Skull and Butterfly - Step by Step Acrylic Painting on Canvas

A skull and a butterfly. Like autumn, they are symbols of the cycle of life, of change, of metamorphosis. This makes it the perfect painting to kick off the coming season!
Download your reference and grid image for free on my website here: www.paintingwi...
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Check out the affiliate links page on my website for a full list of materials I use and recommend. If you make a purchase through those links, I may get a little bit of a commission which helps me continue to provide free painting tutorials for you. Yay! bit.ly/2C8lK8I
I’m painting on a black 12x16 Fredrix Real Canvas pad. Get yours here: amzn.to/2LhThAr
I used:
• 1/2-in flat
• Fuzzbert (any small, puffy, old brush for scrubbing)
• #6 round
• #2 round
• Ruler
• Chalk pencil amzn.to/2Pg6ZaR
• Matte Fluid Medium (optional, but makes everything better!) amzn.to/2Sw5m6W
Get your Painting with Jane brushes at www.paintingwithjane.com/brushes
I’m using Liquitex acrylic paint in the following colors:
• Titanium White amzn.to/2JlF0lD
• Mars Black amzn.to/2LwkDmL
• Payne’s Grey amzn.to/2KbqA6D
• Naples Yellow amzn.to/2MV2Pn3
• Burnt Sienna amzn.to/2ZABVqs
• Ultramarine Blue (red shade) amzn.to/2ZItfhJ
All colors are completely optional! Use whatever colors you have and like.
Grab a set of my paint brushes, Art Monster swag, my original paintings, and sign up for my mailing list on my website at www.paintingwithjane.com or bit.ly/2esWni7
Find me on Instagram here: bit.ly/2jnykTT
Find me on Facebook here: bit.ly/28Xweux
Notice: No part of this video may be reproduced or distributed without written permission from me. The painting demonstrated is owned by Jane Font and Pandemonium Art, LLC, and may not be reproduced except by individuals for the purpose of learning these techniques. This tutorial and painting presented are not available for commercial purposes and may not be duplicated to be used for classes or commercial sale without written permission from me.
The artwork contained in this video © 2019 by Jane Font All Rights Reserved
“Ambient” by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License
creativecommons...

[@terrikahan8245]

I started painting with you when your channel first started, as a therapy-approved hobby. My first painting tutorial was your ‘Rainy Day’ one (I didn’t have a palette then, I used a kitchen sponge!) and I was hooked. I fell into a deep bout of depression but I kept subscribed to your channel because I hoped to come back someday. When I started feeling like I could try again recently, I was thrilled to see you’re still here 10 years later, and your tutorials are even more beautiful. Thank you for continuing to run a lovely channel that brings a little light to the world.

[@javierkofler498]

It's hard to find this kind of detailed tutorials. Thanks for making perfect videos!

[@saltlifegull4091]

LOVE IT! Sweet!

[@ActivismOfCare]

Lovely painting.

[@shavaunaronan3188]

Oh Wow, absolute love this painting, Jane! I would hang this in my house all year round. Love skulls and anything a bit Halloweeny/creepy. Thank you Jane!

[@giolily]

Sometimes I wish there more hours in a day. This is fantastic. Dont know when, but I have to do this one.

[@PaintingwithJane]

I have that same wish all the time, lol.

[@thebutcherswife9839]

I saw a picture similar to this a long time ago and saved it on my phone for a time when I could actually paint it with skills I’ve learned! Yea!! Love the choices lately, Jane!

[@PaintingwithJane]

Yay! I'm so glad you like it! Yep, it's an image from Pixabay, so it makes the rounds from time to time, lol.

[@ВячеславДемеев]

So nice!

[@TXPRiNCEZZ09]

Please do all the Halloween inspired paintings your heart desires as they are my absolute most favorite things!! xoxo

[@PaintingwithJane]

I certainly will!! :D

[@jenniferbrown7539]

I can fall asleep with this video. I mean it in a good way. So soothing 😌

[@OoohWaaayy]

sick!!!

[@lindseyB_33]

Yes!!!! This is so fantastic and perfect for Halloween theme but also a great study as well. I can’t wait to try this!!

[@danielvo-ngoc346]

Wow! I think this one is my fav yet. Looks challenging but def gonna give it a try!

[@PaintingwithJane]

Thank you so much! Enjoy!

[@daniellemainville9183]

Love it 🥰

[@cindychambers1588]

LOVE this... really loving the technique too... relaxing! Thanks Jane!

[@TheAcrylicAsylumwithMikeFerris]

Hi Jane I want to give you the biggest shout out and say that I have learned so much about acrylic painting through your tutorials, and I honestly never knew that I could do acrylic painting but it’s always been fun for me and I have gotten better thanks to you and so now I’ve started my own channel because you have inspired me so much and I wanted to pass the torch and help others as well♥️♥️

[@lullowitch]

I am so glad that I found your channel!! One of best I’ve seen. So many good advice. Not only about painting but the mental stuff as well.

[@Synchow]

I painted this one and absolutely LOVED it!! I liked the looseness of it. Thank you, Jane, for this!

[@LoveofChocolate18]

Hi Jane! Thank you for sharing this tutorial. I like how you simplify things so that even a beginner like me can follow along, and learn something new. If possible, would you please post a tutorial for a palette knife and sponge painting with a big summer/fall oak tree (the kind someone would rest under to read a book) in a grassy lawn, and a bunch of sunshine (maybe mid-day sunshine)? I like the palette knife paintings the best because as a beginner, I tend to lack confidence and overthink everything as I'm still learning to paint. Palette knife paintings force me to relinquish a lot of control in a truly wonderful way. Plus, the texture is great! I hope this message gets to you, and that you're having a nice day!

[@kylula]

Jane, you have the best tutorials! I’ve tried finding other tutorials online but the way you instruct and the camera angles... It’s great! I know every artist has their own style but I do wish you did just a few paintings that were a little more colorful and bright. Other than that you are amazing!

[@anjar4196]

Oh wow it’s awesome, how can anyone give this a dumb down, Jane it’s amazing. Thank you

[@mariaj317]

Omg this is the coolest!! Jane your the best hun💕❤️

[@MikeSmith-pz5vl]

You are so awesome, beautiful, amazing and gifted. I'm trying this painting myself. Thank you for your tutorials.

[@nathalies.5989]

I just found this video while I was searching for some help, because I had some struggle with a Skull painting I am working on. And yes, this was really helpful. Thank you very much and greetings from germany.

[@beckyquick4025]

Another FAVORITE!!!!!!!!!!!! so many hard to choose!! love it Jane!!!

[@PaintingwithJane]

Thank you so much! 😍

[@rivergurl8502]

I'm not a fan of skulls, but I'm excited to watch you paint one! It does get me in the spirit of Halloween. My youngest is planning what's likely her last year of trick-or-treating so it's important that I stay positive! I'll keep this on my watch list for the butterfly. I'd like to add a smaller version of the butterfly to the spring fence painting.

[@theoldcronestwistedorphana4092]

OMG I would *LOVE* all Halloween/creepy stuff now till Nov 1st!!!

[@wandapettine6174]

Hi Jane, haven't watched in a while, busy, busy, busy, ….but I'm going to find time to do this one...awesome! Thank you for sharing so much of your own time and talent with others...much appreciated!

[@LuciiiV]

I love the way yours turned out!

[@karenleigh2786]

Love this Jane and the Butterfly adds that little touch that shows life...Very Cool

[@RosieKuhnPhD]

Thanks for teaching us through your process. I learn to be patient and continue to push through my resistance because of you! Thank you! Though I don’t love the skull image, I knew I would learn a lot about working with edges and the whole dimensionality of this kind of image. Terrific teaching opportunity!

[@forgu1bl]

Love this Jane. I am growing as an artist and see that you are too! You have inspired me with several of your pieces. The techniques launch me into new realms of creativity. Please keep these coming.

[@Angel.Grey.]

Wow this is stellar. I absolute love all of your moody, dark paintings! I can't wait to see more like this!

[@Kaydence1122]

This video was so inspiring your advice and honesty about your art and art in its self is so amazing and helpful this video has helped me look at my art in a whole new light! Thank you and love the beautiful piece❤️

[@norahmiles5267]

AMAZING.!!!

[@michelleg5109]

YEEESSS!!! It's Halloween time. Your spooky paintings are my fave!!

[@glendacox6540]

I’m all about Halloween ! Can’t start early enough for me...

[@michelevargas4756]

Jane, I am so happy you are into Halloween as I am totally ga ga over the holiday. Paint all the spooky subjects you like, I'm into it.

[@PaintingwithJane]

😍👻

[@cristycreates2887]

Jane I love this one so much!! It's a story of the beginning and the end! 💜🦋 Beautiful my dear friend!!

[@PaintingwithJane]

Thank you ♥ I'm so glad you were able to make it today!

[@rhetttravolta9879]

It was nice meeting you yesterday:)

[@cristycreates2887]

@@PaintingwithJane you're welcome 😊 I'm always happy to be an your lives! 😘

[@cristycreates2887]

@@rhetttravolta9879 it was nice meeting you too Rhett! 😊

[@tattoolover5753]

Wow that looks amazing

[@Artchick1972]

Two of my Favorite things!!

[@Michelle-lu7hj]

Really beautiful and fun to do. Love hearing the soft background music 😉

[@jerrietenequer]

ITS BEEN AWHILE...ALL YOUR KZbin FANS NEED VIDEOS TOO... DONT FORGET ABOUT ALL OF US OUT HERE...LOL

[@faye9958]

HUGE Until Dawn vibes right there! I love it!

[@Karma__Reptiles]

I just wanted to say after seeing so many painting channels I put yours at the top, I just love your style and how your paintings are so vibrant and easy to follow videos !! Disappointed I didn’t find you sooner ! 😌🙌🏻🙏🏻🔥😀🎨 Just subscribed!!!

[@jjsworld6185]

I LOVE IT, WONDERFUL✨

[@michaelannfitzgerald8742]

This is awesome!😀 Hope to try this soon. Thank you Jane

[@J2ester]

This is awesome Jane. I LOVE IT!

[@DiscoveringTheArtofLiving]

Hi Jane! I am from Ontario Canada! I love your channel! You are such an amazing teacher! So encouraging and your easy to follow. I love Halloween and did your first. Skull painting with the hour glass and books! It turned out great! Can’t wait to do this one!

[@annedoucette7331]

Where are you? Hope you are not sick. Been watching for your videos and haven’t seen any for a long time.

[@sylvievoisin9515]

Absolutly cool, love it so much. Thank you

[@andreagreff2316]

This was so fun Jane!

[@Floatingaxe]

Even though I shun Hallowe'en themes, I really LOVE this one and will be painting it!

[@smurf786able]

Totally love this!

[@Sueprises]

Happy Halloween kickoff! Love the surprise butterfly

[@JohnSmith-nc4rv]

Awesomeness! It is a beautiful painting and you explain it so well. Now off to prepare my palette!

[@lisawinfrey5053]

I just broke my favorite scrubbing brush (a really cheap one) and I was going to finally buy some of your brushes, but you're on vacation! How dare you take time for yourself 😂😂 I'm anxiously waiting for your return 🤗🖤

[@allenclark4235]

tip: if you are on a computer you can rest your mouse over the end of the timeline you can see the reference image.

[@pamartyhimaja6315]

This one is just awesome. Amazing jane. Keep it up!!!!

[@kaydjay661]

I love this!! 🖤

[@ileanakreus2167]

Love it. Very cool.

[@lovinglife2232]

This is awesome!!!! thank you

[@tonymart7613]

Amazing painting. I love it

[@cha_os3]

Gorgeous as always. I would love to see some more pallet knife paintings from you. Really want to get into that a bit. 🤗 I want to do a giant moon with some dark trees cuddled against it, I just need to do it and stop over thinking it. LoL

[@debbiestrotz6917]

Way cool as usual! And I really like the speed drawing!

[@allisonprior]

Great video, I also create similar video tutorials for beginners, , I don't use the grid method, but I use the patterns , but the grid is also a great idea,, thank you very much for you tutorials, they are very helpful..

[@christinechance5723]

Bombard me with Halloween!!

[@PaintingwithJane]

Ok, if you insist! ;)

[@lizk7105]

Uff this is giving me so much trouble but I'm not giving up

[@aliciab1071]

This is a brilliant piece, thanks Jane! I love skulls and I love your T-shirt also...hehehe :)

[@nataliagonzalez4473]

The hardest part I have is trying to not scribble and perfect as I go. I’m too tense and I don’t know how to just go with it. I end up blending too much and then it gets no pop. No shading.

[@Brezzy369]

This is beautiful 🖤🖤🖤 love it!!

[@cindychambers1588]

OK.. I've watched this for the second time, so I'm thinking this will be the first painting I will have done in a year, if I do it... The last one I did was also one of yours... the black and white painting of a cup on a table. I'm HOPEFUL!

[@PaintingwithJane]

I hope you DO paint it! A year is a long time, friend. You gotta do this for yourself! 💛

[@gwen7005]

I did it!!!!❤️

[@lenasayer1420]

❤

[@nathanbotha1199]

Great lesson (I have a thing for skulls) and awesome to see someone else using the grid method. I've been experimenting with the grid method lately (coming from an abstract painting background and wanting to try something resembling a relaxed sort of realism), and I'm amazed how it's taken me from not being able to draw an amazing freehand face (for example) to being able to draw a really good one (I use one inch grid squares). I still feel a sense of achievement with the grid method because It's still observational drawing that enabled me to transfer the image to the canvas, although I have nothing against tracing which I also use often. I've seen some artists start with a kind of mid-tone underpainting, before the drawing stage (like Voka with his colourful portraits) but I prefer your way of having the dark underpainting. Thanks for the inspiring lesson Jane!

[@PaintingwithJane]

I'm so glad you enjoyed it, Nathan! I'm happy you're finding success with the grid method, too. It's such a helpful tool. Thank you!!

[@adkato77]

Jaaaaaaaane, we’re all worried!!! Hope you are ok!!!!

[@marycaciamasser3814]

Jane if you say you painted this based mainly on where the values go, would it be safe to say that if I used the same mixtures you did for your lights darks and halftones, that I could possibly paint this by just looking at the black & white copy of the reference photo?

[@sherrellrichmond4307]

Wow!

[@SusanBishop555]

I always will come to see what you are doing for Halloween! You do such fantastic creepy ones and I do love skulls! Big ART Hugs! :D

[@louisehenegan8418]

Where are you Jane? I miss seeing your videos. Are you okay?

[@sharonrose5134]

Hi Jane I hope you are okay. Normally you are doing your Halloween paintings at this time of year. Hope to see you soon 🙂

[@staceyrabin3529]

Jane, do you have any new videos? I can’t find them.

[@paint_freckles]

Hi Jane I just found your channel and love your work. You are so talented! I read your story in the "about " section and it sounds like me. Have you a video on how you learned to paint did you end up in art school? I can't work anymore because of an illness and like you I always wanted to be an artist. You explain things so well. Would you do a video on some tips or how you learned to paint ?

[@mariaj317]

Jane, im really missing you!! Hope all is well!!😘❤️

[@sarahventura404]

Hey Jane can you paint a rainy stormy day

[@sarahventura404]

😉😊

[@carolcarter8539]

I have been missing your Tuesday paintings. Are you alright? I am hoping you are on vacation or something and that you are Ok

[@Mizsunshyne1]

Hi I'll be here

[@PaintingwithJane]

Yay! 💛

[@lindascoleman220]

Hi Jane, love your artwork! My question, do you glue your canvas onto a board or canvas before you start painting and do you put finishing spray on your finished art piece? By the way, the spot on the butterfly looks like a beady eyeball! Thank you for sharing your amazing talent. 🎨

[@TheReeW]

Can we use regular extender in place of the matte medium?

[@jennifersusser1612]

Jane I need help!! I saved the photo. But I wanted to do this on a 12x12. I cant isolate the reference photo to be able to use the grinding program to adjust size. Any recommendations?

[@jennifersusser1612]

Never mind I went to pixaby... now just wish me luck on the size change 🖤🎨💚

[@Its.stitch.craft2004]

This is beautiful! Would you suggest waiting until i get better paint though? I have student paint. Ive done a few with it but It was a pain getting those to be full coverage

[@PaintingwithJane]

Thank you! I don't see why you'd have to wait. This is painted in several layers, and each later builds towards the final look. Absolute coverage in a single later isn't necessary 😊

[@TV-kn8gc]

10:00

[@artyheartylife8588]

Love this! You must have something amazing planned for Halloween if this is what we are getting in early September!

[@lizk7105]

I have a dumb question I use Fredrix canvas pads how do I frame the paintings? I plan on gifting this to my daughter for her birthday she loves skulls

[@cristycreates2887]

Liz I think shes doing a video on framing the canvas boards! 😊

[@lizk7105]

@@cristycreates2887 thank you so much I saw the video on her Facebook page

[@cristycreates2887]

@@lizk7105 you're very welcome ♥️

[@FirstLast-oe5sq]

2x

[@pamelabrown6318]

Hi when are you going to put up new Halloween stuff I want to paint new ones

[@shawnabelle2824]

Guess I'll wait for next painting,to dark for me

[@jmelio1]

Hi Jane...I would like to scale this down to a 12x12 canvas should my squares be 3/4 inch? The 1 inch was too big. I can't find your info on sizing grids..thanks so much!

[@PaintingwithJane]

I might have forgotten to put it in the video description. Here you go www.paintingwithjane.com/post/2019/01/24/how-to-grid-a-picture I hope it helps!!

[@jmelio1]

@@PaintingwithJane Thank you!

[@celicaouten4916]

Hey Jane! Do you have a way for fans to send in pictures they've captured in jopes of inspiring you? I have an image I think you might love! I'd love to paint it with you in a live video one day?

[@florentina_gradina]

Jaaaneee where are you?? We haven't seen you in soo long 😞