Dear Jane

Art Journaling inspired by Jane Austen

Open your heart and imagine the story a romantic heroine through color, collage and words.

 

My most romantic class and a safe space to express the feelings of your heart through words and art…

Click the video to see inside the class:

 
 
 

Do you ever wish you had a creative outlet and a safe, secret place where you can pour your heart out, unleash all your dreams and emotions, and fully be yourself?

But maybe you’re holding back because:

 
 

You worry too much about what others will think of you, and you dim your light to ‘fit in.’

You need the boost of inspiration from heroines like the strong and outspoken Jane Bennet to remind you that your art and heart matter and that whatever you long to express is meant to be birthed into the world.

When you sit down to create, sometimes the creative juices just don’t get flowing.

The unique subject matter of this class will be exactly the kind of creative inspiration you need to whoosh you back into the flow, getting you out of your critical head and into your loving heart.

You struggle to visually express your emotions in a way that feels meaningful and authentic. It’s easier to play it safe and stay in your comfort zone.

You need gentle guidance as you find the courage to dive deep into your heart and make art that celebrates the creative woman you are.

What if...

  • you embraced the romantic heroine who lives somewhere deep in your heart?

  • your art journal could be the unique book where you’re free to express your femininity, your feelings and your journey as a woman, just like Jane Austen did in her novels?

  • you created a colorful, beautifully layered page that tells your heroine’s unique story, like an echo of your own hopes, dreams and emotions?

In the intimacy of your art journal, I invite you to listen to your heart, create your own Jane Austen-inspired heroine and let her tell her story through words and art.

Ready to paint your heart out?

2+ Hours Of Video Lessons    Self-paced Online Art Class    Instant, Lifetime Access    Private Community Forum

Hi, I’m Laly Mille

Like so many women, I feel endlessly inspired by Jane Austen’s timeless novels and unique heroines. You can’t help but identify with the rebellious Lizzie, the resilient Anne or the passionate Marianne, depending on your mood or your season of life.

Jane had such a talent for expressing what lives within a woman’s heart, and this is what this deeply emotional and exquisitely colorful project is all about: We’re going to open up our hearts and honor our feelings by painting our very own Jane-Austen-inspired heroine, in the intimacy of our art journal.

Expressing our truth as women, allowing our feelings to be felt and our stories to be told, is an act of courage, in today’s world as much as in Jane Austen’s time. She created her heroines to express everything she could not say openly: hopes and pain, dreams and frustration, love and the longing for freedom… A fierce woman’s heart and an artist’s soul under the quiet surface of a lady.

what Students said:

“Such a lovely, calming, and inspiring class. All your techniques were explained in great detail. Thank you Laly.”

— MARCY C.

“This is a wonderful class of self-examination. I recommend this class to every woman who sits on the edge of expression every day.”

— YVONNE

“I like how you show everything you do, the layering, the thoughts, the trying out, the mistakes that are opportunities. I liked the idea of using a heroine for art journaling very much.”

— BRIGITTE M.

The Lessons

With more than 2 hours of video lessons, you’ll be right here with me in the studio as I create a magical, authentic art journal page and explain every little detail of what I do and why!

 

Part 1

Unleash Inspiration

Jane’s art was her words, so we’re going to begin with a little bit of writing! Like we’d write to a sister, we’re going to write a letter to Jane: think of her as an artist, a kindred spirit who’s gently lighting the way for you and understands every feeling.

Then we’re going to use our own words in our painting: the art journal is the perfect place to weave words and art together, and we’re going to do it with exquisite colors and delightful mixed media techniques!

I’ll guide you to:

  • Find inspiration from Jane Austen’s novels (what’s your favorite?)

  • Look within and loosen up by writing a letter to Jane that will become part of your art

  • Have fun creating a true-to-life Jane Austen letter with Jane’s type font and some tea to give it a vintage look!

 

Part 2

The Heroine of Your Story

In this next step, you’ll imagine your own heroine and let her tell you her story. You’ll start by imagining who she is, where she lives, what (and who!) she loves… You’ll uncover a little bit of her story, her feelings, and find out how they might echo your own… And then bring her to life!

I’ll guide you to:

  • Easily sketch your romantic heroine (no face drawing involved!) and shade her with inks.

  • Build up layers of collage, paint and inks to make the world around her come to life.

  • Incorporate words into your page in a variety of ways (we’ll even play with a quill, just for fun!)

 

Part 3

Ever After

Now that your page is almost complete, it’s time to add an extra layer of magic with beautiful finishing touches!

I love this stage of the process because it’s both playful and so meaningful. My own heroine had so much to tell me, and I’m sure that yours has a treasure of wisdom and love to share with you too.

It’s time to bring everything together to create an expression of your heart.

I’ll guide you to:

  • Add finishing touches that will add more beauty, emotion, and meaning to your page

  • Take a step back so you can allow your painting to speak to you

 

Inspirational extras

This class includes plenty of bonuses to spark your inspiration, including:

 
 
 

In total, Dear Jane has over 2 hours of high-quality video lessons.

I show and explain everything in detail, and I encourage you to make the process yours and work with what you’ve got. If you've ever taken a class with me, you know I like to keep it clear and super inspiring!

The class is in English with English closed captions available.

Create your romantic heroine…..

2+ Hours Of Video Lessons    Self-paced Online Art Class    Instant, Lifetime Access    Private Community Forum

Expressive art from the students!

 
 
 

Recommended Supplies

Below is a list of mixed media supplies for the class.

Remember these are only suggestions and half the fun is to go on a scavenger hunt around your house for materials you could use!

Inside the class, you’ll find a more detailed list with links, and I always encourage you to work with what you already own and love wherever possible.

 
 

Basic Supplies:

  • Art Journal: A good art journal is a friend for life! It should take all kinds of media really well and open flat. You’ll find a recommendation in the classroom, as well as a DIY option. You can also do this project on a sheet of heavy watercolor paper, or even a canvas or wood panel.

  • Matte gel medium or other glue of your choice

  • Paint brushes, including a flat one for collage

  • Paints and/or inks in colors of your choice

  • White gesso and/or white acrylic paint

  • Pens, pencils or crayons of your choice

  • Spray bottle & a rag

A variety of collage materials:

  • All sorts of papers (ask around!): magazines, colored tissue, printed napkins, sheet music, vintage wallpaper, vintage prints, text paper, paper doily etc.

  • Ideally, a used copy of your favorite Jane Austen book that you don’t mind tearing pages from (ask your library for discarded books or get one second-hand). Or you can make a few copies of favorite pages.

  • OPTIONAL: lace, ribbon or other pretty fibers (I ended up not using mine in this project, but they’re wonderful for finishing touches)

A few extra items you might enjoy:

  • Water-soluble pen or crayon (Stabilo All, Neocolor II) in black or other color of your choice

  • Permanent pens & paint markers (Posca, Pitt Artist…)

  • Palette knife or plastic card (old keycard…)

  • Craft heatgun to speed up the drying

  • Strong paper clips to hold your pages open

  • Parchment/baking paper to place under your pages so they don’t stick together

Open your art journal today…..

2+ Hours Of Video Lessons    Self-paced Online Art Class    Instant, Lifetime Access    Private Community Forum

Your Guide
for this creative journey

Hi! I’m Laly and I'm so glad you’re here! I’m a mixed media artist from France, and I’m here to help you grow your artist wings! What if you listened to your creative longings? What if you dared to follow this little spark? I believe with my whole heart that YOUR ART MATTERS. It’s your gift to the world, and now is your time to let it shine!

 You may have seen me in

 
Laly Mille in her art studio sitting at table with pink laptop.
 
 

 Your Questions Answered

If you don’t find an answer below, don’t hesitate to reach out by email at support@lalymille.com. We’ll will do our best to help!

 

I've never tried mixed media or art journaling before. I can't even draw a straight line! Can I really do this class?

Yes! And art journaling might be just what you need to fully embrace your creativity. You can also do the project on a canvas. In fact, this lesson is inspired by a whole series of larger Jane Austen-inspired paintings that I created. This class is suited to all levels, including beginners who long to play and explore. We won’t be painting a face, only a simple silhouette. I’ll guide you through every step and in the class you’ll find a picture of my sketch, so you can use it as a template if you prefer.

You’ll find so many creative ideas in this class, and the beauty of mixed media is that everything is always fixable. No special skills needed! Get ready to unlock your creativity and delight in gluing, painting, writing and of course, dreaming!

I don’t have a lot of art supplies. Will I need to spend hundreds of dollars on a journal, paints and brushes?

No! You can definitely make beautiful art even if you’re not buying premium art supplies. You’ll need a few paints and I really recommend matte gel medium as a glue. For collage, you can use magazines, old books and reclaimed papers. And if you don’t have an art journal, you can absolutely do this project on a sheet of heavy watercolor or mixed media paper, a wood panel, a canvas or canvas board.

The magic of mixed media is that you can almost always substitute an art supply with something else, play with materials from around the house and all those supplies you’ve bought in the past and never used!

I’m an experienced artist. Will there be anything I can learn from this class?

Absolutely! If you already love art journaling and are longing to dive deeper, express your feelings and emotions more bravely, and create art that’s more meaningful, then Dear Jane will be a wonderful journey of self-discovery. Get ready to renew your inspiration with fresh techniques and by incorporating writing with your art. As in all my classes, I share my authentic process and my favorite, tried-and-true techniques, artist to artist.

Plus, aside from the art itself, this is all about taking time for YOU, to relax, rediscover and reconnect to the light of your creative soul.

 

A summary of what you’ll get

2+ hours of detailed video lessons and my best creative tips.

You’ll be right by my side as I share my authentic process and emotional journey. Each lesson will get you super inspired and ready to create! You’ll also get plenty of bonuses to spark your inspiration, including a curated Pinterest board, Spotify playlist, printable card deck of favorite Jane Austen quotes, and useful links to books, movies, and type font.

My self-taught artist roots mean you won’t find any dry or technical art language here!

I have a heart-centered, non-academic teaching style perfect for beginners all the way to experienced artists. Art journaling is meant to be just for you, there are no rules! And the mixed media techniques I share are super forgiving: everything is always fixable! I encourage you to relax, let go of expectations, play, try new things and trust your intuition. This class is all about your own pleasure and creative fulfillment.

Get ready to go on a creative journey!

If you’re new, returning to art after a break or just need a boost of inspiration, this class will be your beacon of light. My hope is that it will give you techniques and inspiration to awaken your imagination and re-spark your creative fire!

And with lifetime access, you can come back anytime for a sweet dose of creative self-care.

Feel part of a creative community.

When you join you'll get access to our private community forum right within the classroom site, where I check in every week. We’re a lovely tribe where you’ll be welcome just as you are. Don’t hesitate to ask questions and share your work, the other participants and I will support you!

Awaken your inner Jane Austen…..

2+ Hours Of Video Lessons    Self-paced Online Art Class    Instant, Lifetime Access    Private Community Forum