In this tutorial, we will start a new project and learn how to use the Copic Color Library and brushes in SketchBook Pro. We will begin by getting familiar with the SketchBook workspace and then add the Copic tools.

If you are new to SketchBook, as I am, you well see a few new tools that look quite different from Gimp, Inkscape, Photoshop or Illustrator. At the top left you will see the Brush and Color Pucks (see screenshot). At the bottom left is the Lagoon (see screenshot). By default, there are two more familiar items, which are the Toolbar (see screenshot) at the top and the Brush Palette (see screenshot) on the left. We will learn all about these and the other SketchBook tools as we create a few projects.

Let's start a new sketch project. But first, let's change the default canvas size for projects. I like to use the dimensions for a greeting card to be printed on my home printer, which are 4.25 x 5.5 inches at 300 dpi. But the default resolution is 100 dpi. So, let's make that change.

Default Canvas Size


1. Click SketchBook - Preferences to open the Preferences window (see screenshot). Click the Canvas tab. Uncheck the box next to Use Width and Height of Window. Set the Width to 4.25, the Height to 5.5 and the measurement to Inches. Set the Resolution to 300 pixels/inch.
   
   Start A New Sketch
   
   Now we can open a new project and set the canvas to fit within the workspace.
   
   
2. From the Lagoon, click the Files icon and then the New icon (see screenshot).
   
   
3. Let's resize the canvas to fit within the workspace. From the Lagoon, click the Tools/Views icon and then the Fit to View icon (see screenshot).
   
   One of the best SketchBook features is the Copic Color Library, markers and colorless blender. Let's open these now.
   
   Copic Colors
   
   
4. From the top Toolbar, click the Copic Library icon (see screenshot). This will open the Copic Library.
   
   As you can see, the library is divided in to the popular Copic Color Sets and has the same Copic Color System numbers on each chip. You can drag a color chip from the set to the Custom Set area to build your own custom color set.
   
   Copic Markers
   
   By default, the Brush Palette displays the Basic Brush set. As we will be painting with the Copic colors, let's replace the Basic Brush set with the Copic Brush set.
   
   
5. Click the Brush Library icon in the Brush Palette, to open the Brush Library (see screenshot). Scroll downward to the Copic Brush Set. Click on the icon and choose Pin Set to Palette (see screenshot).
   
   Now we have the six Copic markers in the Brush Palette (see screenshot).
   
   Another feature of SketchBook is layers. We will be using the Layer Editor, so let's add it to the workspace.
   
   Open Layer Editor
   
   
6. From the Toolbar, click the Layers icon. This will open the Layer Editor (see screenshot).
   
   
In the next tutorial, we will use SketchBook's Copic markers to color a free digi stamp. Just click the link below to download the free Halloween stamp.

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CLICK - FREE DOWNLOAD

Disclosure: Autodesk provided a copy of SketchBook Pro to me for review purposes. The opinions are completely my own based on my experience.

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