Marker Painting Foundations

Learn to Color with Copic Markers. 12 weeks from beginner to challenge level coloring.

Marker Painting Foundations is 26 lessons for $350

That's $14 per lesson!

ENROLLMENT IS CURRENTLY CLOSED

Course will reopen for enrollment on November 1, 2021

New to Copic Markers?

Join Amy Shulke, a professional illustrator and marker enthusiast for an introduction to painting with markers- Vanilla Arts style!

Coloring blogs and internet tutorials have a major drawback- they are almost always demonstrations rather than instruction. Copy-cat or "do what I do" style videos can only teach you to mimic the instructor. Sure, you can color that same image by following along, but what happens when you want to color a different image, one you haven't yet seen demonstrated?

Uh oh... now you're stuck.

Marker Painting is a new approach to coloring with markers. Amy teaches students basic techniques and color theory based on the way artists use paint. Instead of focusing on "how" to color a selected stamp image, Amy shows you the "why" behind color selection, shade, layering, and depth. This provides students with the necessary knowledge and instincts to color an endless variety of images for the rest of their lives.

Marker Painting Foundations is the first step towards coloring independently and with more accurate realism.

In this twelve week beginner level course, Amy covers basic marker techniques and general know-how, giving students a good understanding of both how markers work and how to work markers.

 

Are you looking for depth and dimension in your coloring?


Marker Painting is a completely different approach to coloring.

Well, actually it's the classic approach to creating art, learning to use your Copic Markers the way an artist uses paint.

Marker Painting breaks all the crafty coloring laws and the copy-cat approach to instruction. Art based painting technique sets you free from marker tutorials, recipes, and all the supposed rules that actually lock you into flat and simplistic coloring.

You can learn to color independently.

You can get realism and amazing depth from your Copics.

This Course is Ideal for:

  • Complete Beginners who have never touched a marker before
  • Self Taught Colorers who feel as if they've missed the big secret to amazing coloring
  • Unconfident Colorers who still encounter problems with blending, shading, or developing convincing depth
  • Frustrated Colorers who struggle when coloring unfamiliar stamps
  • Habitual Colorers stuck in a rut where every project looks the same
  • Dreaming Colorers who want to push beyond craft level coloring into creative and artistic self-expression

Twelve Week Course includes:

  • 12 weeks of coloring lessons-
    • 30 to 60 minutes of clear technique instruction
    • guided coloring video for every project
    • mid-week supplementals to spark further thought
  • 16 PNG digital stamps (also JPG and PDF alternate formats)
  • bonus supplementals and consumer information
  • multiple instructional handouts, designed to complement each week's video lesson
  • discussion board for instructor guidance, help, Q&A
 

Curriculum Overview:

  • marker ink- understanding how ink works
  • marker care and maintenance
  • marker papers and cardstocks
  • basic marker strokes
  • color blending fundamentals
  • troubleshooting and correcting mistakes
  • introduction to coloring for depth
  • introduction to coloring for shape
  • introduction to coloring for balance
  • marker limitations

Required Supplies:

  • X-Press It Blending Card or similar high-quality marker cardstock
  • Copic Markers - downloadable master supply list included with class purchase.
  • Artist quality colored pencils (Prismacolor Premier pencils recommended)
  • Uniball Signo White
  • Uni Posca Paint Pen Extra Fine, White

This course includes exclusive access to Marker Painting Foundations Forums:

Use and participation of the forum is optional, however instructor feedback is exclusively provided in the forum. Students may submit completed assignments via the designated forum for assessment and assistance. Instructor to student and student to student interaction is encouraged to maximize the feedback and support you need to improve your coloring skills.



WARNING: Basic computer skills are required to access class materials. If you struggle with websites, video players, downloads, printing digital files, and communicating in discussion forums, this course may not be right for you. We recommend that you try our FREE More Than Luck course to get a feel for how our site works and the type of computer skills you'll need to make the most of your learning experience here.

 






Your Instructor


Amy Shulke
Amy Shulke

Amy is a professional freelance technical illustrator with 25 years of experience in graphic arts. Amy began using colored pencils in 1985 and she started with DeSign markers in 1989. Colored pencils with a base of either marker or watercolor is her preferred process for portraiture and scientific illustration. She has a special passion for teaching crafters and shy artists to stretch their boundaries by adding established fine art techniques to their coloring projects.

Join Amy for fun and highly informative lessons which will not only change the way you color but the way you see color in the world around you.


Course Curriculum


  Welcome Day
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  Copic- A Product Primer
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  Lab #1- Substrates (Paper)
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  Think #1- Anatomy & Care
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  Lab #2- The Art of Flicking
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  Think #2- Blending Superheros
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  Lab #3- The Science of Blending
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  Think #3: The Copic Fairy
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  Lab #4- Rebel Blending
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  Think #4: Heads & Tails
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  Lab #5: Darkness & Light
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  Think #5: The Snow Shovel (0)
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  Lab #6: Depth Perception
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  Think #6: 44 Shades of Gray
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  Lab #7: Color Sculpting
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  Think #7: Looking on the Bright Side
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  Lab #8: Down Under
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  Think #8: Complementary Blending
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  Lab #9: Life Isn't Smooth
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  Think #9: Detail Pencil Details
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  Lab #10: Ride the Teeter-Totter
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  Think #10: The Decorator's Rule
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  Lab #11: An Artist's Process
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  Think #11: a Mind like Water
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  Lab #12: Putting it All Together
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  Final Exam
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  Bonus Materials- Build your independent skills with these digital stamps
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"I have used Copic markers for years and considered myself a pretty good 'colorer'. That was, until I found Amy Shulke's Marker Painting Foundations course. As I went through the course, I learned how to create dimension and realism in my projects. I LOVE how Amy gives you the 'why's' instead of the 'follow what I do's'. Marker Painting Foundations has changed the way I 'see' color and taken me from 'colorer' to 'artist'.
THANK YOU Amy!"

~Colleen D.

"The MPF course exceeded my expectations. Amy demonstrates the how of colouring with Copic markers but you get so much more out of the 12 week course. You learn colour theory, you learn about the Copic marker, i.e the numbering system, how to clean them, you learn about shading and highlighting. I just named a few things. You learn so much more and get constructive critiques all the while turning out pieces of art you can be proud of. Amy leaves you yearning for the next art class."

~Gillian T.

"I warn people when they sign up for your classes-- it's not just Copic, it's sooooooooo much more."

Frequently Asked Questions


When does the course start and finish?
The first lesson opens immediately after you enroll. The remainder of the course is spread out over 12 weeks with lessons opening to you every three to four days. Work at your own pace. Very few students work each lesson as it is released to them but there is no time limit on assignments and no pressure to complete a lesson before the next lesson is made available. Do what you can, when you can!
Do I have to hurry to complete the lessons before the current open enrollment period ends?
ABSOLUTELY NOT!!! Enrollment periods do not affect registered students. The course stays open and available for registered students year round. Basically, once you're in, you're in.
How will I know when a lesson segment has been opened for me?
Lessons open every three to four days. An automated email goes out as each segment opens to you.
Can I opt for immediate access to all class segments?
Sorry, but no. This class is deliberately rationed over twelve weeks. In my experience, handing a student too much information all at once is detrimental to the learning process. The slow release of information allows you to fully digest and mentally process the class materials. Waiting 3-4 days between segments also allows you time to practice and perfect the current technique before we build upon it in the next segment. Be patient. Learning requires more than enthusiasm, it also requires time.
How long do I have access to the course?
After each segment opens to you, you will have unlimited access to the content for as long as you like - across any and all devices you own.
What skill level does this class require?
This class is for true beginners. No drawing skills required. No previous marker experience required. Want more info? Email [email protected]
Am I required to use the Marker Painting Foundations Forum?
You are required to use the Forums to submit your projects for feedback and critique . The MPF Forum definitely enhance the class experience because you are interacting with fellow students who are either working on the same project you are or have completed it already and can share some of their tips! You not only learn from your instructor you learn from one another.
What if I'm missing a few markers or supplies from the required list?
In general, I'm liberal about supply substitutions, but this is a beginner course and I've designed a minimal supply list. I understand that beginners do not own many markers and often have limited resources. All of the required markers are high frequency use markers in my own studio. Substitutions are possible but with hesitation. Email [email protected] for further specific info if a small marker collection or your budget is a primary concern.
What if I am unhappy with the course?
I would never want you to be unhappy! If you are unsatisfied with your purchase, contact me in the first 30 days and I will give you a full refund.
 





ENROLLMENT IS CURRENTLY CLOSED

Course will reopen for enrollment on November 1, 2021