The other day, I felt super overwhelmed with my paintings. I thought, “I am a professional artist. I’m painting all of these things, but I don’t like any of them!” I didn’t know what to do.
Then I remembered to go back to my small steps: Think of one thing that I can do. Do one thing that makes me feel better.
I know that taking out my watercolors and water-soluble pencil, sitting with my sketchbook, and doing a few quick paintings always makes me feel better—especially when I take my supplies outside. It makes me forget that I am trying to make something beautiful. It reminds me to just let go and have fun again. So that’s what I did.
I took my sketchbook and watercolors to the park, and I felt completely refilled.
It brought so much joy and gave me so much inspiration. I just let my pencil go loose and scribbled on the page. I even closed my eyes to see what would happen. Then I added water and color with watercolors.
That’s how this new painting came about…
This is part of the new collection I’ve been working on, which is all about new beginnings.
You may have seen my sneak peek painting video of her over on my Instagram.
She’s a small study for one of my larger paintings, probably still in progress. I’ve been thinking a lot about the new year and how it’s symbolic of turning over a new leaf, transformation, and lots of change. Also, that we go through these periods of new beginnings many times in our lives and even throughout the year.
So I wanted to put together a collection that is full of all the hope and peace those new beginnings can bring.
I hope she brings you a little extra color and light today too!
Here are 3 Tips to Help You Get Past The Ugly Stage:
*Focus On What You Love: My paintings generally don’t end up looking the way they did when I started. My initial ideas evolve into new inspirations as I paint and keep following the techniques, colors, and marks I love.
*Cover Up What You Don’t Love: I know it can feel crazy to cover up your face or to wash away the eyes. But I promise you, loosening up will add so much depth and flow to your paintings.
*Take A Step Away: Get out your sketchbook, close your eyes, and just draw. See where it leads you. Even if nothing comes of it, you’ll definitely laugh at yourself and have fun! Sometimes doodling or sketching leads to the best new inspiration or idea.
The invitation is to let yourself play, make mistakes, and have fun with your art! It just might add a bit of light and calm to your day.
Happy Painting!
xo Juliette
PS As I mentioned to you last week, I share my step by step layering process for creating mixed media portraits in my Portrait Painting Masterclass. I’ll be opening registration again February 9… you can join the waitlist here. We’ll be painting lots of quick daily watercolors too!
If you’d like to get started now, I’ve also put together a NEW mini course called Watercolor Joy… it’s all about loosening up, letting go, and play.
PPS I’m making room for new projects and paintings, so all of my Coloring Books, Picture Books, and Prints are retiring from my shop on February 1st. I know so many of you have enjoyed them over the years… Thank You! There are lots of new projects in the works that I can’t wait to share with you!