VANILLA ARTS ARTICLES

Artists do not shade

Use an old class for a new project

Quick Links

Troubleshooting Tips

Copic Color Deep Dives

Beginner Articles

Tool & Supply Info

Quick Coloring Tips

Intermed/Advanced Articles

The archive has been intentionally curated over the years, but with thousands of pages collected across 16+ years, you may still encounter an occasional outdated link or discontinued product reference.

For Amy’s Current work and writing, visit us at Marker + Pencil

Popular Series:

Leafy Green, an underpaint recipe for Copic Marker realism. Intermediate adult coloring. | VanillaArts.com

Copic Underpainting Swatches

Shopping for the perfect gift for an artist or creative person? Artsupplies we use daily and highly recommend. | VanillaArts.com

Gift Ideas

Color Palettes to upgrade your adult coloring. Copic alchol markers + Prismacolor Pencils. | VanillaArts.com

Coloring Palettes

New to Copic Markers? Pro Illustrator recommends best starter marker colors for beginners. | VanillaArts.com

Recommended Starter Colors

Artists Do Not Shade:

Copic Coloring: Why Artists Do Not Shade (Part 1)

Copic Coloring: Why Artists Do Not Shade (Part 2)

Copic Coloring: Why Artists Do Not Shade (Part 3)

Troubleshooting:

5 Copic Coloring Mistakes & How to Fix Them

5 More Copic Coloring Mistakes & How to Fix Them

Copic Coloring: 6 Ways to Kill Your Coloring

6 Tips to Troubleshoot your Copic Blending

Tools & Supplies:

Best Paper for Copic Markers

Best Colored Pencil Sharpeners

Best Colored Pencils for Shading

Best Colored Pencils for Highlighting

Creative’s Gift Guide: Best Art Supplies of the Year

Combine Colored Pencil Brands for Best Results

Are soft colored pencils right for you?

Colored Pencils: A Safe Substitute for Prismacolor Dark Purple

Testing Derwent LightfaPlus the Problem with Colored Pencil Unboxing Product Reviews

Best Copic Marker Colors for Beginners

Defending Prismacolor Soft-Core Colored Pencils - An Artist & Teacher Speaks Out

Use What You’ve Learned:

Old class lessons can make something new.

Color Pink Waves with Copic & Colored Pencil

Color a Rustic Farmhouse Door with Copic & Colored Pencil

Use What YouCreate Deep, Moody Color with Copic & Colored Pencil

Color a Fiery Cactus Flower with Copic & Colored Pencil

Color Beautiful Peonies with Copic & Colored Pencil

Use What Color Dimensional Daisies with Copic & Colored Pencil

Use WColor Realistic Roses with Copic & Colored Pencil

Color a Feathery Rooster with Copic & Colored Pencil

Color Tasty Food with Copic & Colored Pencil

Color Realistic Tangerines with Copic & Colored Pencil

Color Quick Candy Canes with Copic & Colored Pencil

Use What You Learn: Color a Winter Still Life with Copic Marker & Colored Pencil

Color a Realistic Apple with Copic & Colored Pencil

Copic Color Deep-Dives:

Colors in Focus: B06 “Peacock Blue” Copic Marker (Everything you need to know and more)

Colors in Focus: YG99 “Marine Green” Copic Marker (Everything you need to know and more)

Colors in Focus: R29 “Lipstick Red” Copic Marker (Everything you need to know and more)

Colors in Focus: YG23 “New Leaf” Copic Marker (Everything you need to know and more)

Colors in Focus: YR07 “Cadmium Orange” Copic Marker (Everything you need to know and more)

Quick Coloring Tips:

Coloring Tip: The Secret to Beautiful colored Backgrounds (Copic Marker, Colored Pencil, Distress Ink)

Coloring Tip: Student-Grade Watercolors Slow the Learning Process (Copic Marker, Colored Pencil)

Coloring Tip: Leave Air Space for Light and Delicate Flowers (Copic Marker, Colored Pencil)

Coloring Tip: Don't Talk Yourself Out of Realistic Shade Colors

Coloring Tip: Add Realistic Highlights over Copic Marker with Colored Pencils

Coloring Tip: Copic Markers were not designed to color large areas smoothly

Coloring Tip: Are You Using the Wrong Colors for Fire?

Coloring Tip: Look Deeper at Shiny Reflections to Add Realism (Copic Marker, Colored Pencil)

Coloring Tip: Add Bold & Beautiful Color to Shadows (Copic Marker, Colored Pencil)

Coloring Tip: Do Not Base-Coat with White Colored Pencil

Coloring Tip: Traditional Copic Marker Blending Techniques Limit Vibrancy

Beginner Articles:

Improve Your Coloring: Stamp Evaluation

Copic Marker Tip: Fill Your Marker for Easier Blending

Improve your coloring today - Turn off the distractions

Improve Your Copic Coloring: Replace Worn Nibs

Improve your Copic coloring: Use fresh eyes

Improve your Copic Marker Coloring Today: Size Matters

Improve your Copic Marker coloring: Watch your Speed

Improve Your Copic Coloring: Color for Yourself

Steps to Realism: Coloring beyond Smooth Blending Combinations (Copic Marker, Colored Pencil)

Beyond Tutorials: Ditch the white Gel Pen technique for realistic highlights (Copic Marker, Colored Pencil)

Colored Pencil: Change Your Grip to Solve Coloring Issues (More Troubleshooting Part 2)

Colored Pencil: Change Your Grip to Solve Coloring Issues (Troubleshooting Part 1)

Advanced Coloring Class? Or is it really beginner level? (Copic Marker, Colored Pencil)

The Flick Stroke: Better Coloring with Improved Technique (Copic Markers, Colored Pencils)

Artistic Coloring: 3 Mistakes Everyone Makes with Stamps (Copic Markers, Colored Pencils)

Learn to Capture Accurate details for Realism (coloring Classes vs. demonstrations)

Am I a Beginner? 5 Things Experienced Colorers Never Think About (Copic Markers, Colored Pencils)

Dimensional vs. Realistic Coloring: What's the Difference? (Copic Markers, Colored Pencils)

Copic Coloring Videos: The Limitations of Online Learning (Copic Marker, Colored Pencil)

Copic Marker & Colored Pencil Mixed Media: Less Pencil Than You Think

Realistic Florals: Why Traditional Copic Marker Blending Technique Makes Fake Flowers

The Rule of 3: Banish the Blahs with this easy coloring concept (Copic Marker & Colored Pencil)

Copic Marker Leaks: What Causes Ink Explosions? (and how to prevent them)

Colored Pencil: 6 Easy Tips- Improve your Grip for Better Coloring

Copic Marker Myths: 6 Fake Tips (think before you believe)

Improve Your Coloring: How to Keep Green soft & Delicate (Copic Marker, Colored Pencil)

Color with Me: Easy Expressive Faces (Beginner Copic Skin & Anatomy)

Realistic Coloring: 6 Ways to Make Your Practice Sessions More Effective (Copic Marker, Colored Pencil)

Copic Markers are NOT Lightfast: How to preserve your coloring Projects

Improve your Copic Marker Coloring with Photo References & Observation

Blending Problems? Refill your alcohol markers for instant improvement!

Depth & Dimension: Why pretty Copic Markers make your coloring look flat

Color with Me: Lazy Gummy Bear (Beginner Copic Blending)

How to Blend Copic Markers: The #1 Secret to Smoother Blending

Realistic Coloring: The Danger of Black Copic Markers & Black Colored pencils

Color Smart: Create Focal Points (give your coloring projects the professional look!)

8 Tips for Coloring Easy Faces with Copic Markers & Colored Pencils

Color with Me: Cute Christmas Angel (Copic Markers, colored pencils)

Coloring Demonstration: Feathery & Fluffy Backyard Birds (Copic Markers, colored pencils)

Coloring Demonstration: Cute Zombie Skin & Hair (Copic Markers, colored pencils)

Realistic Coloring: How to add authentic texture to your Copic Marker and colored pencil projects

Copic Markers: Do you make coloring harder than it has to be?

Copic Markers: Is blending the key to dimension or realism? (plus, coloring with chisel nibs!)

Artistic Coloring: Are You Ready for Advanced Techniques? Realism, Expression, Artistry

Artistic Coloring: How to color shade with realism (copic Marker & colored pencil)

Artistic Coloring: Tiny Details - how to decide which details are important & what to skip

Artistic Coloring: How Black-line Stamps slow your Artistic Growth

Mixed Media! Five reasons to add colored pencils to your Copic Marker projects

Realistic Coloring: Glazing Technique for translucent objects (Copic marker, Colored Pencil)

The Danger of Step-by-Step Coloring Tutorials

3 Secret Coloring Steps you won't find in tutorials (improve your coloring!)

Improve Your Coloring: Bad Color Palettes Ruin Good Coloring

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)

Color Palettes: A Beginner's Guide to Coloring with Maturity & Sophistication

Vibrant Copic Color: Finding Balance for Bold Colors

The Problem of Pink: Why Copic Blending Trios Let You Down

Copic Coloring: The Quest for Realism- How Texture Improves Your Coloring

Copic Coloring: Why Depth and Dimension Aren't Enough for Realism

Beginner Copic Coloring: Small Collection, Big Color

Artistic Coloring: Loosen Up! (Copic Marker, Colored Pencil)

Time vs. Talent: Your Copic Marker Skills and Your Schedule

Artistic Coloring: What Color is it? Your Brain Lies!

Copic Markers: Is Abundance Killing Your Art?

Perfect Alcohol Marker Blends - At What Price?

This Isn't Paint-by-iNumber - Change your Marker Blending Philosophy

Art versus Exercise: Are Copic Tutorial Projects Considered Art?

The Secret to Amazing Coloring (Copic Marker, Colored Pencil)

Gee, There are a lot of Copic Marker Coloring Classes Right Now...

Is Your Coloring Flat? You Need More Ugly Copic Markers

Coloring Friendly Characters? It’s all about the eyes!

Copic Marker Tip: Do You Blend Everything Smooth? The importance of texture to realism

Artist Portfolios: Not Just for Professionals!

How Stamp Ink Changes Your Copic Coloring

Why Color Lists and Marker Recipes Hurt your Coloring

Creativity: Change the Way You Think About Thinking

Improve Your Coloring: Are Your Copic Marker Darks Dark Enough?

How to Tip-Load Copic Markers for Extra Juiciness

7 Secrets to Make Perfect Dots with Copic Markers, Pencils, or Paint

Intermediate/Advanced Articles:

Details in Focus: 6 Tips for Coloring Realistic Birds

Details in Focus: Add Beautiful Color to Gray Copic Marker Projects

Details in Focus: Color White Flowers with a Rainbow

Details in Focus: How Important is Smooth Copic Marker Blending?

Coloring Flowers: Depth And Dimension Are Not The Same (Copic Marker, Colored Pencil)

Blending Combinations: Why is it Hard to Pick Your Own Colors? (plus tips for color independence)

Colored Pencil: Are you Heavy-Handed and Burnishing? Improve Your Coloring by Mastering Pressure Control

Coloring Myths: Underpainting makes everything look realistic (Copic Markers, Colored Pencil)

Coloring Myths: Is Realistic Coloring Just a Copy of a Photograph? (Copic Markers, Colored Pencil)

6 Tips for Layering Colored Pencil (instead of blending)

Photorealistic Coloring: "Lemonade" & "Cherry Danish" Expansion Tutorial Kits (Colored Pencil Magazine)

How to Simplify Texture & Detail (Plus my latest Tutorial in Colored Pencil Magazine)

Real Color Theory: Skip the Blending Combinations! Layer Color with Realism by Glazing

Real Color Theory: Improve Your Coloring with Smart Values Rather Than Contrast (Copic Marker, Colored Pencil)

The Underpainters: Advanced Artistic Coloring Community- a step beyond basic coloring classes

Box of Colors: What Comes After Copic Marker Coloring Classes? Artistry & Independence

Grayscale Coloring: Depth & Dimension + Tips for success (Copic Marker, Colored Pencil)

Artist Grade Supplies: Why Beginners Should Always Purchase the Best Materials

Student Success: Kathy Adds Realism by Coloring Larger Images (Copic Marker, Colored Pencil)

Colored Pencil: Do You Have Time & Patience for Slow Coloring? (plus Tips for Efficient Coloring)

Tips for Coloring Realistic Glass (Lemonade tutorial; Colored Pencil Magazine)

Control Freak Tips: How to Color with Loose Artistic Style (Copic Marker, Colored Pencil)

Artistic Coloring: Add Life to Cast Shadows to with Beautiful Color (Copic Marker)

Student Success Story: Lori's Independent Coloring- On the Rocks (Copic Markers)

Copic Marker Highlights: When Dimensional Coloring Technique Fails (Dark Pulling)

Coloring in Times of Stress & Sorrow: Tips for Finding Relief Through Art

Layering Technique: Realism Doesn’t Come from Blending (Copic Markers, Colored Pencils)

Color Theory Tip: How to Tame Clashing Complementary Color (Copic Markers, Colored Pencils)

Color Theory: Are you blinded by color? Value vs. Hue (Alcohol Marker, Colored Pencil)

Improve your Coloring: How Research Leads to More Creativity (Copic Markers, Colored Pencils)

The 10 Year Beginner: Coloring Projects & Copic Blending Classes Do not make you a better artist

Be a Smart Artist: 5 Things to Think About While Coloring (Copic Markers, Colored Pencils)

How to Color Realistic Night Scenes and Spooky Glows (Copic Marker, Colored Pencil)

Tutorials Make Realistic Coloring Impossible (Copic Marker, Colored Pencil)

Improve your Coloring: The Color You Use is Not the Color We See (Copic Marker, Colored Pencil)

8 Tips for Coloring Realistic Dogs with Copic Markers & Colored Pencils

5 Tips for Realistic cast shadows with Copic Marker, colored pencil, or even watercolor

Am I Done Yet? How To Know When your coloring is Finished

Improve Your Coloring: Add Zest to Neutral Copic Colors