What level are you?
BEGINNER? INTERMEDIATE? ADVANCED?
How to find the right Vanilla class for you.
I do things a little different
I'm not a card maker and I'm not a crafter.
Markers were once a required study for illustration degrees. Because I learned markers in art school in the 1980’s, my approach to coloring is very different than standard coloring classes.
I treat markers as if they were transparent paint.
I don’t blend like a colorist. Instead, I layer colors to get richer, deeper tones than we can get from standard blending combinations.
I also color large. My smallest class projects are about 6 inches tall. My own marker projects can span up to 30 inches.
Gentle Warning: Even experienced colorists may feel like a newbie in art-based workshops and courses.
If you're coming from the hobby world— card making and coloring books, I’m happy to have you here! Many of my best students began as colorists.
But marker painting is a different approach to coloring.
You may have advanced coloring skills and we can build upon your experience… but I teach fine art techniques borrowed directly from painting classes. This will require a shift from the colorist tutorials you currently use.
Don't worry, you can totally learn to do this!
But let's be smart about which class you start with…
Quick Links: BEGINNER INFO INTERMEDIATE INFO ADVANCED INFO
Hello, Beginners!
If you’ve never picked up a Copic Marker before—
You know you’re a beginner.
But what if you have a little bit of marker experience?
Maybe you’ve tried a few tutorials or watched a lot of free videos.
WHEN IS A BEGINNER NOT A BEGINNER ANYMORE?
Beginners are explorers:
Beginners are busy learning their tools and art supplies. They’re exploring how to control both their body and the markers.
Can you hold a Copic Marker properly? Can you control the nib and ink flow?
Do you understand why paper is more important than markers?
Do you know how to flick and how to swish? Do you know when to use each?
Can you select markers based on chemistry?
Can you layer markers in a perfect gradient?
Can you color large areas without streaks or blotches?
Until you can answer yes with confidence, you’re still exploring.
And that’s okay! Let’s take lessons designed to move you from beginner to intermediate:
MARKER + PENCIL FOR BEGINNERS
Click the pics for more info
Marker Blending with a touch of colored pencil
Colored Pencil over an easy base of alcohol marker
Hello, Intermediates!
You can layer colors and you’re good at following demos…
But are you ready for intermediate coloring?
Intermediates do strength training:
Can you troubleshoot blending errors as they happen?
Do you understand the difference between depth and dimension?
Are you looking for a shading process which makes more sense than directional lighting arrows?
Are you beginning to play with color, injecting your own taste into standard projects?
MARKER + PENCIL FOR INTERMEDIATES
A Foundational Technique
You’ve learned to blend Copic Markers in The Blend and you’re comfortable adding colored pencil over marker after The Point,
Now it’s time to master underpainting.
Real Crayons makes underpaint selection easy. Learn to underpaint every color of the rainbow for all your future projects.
Join Us! Intermediate Coloring Community: Color Wonk
Color Wonk Previous Monthly Projects
Intermediate Workshops
Hello, Advanced!
You’ve exhausted every technique tutorial.
Now you’re searching for something more.
Advanced Colorers want independence and artistry
Can you color most projects without reading the tutorial?
Are you always 2 to 3 steps ahead of the coloring instructor?
Do you make major changes to customize tutorials?
Are you frustrated with the lack of realism in your Copic projects versus what you see in other mediums such as watercolor, acrylic, oils, or colored pencil?
MARKER + PENCIL FOR ADVANCED STUDENTS
The Key to Independence
After learning to underpaint in Real Crayons,
Now it’s time to understand photo references.
Amy walks you step by step through the process of choosing colors and then using them to create your own unique project. Learn the same steps artists use every day.
Join Us! Advanced Coloring Community: The Underpainters
Underpainters Previous Monthly Projects
