Every painting I create begins with a few playful first layers. They inspire the direction of my painting.

I also paint them whenever I need to loosen up. They’re a reminder that there’s no right or wrong way. And nothing has to be perfect.

Once I return to having fun, I let go. From there my creativity is free.

I often begin my backgrounds by squeezing 2-3 acrylic ink and paint colors right onto my painting surface, smudge them together and add extra fingerprints to see what happens.

This usually helps me let go so that I feel free. And I love leaving parts of those abstract underneath layers showing through in the final painting.

There can never be a wrong way and it’s so fun to just smoosh paint around.

Here are a few tips for creating luscious layers:

🎨 Let each layer dry thoroughly

🎨 Limit your palette to 2-3 colors per layer

🎨 Embrace imperfections, let colors bleed and blend naturally

One of my favorite techniques for painting backgrounds is to pretend I’m painting an abstract. This creates all sorts of organic shapes and color combinations. I love to just brush the color on wildly, leaving the imperfections.

Then, for my second layer, I add water and 2-3 colors of acrylic ink (these can be new colors as long as your first layer is dry).

Once that dries, I add a sheer layer of one color to 1/3 of the background – an acrylic ink works really well for this and should bring more magic to your backgrounds.

When you allow your underneath layers to show through, you give your abstract background more depth.

As I add more layers on top of my background, I pay attention to the elements I love in those first layers. Sometimes I even take chalk and circle them so that I don’t cover them up.

These favorite elements then become parts of the hair, body or wings for my whimsical characters. I love leaving parts of those abstract underneath layers showing through in the final painting.

In this 19 minute video I share some of my favorite mixed media techniques and supplies for painting an abstract background (it’s all about color and play, which helps me loosen up in my art, especially once I paint my eyes and faces).

This is the background layer for a project in my Serendipity 1 – Develop Your Style online class. It’s one of the seven online courses you’ll get when you join The School Of Happy Painting Membership.

My 5 Favorite Art Supplies For This Project:

1. 11×14″ Canvas
2. Acrylic Inks
3. Collage papers – bleeding art tissue paper, sheet music, vintage recipe books, etc.
4. Acrylic paints (especially cadmium yellow medium hue)
5. Stabilo Marks All Coloring Pencil, Black

As you paint your background don’t worry about making anything perfect. If you don’t like your colors, you can always cover them up.

Oftentimes I’ll begin my background with colors I’ve bought but never use. This keeps me less attached to the outcome. I’m not so afraid to be using up all of my best supplies, so I can be more fearless and loose as I paint.

From these first layers you’ll have:

• A background completed, so you’re ready to add your whimsical character
• Techniques for loosening up whenever you get stuck or out of the flow
• The template to get you started with covering up the white space, again and again

Happy Painting!
xo Juliette

PS I also write more about my creative process in my Substack Essays – I share more in-depth about my art, inspirations, and creative living. You can read more about my journey, subscribe, and leave a comment HERE.