easy blending color and highly recommend it for beginners. It pairs nicely with E23 and E25 for brown objects.
E21 is highly recommended by Amy at VanillaArts.com as part of her Copic Starter List for beginners. Her recommended E markers include E21, E31, E33, E35, E37, E50, and E59. Subscribe here for the full downloadable list.
Learn more about E21:
Article Link: Copics Uncapped E21
Video Link: How to Clean and Maintain Your Copic Markers
Refill: E21 Refill here. We recommend purchasing a refill with your Sketch Marker. Blending is significantly easier with a full marker.
About Copic Sketch Markers: Sketch are a dual-ended marker with Copic’s exclusive Super Brush Nib on one end for juicy and expressive strokes. The other end is a Medium Broad (chisel style) nib for precise lettering and drawing. Sketch style Copics have an ergonomic oval body and are the most comfortable style of Copic for long coloring sessions and for those with arthritis.
NOTE: Due to manufacturer restrictions, Copic Items can only be shipped to the USA and Canada (excluding the island of Oahu, Hawaii).
Disclaimers:
Copic Marker E49 Dark Bark
E47 is a dark brown color, but is lighter than you might expect. It’s great for urban landscapes, foods, and animal fur. We rate E49 as a moderately easy blending color and recommend it in combination with E44 and E47.
Learn more about E49:
Article Link: Copics Uncapped E49
Video Link: How to Clean and Maintain Your Copic Markers
Refill: E49 Refill here. We recommend purchasing a refill with your Sketch Marker. Blending is significantly easier with a full marker.
About Copic Sketch Markers: Sketch are a dual-ended marker with Copic’s exclusive Super Brush Nib on one end for juicy and expressive strokes. The other end is a Medium Broad (chisel style) nib for precise lettering and drawing. Sketch style Copics have an ergonomic oval body and are the most comfortable style of Copic for long coloring sessions and for those with arthritis.
NOTE: Due to manufacturer restrictions, Copic Items can only be shipped to the USA and Canada (excluding the island of Oahu, Hawaii).
Disclaimers:
Copic Marker E23 Hazelnut
E23 is commonly used for medium flesh tones by card makers and hobby colorers but it also works for landscapes or anywhere you need a warm medium brown. We rate E23 as an easy blending color and highly recommend it for beginners. It pairs nicely with E21 and E25 for brown objects.
Learn more about E23:
Video Link: How to Clean and Maintain Your Copic Markers
Refill: E23 Refill here. We recommend purchasing a refill with your Sketch Marker. Blending is significantly easier with a full marker.
About Copic Sketch Markers: Sketch are a dual-ended marker with Copic’s exclusive Super Brush Nib on one end for juicy and expressive strokes. The other end is a Medium Broad (chisel style) nib for precise lettering and drawing. Sketch style Copics have an ergonomic oval body and are the most comfortable style of Copic for long coloring sessions and for those with arthritis.
NOTE: Due to manufacturer restrictions, Copic Items can only be shipped to the USA and Canada (excluding the island of Oahu, Hawaii).
Disclaimers:
Favorites From Our Copic for Beginners Community
We asked the artists in our Copic for Beginners Facebook community to share some of their go-to colors for skin tones. Here are a few of their favorites:
“For skin tones, I suggest E50 and E00.”
“I suggest E00 paired with E11 or E21..”
These community favorites are a great reminder that there isn't just one "perfect" skin-tone recipe. Different artists, papers, lighting, and coloring styles can all change which combinations work best. Use these suggestions as a starting point, swatch them on your favorite paper, and see which blends you love most.
Copic Markers for Hair
Coming Soon!