Learn to color with depth, dimension, and realism. You can use tried and true artist techniques to improve your coloring. | 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 good at picking colors? 

...or do you get a headache thinking about all the possible combinations of Copic Marker and colored pencils?

Relax. It's normal. Not everyone is born with the ability to whip out original and beautiful color palettes on demand.

In Part One of this series, I showed you how to weed through the various color palette websites, finding workable color palettes to use in your adult coloring projects.

Today, let's learn how to create our own palettes.

And psssttt... don't miss downloading your FREE copy of my Color Palette Picker wheel for Copic...

 

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

 

Sweet Stack!

Here's the April FREE Digi Club image, "Doughnut Stack".

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

Free digital stamp offer expires on May 4th, 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:

Cup of Columbine- a lesson on adding spice to neutral color palettes

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

Saturday, April 14th at 11am EDT

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

I love vibrant color but sometimes, a neutral color palette fits better with the image, the theme, or even the patterned papers you intend to combine with your project.

Neutral palettes are sedate, but they don't have to be boring!

Join me for a fun and challenging lesson in dealing with calm and natural colors like khaki, grays, and even neutralized violets

Learn to spice up your neutrals with restraint.

"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:
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
Copic Coloring: The Quest for Realism- How Texture Improves Your Coloring
Copic Coloring: Why Depth and Dimension Aren't Enough for Realism

Take the Class!

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

"Doughnut Stack" is a 2 hour course on using the underpaint (or grisaille) technique to amplify realism by creating the correct colors to make your 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
  • 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: Photo references are so essential to adding realism! How can you color something realistically if you don't know what it looks like? There is no universal rule for "how to shade a bird" because every bird is different. Find a photo reference and let that guide where you place your colors. . . "Cup of Columbine" WIP 4. A beautiful stamp from @PowerPoppy. This is an online Livestream class, how to add life and zest to neutral color palettes. Watch the replay in the class video archives through October 2018. Info at link above. . . . #vanillaartsco #vanillalivestream #markerpainting #markerpaintingbasics #copiccoloring #copic #copicart #copicmarkers #copicclass #markerart #prismacolor #coloredpencils #mixedmediaart #mixedmediacoloring #Distressink #timholtzdistressink #rangerink #cardmaking #cardmakinghobby #coloringtime #ilovetocolor #coloringtips #papercrafting #PowerPoppy #powerpoppystamps #powerpoppydigitalstamp #digitalstamp #digitalstamps #digistamps #coloringflowers Coloring Tip of the Day: Don't feel obligated to use the same product on every element in your image. The dots on the white petals would be hard to do in Copic because the fadeout from intense color to white happens really fast. It's not cheating to switch mediums, it's smart! Match the tool to the job!!! . . "Cup of Columbine" WIP 3. A beautiful stamp from @PowerPoppy. This is an online Livestream class, how to add life and zest to neutral color palettes. Watch the replay in the class video archives through October 2018. Info at link above. . . . #vanillaartsco #vanillalivestream #markerpainting #markerpaintingbasics #copiccoloring #copic #copicart #copicmarkers #copicclass #markerart #prismacolor #coloredpencils #mixedmediaart #mixedmediacoloring #Distressink #timholtzdistressink #rangerink #cardmaking #cardmakinghobby #coloringtime #ilovetocolor #coloringtips #papercrafting #PowerPoppy #powerpoppystamps #powerpoppydigitalstamp #digitalstamp #digitalstamps #digistamps #coloringflowers Coloring Tip of the Day: Ask yourself, "what do I notice least" in your image. Those are great areas to start coloring! Let the least important things be your warm up because if you make a mistake, it's least likely to be seen. . . "Cup of Columbine" WIP 2. A beautiful stamp from @PowerPoppy. This is an online Livestream class, how to add life and zest to neutral color palettes. Watch the replay in the class video archives through October 2018. Info at link above. . . . #vanillaartsco #vanillalivestream #markerpainting #markerpaintingbasics #copiccoloring #copic #copicart #copicmarkers #copicclass #markerart #prismacolor #coloredpencils #mixedmediaart #mixedmediacoloring #Distressink #timholtzdistressink #rangerink #cardmaking #cardmakinghobby #coloringtime #ilovetocolor #coloringtips #papercrafting #PowerPoppy #powerpoppystamps #powerpoppydigitalstamp #digitalstamp #digitalstamps #digistamps #coloringflowers Coloring Tip of the Day: Your background is incredibly important! It will either enhance or detract from your coloring. Don't fall into the trap of coloring the image first and worrying about the background later! I wanted a rustic look for this image, the Tim Holtz Burlap stencil and Antique Linen were perfect to set that mood. . . "Cup of Columbine" WIP 1. A beautiful stamp from @PowerPoppy. This is an online Livestream class, how to add life and zest to neutral color palettes. Watch the replay in the class video archives through October 2018. Info at link above. . . . #vanillaartsco #vanillalivestream #markerpainting #markerpaintingbasics #copiccoloring #copic #copicart #copicmarkers #copicclass #markerart #prismacolor #coloredpencils #mixedmediaart #mixedmediacoloring #Distressink #timholtzdistressink #rangerink #cardmaking #cardmakinghobby #coloringtime #ilovetocolor #coloringtips #papercrafting #PowerPoppy #powerpoppystamps #powerpoppydigitalstamp #digitalstamp #digitalstamps #digistamps #coloringflowers

Click above or find me on your Instagram App at Vanilla.Arts.Co

Cart (0)