DAY 3: EARS
Day 3: The Ears
🎧 Listen to today’s encouragement from Erica (0:56 minutes)
🎨 LIVE CHALLENGE REMINDER
If you’re participating in the live challenge, remember to share a photo of today’s progress, questions, wins, or breakthroughs inside the Telegram group so we can celebrate and support you. Every artist is at a different stage, and your progress may encourage someone else to keep going. Plus, active participants will be entered into our live challenge giveaway. 👉 JOIN THE TELEGRAM GROUP
Take a moment and look at what you’ve already accomplished. A few days ago, you had a blank canvas. Today, Charlie is beginning to emerge.
You may not feel finished yet, and that’s okay. Most paintings go through a stage where they feel unfinished or awkward before they begin to come together. Trust the process.
Today we’re focusing on Charlie’s ears.
I’ve highlighted the area in the above photo we’re focusing on, the ears. If it’s easier for you to use your downloadable reference photos, please do so! Now let’s move on to some guiding steps (remember, progress over perfection!).
No matter what type of ears you’re painting in the future – standing up, hanging down, fluffy, or smooth – the process is the same. Pick a place to begin and work one section at a time.
To make it even easier, break up the ear into sections so you paint the inside of the ear first, then focus on the outside (top). You’ll blend the sections together eventually. Study what you see and focus on painting the foundation layer first.
INSTRUCTIONS
Read all the steps first, then come back to step 1.
To keep it simply, use the following colors: Mars Black, Raw Umber, Raw Sienna, and Unbleached Titanium.
1. Start at the ear canal and the darkest area of the inside ear. Mix a dab of black with some Raw Umber for the innermost area, then add some Raw Sienna as you gradually paint the darker area. Even though there is now fur hanging over the darker area, see if you can study what you see and paint the foundational layer first – the layer that came before the fur that was painted on top of it.
2. Now, continue painting the rest of the inner ear (the inside of the flap) with various months of Unbleached Titanium and Raw Sienna to match the colors I used. Use brushstrokes that mimic strands of hair. The chisel blender brushes are great for this.
3. See the lighter areas? That’s just Unbleached Titanium.
4. Before we’re done with the inside of the ear, add those strands of fur that is hanging over the opening to the inner ear, and finish off the inside of the ear.
5. Now move on to the top of the ear. Use the same lighter blends of Raw Sienna and Unbleached Titanium and notice the direction the strands of hair grow.
6. The sunlight was coming from behind Charlie, which is why you’ll see brilliant highlights along the edges of his ears.
These highlights are painted with Titanium White and are completely optional, but they add a beautiful sense of light and can make Charlie feel almost luminous.
The left ear now has a completed layer of paint. If you’re happy with it, move on to the right ear and follow the same steps. Or add another layer, make some tweaks here and there, but step away if you feel like you’re overdoing it.
REVIEW
Take a few steps back from your painting.
What do you notice?
Charlie is beginning to take shape. The eyes, nose, mouth, and ears are now painted. Even if parts still feel unfinished, you’re making incredible progress.
Compare your painting to the reference photo and notice the major shapes, values, and features rather than focusing on tiny details.
Ask yourself:
• Are the ears established?
• Have I painted the major light and dark areas?
• Does Charlie feel more alive than he did yesterday?
If the answer is yes, you’re exactly where you need to be.
A few days ago, this was a blank canvas.
Today, it’s becoming a portrait.
Tomorrow we’re going to begin connecting these floating sections together and watch Charlie come even more to life.
Before you go, I’d love for you to share a photo of your portrait so far inside the Telegram group. A few days ago this was a blank canvas, and now Charlie is beginning to emerge. Let’s celebrate your progress together.
xo,
Erica
DAY 3: EARS
Day 3: The Ears
🎧 Listen to today’s encouragement from Erica (0:56 minutes)
🎨 LIVE CHALLENGE REMINDER
If you’re participating in the live challenge, remember to share a photo of today’s progress, questions, wins, or breakthroughs inside the Telegram group. Every artist is at a different stage, and your progress may encourage someone else to keep going. Plus, active participants will be entered into our live challenge giveaway. 👉 JOIN THE TELEGRAM GROUP
Day 3: Charlie’s Ears
Take a moment and look at what you’ve already accomplished. A few days ago, you had a blank canvas. Today, Charlie is beginning to emerge.
You may not feel finished yet, and that’s okay. Most paintings go through a stage where they feel unfinished or awkward before they begin to come together. Trust the process.
Today we’re focusing on Charlie’s ears.
I’ve highlighted the area in the above photo we’re focusing on, the ears. If it’s easier for you to use your downloadable reference photos, please do so! Now let’s move on to some guiding steps (remember, progress over perfection!).
No matter what type of ears you’re painting in the future – standing up, hanging down, fluffy, or smooth – the process is the same. Pick a place to begin and work one section at a time.
To make it even easier, break up the ear into sections so you paint the inside of the ear first, then focus on the outside (top). You’ll blend the sections together eventually. Study what you see and focus on painting the foundation layer first.
INSTRUCTIONS
Read all the steps first, then come back to step 1.
To keep it simply, use the following colors: Mars Black, Raw Umber, Raw Sienna, and Unbleached Titanium.
1. Start at the ear canal and the darkest area of the inside ear. Mix a dab of black with some Raw Umber for the innermost area, then add some Raw Sienna as you gradually paint the darker area. Even though there is now fur hanging over the darker area, see if you can study what you see and paint the foundational layer first – the layer that came before the fur that was painted on top of it.
2. Now, continue painting the rest of the inner ear (the inside of the flap) with various months of Unbleached Titanium and Raw Sienna to match the colors I used. Use brushstrokes that mimic strands of hair. The chisel blender brushes are great for this.
3. See the lighter areas? That’s just Unbleached Titanium.
4. Before we’re done with the inside of the ear, add those strands of fur that is hanging over the opening to the inner ear, and finish off the inside of the ear.
5. Now move on to the top of the ear. Use the same lighter blends of Raw Sienna and Unbleached Titanium and notice the direction the strands of hair grow.
6. The sunlight was coming from behind Charlie, which is why you’ll see brilliant highlights along the edges of his ears.
These highlights are painted with Titanium White and are completely optional, but they add a beautiful sense of light and can make Charlie feel almost luminous.
The left ear now has a completed layer of paint. If you’re happy with it, move on to the right ear and follow the same steps. Or add another layer, make some tweaks here and there, but step away if you feel like you’re overdoing it.
REVIEW
Take a few steps back from your painting.
What do you notice?
Charlie is beginning to take shape. The eyes, nose, mouth, and ears are now painted. Even if parts still feel unfinished, you’re making incredible progress.
Compare your painting to the reference photo and notice the major shapes, values, and features rather than focusing on tiny details.
Ask yourself:
• Are the ears established?
• Have I painted the major light and dark areas?
• Does Charlie feel more alive than he did yesterday?
If the answer is yes, you’re exactly where you need to be.
A few days ago, this was a blank canvas.
Today, it’s becoming a portrait.
Tomorrow we’re going to begin connecting these floating sections together and watch Charlie come even more to life.
Before you go, I’d love for you to share a photo of your portrait so far inside the Telegram group. A few days ago this was a blank canvas, and now Charlie is beginning to emerge. Let’s celebrate your progress together.
xo,
Erica