In every painting I use acrylic paints, acrylic inks, oil paintsticks, liquid watercolors, paint pens and water-soluble pencil.
Then when I hit an ugly stage or when I’ve been painting over a face again and again, I dig deep into my art supplies and get something I haven’t used in a while for new inspiration.
Here’s some of my favorite supplies:
- *Stabilo Marks All Coloring Pencil in black: This is water-soluble and what I use for most of the black lines in my artwork.
- *Acrylic paints: I always choose 3-4 of my favorite colors. I especially love green gold, quinacridone nickel azo gold, cobalt teal, and titanium white.
- *Oil paintsticks: I love Shiva brand in antique white, burnt sienna, cobaly blue and turquoise (this brand takes the least time to dry). Sennelier also makes oil sticks and Winsor and Newton makes oilbars, which are sometimes easier to find and the same thing. Oil paintsticks are different from oil pastels.
- *Water soluble oil pastels: I love Portfolio brand sets because they’re super creamy and I use Caran d’Ache Neocolor II Artists’ Crayons for scribbles and loose outlines.
- *Paint pens: I love Sharpie’s water-based paint pens, especially the white for eyes and fluorescent pink for cheeks and lips.
- *Acrylic inks
- *Liquid Watercolors: I’ve been using the Dick Blick Brand, which come in squeeze bottles (I love the neon pink). They’re fun to splatter and drip (especially with inks).
- *Glue: I use Liquitex Matte Medium for my glue.
- *Bleeding art tissue paper: This is the kind kids use in school, so the color bleeds off and creates beauty like stained glass.
- *Other collage materials: Paper napkins, lokta paper, maps, sheet music, book pages.
Layering all of these art supplies reminds me of being a child and the freedom I felt coloring on a blanket in the backyard. From that place of joy, I can let go and be loose in my art again. That’s when the magic happens and everything falls into place.
Sometimes it just takes a new color or art supply to get me playing again.
But sometimes I just want to keep it simple. That’s when I get out my sketchbook and play.
So today I want to share with you one of my favorite ways to have fun and loosen up. It’s a completely un-intimidating way to create… and it’s one of the ways I start my paintings when I’m at an ugly stage.
This project always makes me feel fun and free so I can start painting again. It’s part of an owl painting project from my Whimsical Animals class.
For this project you can create any animal or imaginary creature you want… there’s no right or wrong way!
In this 4 minute video you’ll learn:
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- My method for loosening up and getting started (especially when I don’t want to paint)
- My techniques for staying inspired
- The process I use to reignite my creativity
Once you’ve finished your owls, check out this 8 minute video tutorial to add your drawings to a painting. I hope it all gives you lots of inspiration and places to begin this weekend.
Happy painting!
xo Juliette
P.S. I’ve put together a Free Painting Class… you can get instant-access and sign up by clicking HERE and learn more of my favorite supplies and techniques.
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.