When I want to add more depth to my eyes, I make a mess of what’s already there. I cover up my lines with paint pen, drip water on top, then add more water-soluble pencil smudges, wispy lines and dots at the lashes. This creates softness (and beautiful mistakes). The other day when this happened, I was in the middle of this new painting (she’s... Continue reading
Do you ever struggle to cover up your art? This happens to me ALL the time ❤️ Usually it’s the eyes or face that I don’t want to cover up. Oftentimes they look too perfect and defined. I know they’re not finished, yet I don’t want to ruin my painting. The other day when this happened, I was in the middle of this new painting... Continue reading
When I begin a painting, I don’t have a plan. I generally create the background with 3-4 colorful layers (sometimes more). Then I sketch a loose face and add more color. From there, the face completely changes as I add more layers ❤️ The other day I was looking back at my progress photos for this painting (she’s called ‘Reflect The Magic’ – the original... Continue reading
When a painting starts to get muddy, I take a step away and let it dry Then I cover up any parts I don’t like with a little (or a lot) of bright color. This helps me get back into my comfort zone so I like the painting again. But sometimes it takes covering up a painting again (and again)❤️ The other day when this... Continue reading
Lately I’ve been especially drawn to creating characters with soft eyes and faces. But before I can even begin to paint a face, I have to loosen up and play. That way I feel more free once I add my character ❤️ The other day when this happened, I was in the middle of this new big owl painting (it’s called ‘Guardian of Dreams’ 30” x 30”’).... Continue reading
As I was finishing my latest collection, I had to forget about trying to make things perfect (especially faces) and go with the beautiful mistakes. The other day when this happened, I was working on this new painting (the left image, she’s called ‘Miracles’). I’d finally finished the face and then dropped a blob of fluorescent pink watercolor right on her nose. Instead of wiping... Continue reading
Every painting has an ugly stage. I’ve been painting nearly every day for over ten years. But I still get stuck and frustrated. If I’m not liking my painting, I generally have to cover it up. Usually, the parts I don’t like are either my character’s eyes, posture or face shape. If it’s the eyes that I don’t like (or the entire face), I’ll often... Continue reading
Whenever I’m stuck with a face, I look back at my progress photos. I see what I’ve done before to make my face work. Maybe it’s a spalsh of cobalt teal at the forehead that added softness and depth. Or extra lashes that made the eyes look alive. When I was stuck with this new painting it was becuase her face looked too perfect and... Continue reading
My characters never really start to come together until I find the eyes. The eyes have to resonate with my heart before I can go deep into the rest of the painting. There’s always an ugly stage, but, little by little, layer by layer, the face and shape comes together and then it feels like magic. The other day when this happened, I was working... Continue reading
I’ve been finding so much peace and calming in painting this new collection of whimsical animals and female portraits – I hope you enjoy them! Shop the New Collection Here. As I’ve been putting the finishing touches on work for this latest collection, I had to take steps away before I overworked my characters. At one point, I was in the middle of this cat,... Continue reading
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