Tracing Memories Video

The amazing Colleen Schaan made this great video explaining a little more about the Tracing Memories workshop. It is so easy and relaxing! Make your own works of art that mean something special to you.



Again, if you are interested in registering for an upcoming class, simply visit our website and check out all of our upcoming class options Standard, Intermediate, or Workshop

Tracing Memories classes

What a fun time I had last week teaching the Tracing Memories class in Anahiem! I got back after the CHA trade show and finally had a chance to catch up on my work. But, after all the emails, and business was over, I had fond memories of my trip to California.

This is where I was able to use a bit of Tracing Memories to enjoy that experience once again. One evening, we had a chance to go out to dinner and I was served a Sprite in a really pretty blue Mason jar. So, of course I took a photo of it (I'm sure each of you have done something similar). The rest of the evening was great, lots of new people we met, stories we told, and good food was eaten by all.

When I got home and dug through my photos, I saw that mason jar, and instantly thought of that evening and the fun we had at that restaurant. So, I decided to keep that memory alive and color the photo.

Here I am coloring the pretty blue mason jar. You can see my original photo that I'm looking at for color reference, but the coloring is all my own. Sometimes I print out my photo for reference, other times I will look at the computer screen, as the colors are more vibrant.

This is where I made some artistic decisions about composition. The background of this photo is not as important, and I'm not going for photo-realism, so I chose not to color it. Rather than coloring the whole granite tabletop, I dotted on a few color to suggest the granite, and left it at that. The black napkin provides a nice solid, foundation for the jar, the blue really stands out, and the lime is vibrant and juicy. The condensation on the glass hid the ice cubes, so I "faked it" and drew in a couple pale blue lines to suggest ice-cubes without needing details.


As you can see from the finished illustration, I love the final  effect!! I printed copies of this illustration and gave them to each of the people from work who were with me that evening. As soon as they also saw it, they remembered the fun evening we had, and were so happy. I think, as a nice thank you, I should also send one to the restaurant.

Have I inspired you yet? The people who came to my classes in Anaheim had an amazing time, and left very happy. I will be teaching more Tracing Memories classes in the next few weeks, so REGISTER NOW!! Then you can also learn how to color your own memories.

This 4hr. class is low-key and perfect for beginners of all levels, so bring a friend, even if they aren't into art or have ever touched Copic Markers. Visit our website for more details, and to register.

Feb. 15th Portland, OR, Tracing Memories workshop taught by Marianne Walker (morning or afternoon available)

Registration opens soon for:
March 30, San Diego, CA  Tracing Memories workshop, taught by Marianne Walker


Other Copic Classes Coming up
New locations are being listed all the time for upcoming classes, so check our website regularly to see if the class you want is coming to a town near you. Register on our website under each class type Standard, Intermediate, or Workshop

Feb. 21st  Tempe, AZ   Standard Certification    taught by Sherrie Siemens    almost full!!
Feb. 22nd Tempe, AZ   Intermediate Certification  taught by Sherrie Siemens almost full!!
Feb. 22nd Charlotte, NC   Whimsical Faces & Hair    taught by Debbie Olson
Feb. 22nd Charlotte, NC    Airbrush for Papercrafters taught by Debbie Olson   
Feb. 21st Orlando, FL    Standard Certification        taught by Lori Craig almost full!!
Feb. 22nd Orlando, FL    Intermediate Certification    taught by Lori Craig almost full!!
Feb. 28th,  Los Angeles, CA    Standard Certification     taught by Cindy Lawrence  

March 1, Los Angeles, CA    Intermediate Certification      taught by Cindy Lawrence
March 7, Columbus, OH     Standard Certification     taught by Lori Craig      
March 8, Columbus, OH    Intermediate Certification   taught by Lori Craig
March 22nd, Portland, OR Whimsical Faces & Hair   taught by Debbie Olson
March 22nd, Portland, OR Airbrushing for Papercrafters  taught by Debbie Olson
March 29, San Diego, CA  Whimsical Faces & Hair workshop, taught by Marianne Walker

Register Now!! You will love learning from our talented instructors.

Copic in the Craftroom: Blog Hop!

Happy New Year!! I Have been working hard on some great things for the upcoming CHA show next week. Classes are filling fast, and I can't wait for an exciting 2014 full of new things.


Part of our new, exciting things around here includes Copic in the Craft Room. This is our new community celebrating the creativity of people just like you, teaching and sharing great ideas for using your Copic Markers in craft projects. We are creating a community for crafters through the use of several social media sites including Facebook and Pinterest.  (Click the links and like or follow us and join the community of Copic crafters!)

Our program goals are:

• To Inspire Copic crafters, both new and experienced, to use their Copic products and get crafty.
• To Educate crafters, no matter their skill level, teaching proper product use for success and new ways to use Copic products.
• To Grow both as a community and as individual crafters.

 Crafting and coloring can happen anywhere- at a fancy desk, on your cozy couch, laying in bed, or sprawled on the living room floor (a few of my personal favorites). However, since I work for Copic, I wanted to share my desk at work. This is where I get my craft going!

As you can see it is messy!! This won't be cleaned up until I leave for CHA, because that big stack of papers you see are almost all related to the new Tracing Memories classes starting up in ONE WEEK. Yikes! 

I love my big, spacious view of the trees and the Costco parking lot across the street.

My craft supplies are all store in a set of drawers off to the left. I do have a full set of every color of marker, but those are for special occasions. At work, I usually have to use a very specific color range, so I have limited markers out at any time.

The paintings are some I made last year for my office, to go with the color scheme of the rug and chairs.

Because I write directions and tutorials, my computer plays an important role. But, the spot I use the most is my handy light table.

This is my life. I draw with pencil, trace with a multiliner, scan, print, then color. I always keep scratch paper under my work when I'm at the coloring stage. Here is a picture that I am working on for the new Tracing Memories class. I have a photo of my daughter and my lucky pirate lunchbox to keep me inspired. 

I have a good, true white lamp for keeping colors accurate when I am working. I share my office with Nancy, our amazing Certification Director. She keeps the program running smoothly. She's an amazing friend and an incredibly hard worker. Love you Nancy!!

Because I am the Product Director for Imagination International,  I have to actually get business done, I can't be coloring all the time (sadly!)

I have a giant set of Ikea closets on the other side of my room. This holds paper samples, product samples, and packaging ideas that we've had over the years. At my little desk and chairs, visitors are always welcome. We have meetings, I do product training for whoever is curious about how our products work, and plan all sorts of great things to help you get more out of your markers. Again, more Tracing Memories stuff on the table (I hope you come to one of those classes this year, it will be awesome!), reminding me I'd better get back to work.


My desk at home is just a laptop, a rack of markers, a light table, and a scanner/printer. My husband is the one who owns the big, messy art studio at home- the kind of big room where you can throw paint, build an installation piece, have a disco party, or invite your cub scout group to take an art class from me.

I love my markers! Most of the time, I am hauling sets of markers around the community, teaching kids art classes, Tracing Memories classes at the local retirement communities, and wherever else there are people who need more art in their lives. 

Wanna see more inspiring spaces? Check out the rest of the blog hop!

Michele Boyer
Lori Craig
Sharon Harnist
Cindy Lawrence
Debbie Olson
Colleen Schaan
Sherrie Siemens


Make sure you stop in at the Copic in the Craft Room Facebook page and share your own crafty space photos.
Thanks for visiting my office!

By the way, you can register now for my Tracing Memories class in Portland, OR on Feb. 15th. Two sessions to choose from, each are 4 hr classes, and only $99! I think you will love the new class!!

January and February classes now Open!

Wow. I can't believe the year is almost over. I have been working hard finishing up the training manual and finalizing the images for our upcoming Tracing Memories classes. We know that these are going to be a hit this year, and so you will start seeing more locations popping up over the next few months. In fact, my Portland, Oregon Tracing Memories class just opened for February!! Two different class times, so find a time that works for you.

Here is a short rundown of all the Copic classes currently open. Most of them still have spaces available, but you need to register now, as classes will be capped soon for CHA/Anaheim. Visit our site for more details and to register. www.copicmarker.com/certification

Standard Certification:
Jan 8, Anaheim CA Taught by Sherrie Siemens

Feb. 21, Tempe AZ Taught by Sherrie Siemens
Feb. 21 Orlando, FL Taught by Lori Craig

Intermediate Certification:
Jan. 9 Anaheim CA taught by Sherrie Siemens

Feb. 22 Tempe, AZ taught by Sherrie Siemens
Feb. 22 Orlando, FL  taught by Lori Craig

Workshops:
Jan. 8th Anaheim CA, Artistic Mixed Media Apron, Taught by Michele Houghton
Jan. 10th Anaheim CA Whimsical Faces and Hair, Taught by Colleen Schaan
Jan. 10th Anaheim CA, Airbrushing for Papercrafters, Taught by Colleen Schaan
Jan. 12th Anaheim CA, Alcohol Ink Painting, taught by Colleen Schaan
Jan 12th Anaheim CA, Tracing Memories (2 different times) taught by Marianne Walker

Feb. 15 Portland OR, Tracing Memories (2 different times) taught by Marianne Walker
Feb. 22 Charlotte, NC Whimsical Faces & Hair, Taught by Debbie Olson
Feb. 22 Charlotte, NC Airbrushing for Papercrafters, Taught by Debbie Olson
 

Tracing Memories Update

Wow! The Tracing Memories class on Jan. 12, from 9am to noon is now full. I am so happy that so many of you want to take this class! And, I like seeing that many of you around the country are also eager to take this class.

If you are going to be in the L.A. area in January, don't despair, if you want to take this class. Due to the high demand, we have opened an evening session of the same class! Same date, same location, this evening class will run from 6pm to 9pm. Space is limited, and the morning class filled in a few days, so if you want to attend, register NOW!

Visit our website and apply today!

Copic Art Class at CHA

If you have been following my blog this year, you'll notice that I've been talking about our new program Tracing Memories. This program teaches you how to convert a photograph into an outline, then color it in while looking at the photograph.

If this sounds exciting, and you think you'd like to try it, then you are in luck!

I will be teaching a 3hr. introductory class in January.

Tracing Memories, Discovering Memories Through Art

Anaheim, CA,  January 12, 9am to 12pm. $35 Taught by Marianne Walker.

Class will be held during CHA, but is not part of the convention. Class will be held at the Anaheim Red Lion Inn.

With the Tracing Memories program, you will learn how to take your own photographs and turn them into custom works of art. Start with an outline generated from a photo, then color it in using Copic Markers. Learn how to see and identify colors. Learn basic Copic marker blending techniques, while working with beautiful photographs on high-quality fine-art paper.

This class is perfect for beginners and those who don't consider themselves artistic. Studies have proven that coloring and arts activities once a week helps relieve stress and promote relaxation at all age levels. But, a lot of the stress in fine-art comes with drawing the original artwork. With the Tracing Memories program, you convert your own photographs, so you don't have to draw. Choose images of your pets, your favorite vacation, or something you want to give as a special gift to a loved one. Coloring your own custom artwork helps you remember those memories, and creates a special picture that resonates for you. These make wonderful family gifts, or can be turned into cards, or printed as works of art. All supplies will be provided. You will leave with 1 to 3 completed images.


Apply for this, and our other CHA classes HERE. This class is filling quickly, so apply soon!

Also, If you are local to the Eugene, OR area, on Tuesdays through Nov. and December, I am hosting FREE Tracing Memories relaxation coloring sessions in conjunction with Sheldon Park Senior Community.

Tracing Memories Relaxation Sessions
Every Tuesday, Nov-December, 5:30 to 6:30pm. Free! Sheldon Park Senior Living, 2440 Willakenzie Rd. Eugene, OR (Near Sheldon High School). Everyone welcome! (I may not be at each session, but I will be at most of them).

I hope to see you at one of these events!

Depth of Field with Gray, & Upcoming Events

This week I will be at the annual U of O Tools of the Trade Show in Eugene, OR.

Wed. & Thursday, Nov. 6 & 7th, 10 am to 6pm
University of Oregon Main Campus Bookstore, Downstairs in the art department.

Come for a chance to win doorprizes, meet amazing artists and watch them work. There will be an amazing sale going on, and I will be there all day to answer Copic questions.

Depth of Field, Gray Outlines
Here's a drawing I was working on last year at that event. I drew the main black outlines with multiliners, then photocopied it onto nice paper. I then drew in the bunnies in the distance and the flying deck of cards with a gray multiliner.

You can see how simply drawing things with a lighter outline creates the illusion of depth of field. Notice even the largest cards, up close, I drew with a light outline. When I color the things outlined in gray, I don't use the same intensity of colors as I do on areas outlined with black.

Here is a photo of the finished piece. I really like how it came out (though this photo was taken during the event in poor light). I like how you can clearly see the important bunnies, and the ones in the distance are not as prominent.

Who knows what I will draw this year? I don't even know, so I am really looking forward to seeing what I come up with over the next few days!

Also, our new classes I mentioned yesterday are now open for enrollment! We have already had some applications, and popular classes are already starting to fill. If you want to take one of our classes at CHA, you need to apply soon!

You can find Workshop information and applications HERE on the Copic Website.

You can find Standard Certification information and applications HERE on the Copic Website.

You can find Intermediate Certification info and applications HERE on the Copic Website.

See you at CHA!!