Realism is easier
when you stop fighting your colored pencils.
Build smooth, realistic color through focused repetition and personal feedback.
12 weeks • focused exercises • feedback included
Most beginner colored pencil instruction teaches frameworthy projects before control.
That means pencil colorists spend years:
pressing too hard
automatically burnishing everything
blending by force
buying more colored pencils
hiding mistakes with acrylic and gel pens
But you can’t manhandle your way into depth, dimension, and realism.
Controlled colored pencil skills are built through repetition, observation, and feedback.
The Point slows the process down so softness, layering, and texture finally feel like skills you can repeat — not tricks you hope will work again.
You’ve tried learning online.
You’ve watched tutorials
Created a big binder of pencil swatches
Bought all the trendy pencil sets
Maybe even tried a few pencil classes
But for all the experimenting and practice…
Your coloring hasn’t really improved much.
The problem is that most colored pencil classes and tutorials are really just demonstrations.
“Follow me, but first buy this magic pencil!”
And it really feels like no two instructors agree on which basic, fundamental skills actually matter.
Meanwhile your pencil collection keeps growing as you search for pencils that finally make coloring feel easier.
Stop.
The Point is different. We’re building real pencil control, not a secret drawer full of pencils.
Real control comes from repetition, not novelty.
The Point uses three carefully chosen exercises over 12 weeks.
Instead of constantly restarting with new line art, we repeat the same core pencil skills at larger sizes, increasing skill challenges, and gradually adding more realism.
Every lesson builds upon the previous technique:
smoother transitions without heavy pressure
stronger depth and dimension
more confident pencil control
less second-guessing every stroke
By the final lesson, students aren’t thinking about technique every second anymore.
Because realism is impossible when all your attention is spent managing the pencil.
You can’t fix what you can’t see…
You know in your gut when the coloring feels wrong.
But beginners can’t always identify the habit causing the problem, so they restart the project and repeat the same mistake again, and again, and again.
Until the mistake starts to feel normal.
The Point includes personal feedback to help students catch 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 Point opens one lesson at a time over 12 weeks.
Not to slow you down…
but to give every technique enough repetition to become automatic before the next challenge begins.
Every lesson builds carefully on the previous skill:
larger project sizes
more complex layering
greater realism
more intuitive color selections
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 demonstrations anymore…
They’re turning off the video and coloring on their own.
WARNING: THE POINT IS A MIXED MEDIA CLASS.
All Vanilla Arts classes, courses, and workshops use Marker + Colored Pencil techniques.
The Point focuses on beginner colored pencil techniques but you will be asked to begin each project with a simple layer of alcohol marker. Every tool solves a different visual problem and learning when to switch tools is part of learning realistic coloring.
If your goal is 100% colored pencil-only coloring, The Point may not be the right fit for you.
THE POINT IS CURRENTLY CLOSED TO NEW STUDENTS
The next Blend session begins late winter to early spring 2027.
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, all my beginner courses will run via waitlist. You must be on the waitlist to enroll in The Point or its companion course, The Blend.
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 Point 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 have never touched a colored pencil
those with some pencil experience
anyone who is unsure or unconfident about their pencil 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:
Smooth coloring desk, table, or stable surface with no texture and room to move.
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
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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 love the brand you're substituting.
Colored pencil substitution charts are a complete myth and the course explains why.
There's more to a colored pencil than the color. Two red pencils can match in color but behave completely different.
After the course is over, you can easily apply every lesson to other brands of pencil. But while we’re learning, the entire group focuses on the unique characteristics of Prismacolor Premier.
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To be honest, beginners rarely 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.
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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
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You have extended access to all course materials. Please note that realistically, this 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, 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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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.
