Copic Award 2024 winner Yopo continues their quest for new gradients - "I use flashcards to jot down my color gradient combinations."
Interview by Ichibo Harada
The winners of the Copic Award 2024, a global contest showcasing artworks created with Copic markers, have been announced. Of over 3600 submissions from 70 countries, Yopo’s illustration Narikake no Watashitachi received the prestigious pixiv Award.
Having discovered Copic markers in elementary school, Yopo has been creating Copic illustrations for nearly 20 years. In an era dominated by digital art, why do they remain committed to Copic markers? We spoke with Yopo about the appeal of Copics and their techniques.
Index
- I drew part of the winning artwork with my left hand
- What if my favorite colors were characters?
- Four months of work alongside a full-time job
- Aiming for muscle memory
- Think of what you want to draw before building your color set
- Avoid streaks by switching paper
- Aiming to hold a solo exhibition someday
- Check out Yopo's other artworks!
- Copic Award 2025 was officially announced!
I drew part of the winning artwork with my left hand
── Congratulations on winning the pixiv Award! How did you feel when you found out?

── You’ve entered the Copic Award before, right? How confident were you about this piece?

── What was the “new challenge” in this particular piece?

── Compared to your previous works, this piece feels more focused on the flow of the lines and the visual rhythm. It’s surprising to learn that the secret to achieving that was drawing with your left hand! You also seem to have used fewer colors than usual.

── How many Copics did you use in total?

What if my favorite colors were characters?
── Does your winning piece have any backstory? Or do you generally prioritize visual appeal over storytelling in your work?

── Do these original characters appear in any of your other works?

── What paper did you use for the winning piece?

── Do you use other types of paper as well?

── Do you use materials other than Copic markers? Your winning piece includes glitter, right?

Four months of work alongside a full-time job
── How long did this piece take you?

── Which part of the process took the longest?

── Is your day job related to illustration or design?

── That’s surprising! Many people might find it hard to stay motivated while balancing a full-time job and a big project. How did you maintain your motivation over four months?

── Do you use a calendar to manage your progress?

── Would you say you’re a fast artist?

For this piece, the line art could’ve been halfway done in just one day, so compared to others, I think I’m relatively fast. Still, the coloring requires precision since mistakes are harder to fix, so I take my time and work carefully during that stage.
── Do you plan to submit more pieces to the Copic Award in the future?

Aiming for muscle memory
── How long have you been working with Copic markers?

── Was it during Copic's peak popularity, or was digital art already the norm?

── While many transitioned to digital, what kept you drawn to Copic markers?

── You also create digital illustrations. How do you decide between digital and analog?

── Many people give up on Copics before they fully master them. Did you ever feel frustrated? Or were you motivated to push through and master them no matter what?

Think of what you want to draw before building your color set
── Building a collection of Copics can be challenging, especially for students. How did you decide which colors to buy first?

── How many Copics do you own now?



── Experienced Copic artists often remember color combinations instantly. Does that come naturally to you?

For colors I use a lot, yes, but I still forget sometimes. I’ll look back at a piece and think, "What colors did I use to make that gradient?" (laughs)
To keep track, I use flashcards to jot down my color gradient combinations. It’s really convenient, and flipping through the cards can even be fun.

Avoid streaks by switching paper
── One of the biggest challenges for Copic beginners is streaky coloring. Is practice the only solution?

── With Copic illustrations, there’s always a risk of messing up right at the very end. Do you have any tips to avoid that as much as possible?

── What do you do to avoid a chaotic color scheme?

Aiming to hold a solo exhibition someday
── Do you plan out your color placement entirely before you start?


── I imagine some people might over-plan and end up feeling like drawing becomes just a task instead of something enjoyable. How do you strike a balance between planning and leaving room for spontaneity?

Honestly, as long as I’ve decided on the character’s eye and hair colors, I’m fine with going with the flow for the rest. (laughs) I used to feel like every piece had to be perfect, and if I messed up, that was it. But these days, I just think, “I’ll do better next time!” I’ve learned to embrace mistakes and enjoy the process more. Having fun is the most important part for me now.
Mistakes are definitely harder to fix with Copics compared to digital tools, but that's something that gets easier with experience. I think the key is not to fear failure. Draw freely and create what you want. Even if you mess up, it’s a learning experience for the next time.
── Do you make mistakes often?

── That’s reassuring to hear. (laughs) Some people might feel like Copics aren’t for them because they’re too “sloppy.” What would you say to that?

── That’s a great mindset. What do you think is the biggest appeal of using Copics?

── Finally, what are your goals for the future?

Check out Yopo's other artworks!







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Copic Award 2025 was officially announced!
The Copic Award is back this year!
Stay updated by visiting the official Copic Award website!