The owl that’s featured in my Free Painting Workshop is one of my favorites to create, especially whenever I’m stuck and need to paint a character with it’s eyes closed (this makes painting eyes so much easier).

But lately I’ve been painting more characters with their eyes open.

One of my favorite ways to begin these big eyes is to start with two fingerprints on a background.

Then I add in my eye outline and definition with a black water-soluble pencil (the one I use in your free workshop… it’s what I use for all of the black lines in my paintings).

Next I go back in with more color on a thin brush and add a little white paint pen on the sides and at the center of the color to show a light reflection (a simple white dot of paint pen at the edge of the black center of an eye works too).

Once this initial layer dries, I add more definition with my water-soluble pencil, then more color, and repeat this process again and again until the eyes don’t look painted on, but instead reflect whatever I’m feeling or trying to express.

I’ve learned that if I’m striving to be perfect, I just end up frustrated and make a muddy mess. Instead, I pretend I’m looking into a mirror and play.

Then I can be loose in my art, remembering there’s no right or wrong way.

So today I want to share with you one of my favorite ways to loosen up and let go in my art! This project always frees me up so I feel playful and can get started.

Sometimes I just get super tight and don’t know where to start. This is one of those projects that I come back to whenever I need a little creative boost to get started and have fun.

This project is one I come back to again and again to loosen up. It’s a 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 (registration closes soon – Click Here to Learn More About It).

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

Being loose and free in my art is something I’ve learned to do. Having fun and playing as I paint allows me to capture the soul of my characters.

But sometimes I need to get out of my own way and start playing, so I can stop thinking so much and really uncover the beauty.

That’s when I go back to painting whimsical animals. Animals and nature have always made me smile and remind me to have fun and loosen up in my art.

Because when I’m at a creative block, I’ll come up with a million reasons why I can’t or shouldn’t paint.

I’ll often feel uninspired, especially when I’m pushing myself creatively to try something new.

But instead of staying stuck, I go back to having fun and paint something I know I’ll love – like a fox, an owl or a cat.

I keep it simple.

I keep it easy.

I keep it fun.

In this video preview you’ll see:

• • My techniques for loosening up and creating mixed media layers
  • The process I use to paint intuitively and cover up my art
  • My method for making a painting fit together so the eyes and features aren’t just floating in space

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. I always share more about my process and extra special art supply details in my newsletter… click HERE to get on the list and join me for my Free Painting Workshop.

P.P. S. If you want to paint more together, 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.