When I want to add more depth to my eyes, I make a mess of what’s already there.

I cover up my lines with paint pen, drip water on top, then add more water-soluble pencil smudges, wispy lines and dots at the lashes.

This creates softness (and beautiful mistakes).

The other day when this happened, I was in the middle of this new painting (she’s called ‘Empathetic Heart’ ❤️ 20” x 24” on stretched canvas… you can find original paintings in my shop).

I’d been so stuck on her eyes and face.

They were just looking too perfect. So I dumped water on top of the wet paint and wiped everything away.

I was left with an outline of her eyes, lips and chin.

It felt like an ugly mess.

But I defined the marks I liked with a calligraphy brush and black india ink (waterproof – non-waterproof can smudge when you add layers on top).

I started having so much fun, that I painted leaves in her hair.

Those lines got covered up as I added more acrylics, spray paint and inks, but when I got stuck on her hair and body (and nearly covered everything up again), I went back to those india ink leaves.

I’ve finally realized the freedom doesn’t happen unless I’m having fun and that means dancing between what’s in my comfort zone and playing. I have to experiment, paint something completely imperfect, then keep following my joy and doing more of what I love.

From there my paintings can come alive.

It wasn’t until I snapped in-progress photos of my paintings that I realized every painting has an ugly stage (especially the eyes and faces).

And at that stage, I’d always get frustrated and feel like I couldn’t finish another painting.

That negative self talk completely took the fun out of painting. But once I realized it happened to me every time, I learned to turn off my inner critic.

Whenever I get stuck with a painting, I always take a step away to loosen up, especially with the eyes.

One of my favorite ways to let go, loosen up and experiment is to create in my sketchbook.

In this video preview from my Happy Painting Mini Course you’ll see how I create a portrait using just a few supplies in my sketchbook. This is a project you can do in just a few minutes, so you can still paint, even if you don’t have a lot of space or time.

“You’ve really inspired me in the VERY FUN CLASS of Happy Painting. I’ve gone from cut and paste to fearless, throwing paint on paper and actually painting and trusting in the process. I’ve been actually creating little beings.” -Nancy Rose

Click here to Learn More About My Happy Painting Mini Course.

Happy Painting!

xo Juliette Crane

P.S. Click here to Join My Free Painting Workshop

P.P.S. If you’d like to learn more about painting women’s faces, I’ve also put together my Enchanted Soulful Eyes and Faces class.