saskia van drunen
complement in blue
Discover how complementary colours can
bring your portrait alive in just one hour
Where colour and portrait finally come together
Watch your portrait and background dance together in colour, shape, and texture.
Have you ever struggled with making your portraits feel connected, alive, and full of depth?
You want to make a background that isn’t boring?
You spend hours on a face, but somehow it feels disconnected with the background and flat, or the colours just don’t sing together.
You’re not alone. Many artists assume that bold colours clash or that limited palettes are restrictive.
That’s exactly why I created Complement in Blue. It was originally part of the Art Soul Gathering online retreat and only available in a special bundle back then and not available anymore. Now, for the first time, it’s available individually, so you can enjoy the full lesson anytime, at your own pace.
Hi! I’m saskia
An artist and teacher, I’m passionate about colour, texture, and bringing portraits to life. Over the years, I’ve guided many students in combining colour theory with practical, hands-on techniques. My lessons are approachable, playful and full of experimentation, perfect for artists who want to learn, explore and create without pressure.
step into colour and expression
In this 1-hour online lesson, you will:
- Create a lively abstract background using acrylic paint, acrylic ink, and a touch of glitter
- Explore complementary colours (blue and orange) to create energy and balance
- Draw a profile portrait with attention to proportions, angles, and shapes
- Paint the portrait in layers, from transparent washes to opaque, building depth and expression
- Mix your own skin tones using the complementary background colours for a cohesive, harmonious look
- Observe tonal values, highlights, and contrast to bring your portrait to life
This lesson is designed to be fun, practical, and inspiring, giving you both the techniques and confidence to create expressive portraits that feel connected to their background.
Build the confidence to mix, layer, and use complementary colours, creating portraits that feel alive and connected.
This lesson comes with all the tools to help you succeed
Art supplies PDF
A handy guide with all the materials you’ll need to make your portrait shine.
a reference photo
A clear image to help guide your painting and get the proportions just right
COMMunity and support
acces to a closed facebook group for feedback, sharing and connecting to other artists. And an online classroom where it is also possible to ask questions
downloadable lesson
Follow along at your own pace. Pause, replay, and create whenever you like.
Watching the colours dance together
PAINT!
your questions answered
Do I need a lot of materials or experience?
Not at all! Just acrylic paint, inks, brushes, and paper/canvas are enough. The lesson is suitable for both beginners and more experienced artists. You can follow along step by step at your own pace.
How long is the lesson?
About 1 hour, with step-by-step guidance you can pause or replay anytime.
Can I use other colours than blue and orange?
Absolutely! The techniques work with any complementary palette, you can experiment and make it your own.
I’m not sure about proportions, will I manage?
Yes! We go step by step, observing angles, shapes, and measurements to build confidence in drawing the profile. I’ll also show you how to use a scaling tool for measuring.
How long do I have access to the lesson?
You’ll have unlimited access, so you can revisit the lesson anytime you like. And the lesson is fully downloadable, so you can watch and paint whenever it suits you.
What if my portrait doesn’t turn out the way I hoped?
That’s completely okay and part of the process. This lesson is about exploring, learning, and gently building your confidence along the way.