Working through the ugly stage… What to do when my painting needs an intervention.
almost every artwork ever done, goes through stages of not-so–pretty. Getting past that stage can be a challenge. Here are a few practical tips I have used for getting to the other side.
Sometimes it takes a new perspective to reset the brain and see a painting differently. So, it’s good to step away and take a break. Go hydrate, grab a snack or a chai tea. Much like cleansing the palate, I need to see my painting with fresh eyes.
Coming back into it I take a deep breath, stand waaaaay back, and tell myself what I like about it. Then I also kindly critique. Sometimes I take careful notes of my first thoughts. I try not to overthink it.
Another way to work through problem areas in a painting is simply flip the painting upside down on the easel. Now I have reset my vision to see the artwork differently. This usually helps me immensely, to identify the area I’m struggling with. Now I can see what I really like and also what I want to correct. Sometimes it doesn’t take much— a shift in color or shape and voilà! So much BETTER!
As I get close to finishing a painting or work through the last problem areas, I like to take a picture of it. The photo helps me identify an area that might need to be tweaked. It can also help to transfer the image to black and white and make corrections based on what I can now more easily see, in terms of value, depth, and contrast.
Another big help is having a “phone-a-friend” artist on speed dial, to get feedback. This is so easy to do with technology and the ability to text a pic of the painting. Again, it’s another way to put fresh eyes on the artwork
Final and last resort, if none of the above solve things: say adios! Chalk it up to learning experience and start afresh. Kiss that ugly painting goodbye! There is really so much freedom in layering over the ugly ones! And now you have a fresh canvas to begin again another day!
I hope you know that I am in your corner as you continue your artful journey!