Are you taking advanced copic classes?
Are you sure?
There are a lot of Copic Marker classes out there. Some local, most online. Some are straight markers, some add colored pencil over the top.
Lotsa info is getting tossed around.
But holy Hieronymus, the classification of these classes sure is a free-for-all.
One man’s advanced class is another man’s you-gotta-be-kidding-me.
And that’s the problem folks. You read the class description and yet you still don’t totally know what you’re signing up for. It could be anything— laughably easy or brain-implosion hard.
It says advanced on the label but who knows what’s inside?
Today, let’s look at the idea of an advanced class and how to make sure you’re getting the advanced lesson you think you’re getting.
Who knows what Advanced coloring means?
Advanced is a relative term.
It’s not like the FMBSMH sends out class inspectors.
That’s the Federal Marker Bureau of Standards, Measurements, and Hamsters for you newbies.
Advanced for a lot of instructors simply means “This one’s harder than the last two classes I taught.”
See the problem?
You’ve got your idea of what advanced means, I’ve got mine, the instructor has her’s.
Who knows if we’re all swimming in the same pool?
And folks, I know. I totally get it. It’s just coloring.
The earth won’t topple off its axis and careen into Mars if we end up in the wrong class.
But man! It’s soooo annoying to spend $30 + supplies on a supposedly advanced class that only your cat would find challenging.
The instructor’s skill level?
Oh yes. This is a hidden problem.
Remember when I said that the FMBSM&Hamsters doesn’t send out class inspectors?
This means there are no minimum qualifications to teach.
Folks, I’ve been offered several teaching jobs because I was breathing. Not kidding. The shop owner knew zippo about me and still offered to set up a class.
“I teach Copic and I wondered if you have any extra G24s in stock…”
“Great! Can you teach a group of 20 next Tuesday?”
If the prime qualification for teaching is availability, then there’s going to be a wide skill range between instructors.
And here’s where I may peeve-off a few instructors… but I’m going to say this anyway:
Advanced classes are often the breakpoint for instructors.
They can’t teach anything higher because they’re at the extent of their capability.
What does that mean?
Some instructors can barely complete the advanced projects they’re teaching.
They call it advanced because they can’t do more.
Folks, that’s NOT a good sign!
You don’t want an electrician who knows almost as much about wiring as you do. And you really don’t want your doctor to be the guy who plays one on T.V.
If the instructor uses the project as a personal challenge, they shouldn’t be teaching it.
You’re paying for expertise from someone who doesn’t have it.
That’s not fair to you.
Especially since advanced level classes usually cost more.
Making you feel special…
And here’s the worst kind of advanced class.
We’ve been coming to the same classroom for 6 years. So now we call it advanced.
Sometimes advanced simply means you’re part of a clique.
Yes, there are coloring cliques in the local stores. You’ll find similar sticky groups online. Advanced keeps the hooligans out.
But are they coloring anything that’s actually advanced?
(sigh)
There’s grade inflation too.
How special do you feel when I tell you “Gosh Cindy-Lou, your project sure looks great. You’re advanced now!”
There’s a lot of honorific advanced titling out there. Caveat emptor if you’re walking into a feel-good classroom.
This is not an advanced project!
See this Stamping Bella project here? Cute, eh?
THIS IS NOT ADVANCED COLORING!
Yes, I just yelled. I wanted to make sure you heard me. Let me say it again for emphasis. This is not-not-not an advanced project.
Do not mistake good presentation for skill.
A pretty color palette and tidy coloring does not make it advanced.
And yet this is exactly what a lot of Copic instructors would call advanced. The better it looks, the more likely you are to assume it’s hard.
But folks, I colored this in about 20 minutes, tops. It’s nothing more than three smooth blends. The entire supply list fits in a small mug. I didn’t sweat or stress over anything.
The sum is greater than its parts.
This is easy coloring. I’ll be teaching this to local beginners next week and I’m actually a little concerned that the more skilled students will find it a tad boring.
Don’t fall for a pretty face.
An advanced class should challenge your limits.
If the project doesn’t make you sweat a bit, you’re in the wrong advanced class.
How can you tell it’s not really an advanced class?
Is there any way to judge what you’re about to get out of a local or online class?
It’s hard because different instructors approach advanced instruction differently.
But I’ve noticed a distinct pattern that most beginner classes use— in the class descriptions and in the instruction.
Things to avoid if you’re looking for a challenge level class:
Small projects- If the class stamp is small, there’s less to screw up, making you feel more advanced than you really are.
Focus on blending- If the instructor only talks about smooth blends and staying inside the lines, then they’re not presenting you with advanced concepts.
Minimal details- Details require skill. Color sculpting, temperature, hard/soft/lost edges, texture… these are advanced rendering concepts that a beginner class will avoid.
Step by step- While an advanced instructor will demonstrate parts of the process, they should not walk you through every single step.
Copy cats- If you leave class with an exact duplicate of the sample project, then it’s not an advanced class. Advanced instructors want you to work independently in your own voice. Advanced classes celebrate when your project looks different.
Doo-dads and extras- Advanced coloring classes do not involve decorative paper, glitter, pop-dots, or adhesive backed ephemera.
Carnival Barkers- “Color this cute kitten set from the new Stamper’s Be Crazy spring collection! You’ll get 30% off my blending combo of the month when you purchase the tote bag kit plus I’ll throw in an autographed color chart!” No. Just no.
Check out Amy’s favorite art supplies, click above.
What does it matter?
As I said above, if you accidentally find yourself in a coloring class that’s below your skill level, the world ain’t gonna end.
But when it keeps happening, you’re right to be frustrated and frankly, distrustful of the instructor. If they don’t really mean advanced when they say advanced, what else are they wrong about?
But here’s my real concern:
I have students who come into my challenge level classes assuming they’re advanced because they’ve been in a clique or they’ve taken 20 classes with a Stamper’s Be Crazy authorized representative.
And it’s not just me. This is a common thing now with instructors. Everyone thinks they’re advanced and today instructors are answering questions like “Okay, but is it advanced-advanced???”
(sigh)
I don’t want students to feel stupid.
I want you in the right class. I want you working at a place where you’re comfortable with the materials but not too comfortable. Advanced classes should stretch you gently, not leave you sobbing on the floor.
And that’s the opposite danger of the not-really-advanced-advanced classes.
If you’re not learning anything new, you’re not learning.
Year five of Blending 101 doesn’t do you any good.
I’m not even sure it’s a class at that point. It’s more of a social club, which is fine if you’re in it for the tea and cookies. But it’s not getting you closer to artistry.
There’s nothing wrong with beginner classes…
If you’re a beginner.
Ultimately, students are happiest and grow the most when they’re sitting in a Goldilocks class.
Not too hard and not too easy.
You learn best when you’re in the pocket.
But an instructor can not place you in the perfect class.
I know that’s not what you want to hear. We’re the expert, we should tell you which class to take, right?
Except we only know coloring. We don’t know you.
“Here’s 3 things I’ve colored, which class should I take?” is a really hard question to answer.
We can make an educated guess but you’re the only one who can tell if you’re sitting in the right class at the right point in your life. To help you evaluate if you’ve found the sweet spot…
Here are 5 things to keep in mind when searching for a truly advanced coloring class:
1. Are you learning something new?
If every lesson simply rehashes what you’ve already mastered, then you’re in the wrong class
I’m not saying there’s no value to repeating old lessons but there’s a reason we don’t do 12 years of kindergarten.
2. Are you in the middle?
You never want to be the best or the worst student in class.
If you’re the worst, you should also be the newest. That’s okay.
But if you’re always the best, you need to think seriously about finding a bigger challenge.
3. Can you predict what the instructor is going to say?
This one cuts both ways. If you know everything the instructor will say before they say it, then you’re probably too advanced for the class.
But if you can only predict a little bit… that’s a very good sign. The ability to finish a few sentences means you’re in sync with the lesson. You’re making mental connections. You’re learning!
4. Do you think about the lesson when you’re not coloring?
When the lesson is right for you, it will stick in your brain.
If you’re thinking “Ooohhhh! There’s another example of a warm shift” when you’re meeting with your accountant, then you’ve found someone teaching exactly the things you’re ready to hear.
5. Are you using the class info in your other projects?
Good classes change your world.
And notice that I didn’t ask “are you using the COLORING info in your other COLORING projects”? That’s because a good coloring class should change the way you approach cooking. A good sculpture class should change your coloring.
Your art should be an amalgamation of all you know and all you are. Pouring your heart into your art doesn’t mean vomiting daily emotions onto paper. It means adding your nursing skills to your art projects and using the colors you saw on your last vacation.
An advanced coloring class helps you do this. It’s information you can use.
Let’s get you into the right class.
The goal is to always have your rear sitting exactly where you need to be to get the most out of the lesson.
For some that may mean leaving the clique for a real challenge.
For others, that may mean moving back to intermediate until have the skills required to use advanced concepts.
When the goal is becoming a better artist, the term advanced means nothing. It’s about whether the class curriculum is right for you.
Want to color Simple Pink Blends?
Join us for a fun Copic + Colored Pencil project.
Tiny Townie Raven is a darling stamp image from Stampingbella. Now you can color it Vanilla style!
Practice coloring and blending folds and waves.
Amy teaches monthly Beginner Copic + Pencil classes at her favorite papercrafting store Remember When in Macomb, Michigan. These Copic Club announcements are often torture for online students because CC is a class that can’t be taught online.
By popular demand, we’re making Copic Club class packs available in the Stamp Shop as a PDF packet download.
Packet Includes: PDF Recipe Guide, Photo Reference, Underpainting Guide, Color Map, Marker Only Sample, Full Color Project Sample
PURCHASE DOES NOT INCLUDE PROJECT STAMP.
Tiny Townie Raven stamp set is available for purchase here.
Selected supplies used in Pink Waves:
(complete list provided in Copic Club packet above)
Vanilla Arts Company is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for use to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com.
