Coloring is easier
when you’re not worried about the blend.
Build smooth, confident blending through focused repetition and personal feedback.
12 weeks • focused exercises • feedback included
Most beginner marker instruction teaches frameworthy projects before control.
That means colorists spend years:
coloring light to dark
chasing blending combinations
over-inking when blends fail
buying more markers
hiding mistakes with colorless blender tricks
But smooth blending isn’t luck.
Blending is a hand-to-brain skill built through repetition, observation, and feedback.
The Blend slows the process down so coloring finally feels calmer, smoother, and more controlled.
You’ve tried learning online.
You’ve watched tutorials
Swatched your markers six different ways
Bought every “best” blending combination
Maybe even taken a few classes
But blending still feels like a roll of the dice.
And you’re stuck fixing the fix of a fix.
The problem is that most marker classes and tutorials are really just demonstrations—
Watching someone blend is not the same as training your own hand to blend consistently.
You’re riding the project merry-go-round where the next class drops you back at square one with different line art.
The Blend is different. We’re building skills, not a pile of projects.
Real control comes from repetition, not novelty.
The Blend uses three carefully chosen exercises over 12 weeks.
Instead of constantly restarting with new line art, we repeat the same core blending skills at larger sizes, harder transitions, gradually adding more and more realism.
Each lesson builds upon the previous technique:
smoother blends
never losing your dark values
more confident marker control
less coaching your hand through every movement
By the time students reach the final lesson, they’re no longer thinking about blending.
Because you can’t color with realism if you’re babysitting the marker.
You can’t fix what you can’t see…
You know in your gut when a blend feels wrong.
But beginners can’t always identify the habit causing the problem, so they start over and repeat the same mistake again, and again, and again.
Reinforcing that mistake with concrete.
The Blend includes personal feedback to help students spot small problems before those habits become automatic.
Because repetition builds skill…
but only if you’re repeating the right movement.
You can’t rush hand skills.
The Blend opens one lesson at a time over 12 weeks.
Not to slow students down…
but to give every technique enough repetition to become automatic before the next challenge begins.
Every lesson builds carefully on the last:
larger blend areas
harder color transitions
more realistic shade & highlight
less reliance on cap math
more observational color
Most students feel ready to move ahead long before their hand is truly ready.
That’s normal.
Because understanding a technique intellectually is very different from performing it consistently under pressure.
The slow learning is intentional.
By the end of the course, students aren’t just copying the demonstrations…
They’re turning off the video and blending on their own.
Previous Blenders say:
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The Blend was 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. I’m a retired teacher and I felt the the instruction was second to none.
- Patrick G.
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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. Now I see the play of colors, the motion and the grace... It's a great way to view the world around me."
- Lynne H.
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The Blend has been a great beginning to my journey
Amy, you have been the perfect teacher. When I bought my first Copics, I signed up for classes which never provided the information necessary to optimize the markers. Thanks to your spot on teaching methods, I've begun what I know will be an amazing journey!"
- Marimargaret R.
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The Blend is AWESOME!
I just finished my week 4 assignment but my coloring is 100 times improved from pre-class. What a HUGE difference underpaint and pencil highlighting makes. Thank you, Amy!
- Jackie T.
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. Every tool solves a different visual problem and learning when to switch tools is part of learning realistic coloring.
If your goal is 100% marker-only coloring, The Blend may not be the right fit for you.
THE BLEND IS CURRENTLY CLOSED TO NEW STUDENTS
The next Blend session begins Late Fall 2026.
You must be on the waitlist to enroll.
12 weeks of easy to follow instruction + community support
FAQ
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Beginning in 2026, my beginner courses will run via waitlist. You must be on the waitlist to enroll in The Blend or its companion course, The Point.
I’ve learned over the years that students learn better in small groups where people can support each other, compare notes, and eavesdrop on each other’s project feedback. The waitlist allows me to run small classes whenever I have enough students to form a small cohort.
But also, I’m getting older and hopefully wiser. I’m choosing to run my groups and courses in a way that better respects my time and my health.
For more info on The Blend waitlist or to add your name, click here.
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This is a beginner level coloring course and is suitable for:
those who’ve never touched a Copic Marker
people 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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I work hard to keep Blend accessible while preserving the personalized feedback that makes it effective.
That said, the price for Late Fall 2026 session has not been set yet and will be higher than the previous sessions.
A few of our key art supplies have been discontinued, I will be completely re-writing and re-filming the entire Blend curriculum. I’m also refocusing the course on the feedback element which is where previous students report the most growth.
This is all a ton of work and requires the help of an outside editor— but into the future, it will also take more time to work hand-in-hand with you.
There’s no way I can keep the course at its previous price.
Previous sessions ran $375 for 12 weeks. The new price has not been calculated yet and will most definitely be higher.
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Required Supplies:
NOTE: DUE TO SEVERAL DISCONTINUED PRODUCTS, THE SUPPLY LISTS FOR SUMMER 2026 WILL BE DIFFERENT. THE INFO BELOW IS FOR PREVIOUS SESSIONS.
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 list was NOT designed for beginner classes. The starter list is intended for first time marker buyers and those learning to blend on their own.
The Starter list goal is to build a small but versatile collection.
The Blend is all about the blending process. We use fewer colors than the Starter set and we use 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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Your access to The Blend course materials does not end after the twelve week course ends.
Your extended access to the course site and materials will last for years, possibly a decade or more— 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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Yes — feedback is part of The Blend learning process.
But the goal isn’t constant critique or hand-holding.
Instead, feedback helps students identify small blending habits before those habits become automatic.
I regularly review projects inside the forum and comment whenever I see patterns or problems worth correcting. Our experienced forum helpers and community members also provide thoughtful support and encouragement along the way.
Because you can’t fix what you can’t see.
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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 not 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 which 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:
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, beginners rarely know enough about marker blending chemistry 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.
Please do not purchase this course for anyone under 16 years old.
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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.
