She Walks in Starlight
CLASS IS OPEN!
{ LIFETIME ACCESS & DOWNLOADABLE VIDEOS }
***
This Class is also available in Art Soul Living – Creative Academy – read more here
She Walks in Starlight – A Journey into Light, Layers, and Magic
Hello, dear creative friend! I’m so happy to welcome you to this special course, where we will paint in the luminous world of misch technik—a mesmerizing layering process that brings depth, glow, and an almost otherworldly radiance to your paintings.
In this course, I will guide you step by step through this fascinating technique, originally rooted in ancient painting traditions and refined over centuries. Misch technik is all about playing with light, working in layers of transparent and opaque paint to create an opalescent, dreamlike effect. Once you begin to explore this approach, you’ll discover a whole new way to bring richness and depth to your art.
Throughout our time together, we will create four soulful, symbolic paintings:
✨ A woman walking in the light of the cosmos (She Walks in Starlight)
✨ A dreamlike portrait bathed in moonlight (Girl with Moonlight Dreams)
✨ A loose and expressive vision of nature’s energy (Tree of Life)
✨ A cosmic feline infused with celestial magic (Universal Cat)
Each lesson is designed to gently introduce you to this technique, blending classical and contemporary methods in an intuitive and approachable way. Whether you are new to acrylics or an experienced artist, this process will expand your creative possibilities and invite you to paint with light, color, and soul.
No prior experience is needed—just a spirit of curiosity and a willingness to explore. I’ll take you through everything step by step, from materials to finishing touches, so you can truly immerse yourself in this magical painting experience.
I can’t wait to share this journey with you. Let’s step into the starlight together!
With joy and inspiration,
Ida
She Walks in Starlight
CLASS IS OPEN!
{ LIFETIME ACCESS & DOWNLOADABLE VIDEOS }
***
This Class is also available in Art Soul Living – Creative Academy – read more here
LEARN MORE ABOUT THIS WONDERFUL CLASS!
“I am in love with the light of the stars. It helps me find my own light inside.”
— Unknown
Here’s a description of each of our special projects:
“REFLECTIONS” // Into the Wild Himalayas
I open the class with an inspirational collection of prompts, inspirations and a hand made bonus reference for you, to venture out on your own creative journey, expand on the learnings from the lessons.
The “Reflections” can be referred to all the way through the lessons and beyond.
LESSON 1 – SHE WALKS IN STARLIGHT
Step into the luminous world of She Walks in Starlight, where delicate layers of shadow, light, and color intertwine like a celestial dance. This lesson takes you deep into an immersive painting process, blending rich blues, deep violets, and radiant turquoise to create an ethereal, glowing figure bathed in the mystery of the night sky.
* * *
There is something truly magical about working with layers of light and shadow—the way a painting can emerge from the deep, like a figure stepping out of the night itself. She Walks in Starlight is an invitation to slow down and immerse yourself in the process, letting the brush guide you as you explore the interplay of darkness and luminosity. Each stroke is a discovery, each layer a step deeper into the painting’s story. There is no rush, no rigid path—only a quiet unfolding, like stars gradually appearing in the evening sky.
We begin by anchoring the painting with deep, rich shadows, sculpting the form from ultramarine blues and earthy undertones before bringing in the first soft touches of light. Then, we move into the magic of translucent color glazes, layering luminous turquoise and violets to create a sense of depth and movement. I’ll show you how to harness the unique properties of pigment transparency, how to mix jewel-like hues, and how to use both soft and bold strokes to let the painting breathe and evolve organically.
As the figure takes form, we refine the edges, deepen the contrasts, and weave in the final details that bring the scene to life. We’ll enhance the night sky with delicate stars, using Posca pens to create tiny bursts of light, and experiment with slow-drying acrylics to blend and soften transitions, giving the painting an almost otherworldly glow. This process is both precise and intuitive—a balance between guiding the brush and allowing the painting to reveal itself. In the end, what emerges is more than just an image; it’s a feeling, a quiet moment captured in starlight.
Key Learning Points:
- Building a luminous painting layer by layer – Working with deep shadows, soft light, and translucent color glazes.
- Understanding pigment opacity and transparency – How different paints interact with each other in layers.
- Refining edges and creating depth – Enhancing contrast through soft blending and precise highlights.
- Using glazing techniques for a jewel-like glow – Working with ultramarine, turquoise, and violets to create a celestial atmosphere.
- Exploring golden open acrylics – Achieving seamless, oil-like transitions with slow-drying paint.
- Enhancing the details with Posca pens – Adding star-like accents and delicate connections to create a cosmic feel.
“A luminous body will appear more brilliant in proportion as it is surrounded by deeper shadow.”
— Leonardo Da Vinci
LESSON 2 – GIRL WITH MOONLIGHT DREAMS
Bathed in soft moonlight, a dreamlike portrait emerges, blending light and shadow in luminous layers. Using glazes, atmospheric textures, and delicate highlights, we bring depth to her features and create a celestial glow with acrylics, ink, and mixed-media details.
* * *
In Girl with Moonlight Dreams, we step into a dreamlike world of moonlight and mystery, where soft glows and deep shadows create an atmosphere of quiet magic. In this portrait, we weave together luminous layers of color, allowing the painting to emerge organically, much like a dream unfolding on the canvas. The balance between light and dark, detail and looseness, is at the heart of this process—inviting us to trust the journey and let intuition guide the brush. As we work, the painting reveals itself, whispering its own story of wonder and imagination.
Using a combination of transparent glazes, rich earth tones, and delicate highlights, we refine our figure while preserving a sense of movement and spontaneity. You’ll explore the depth and glow that glazing techniques can bring, learning how to build up form through carefully layered colors. We’ll also embrace the power of contrasts—softening transitions where needed and sharpening select edges to create focus. Throughout the lesson, we’ll work fluidly, allowing each layer to settle before bringing in the next, ensuring that every detail contributes to the overall harmony of the piece.
Key Learning Points
- Building depth with transparent glazes – Learn how to layer colors to achieve luminous, glowing skin tones and atmospheric backgrounds.
- Balancing intuition and technique – Discover how to navigate between expressive brushwork and controlled refinement to create a compelling portrait.
- Using light and dark to shape form – Explore how to deepen shadows and enhance highlights to add dimension and presence to your figure.
- Refining edges for emphasis – Find out where to soften transitions and where to sharpen details to guide the viewer’s eye.
- Creating a dynamic background – Experiment with abstract elements, splatters, and layering effects to bring movement and energy into your composition.
- Enhancing textures with mixed media – Incorporate different tools, from fluid acrylics to Posca pens, to add delicate details and final touches.
“There is a crack in everything, that’s how the light gets in.”
— Leonard Cohen
LESSON 3 – TREE OF LIFE
A tree filled with light, movement, and magic—this lesson is all about play and creative flow. We’ll layer luminous glazes with fluid acrylics, then sketch branches and details in white acrylic ink, bringing our Tree of Life to life with effortless mark-making.
* * *
In Tree of Life, we step into a free-flowing creative session, sketching with paint and embracing a light, relaxed approach. This is not about perfection but about experiencing color, movement, and spontaneity on the page. We’re exploring a tree as a symbol of life, energy, and growth, but in a way that feels playful and organic, letting our brushes and intuition lead the way.
We begin with luminous glazes, layering transparent color in a way that feels almost like stepping into a rainbow. Using fluid acrylics, water, and a touch of medium, we create a vibrant base full of soft transitions and unexpected textures. Then, we introduce white acrylic ink and mark-making tools to sketch the tree’s structure, adding delicate branches, leaves, and magical details. Throughout, I’ll encourage you to stay loose, trust your instincts, and enjoy the feel of the brush dancing across the surface.
By the end of this session, you’ll have a beautifully expressive tree filled with light, texture, and movement. More than that, you’ll experience the joy of sketching with paint—letting go of rigid expectations and simply creating. This lesson is a celebration of freedom, flow, and the magic that happens when we embrace the unexpected.
Key Learning Points:
- Loosen up and paint intuitively – Let go of expectations and explore color and form with a free-flowing, playful approach.
- Work with fluid acrylic glazes – Create luminous layers by blending transparent colors and allowing them to interact organically.
- Explore spontaneous textures – Use water, drips, and spatters to add natural, organic patterns to your piece.
- Sketch with white acrylic ink – Build up the structure of the tree with expressive, flowing lines.
- Enhance with Posca pens – Add crisp highlights, delicate hatching, and small magical details like stars, leaves, and tiny birds.
- Create contrast and depth – Balance dark and light elements to bring out the dynamic energy of your painting.
- Embrace imperfection and joy – Treat this as a sketch with paint, allowing the process to guide you rather than aiming for perfection.
LESSON 4 – UNIVERSAL CAT
A cosmic feline emerges from the stars in this playful and expressive painting session. We’ll blend deep celestial hues and glowing highlights with loose brushwork, spattering, and intuitive color blending to create a cat infused with magic and mystery.
* * *
There’s something truly magical about cats—they carry an air of mystery, elegance, and independence, as if they walk between worlds. In Universal Cat, we’ll bring that energy onto the page, painting a luminous feline infused with cosmic light and starry magic. With a playful and loose approach, we’ll explore the beauty of layering colors and textures to create a dreamlike, celestial cat that feels both grounded and otherworldly.
We’ll begin by sketching out our cat’s silhouette, using an easy tracing technique to quickly establish the form. Then, we’ll dive into expressive, fluid acrylic layers, blending deep midnight blues and warm siennas to create a rich, multidimensional effect. Drawing from the historic misch technique, we’ll weave together dark and light layers, glazing in soft, ethereal hues, and allowing spontaneous textures to emerge. You’ll learn how to balance control with freedom, letting the paint work its magic while still guiding the form.
This is a fast and intuitive painting session—perfect for those moments when you just want to let go and create something full of life and light. We’ll finish with white highlights, starry spatters, and final touches that make the cat glow with celestial energy. Whether you’re a cat lover, a universe dreamer, or simply in the mood for a fun and expressive painting session, this lesson invites you to enjoy the process and let your creativity shine.
Key Learning Points:
- Loosen up and paint intuitively – work fast and free without getting caught in details.
- Learn the misch technique – balance dark, light, and transparent layers for a glowing effect.
- Create smooth color transitions – mix and glaze acrylics for rich, deep hues.
- Use tracing for easy setup – get your sketch onto the page quickly.
- Explore spattering and texture techniques – add movement and cosmic energy to your painting.
- Enhance contrast and depth – use layering to build dimension in the cat’s form.
- Finish with magical details – add white highlights and celestial stars for a luminous touch.
“She walks in beauty, like the night of cloudless climes and starry skies.”
– Lord Byron
WHO IS THIS CLASS FOR?
This class is designed for anyone who wants to explore expressive, layered painting—no matter their previous experience. All levels are welcome, and everything is guided step by step, so you’ll create finished artwork with ease.
We’ll work with acrylics, glazing techniques, and the historical Mischtechnik to create luminous, dreamlike compositions. Whether you’re a beginner, an intermediate artist, or an experienced creative, there’s plenty to discover. These techniques are universal and can be adapted to any skill level, offering both structure and freedom in the process.
Through playful experimentation, intuitive color blending, and symbolic imagery, we’ll journey from a blank page to a finished piece, capturing the essence of the natural world, celestial wonders, and a touch of magic. If you love mythical and ethereal art, infused with storytelling and mystery, this class will feel like home.
She Walks in Starlight
CLASS IS OPEN!
{ LIFETIME ACCESS & DOWNLOADABLE VIDEOS }
***
This Class is also available in Art Soul Living – Creative Academy – read more here
Supply List
This list gives you an overview of the materials I use throughout the class.
I encourage you to work with what you have, explore new materials from the list, and adapt as you go. While I share my preferred materials, including acrylics, glazing mediums, and inks, you can achieve beautiful results with a variety of brands and tools. I do recommend artist-grade materials for their rich pigments and smoother blending, but the most important thing is to enjoy the process and experiment freely!
-
When purchasing the course, you will receive specific and in-depth materials lists for each lesson.
General Materials List
Painting Surfaces
- Watercolor paper (e.g., Canson XL Aquarelle 300gsm)
- Mixed media paper or canvas
- Painter’s tape
- Mounting board (wooden, plastic, or plexiglass)
Drawing & Sketching Tools
- Graphite pencil (HB, F, or 2B)
- Mechanical pencil (0.5mm)
- Tracing paper or transfer method
- Kneaded eraser
Acrylic Paints & Inks (Artist-grade recommended, adjust to what you have)
- Titanium White (PW6)
- Ultramarine Blue (PB29)
- Burnt Sienna (PBr7)
- Quinacridone Red (PV19)
- Cobalt Teal (PG50)
- Green Gold (PY129) (or mix a substitute: Yellow + Phthalo Green + Raw Sienna)
- Acrylic Ink in Titanium White
Mediums & Binders
- Acrylic binder (e.g., Golden GAC 100)
- Water for thinning
- Spray bottle for misting
Brushes & Tools
- Filbert brushes (various sizes)
- Flat brushes (small and large)
- Soft pointed brushes (size 1 and up)
- Scruffy/textured brush
- Old toothbrush for spattering
Special Effects & Details
- Posca pens (White, PC-3M and PC-1MR)
- Rollerball pen (for tracing)
- Mixing plates or palettes
- Jars for water and premixed medium
- Hairdryer or heat gun