Join me at the art table as I show you how to create a whimsical figurative painting in your art journal.
Grab your art journal, pull together some of your favorite acrylic paints, brushes, and a few other supplies {scroll down for the supply list} and get ready to create a sweet little whimsical figurative painting.
Some tips before we begin:
Use loose, free brush strokes to build up textures and marks in the paint. As one viewer commented, I move the palette almost as if I’m applying icing on a cake.
I tend to mix my colors directly on the page, so I work pretty quickly to make sure the paint doesn’t dry out before I’m happy with the color mixing
Scribble into the wet paint to see the layers below and add some yummy texture to your painting.
Watch the process: Whimsical figurative painting
If you enjoyed this video, you will also love this intuitive abstract figurative tutorial I shared a while ago.
Supply list
Handmade or purchased art journal. This one is my favorite.
Pebeo paints: Raw sienna, carmine red, turqouise, hansa yellow light, azo pink
Camlin paints: emerald green, gold
Deep indigo Derwent Intense pencil
Fineline applicator (20 gauge) filled with white paint
Paintbrushes in different sizes
Sakura white Gelly roll pen
Mechanical pencil
Note: Most of the links in this post are affiliate links. If you make a purchase using these links, I may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. If you’re an India-based artist, I highly recommend ArtLounge — I get most of my art supplies from them, going to Amazon only for the few brands that they do not stock. Use the coupon code SHINJINIM at checkout to get an 8.5% discount.
I hope you enjoyed this video, and that it inspires you to pull out some paints and create in your art journal! I’d love to see what you create – use the hashtag #ArtJournalWithMG or tag me @moderngypsy.in on Instagram so I can show you some love!
More art journaling inspiration
If you’re looking for more inspiration, take a look at my other art journal tutorials or join me for the Inner You e-course to learn how to paint whimsical faces
If you’re new to intuitive painting, you may also enjoy this intuitive figurative mixed media journal page, this intuitive painting demo and these notes on trusting the intuitive painting process.
Want to up your art journal game? Then join me for Book of Days 2022, a collaborative e-course that will take you on a deep dive into mixed media art journaling. In this year-long course, we will focus on all the ways that working with journal art can enrich and enhance our lives. The course is suitable for everyone from beginners to advanced artists, and will help you to create and maintain a practice of meeting yourself on the page.
Sign up for Studio Diaries
Weekly notes from an artist’s studio, including pages from my mixed media art journal, works in progress, notes on the creative process, and other ideas that capture my interest, along with regular discussion threads to chat about art.
