One of the questions I get asked most often is whether I actually use my background layers for the base of my character paintings.

Yes!

The playful first layers I create always become backgrounds for my paintings… some just sit and acquire layers more than others in my studio ❤️

You’ll often still see those first layers showing through in the final painting.

When I’m ready to start a new character, I grab a background that’s dry and sketch my initial character.

When I don’t like that character anymore or need to let it dry, I either grab another waiting background or a painting at an ugly stage (this helps me stay loose).

Painting characters and backgrounds are two separate emotional stages of my creative process. Each reveals a different source of expression and allows for a deeper connection with the viewer.

Yet while they’re separate processes, they’re symbiotic. I can never start a character without color on the canvas. And I always need to step away from a character at some point and either let it dry or just get out of my head and play ❤️

I’m having so much fun painting this new collection 😊 You can find more original paintings here in my shop.

I’ve been going back to playing with color and supplies in my background layers whenever I get stuck, so I also wanted to share with you two fun projects I’ve been using for inspiration.

In these videos from my Serendipity 2 -Loosen Up and Let Go class, you’ll see how I begin every painting and add layers. This helps me keep my characters loose.

As you’re painting, you might want to try these next steps to stay loose and free in your art:

*Whenever you’re stuck, go back to using your favorite colors.
*Use a pencil or chalk to outline your favorite parts of your painting so you don’t accidentally cover them up.
*If your colors start to get muddy… STOP and let your painting dry.
*Work on a few paintings at once. That way you’re not so attached to a single piece and can be loose.

You don’t need these same supplies or colors. Feel free to use whatever you have… and especially use what you LOVE!

Having fun, learning to let go and not being afraid to cover up my paintings have become essential to my creative process. I’ve fallen in love with mixed media painting and out of all of the painting techniques I’ve ever tried, the one thing I always return to is remembering to have fun with whatever it is I’m creating.

This brings joy into the process, which inevitably gets infused into your artwork and always makes anyone who sees it smile.

Click here to learn more about Serendipity 2 – Loosen Up and Let Go class.

Happy Painting!

xo Juliette Crane

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

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