Copic Markers are alcohol based markers that are easy to blend, and that comes in a huge variety of colors.

Copic Markers are very versatile and can be used for a variety of different art styles. They can also be combined with other mediums, like colored pencils or watercolors. 

(To see how I made the frog, check out this post.)

Copic Markers come in 4 different types:

• Original – Bullet nib and chisel nib.
• Sketch – Brush nib and chisel nib, these are the ones I use.
• Ciao – Brush nib and chisel nib, smaller and cheaper than Sketch, but don't have as many available colors.
• Wide – One wide chisel nib, for coloring large surfaces with a flat, even color. 

Copic Color System

The Copic Color System describes each color based on Color Family, Blending Group and Specific Value.

These codes can also act as a guide for picking out colors that will blend nicely in tone, saturation and intensity. Usually, colors within the same Blending Group and Color Family blends well.

The letters = Color Family

Identifies what kind of color you have:

• BV – Blue Violet
• V – Violet
• RV – Pink
• YR – Orange
• Y – Yellow
• YG – Yellow Green
• G – Green
• B – Blue
• BG – Blue Green
• E – Earthtones
• C – Cool Gray
• T – Toner Gray
• N – Neutral Gray
• W – Warm Gray

The first Digit = Blending Group within each Color Family

 Refers to saturation:

•  The higher the number, the more muted the colors will be
•  0 – very saturated
•  9 – almost gray

The Second Digit = Specific Value within each Blending Group

Refers to intensity:

• The higher the number, the darker the color

Color Suggestions

Suggesting colors to others is hard. What colors one prefers depends on art style and preference.

I recommend starting with 3 colors in each color family.  The colors I have chosen are versatile colors that are easy to blend. 

Violets:
BV11/13/17 (colder) 
or
V12/15/17 (warmer)

Pinks:
RV000/10/11

Reds:
R22/24/27

Oranges:
YR61/65/68

Yellows:
Y00/Y11/Y13

Greens:
YG11/13/17 (warmer)
or
G21/24/28
or
G40/43/46 (more muted colors)

Blues:
B21/24/26

Blue Greens:
BG01/02/05 (bluer)
or
BG10/11/13 (greener)

Browns:
E31/33/35 (warmer)
or
E71/74/77 (colder)

Grays:
N1/3/5

Multiliners

When choosing multiliners it's important to pick liners that are alcohol proof, if not the markers will smudge the ink.

I have multiliners from Copic and Zig millennium, and they are equally good.

I suggest starting with black and sepia multiliners. Since you then will be able to achieve both the soft look that colored liners give, and the harder look that black liners give. I almost never use black liners, since the softer look suits my style the best.

Refilling Copics

Copics are refillable, but it can be a bit hard to determine when the markers are close to empty, and how much ink you should put in them when refilling.

Some call this a drug scale, I call it a Copic Marker scale

A full sketch marker weighs about 14 g with both caps on. I like to fill my markers up to 13-13,5 g, and I refill them as soon as they are under 12 g. 
13 g (with both marker caps on) = 8 g (with both marker caps and chisel nib off)

When refilling your marker, remember to take both caps off. If not, pressure can build up inside the marker, which can cause spillage when opening the marker later. Keep the caps off for half a minute or so after refilling to avoid this.

Papers

There are a huge variety of papers available, and what paper you should choose depends on how you use your markers and what you prefer.

Generally: The thinner the paper, the less blending and layering it allows.

My art style involves a lot of layering and blending, so I prefer thicker papers that allows for that.

Strathmore Bristol Smooth

This is the paper I have used the most, and it is a great paper. Blending is easy and you can layer a lot before the color starts to lift. The downside is slight feathering (color that bleeds past the intended line), that makes the paper unsuitable for lineless work. Because it's so thick, it's quite hard coloring large areas with a flat color.

Canson Illustration

I don't like this paper very much. It's ok, but blending is not as smooth as with the Strathmore Bristol Smooth. It also takes less layering before the color starts to lift.

Arches Hot Press Watercolor Paper

My favorite paper for lineless work, since there's no feathering. Blending is smooth and it allows for endless layering. However, there are a few downsides. The texture of the paper damages the marker nibs (tiny paper hairs get stuck in the nib). The thick paper sucks up a lot of ink, causing the makers to dry out faster than with a non-watercolor paper. Since it sucks up a lot of ink, coloring large areas with a flat color is very, very hard.

Maintenance

Copic markers are all refillable and the nibs can be changed when needed. That means that these makers, even though they are pricey in the beginning, actually will be among the cheapest after a while.

The markers also needs to be cleaned when ink has built up inside of the cap. Generally that happens faster with darker colors. I use Copic Cleaner for cleaning the caps, it's quick and easy.  You can use regular rubbing alcohol as well.