Sometimes my paintings happen intuitively.
I might see an eye or a spot that looks like a nose in my playful background layers.
When that happens, I go with those instincts. But most of the time, I don’t see anything in the paint
I’ve found I return again and again to doodling with just a few supplies – starting with a loose layer of watercolors.That’s when I return to starting with a few simple shapes.
I draw a circle for the head and a loose rectangle for the body.
The character always changes as I go, but these simple shapes give me a place to begin so I don’t feel stuck and frustrated.
Then I add more details with every layer – penciling in the lashes, lips and nose with water-soluble pencil (allowing the lines to smudge).
This keeps everything loose.
From there, the rest of the face can come into focus, until everything, finally, fits together.
You’ll see how I use some of these ideas in the Enchanted Soulful Eyes and Faces video below.
Click here to learn more about Enchanted Soulful Eyes and Faces class.
My 5 Favorite Art Supplies For This Project:
- 6” x 6” Bee Paper Aquabee Super Deluxe Sketchbook
- Caran d’Ache Neocolor II Water-Soluble Oil Pastels
- Winsor & Newton Travel Watercolor Set
- Stabilo ALL water-soluble pencil, black
- Sharpie Water-based Paint Pens
Here’s a little of what students are saying about their experiences in my classes…
“I just have to say that you are the best online instructor I have ever taken from! Your lessons are clear, intriguing, easy to follow and inspirational. You seem to always find the time to comment on your students’ work, and so positive and constructive! A true ‘teacher!’ BRAVO to you!!! And thank you!!” -Lisa Andrews Campbell
“Juliette shows how she works through creating a painting. What is especially great about this, besides the tips on technique, methods, and art materials, is that she shows how she goes through the ugly stages or the “this isn’t working” stages and pushes through. It is very inspirational (and comforting) to see a person who paints for a living also struggles with these issues.” -Renata Wurster
“Your classes opened my eyes to having more fun creating. I now am not scared of starting a project and I’m having a blast creating backgrounds!” -Nina Marie
“I am 64 and have always wanted to draw and paint. You show us all of the phases of the piece – the good, the bad, the ugly, and the finished wonderful face. Then we see the finished piece. Now when I struggle to get to the end of the process, I know that it’s okay to take a while to get there.” – Louise “Beth” Rudolph
“I learn best when I see you paint while you give information as to why your painting is working or is in need of correction. The way you work through your corrections gives me insight into my own issues and encourages me to keep going. Your videos are fun, light, colorful and always a pleasure to watch. Because of you, I enjoy painting and will try anything.” – Peggy McDevitt
“Starting was a big milestone for me but once I did it became my savior! At last I’ve found the style of art that I absolutely love and even though I can’t draw for peanuts I’ve been happy with the pieces that I’ve created – thanks to the amazing guidance of Juliette who has the most lovely teaching style.” – Stephanie Banks
Happy painting!
xo Juliette