COLORED PENCIL TECHNIQUES FOR A LIFETIME OF COLORING

 

Maybe you're a beginner--

But odds are, you've followed a ton of free videos tutorials.

If monkey-see monkey-do classes worked, you'd be using colored pencils like a pro right now.

It's time to put away the follow-along approach to colored pencils.

It's stupidly complicated and the results are rigged to keep you coming back for more classes.

Learn how to color like an artist -- with confidence and independent spirit

 
 

Wouldn’t it be nice to feel comfortable with a pencil in your hand?

To make this happen, we’ve stripped away the all the distractions.

We’re focusing on nothing but useful pencil skills.

When you’re not worried about copy-catting a project, you’ll master realism skills faster.

AND because fine art techniques are universal, you can apply your new skills to everything you color in the future -- NO LIMITS!

Amy guides you through the complete blending process with comprehensive demonstrations filled with tons of tips, tricks, and technique break-downs.

Class images target specific skills. Repetition builds the confidence to master each challenge. Every lesson encourages independent thought and creativity.

 

NOT YOUR AVERAGE COLORING CLASS!

The Point is for colored pencil beginners or anyone who is frustrated with their current pencil skills

Learn to:

  • Smoothly layer colored pencils without the need for silly blending stumps, stinky solvent, or wrist-killing blender pencils

  • Select quality pencils and paper to match your unique needs

  • Control your pencil pressure for professional results

  • Apply color efficiently

  • Make minor corrections (and how to stop before your fixes make it worse)

  • Use logic + references to develop shade, shadow, and highlights

  • Basic color theory for realistic color sculpting

  • Choose unique layering combinations based on taste, realism, or the colors you have available

  • Simple paper tinting methods

The Point is a 12 week course

THE POINT IS CURRENTLY CLOSED TO NEW MEMBERS

The Point will reopen on July 1st, 2025

In the meantime, try the companion course for alcohol markers. The Blend runs from January 1st to June 30th.

 
 

Student Success with The Blend:

The Point just started in July and students are not yet through. Success stories coming soon!


"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!"

 
 

Pencil skills for a lifetime of coloring

How to hold the pencil. How to make efficient strokes. How to control hand pressure. How to choose effective color layers. How to shape objects with color.

  • Exercises focus your attention on the how artists paint with colored pencils rather than crafty novelty techniques

  • Learn to use desaturation to enhance shape and realism

  • Minimal supply lists with tips on how to use the pencils you already own

  • Clear demonstrations cover every aspect of pencil painting

  • Every lesson is packed full of tips and tricks I’ve picked up over decades of professional art

  • Lessons are paced to allow time for practice and experimentation

  • Community feedback and support

The Point is NOT about coloring cookies, cake, and tarts.

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 colored pencils.

Simple Shapes

Images are chosen for simplicity. No overwhelming shapes or mile long supply lists. Focus on your technique rather than squeezing 30 pencils into a small space.

Real Color

Layer your pencils for realistic results. No more searching the internet for pencil blend recipes which look fake anyway. Feel confident picking your own colors!

No Limits

Ditch crafty blending formulas and learn to use pencils the way artists use paint. Light-medium-dark pencil-blending combos can’t do this!

 

THE POINT IS CURRENTLY CLOSED TO NEW MEMBERS

The Point will reopen on July 1st, 2025

In the meantime, try the companion course for alcohol markers. The Blend runs from January 1st to June 30th.

 

Weekly challenges build upon the previous blend

Level One

Feel the limits of follow-along style tutorials using dictated pencils rather than intuitive colors.

Level Two

Strip everything back to basics, learning to create a full value range from one colored pencil.

Level Three

Add realistic shade and shadow to the single-pencil technique with chameleon colors.

Level Four

Learn to read photo references for realistic touches that actually make sense!

 

Levels 5-7 repeat with a new image but the focus shifts to increasing efficiency, image size, and technical skill.

Levels 8-12 introduces a challenge image with lessons designed to encourage creativity and independence.

Your Purchase Includes

  • Easy-print PDF digital stamps — perfectly sized for every project

  • Lesson focused PDF learning aids every week

  • PNG versions of the 4 practice images (sugar cookie, macaron, layer cake, fruit tart)

  • 40+ video lessons (all are 20 to 60 minutes long)

  • Skills build upon the previous stroke or concept— instead of mimicking a Technique o’ the Day and then moving on, we continuously practice core skills with the goal of mastery

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 Point's exclusive community forum for discussion, assistance, and feedback.

See FAQs below for more info.

 

WARNING: THE POINT IS A MIXED MEDIA CLASS.

All Vanilla Arts classes, courses, and workshops use Marker + Colored Pencil techniques.

The Point focuses on colored pencil painting techniques but you will be asked to begin on a simple base of alcohol marker. As much as I love colored pencils, they have their limitations. The marker is used to save you frustration by cutting the coloring time in half.

If you are looking for 100% Pure Colored Pencil Coloring, I am the WRONG instructor for you.

 

Blend like an adult. Color like an artist.

THE POINT IS CURRENTLY CLOSED TO NEW MEMBERS

The Point will reopen on July 1st, 2025

In the meantime, try the companion course for alcohol markers. The Blend runs from January 1st to June 30th.

 

FAQ

  • This is a beginner level coloring course and is suitable for:

    • those who have never touched a colored pencil or alcohol marker before

    • those with some marker experience

    • anyone who is unsure or unconfident about their colored pencil skills

    There is no pre-requisite for this course.

  • This is not a subscription. This is a one-time purchase. There will be no further billings.

  • Our course is hosted on Mighty Network and they want to prevent you from creating multiple accounts. The error shows for people who ALREADY have an account with us. Log into your existing account and use the internal PURCHASE page here.

  • Required Supplies:

    • Smooth coloring surface with no texture and room to move. Your desk or dining room table will be perfect IF you can keep them cleared and clean.

    • Strathmore 300 Bristol Board (yellow label), Smooth finish (not vellum)

    • Laser printer or Copic-safe ink jet model (you can trace but it's time intensive and frustratingly finicky)

    • 9 colors of alcohol marker (any brand, see link below for colors)

    • Prismacolor Premier Soft Core colored pencils (NO SUBSTITUTIONS), about 30 specific colors but we recommend a large boxed set (150 is best but 72 + Amy's key colors will work)

    See master supply list here but wait for specfic instructions INSIDE the course before purchase.

    * contains affiliate links to trusted retailers

  • No. This class is designed for Prismacolor pencils and I absolutely will not offer feedback or advice on any other pencil brand-- even if I use and love the brand you're substituting.

    Colored pencil substitution charts are WORTHLESS.

    There's more to a colored pencil than the color. Two red pencils can match in color but be complete opposites in opacity, pigment load, laydown, and layerability.

    Substitutions are part of the problem which brought you here. You can apply the class concepts to other brands after you finish the course with Prismacolor.

  • This is a beginner course and to be honest, at this point, you probably don't know enough about colored pencils to make good substitutions.

    Adding to the confusion, Prismacolor makes several grades of colored pencils. They're not interchangeable.

    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 and popular colors favored by artists and instructors worldwide. Watch the lesson video first and see how I'm using the pencil before deciding to use a substitute color.

  • Available IMMEDIATELY upon enrollment:

    • Welcome and orientation segment

    • Course process info

    • Detailed supply info, supply tutorials, and written instructions

    • Forum access

    First Week Releases Include:

    • Swatching assignment with PDF template

    • Easy-print PDF starting assignment

    • 4 video lessons

    • Forum feedback and discussion

    Subsequent Weekly Releases Include:

    • PNG files for digital stamp images

    • PDF coloring images for lessons 1-12

    • PDF learning aids for lessons 1-12

    • Weekly video lessons

    • Bonus lessons on key concepts, mindset, and techniques

    • Forum feedback and discussion

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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 not offer project feedback or answer coloring related questions via email. All communications must take place in the forum.

  • 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.

  • Sorry but no, you must be logged into your account to view the videos.

  • 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.