New here? Wondering where you fit in?

Things are a little different here at Vanilla Arts

I'm not a card maker and I'm not a crafter. I learned to color with markers in art school. As a result, my approach to coloring is a little weird and not what you’ve experienced in other coloring classes.

I treat markers as if they were watercolor. We do not blend, we layer colors to get richer, deeper tones than what you're used to seeing in standard blending combinations.

We also color large. Our smallest projects are about 7 inches tall. The largest can span 20 inches.

So I guess this is a warning: What we're doing here may be different than anything you've done before.

If you're coming from the hobby world, blending small images for cards and paper crafting, we're happy to have you! Most of my best students started with traditional blending techniques for small stamps.

But marker painting is a different approach to coloring. You may have advanced coloring skills-- and we can totally put those to good use. But at Vanilla Arts, we're using fine art techniques and mindsets. This may require a shift from the techniques you currently use.

Don't worry, you can totally learn to do this. But let's be smart about which class you start with.

Hello, Beginners!

If you’ve never picked up a Copic Marker before, then it’s obvious you’re a beginner.

But what if you already have some marker experience? What if you’ve colored a few project tutorials and watched a lot of free videos.

When is a beginner not a beginner anymore?

Beginners are getting to know their markers.

• Can you hold a Copic Marker properly and can you control the nib?

• Do you know why paper is more important than markers?

• Do you know how to flick and how to swish? Do you understand the difference and when to use each?

• Can you use the Copic numbering system to pick out markers based on their color characteristics?

  Note, this is different than doing cap-number-math to pick out blending combinations.

• Can you layer two markers from the same ink series into a perfect color gradient?

  Note, layering is different than blending.

• Can you smoothly color large projects (7 inches or more?)

• Do you understand how to apply simple color gradients to shapes for basic dimension?

Helpful articles for beginners:

Vanilla Arts classes for beginners:

(click to visit class/course page)

Hello, Intermediates!

You can layer colors and you’re pretty good at following demonstrations, but are you ready for intermediate challenges?

Intermediate students are learning to work without tutorials.

• Can you troubleshoot blending errors as they happen?

• Can you create your own color gradients without help from the Copic numbering system?

• Do you understand the difference between depth and dimension?

• Are you looking for a shading process that makes more sense than directional lighting arrows?

• Are you beginning to play with color palettes, injecting your own taste into tutorial projects?

Helpful articles for intermediates:

Vanilla Arts classes for intermediates:

(click to visit class/course page)

Hello, Advanced Colorers!

You’ve exhausted every technique tutorial. Now you’re searching for something more.

Advanced Colorers seek independence and artistry.

• Can you color most projects without reading the tutorial?

• Are you always 2 to 3 steps ahead of the teacher in coloring classes?

• Do you frequently make major changes to improve the look or originality of your projects?

• Are you frustrated with the lack of realism in your Copic projects versus what you see from artists using other mediums such as watercolor, acrylic, oils, or colored pencil?
  

Vanilla Arts classes for those seeking greater realism:

(click to visit class/course page)