BEGINNER BLENDS FOR A LIFETIME OF COLORING
Are you a Copic beginner?
You’ve watched tons of free videos, maybe you’ve even taken a starter class…
But you still struggle with basic blending technique?
You want to learn how to blend Copic Markers.
Instead you find yourself stuck with nothing but cartoon tutorials.
If there was a blending lesson hidden in the Happy Birthday Brown Bear class, you missed it. Maybe they’ll cover blending better in Tyrannosaurus in Pajamas?
Stop.
Wouldn’t it be great to focus on blending without the cute distractions?
Pssstttt… I’m here to help!
A REAL BLENDING CLASS?
Coloring classes are fun but they’re not getting you anywhere.
How to color is not the same as how to blend
My name is Amy Shulke and I’m a professional illustrator with over 30 years of experience using alcohol markers. Add to that another dozen years teaching students at every level from complete newbie to advanced independent… yes, I’ve been doing this for a long time.
I’ve seen what works. I’ve seen a lot of stuff that doesn’t work.
I’m here to teach you how to blend.
NOT YOUR AVERAGE COLORING CLASS!
I’m not here to talk you step-by-step through how to color a crazy cow wearing a sombrero with your choice of Taco Tuesday sentiments.
That’s a coloring demonstration. Not a blending lesson.
The Blend focuses on what’s important: How to blend
Learn to:
Smoothly blend Copic Markers using flick, swish, fence, and blending strokes
Select quality materials for best results
Control marker strokes for neat & tidy results
Apply ink efficiently
Basic marker care & maintenance
Make minor corrections (and how to stop before your fixes make it worse)
Choose unique blending combinations based on taste, realism, or the colors you have available
Simple underpainting methods
Determine stroke directionality
Apply shade correctly for dimension
The Blend is a 12 week course
$325 USD - Weekly videos and instruction + community support
The Blend runs from January 1st to June 31st.
The Point (for colored pencil) is open from July 1st to December 31st
Student Success:
"At 62 years of age I have no illusions about becoming a great artist but. I am so appreciative of the change in my perception since taking classes with Amy at Vanilla Arts Co. Now I see the play of colors, the motion and the grace... It's a great way to view the world around me."
"The Blend was very challenging and rewarding. I learned a ton. This was my first art class since the early 80's and Amy is a top notch educator for sure. My wife is a retired teacher and I was a teacher for a short period of time. I felt the the instruction was second to none."
The Blend course has been a joy for me and what a great beginning for my journey to really understanding the principles. Amy, you have been the perfect teacher for me. When I bought my first Copic Markers, I signed up for several workshops. Unfortunately, they never provided the information necessary to optimize the markers. This class is truly the place to start learning how to effectively use Copic Markers. Now, thanks to your 'spot on' teaching methods, I'm excited to have begun what I know will be an amazing journey!"
Blending skills for a lifetime of coloring
How to hold the marker. How to make efficient strokes. How to maximize wet time. How to choose effective color combinations. How to shape objects with color.
Exercises designed to focus your attention on the overlooked aspects of blending technique
Learn to use blends to enhance shape and realism
Simplified supply lists with tips on how to use the markers you already own
Clear demonstrations cover every aspect of independent blending
Every lesson is packed full of tips and tricks I’ve picked up over decades of coloring
Lessons are paced to allow time for practice and experimentation
Community feedback and support
The Blend is NOT about coloring ladybugs, ice cream, or oak leaves.
Don’t confuse the assignment with the lesson. Picking classes based on cute is what got you into this mess.
No more follow-the-leader projects!
Let’s finally master the blending technique.
Simple Shapes
Images are chosen for their simplicity. No overwhelming shapes or mile long supply lists. Focus on your blending rather than squeezing large marker nibs into small spaces.
Real Color
Create original blends for realistic results. No more searching the internet for marker combo recipes. Feel confident picking your own colors!
No Limits
Ditch standard blending formulas and learn to use the colors you see in the real world around you. Light-medium-dark blending combos can’t do this!
$325 USD - Weekly videos and instruction + community support
The Blend runs from January 1st to June 31st.
The Point (for colored pencil) is open from July 1st to December 31st
Weekly challenges build upon the previous blend
Level One
Learn the elements of good blending technique using a simple yet challenging blend.
Level Two
Modify the simple blend with other markers from your collection to make original blends!
Level Three
Shade with confidence. Use your simple blend in a logical way to improve shape.
Level Four
Try for realism by adding easy underpaint to your simple blend. You’ll be amazed with the results!
Weeks 5-8 repeats with a new image but the focus shifts to increasing efficiency, image size, and technical skill.
Weeks 8-12 introduces a challenge image with lessons designed to encourage creativity and independence.
Your Purchase Includes
1 PDF easy-print image per month for 3 months (four projects per page)
1 PDF easy-print learning aid (four items per page)
PNG versions of the 3 practice images (ladybug, ice cream bar, oak leaf)
22 video lessons (each 20 to 60 minutes long)
Skills build on top of each other weekly, slow learning for maximum growth and deep understanding
Lessons are released gradually to allow adequate practice time for each concept. Slow learning is better learning.
One segment is opened per week for a total of 12 weeks. New skills are added on top of the previous lesson for maximum growth, confidence, and long-term memory building.
Your purchase includes membership in The Blend's exclusive community forum for discussion, assistance, and feedback.
See FAQs below for more info.
WARNING: THE BLEND IS A MIXED MEDIA CLASS.
All Vanilla Arts classes, courses, and workshops use Marker + Colored Pencil techniques.
The Blend focuses on marker blending techniques but you will be asked to add small details with technical pens and colored pencils. As much as I love markers, they have their limitations.
If you are looking for 100% Pure Copic Coloring, I am the WRONG instructor for you.
Blend like an adult. Color like an artist.
$325 USD - Weekly videos and instruction + community support
The Blend runs from January 1st to June 31st.
The Point (for colored pencil) is open from July 1st to December 31st
FAQ
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This is a beginner level coloring course and is suitable for:
those who have never touched a Copic Marker
those with some marker experience
anyone who is unsure or unconfident about their blending skills.
There is no pre-requisite for this course.
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This is not a subscription. This is a one-time purchase. There will be no further billings.
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Required Supplies:
Acrylic clipboard, glass craft surface, or other non-porous coloring surface (discussed in first video)
X-Press It Blending Card (no substitutions)
Laser printer or Copic-safe ink jet model (I do not recommend tracing images for this course
Link to Ladybug supply list* here.
Link to Ice Cream Treat supply list* here.
Link to Oak Leaf supply list* here
* contains affiliate links to trusted retailers
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No.
The Starter Set list was NOT designed for beginner classes. The starter list is intended for casual weekend hobby colorers who are learning to blend on their own and want to stick to a small but versatile collection.
The Blend uses fewer colors than the Starter set and uses several colors not on the Starter list.
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Available IMMEDIATELY Upon Enrollment:
Ladybug PDF easy-print coloring image
Ladybug PDF learning aids and photo reference
Expanded supply info and instructions
Forum access
Introductory video
Video lesson #1 (23 minutes)
Subsequent Weekly Releases Include:
PNG files for digital stamp images
PDF coloring images for months 2 and 3
PDF learning aids for months 2 and 3
Weekly video lessons
Bonus lessons on key concepts, mindset, and techniques
Forum feedback and discussion
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You have forever access to all course materials. Please note that realistically, "forever" means until I die or retire, whichever comes first.
You may keep the downloads for personal use.
See the Terms of Use PDF inside the Printables section of the course for legal info.
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Relax, you have forever access to the course materials. There is no rush!
Work at your own pace, take vacations, handle family emergencies, and feed the kids when they're hungry. Do the assignments as you have time.
There is no prize for finishing first or even by week 12. I'd rather you slowly digest the materials because you'll understand them deeper and remember them longer.
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This course does not guarantee personalized feedback directly from me.
I visit the forum often and comment whenever possible on a few projects here and there but The Blend was designed to be more self-sufficient than my previous 12 week intensive courses.
I have several very kind and highly qualified forum administrators who comment in their own free time and I also encourage the community to offer support and opinion.
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Both the course and our exclusive students-only discussion forum are housed on Mighty Networks, a safe and secure site which does not monitor our content or sell your information.
WE DO NOT USE FACEBOOK.
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The forum is included in the course materials but you are not required to participate if you choose not to.
I do notice a correlation between a lack of participation and student growth potential. It's pretty darned handy to ask questions as they come up and get reliable advice when you're stuck.
Please note, due to the high volume of email I receive, I do offer project feedback or answer coloring related questions via email. All communications must take place in the forum.
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I'll be honest, I use Copic because of their unique brush nib and highly blendable ink formula.
Many of my techniques are unlikely to work with inexpensive markers like Ohuhu. Cheap markers are simply not capable of doing what high-quality, artist grade markers can do. That's WHY they're less expensive!
For those who own OLO, Promarker, or other artist grade alcohol markers:
You must understand that there's more to markers than color. Copic R29 will not behave the same as a similar colored ink from another brand. Having warned you, if you are willing to match my colors to your brand and promise not to complain when your markers don't work the same, go for it.
Keep in mind that I'm a Copic expert, not an every-brand expert.
I absolutely will not troubleshoot any problems you encounter with other brands because I can not test your off-brand blends myself.
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Update: Sept 2024
To date, we've had about a dozen people take The Blend with alternative marker brands. ALL of them switched over to Copic by the 4th week after experiencing staining issues and frustration with their off-brand markers.
Low quality markers simply do not perform as well as artist grade markers.
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This is a beginner course and to be honest, at this point, you probably don't know enough about Copic Markers to make good substitutions.
Not all Copics behave the same and two similar colors can create very different effects. Every substitution adds another hurdle between you and learning proper blending technique.
Relax, my supply list is designed to use extremely versatile markers and we use combinations favored by Copic fans worldwide. Watch the lesson video first and see how I'm using the marker before deciding to purchase the Copic I'm using or substitute one of your existing Copic colors.
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This course is designed for adults, not children or young teenagers. I speak in the videos at an adult level and I assume the audience has basic adult skills and life experience. Plus, I've been known to accidentally say humorous things I wouldn't want your child to repeat at the dinner table. We're not vulgar or obscene but this is an adult environment. Please do not purchase this course for anyone under 16 years old.
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Sorry but no, you must be logged into your account to view the videos.
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Due to digital nature of this product and the large amount of information you are given access to, we only offer a partial refund if contacted within 5 days of purchase.
Please contact us at info@vanillaarts.com to begin the refund process. After that, no refunds will be considered.