COPIC SKETCH MARKERS: Amy uses Copic Markers for their unmatched ink quality and for the Copic Super Brush Nib. The Super Brush nib is essential for blending and for coloring the large size images in Amy’s classes. Both Sketch and Ciao style Copics feature the Super Brush Nib.

Classic Copics with the square barrel are NOT recommended for Amy’s classes and courses.

BEST PAPER FOR BEGINNERS - ADVANCED

BEST PAPER FOR INTERMEDIATE & ADVANCED

X-PRESS IT BLENDING CARD - Invented for use with Copics. This is the only self-blending paper we know of. XPI smooths your blends as the paper dries and cures.

XPI is mandatory in Amy’s beginner level classes and The Blend.

STRATHMORE BRISTOL 300 SMOOTH - Amy prefers the 300 Series for Copic + colored pencil projects. Smooth enough for markers with a bit of tooth for colored pencils.

Amy’s intermediate to advanced classes use Strathmore Bristol 300 Smooth. Older classes call for discontinued Cryogen. Please substitute Strathmore Bristol 300 Smooth instead.

Amy draws and colors on the Martin Universal board.

Slanted surfaces are good for people with the bad habit of hunching over their projects with their nose close to the paper.

Slant desks encourage you to sit taller, viewing your project from a normal distance and allowing free arm & torso movement.

Slanted surfaces also prevent pressing too hard.

The Martin is an investment but it’s a quality surface.

For an economical slant board, we recommend the Visual Edge.

This board is popular with Amy’s in-person students because it’s portable. Most students had them at the last retreat.

This is sold as a child’s desk for reading and may be shown with magnetic letters and numbers for spelling/math practice.

Don’t let the Amazon listing fool you, it’s great for adult coloring too.

COPIC REFILL INK:

COPIC REPLACEMENT NIBS:

Copic-safe ink for stamping. Other recommended colors: Angel Pink and Desert Sand. Amy never stamps in black.

Derwent Lightfast Purple & Violet

Prismacolor 931 Dark Purple has chemistry issues. We use this color in most of Amy’s classes but #931 can leak pink into neighboring colors if you’re not careful. Derwent makes two similar colors with no pink issues. Derwent “Purple” is the closest but Amy may use “Violet” for a cooler push. Purchase openstock and substitute whenever an older course or class calls for Prismacolor 931.

Holbein Colored Pencils , 150 ct.

For advanced students only due to the price of these amazing pencils. Can be mixed with Prismacolor.

For advanced students only due to the price of these amazing pencils. Can be mixed with Prismacolor.

Strathmore Bristol Smooth 400 Series

Fabriano Artistico 140lb. Extra White Hot Press

For Marker + Pencil project, Amy recommends Strathmore 300 or 400 Bristol. 400 is better for pencil focused projects. Make sure it is Smooth, not Vellum surface.

For 100% colored pencil projects, Amy uses Fabriano Artistico Hot Press 140lb. DO NOT buy the blocks if tracing line art. 300lb is overkill for pencils.

This is Amy’s secret to using pencils stubs to .25” long.

Used as gentle eraser.

Cricut Lightpad Go (cordless)

A note on lightpads: I’ve been through several lightpads in the last decade. The cheaper pads at Amazon are tempting but they all die fast.

I’m currently using Cricut BrightPads— I have both the corded “standard” and the “Go” cordless models. They’re far more durable and have already lasted twice as long… so far.

Leather, vinyl, and canvas options.

Distress Oxides DO NOT WORK with Amy’s background technique!

Amy’s current Copic-Safe laser printer is old, discontinued, and refuses to die. It’s an HP M277dw. Easily prints on X-Press It.

Amy uses the Pixma Pro 100 to print on watercolor paper and Bristol up to 13” x 19”. Easily handles heavy duty cardstock.