When a painting starts to get muddy, I take a step away and let it dry

Then I cover up any parts I don’t like with a little (or a lot) of bright color.

This helps me get back into my comfort zone so I like the painting again. But sometimes it takes covering up a painting again (and again)❤️

The other day when this happened, I was working on this new female portrait painting (she’s called ‘Emergence,’ 16” x 20” on canvas).

I’d had this canvas just sitting in my studio for ages. I kept adding to it with whatever color was left on my palette.

This is one of the easiest ways to loosen up in your art (it’s something I also share in my Free Painting Workshop, which you can get instant-access to right here).

But on this canvas, I penciled in a female portrait. I loved her look, yet she got lost in the colorful background I’d created for my first layers.

When I covered her up, the pencil smudged with my color and turned a terrible muddy gray.

It wasn’t until I let it dry, then covered up the entire background with layers of white acrylic that I could finally see her angelic beauty.

So I gave her wings and added antique white oil paintstick to bring out just a few soft colors.

Oftentimes it takes a happy accident, which, at the time, feels like a HUGE mistake, to finally push me to paint something new.

But that’s so often easier said then done.

I always have to return to having fun whenever I get rigid and tight with a painting (usually because I’m afraid to ruin a face or don’t want to make a mistake).

That’s when I need to take a step away and loosen up.

So today I want to share with you one of my favorite ways to loosen up and let go in my art! This project always frees me up so I feel playful and can start painting again.

This project is one I come back to again and again to cover up my art and loosen up. It’s part of an owl painting project from my Whimsical Animals class.

I’ll be sharing some of my favorite techniques for painting animals in the next session of Whimsical Animals class – Click Here to Learn More About It.

In the video I talk you through my process, explaining my mistakes and frustrations, so you can create more work you love.

Sometimes I just get super stuck and don’t even want to paint. This is one of those projects that I come back to whenever I need a little creative boost to have fun.

To get started, you can also try this quick project in your sketchbook – just click here to watch the video.

Here’s a little of what students are saying about their experiences in my classes…

“This class changed my art life forever! One of the best classes I have ever taken. Juliette is so clear and easy to follow along. I never thought I would be able to paint an owl, or any animal. now I just paint them easily! I am forever grateful to this class!” -Angelica Escalera

“I love your forgiving approach and so appreciate your personal thoughts, especially tips for working through the creative ruts and dry spells we all encounter from time to time.” -Kim Lacefield

“Juliette shares every step of her creative process in an honest way. The videos are worth watching over and over. I am inspired to try so many new things!” -Mo Brady

Click here to learn more about Whimsical Animals class.

It always takes trying, again and again, to get to a place where I can finally let go and allow a painting to come together.

Whenever I take a step back to accept the imperfections and make a mess, then a whole new world opens up. It all reminds me to be a little kinder to myself and have more fun with my art.

Happy Painting!

xo Juliette Crane

P.S. If you’ve been wanting to paint together, but don’t have a lot of time, I’ve put together my Happy Painting Mini Course, which has five-instant-access projects to get you started.

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

P.P.S. Want to learn how I paint my eyes and faces? I’ve put together my FACES – Mixed Media Portraits online class to share my favorite techniques and ways to overcome creative blocks, especially when painting eyes and faces.

You can also learn more about how I paint my eyes and faces in this blog post. I hope it all keeps you inspired!