Welcome back to another exciting installment of our #3GirlsAnd12Faces art collaboration! This time, I’m thrilled to share the process behind my latest piece, created in partnership with the incredibly talented Marie from Sweden and Eleni from Greece. Each of us brings our unique style and background to the table, and it’s always a joy to see how our individual contributions come together to create something truly special.

Inspiration and Background

For this round, I had the pleasure of working on a background provided by Eleni. The vibrant and dynamic colors she used perfectly complemented my chosen inspiration: Alexej von Jawlensky’s “Girl with a Flowered Hat.” Jawlensky’s work is renowned for its expressive use of color and form, and I was excited to bring a piece of that energy into our collaborative project.

My Creative Process

To start, I sketched the initial outlines of the girl using a Nero pencil from Cretacolor. This pencil is fantastic for capturing fine details and establishing a strong foundation for the painting.

Once the sketch was complete, I moved on to the acrylic paints. Acrylics are my go-to for their versatility and vibrant color payoff. Layer by layer, I built up the forms and shadows, paying close attention to how the colors interacted with Eleni’s background. The harmony between the background and the portrait was crucial, as I wanted the two elements to feel cohesive and unified.

To add the finishing touches and enhance the contours, I used a water-soluble Stabilo All pencil in black. This final step helped to define the details and brought a crispness to the overall piece, ensuring that the portrait stood out against the background.

Watch the Process

I’ve documented the entire process in my latest video, where you can see each step unfold from the initial sketch to the final brushstroke. It’s always fascinating to watch a piece come to life, and I hope you enjoy seeing how I worked with Eleni’s background to create this portrait.