Oftentimes when I’m stuck with my art, I look back at the progress photos from a past painting.

Most of the time, my character looks nothing like it did when I started. It takes lots of beautiful mistakes and so many ugly stages before I can even begin to figure out the best posture, profile and facial gestures.

Yet as I create, my mind tells me I should get it right on the first try (but that never happens).

The other day when this happened, I was working on this new painting (she’s called ‘Strength Within’ 12” x 16” on stretched canvas).

I’d been wanting to paint another female portrait. But she kept looking so rigid and tight.

I couldn’t get her eyes right.

It wasn’t until I added all of the cobalt teal into the background that she finally came into focus.

Sometimes when I look at a finished painting like this and remember all of the layers underneath, I still forget that I was also painting many pieces at once and that each of those pieces went through their own ugly stages.

I’m finishing up a few more female portraits and can’t wait to show them to you! I’ll share more with you very soon.

This project is one I come back to again and again to cover up my art and loosen up. It’s part of an owl painting project from my Whimsical Animals class.

I’ll be sharing some of my favorite techniques for painting animals in the next session of Whimsical Animals class – Click Here to Learn More About It.

In the video I talk you through my process, explaining my mistakes and frustrations, so you can create more work you love.

Sometimes I just get super stuck and don’t even want to paint. This is one of those projects that I come back to whenever I need a little creative boost to have fun.

In this 8 minute video you’ll learn:

• • My techniques for loosening up and creating mixed media layers
  • The process I use to fix mistakes and cover up my art
  • My method for letting go and finishing paintings I love

To get started, you can also try this quick project in your sketchbook – just click here to watch the video.

Here’s a little of what students are saying about their experiences in my classes…

“This class changed my art life forever! One of the best classes I have ever taken. Juliette is so clear and easy to follow along. I never thought I would be able to paint an owl, or any animal. Now I just paint them easily! I am forever grateful to this class!” -Angelica Escalera

“I love your forgiving approach and so appreciate your personal thoughts, especially tips for working through the creative ruts and dry spells we all encounter from time to time.” -Kim Lacefield

“Juliette shares every step of her creative process in an honest way. The videos are worth watching over and over. I am inspired to try so many new things!” -Mo Brady

“Juliette, you gave me more inspiration and courage than you will ever know — I enjoy your easy going nature and that you show us your frustrations and how you make what you consider ugly characters into wonderful ones.” -Joanne Summy

Click here to learn more about Whimsical Animals class.

Happy painting!
xo Juliette

P.S. If you want to paint more together right now, but feel like you don’t have a lot of time, I’ve also put together my self-paced, Happy Painting Mini Course, which has five instant-access projects. Like Whimsical Animals class, Happy Painting is also perfect for beginners or anyone looking to get creative and play.

Click here to learn more about my Happy Painting Mini Course.