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Lately, I’ve been experimenting with my favorite art supplies and colors in new ways.
For a while now I’ve been in love with acrylic inks in turquoise, cobalt blue and prussian blue.
I’ll drip the inks in my backgrounds and, as I smudge out my acrylic paint, I’ll go over the drip and get this gorgeous feathered effect. This happened by accident once and now I keep repeating it.
It’s such a fun way to get new and completely unique color combinations and patterns.
But the other day I was painting and I tried all of these different supplies and colors, and just couldn’t let go.
I needed to get back into my comfort zone, so I tried a wash of yellow orange azo and quinacridone magenta acrylic inks and soon this woman emerged (she’s called ‘Firefly’ 11” x 14”).
Sometimes I just want a less perfect look. You know, so you see some of the underneath layers showing through and it’s not just one, solid color. That’s when acrylic inks are perfect.
Mixing up different supplies and colors allows for so many beautiful mistakes. It all becomes a meditative process, playing and remembering there’s no right or wrong way.
Once I return to having fun, I let go. From there my creativity is set free.
I’m putting the finishing touches on a few more large female portraits and can’t wait to share them with you very soon!
In this video you’ll see how I use some of these ideas and techniques.
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 again so I can stop thinking so much and really uncover the beauty.
Happy Painting!
xo Juliette Crane
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I'M JULIETTE
A painter, writer, and creator of The School Of Happy Painting, online courses to help you loosen up, let go, and develop your own unique style.
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