Vanilla Arts Company- Realistic Coloring, Realistic Advice. Improve your Copic and Colored Pencil projects by adding proven (and easy) artist's techniques. | VanillaArts.com

Realistic coloring. realistic advice.

Tired of banging your head against the wall when the latest free tutorial or marker recipe doesn't turn out the way it looks online?

Looking for something beyond blend, blend, blend?

Frustrated because everything you color looks flat?

Realism isn't difficult... but it is downright impossible if you stick to crafty coloring shortcuts and standard blending techniques.

Real life is full of texture, pattern, contrast, and desaturation. Life is so much more than light-medium-dark blending combinations.

Let's add some life to your coloring!

You can do this!

I want to...

"Daffodils" a Power Poppy stamp. Lesson on coloring clean yellows with dimension. | VanillaArts.com

Take a class in S.E.Michigan. Beginner or Advanced.

Read tips & advice on how to color better and what tools to use.

Take online coloring classes.

I want that digital stamp!

In the Studio Journal:

Are you a left handed colorer?

No? I'm not surprised. Lefties are a definite minority.

Southpaws like me are the few, the proud, and the backwards.

But hey, even if you are right handed, keep on reading. While these Copic Marker and colored pencil tips are aimed at those of us who color counter-clockwise, you righties can totally use the tips too.

You righties can flip the tips cattywampus the way we keck-handers have to do every day!

You may not think it makes much difference but hoo, boy... being left handed is like living in a mirror-world where all of your natural instincts work against you...

 

ABOUT        TOOLS & TIPS LIBRARY        NEW TO COLORING?        ONLINE MARKER COURSES        WORK IN PROGRESS

 

Cool & Refreshing!

Here's the May FREE Digi Club image, "Lemon Zest".

Get your copy of the digital stamp + the recipe guide used here.

Free digital stamp offer expires on June 1st, 2018. But don't worry, I launch a new free digi the same exact day!

Subscribe to receive a free coloring image every month, perfect for Copic Markers, colored pencils, and watercolor. | VanillaArts.com

Features:

Learning to Color?

Build a VERSATILE starter Copic collection which doesn't waste money!

Gift Ideas for Colorers- Copics, colored pencils, watercolor...

Latest Livestream:

Hyacinth Bulb in Glass- a lesson on coloring lightweight and delicate flower clusters

Become a supporter of Vanilla Arts Company at Patreon.com to access livestream coloring sessions.

Friday, May 18th at 11am EDT

Replay available for those who can't attend or want to watch it again!

Have you ever noticed a heavy feel to your floral coloring projects?

Flowers should be lightweight and delicate, not bowling balls on stems! Learn Amy's process for keeping flowers dainty and featherweight.

The secret isn't just about the color combinations you choose, it's also in the way that you interpret the stamp. 

Bonus lesson on transparent glass!

"Strawberry Trio" the week 12 project in Marker Painting Foundations

open enrollment now:

Marker Painting Foundations is a beginner level class and a new approach to adult coloring.

Learn to use your Copic Markers the way artists use paint- with style, originality, and amazing depth & dimension. MPF is a drastic change from adult coloring tutorials which lock you into using specific recipes and follow-the-leader style demonstrations.

No more copy-catting!

You can color independently with confidence. You can get realism and artistic flair from your Copics

You can learn to paint with markers!

Featured articles from the Studio Journal:
6 Tips for Left-Handed Colorers - Copic Markers or Colored Pencils
Improve your Coloring: How to Keep Copic Marker Projects Lightweight & Delicate
Copic Marker Secrets that Free Coloring Tutorials Never mention!
Color Palettes: A Beginner's Guide to Coloring with Sophistication (Part Two)
Improve your Coloring: Add Life & Zest to your Neutral Colors
Copic Coloring: 6 Ways to Kill a Beautiful Project- the dangers of overworking
Copic Coloring: Artists Do Not Shade- Part 3
Copic Coloring: Artists Do Not Shade- Part 2
Copic Coloring: Why Artists Do Not Shade- Part One

Take the Class!

Marker Painting Workshops provide challenges for colorers who want to do more than blend!

"Lemon Zest" is a 2 hour course on modifying the underpainting (or grisaille) technique for yellows. Amplify realism by creating the correct colors to make your yellow objects look real and rounded. Learn to simplify the coloring process and reduce the stress of choosing markers!

Class includes Amy's fun sheer glaze technique. Use it on wedding veils, balloons, and other objects that are translucent but not transparent.

  • Technique Deep Dive video explores how underpainting works for yellow (because yellow is slightly different than other colors)
  • extended cut demonstration videos with instructional commentary
  • helpful lesson aids including photo references and color guides
  • technique instructional handouts

FREE Daily coloring Tips on Instagram!

Coloring Tip of the Day: As you finish, you'll find that your project doesn't look exactly like the photo. That's not a bad thing! Realism is not duplicating a photograph exactly; instead, it's creating something that looks convincingly real. Artistry means you'll always add your own voice to the look of the project. . . "Dahlia" WIP 5. An advanced colored pencil class for my retreat students in June. . . Supplies: #danielsmithwatercolors #mgrahamwatercolor #oldhollandpaints#silverbrushlimited #holbeincoloredpencils #coloredpencils #fabrianoartistico . . #vanillaartsco #cardmakinghobby #ilovetocolor #coloringaddict #papercrafting #realisticart #realisticillustration #modernfloral #dahlia Coloring Tip of the Day: As I color, I take breaks about every 20 minutes. It's good to stretch and move but it's also good to return to the project with fresh eyes and renewed enthusiasm. Tired people color tired! . . "Dahlia" WIP 4. An advanced colored pencil class for my retreat students in June. . . Supplies: #danielsmithwatercolors #mgrahamwatercolor #oldhollandpaints#silverbrushlimited #holbeincoloredpencils #coloredpencils #fabrianoartistico . . #vanillaartsco #cardmakinghobby #ilovetocolor #coloringaddict #papercrafting #realisticart #realisticillustration #modernfloral #dahlia Coloring Tip of the Day: Don't let your brain talk you out of using the correct color values. The photo reads as a light and pastel dahlia and it's too easy to assume that all my pencils should be pale and soft. But deep in the crevices, the color is actually quite strong and that intense color is the key to making it all feel dimensional. . . "Dahlia" WIP 3. An advanced colored pencil class for my retreat students in June. . . Supplies: #danielsmithwatercolors #mgrahamwatercolor #oldhollandpaints#silverbrushlimited #holbeincoloredpencils #coloredpencils #fabrianoartistico . . #vanillaartsco #cardmakinghobby #ilovetocolor #coloringaddict #papercrafting #realisticart #realisticillustration #modernfloral #dahlia Coloring Tip of the Day: With complex flowers, I start in the center and work my way slowly outward. Because the centermost petals are smaller and simpler shapes, they're much easier to understand. As the petals grow in size, so does my understanding of how to color them accurately. . . "Dahlia" WIP 2. An advanced colored pencil class for my retreat students in June. . . Supplies: #danielsmithwatercolors #mgrahamwatercolor #oldhollandpaints#silverbrushlimited #holbeincoloredpencils #coloredpencils #fabrianoartistico . . #vanillaartsco #cardmakinghobby #ilovetocolor #coloringaddict #papercrafting #realisticart #realisticillustration #modernfloral #dahlia

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