Copic Marker Alternative Reviews: Part 1

I have been sketching with Copic markers, for almost a year.  Thus far, I have collected 65 of the 358 Copic Sketch Markers.  As my Copic obsession has grown, I have also been looking for cheaper alternatives to Copics.  However, I want those cheaper markers to be able to do two things.  I want to be able to use them in conjunction with my Copics, which is the easy part, but more importantly, I want them to blend with my Copics.

Over the last few months, I have reviewed some of these other markers that I have found, on my YouTube Channel.  None of these reviews were sponsored.  I just want to find something that works well with my Copics, and I thought that I would share my findings.


The first was the Artist Loft Sketch Markers, that are available at Michael's.  The markers looked nice.  The brush nib looked similar.  The colors on the paper were nice, but they would not blend with the Copics.

After this video, I continued using them sparingly, and the results were not good.  The brush tip on these markers seems to want to pull apart.  In addition, there is not very much ink, in these markers.  I do not recommend these markers.


The second type of marker that I reviewed were the Ohuhu Markers, available at Amazon.  These markers are roughly $0.50 each, which is a great price, and they come in a nice variety of colors.  These would be better, if they had a brush nib, instead of the fine point.  They will blend with one another.  Something to look out for if you order these, of the 40 makers in my set, one was dry upon arrival.

I do recommend these just because they are so cheap, and they work similarly to the Copics.  However, in my experience, the blending with Copics was minimal, at best.


The third brand of markers that I found and tested were the Sharpie Brush Tip Markers.  These markers cost a little more than a $1, each.  At the time of this blog post, the set of 12 is currently only $12.89, on Amazon.

These markers exceeded my expectations, and I was happy to see that they would blend with each other, and I very surprised that these actually blended with similar colors, in my Copic collection!  I highly recommend these markers.  The only down side is that they aren't refillable, but since they're so inexpensive, I don' think that really matters.

I will continue to look for more markers that I can use with my Copics, and I will continue to post reviews.  Thanks for reading and watching!

Thanks,
Jimmy in GA

Episode 79 - 9.23 Inktober and 80s Nightmares

Coverart links to iTunes.
Coverart by @JimmyinGA.

This is the 79th episode of the Random City Podcast.  In the random chatter section, I discuss Inktober, my YouTube channel, the LORE Podcast, and the new Stranger Things game.  My random selection this week is the 80's horror, A Nightmare on Elm Street and it's television spin-off, Freddy's Nightmare.

I also mention Star Wars: From a Certain Point of View and Star Wars Phasma, in this episode.  Want to listen to TWO audio books, for free?  If you're new to Audible, you can sign-up for a free trial of Audible, at http://audible.randomcitypodcast.com, to get TWO FREE audio books!  The two free audio books are yours to keep, even if you cancel your membership during or after your free trail of the service.

The episode is available now, in Google Play, iTunes, Stitcher, and the Satchel Player.  I would greatly appreciate your ratings and reviews, on any of those platforms.

You can also subscribe to the channel and like the videos, or watch now, with the video embedded below.
Thanks for listening,
Jimmy in GA

Random City Podcast Episode 75 - 9.19 Close Encounters of the YouTube Mario Kind

Cover art links to iTunes.
Cover artwork by @JimmyinGA.

In the 75th episode of the Random City Podcast, in random chatter, we have a Random City Flashback to me discussing Close Encounters of the Third Kind in 2011. I share a quick Podcast Tips with Jimmy, as I reflect on my years of
podcasting. I also share more info about my YouTube Channel. During the random selection, I some of my recent favorite Mario games, from Nintendo!

Want to listen to TWO audio books, for free?  If you're new to Audible, you can sign-up for a free trial of Audible, at http://audible.randomcitypodcast.com, to get TWO FREE audio books!  The two free audio books are yours to keep, even if you cancel your membership during or after your free trail of the service.

The episode is available now, in Google Play, iTunes, Stitcher, and the Satchel Player.  I would greatly appreciate your ratings and reviews, on any of those platforms.

You can also subscribe to the channel and like the videos, or watch now, with the video embedded below.
Thanks for listening,
Jimmy in GA

Let's DRAW PLUTO - A Time-Lapse SKETCH Video

Let's draw Pluto. In this video, I share my time-lapsed sketch of the beloved Disney doggy, Pluto. Thanks for watching. Please consider liking the video and subscribing to the channel. The YouTube video is embedded below.

COPIC MARKER Organization on the Go

When I'm at home, I have a six-tray expandable system that holds up to 72 markers, and at some point, I will order more trays (http://amzn.to/2v9MXRJ), as my collection expands. This has been a fantastic way to keep my pencils, outliners, and markers organized, on my desk.


I wanted to find a way to do something similar when I traveled or just went to coffee shop to draw. I found this 40 marker carrying case on Amazon (http://amzn.to/2v9CNAP). It works perfectly, and I enjoyed having this option.

By the way, this is not sponsored video. These are just two products that I have found and thought were helpful in organizing my Copic collection.  Thanks for reading and watching!

Random City Podcast Episode 71 - 9.15 Topps Ghostbusters 2 Trading Card Set Part 2

The cover art links to iTunes.
Artwork by @JimmyinGA

In the 71st episode of the Random City Podcast, the randomness continues, as I explore the second of the 1989 Topps Ghostbusters 2 Trading Card set.  After concluding the set, I have a better understand of the ending of the film.  Has the painting of the Ghostbusters ever confused you?  Check out this episode, as the trading cards shed some light on this part of the movie!

If you'd like to see the front and back of each of the cards and stickers discussed in the episode, be sure to check out the YouTube video.  The video is available at https://youtu.be/AFdXxOEuJ58. Please subscribe to the channel and like the videos.

The episode is available now, in Google Play, iTunes, Stitcher, and the Satchel Player.  I would greatly appreciate your ratings and reviews, on any of those platforms.

If you're new to Audible, sign-up today for a free trial of Audible, at http://audible.randomcitypodcast.com, to get two free audio books!  The two free audio books are yours to keep, even if you cancel your membership during or after your free trail of the service.

Thanks for listening,
Jimmy in GA

Episode 70 - 9.14 Topps Ghostbusters 2 Trading Card Set Part 1

Coverart links to iTunes.
Artwork by @JimmyinGA

In the 70th episode of the Random City Podcast, the randomness explodes with an entire episode dedicated to looking at and reading the first half of the 1989 Topps Ghostbusters 2 Trading Card set. Be sure to check out the YouTube video, if you'd like to see the front and back of each of the cards discussed in the episode. The video is available at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gtkf0yUDcl4.

The episode is available now, in Google Play, iTunes, Stitcher, and the Satchel Player.  I would greatly appreciate your ratings and reviews, on any of those platforms.

The podcast is also available at the Random City Podcast YouTube Channel.  Please subscribe to the channel and like the videos.

If you're new to Audible, sign-up today for a free trial of Audible, at http://audible.randomcitypodcast.com, to get two free audio books!  The two free audio books are yours to keep, even if you cancel your membership during or after your free trail of the service.

Thanks for listening,
Jimmy in GA

Random City Podcast Episode 68 - 9.12 The Planet of the Apes

Cover Art by @JimmyinGA.
The photo links to iTunes.

In episode 68 of the Random City Podcast, I share my random thoughts about my art, Star Wars Forces of Destiny, Spider-man Homecoming, and Real Artists Don't Starve by Jeff Goins. My main topic and the Random Selection of the week is The Planet of the Apes franchise.  I take a look back at the eight films in the series leading up to this week's release of War for the Planet of the Apes.

The episode is available now, in Google Play, iTunes, Stitcher, and the Satchel Player.  I would greatly appreciate your ratings and reviews, on any of those platforms.

The podcast is also available at the Random City Podcast YouTube Channel.  Please subscribe to the channel and like the videos.

If you're new to Audible, sign-up today for a free trial of Audible, at http://audible.randomcitypodcast.com, to get two free audio books!  The two free audio books are yours to keep, even if you cancel your membership during or after your free trail of the service.

Thanks for listening,
Jimmy in GA

Random City Podcast Episode 67 - 9.11 YouTube Forces of Spider-man

Image links to iTunes.
Cover art by @JimmyinGA

In episode 67 of the Random City Podcast, I share my random thoughts about YouTuber Jazza, (Draw with Jazza), Star Wars Forces of Destiny and the Spider-man films.

The episode is available now, in Google Play, iTunes, Stitcher, and the Satchel Player.  I would greatly appreciate your ratings and reviews, on any of those platforms.

Check out the Random City Podcast YouTube.  This is the first episode to include video of the podcast being recorded.  If you would like to support the show, please subscribe to the channel and like the videos.
If you're new to Audible, sign-up today for a free trial of Audible, at http://audible.randomcitypodcast.com, to get two free audio books!  The two free audio books are yours to keep, even if you cancel your membership during or after your free trail of the service.

Thanks for listening,
Jimmy in GA

Episode 66 - 9.10 Independence Day

In episode 66 of the Random City Podcast, I share my random thoughts about the Independence Day franchise.

The episode is available now.  You should be able to listen this episode right now or very soon, in Google Play, iTunes, Stitcher, and the Satchel Player.  I would greatly appreciate your ratings and reviews, on any of those platforms.

A few days ago, I also started a Random City Podcast YouTube.  If you would like to support the show, please subscribe to the channel and like the videos.

If you're new to Audible, sign-up today for a free trial of Audible, at http://audible.randomcitypodcast.com, to get two free audio books!  The two free audio books are yours to keep, even if you cancel your membership during or after your free trail of the service.

Thanks for listening,
Jimmy in GA

Jimmy in GA YouTube Updates

Starting in the fall of 1996, I used an old VHS-C camcorder to record tons of things. Some of the videos are silly skits like "Pool Daze," which is embedded below, other videos capture moments from sporting events or performances. I plan to slowly add my random old videos to YouTube!

Star Wars: The Force Awakens Teaser Trailer

The Star Wars: The Force Awakens teaser trailer debuted on Black Friday in select theaters in the United States and online.

I should have a new episode of The Random City Podcast up soon with my reactions to the trailer.


The teaser features a few things that had been revealed in leaked set photos from earlier this year posted by TMZ, from the filming location in Abu Dhabi.

The teaser also confirms several rumors that have been reported about various elements of the new film.  Photos of the new Stormtrooper helmets were tweeted by the 501st in August of this year.

Let me know what you think of the trailer.

Lake Shawnee Amusement Park and Disney's River Country

Sunday, I saw on the Huffington Post that a hiker ran across a town that was abandoned supposedly 100 years ago.  At the bottom of that story, there was a link to a story about the Lake Shawnee Amusement Park that shut down and abandoned in the mid 60's.


Robert Hogue has an album on Flickr which includes the theme park.
It might sound like an episode of Scooby Doo, but this amusement park was built on an ancient Native American burial ground and after several accidents it was closed.  Check out the article from roadtrippers.com for some creepy photos of this abandoned theme park.

After seeing this story, I searched for other abandoned theme parks, and I learned about Disney's River Country. It was shutdown and abandoned about a decade ago.

Adamthewoo on YouTube posted a video back in 2010 of he and a friend sneaking into the abandoned park which still has music playing.