This Underpainting Changed Everything - ✨ Stencils & Iridescent Pastels

In this real-time pastel painting tutorial, I explore a playful acrylic and alcohol underpainting, then layer stencils and iridescent pastels to create sparkle, texture, and life. I've made this full lesson available to both my patrons on my Patreon page, and my subscribers here on my YouTube channel! ✨Something magical happened in this painting. I began with a loose, intuitive underpainting using acrylic paint and alcohol, simply letting the materials move and interact on the surface. What I didn’t expect was how alive the painting already felt before I ever touched it with pastel. That freedom opened the door to discoveries I couldn’t have planned—and honestly, they changed the way this piece came together. As the painting evolved, I layered soft pastels, iridescent pastels, and stencils, and that’s where the real surprise showed up. The sparkle, the texture, the subtle glow—it brought an earthy, organic energy to the piece that made everything feel luminous and whimsical all at once. The chickadees almost seemed to emerge on their own. This lesson is part of my Artistic Meditations series and is filmed mostly in real time with relaxed commentary. It’s not about perfection or control—it’s about play, curiosity, and letting the materials lead you somewhere unexpected. Think painting like a kid again… but with beautiful tools and grown-up joy. If you’ve ever wanted your paintings to feel more alive, more expressive, and more you—this session is an invitation to loosen up, experiment, and rediscover the wonder of creating. ✨ Supplies: You can conveniently find most of the products I used for this lesson in this Amazon Idea List I have created: https://amzn.to/3ZtQ2el ✨Links: Special mention to artist, Rachel Estrada. I learned so much from watching her underpainting technique. Find her on Instagram here:   / thepastelingfox   Get 10% off my Annual Patreon Membership! Use Coupon Code: 25775 www.Patreon.com/SusanJenkins ✨ Just Starting with Soft Pastels? Here’s my simple beginner supply list (no overwhelm): 👉 https://amzn.to/3Ndz94G (This is the same simple setup I recommend to my beginner students.) 🎨 Art Supplies I Use & Recommend Many of you ask what supplies I’m using in my videos. I’ve organized all my favorite pastel supplies, papers, and studio tools here so you can easily find what you need: 👉 My Amazon Art Supply Shop: https://www.amazon.com/shop/monetcafe... 👉 Dick Blick Art Supplies: https://tidd.ly/4o4rQcQ (If you use these links, I earn a small commission at no extra cost to you — thank you for supporting my teaching ❤️) BECOME A PATRON ON MY PATREON PAGE! 👇 ➞   / susanjenkins   BUY ME A COFFEE!! ☕️ Would you consider leaving me a small tip for this lesson? Your support helps me to bring more free content coming to this channel!! https://buymeacoffee.com/susanjjenkr My AMAZON Shop / (for Many Products Featured in Videos) 👇 ➞ https://www.amazon.com/shop/monetcafe... (I earn money from qualifying purchases at no cost to you) My Etsy Shop 👇 ➞ https://theartofsusanjenkins.etsy.com Visit my Website 👇 ➞ https://www.susanjenkinsfineart.com My Instagram Link 👇 ➞   / susanjenkinsartist   My Facebook Page 👇 ➞   / theartofsusanjenkins   Facebook Group 👇Monet Cafe' Art Group ➞   / monetcafeartgroup   Monet Cafe' Art Store (with Fun Tee Shirts and More) 👇 ➞ https://monet-cafe-art-store.creator-... #pastelpainting #pastelpaintingtutorial #paintinglessons #softpastel