Copic Certified Designer!

Check it out! I am now a Copic Certified Designer! I took the certification class on Sunday with the always amazing Marianne Walker! She works for Copic, and is an artist of the first degree! Marianne's blog, I Like Markers is a treasure trove of ideas!

Now, I had already taken a this very same class from Jenni Black last year, however it was not for certification, sadly. I also took a class from Debbie Olson in Arizona in April, again, not for certification. So this class was overkill for me, but...I wanted the piece of paper saying I was certified! And I wanted to hear what Marianne had to say, as she's a "hot shot" in the industry! And she's very FUNNY!!

So, I dragged my backside down to San Diego yesterday morning...had a horrible time finding parking! But...for the FIRST TIME IN MY LIFE...I backed into a parking space! And no one was there to see it! I was amazing...it took me only 2 tries to get the big ole mini van backed into a space the size of a napkin! Honest! I have never been so proud of myself. And I didn't even cry!

I also ran into a friend at the class and made some lovely new friends, so the day was a good one. I can't say I learned anything new, but it was still nice to hear the information again, and get some tips on the techniques I've not yet mastered. And now I feel justified in buying MORE markers! {giggle}

Here is a card I made back in the fall...which I think I did a pretty good job with.

Here is a card I made last week.

I don't see any improvement in my work. I need to learn more about shading, light source, shadowing, etc. I wish that had been the class yesterday. There was a tiny bit of that sort of information, but I need more. I am not trained as an artist, so this is an area with which I struggle. I will buy Marianne's book (Shadows and Shading) and perhaps will also get her new book coming in June (The Copic Coloring Guide). I really do want to improve my technique!

At the end of the day, I am finally Copic Certified and hope to have my blinkie up soon! {grin} I am happy with that. And I loved meeting all the new gals yesterday. I think there were about 30-34 ladies in the group!