Finishing a painting can be a major source of consternation for artists, especially beginners. Overworking is a common pitfall, and no one wants to feel such ruinous frustration after putting so much time and effort into a piece.
So how do I know when a painting is done? This is a tricky question with even trickier answers. Every artist has their own way of knowing. The best way, for me, is to try and let the painting tell me when it's almost there. What does THAT mean? I reach a point where addition marks or color do nothing for the piece. For someone else, it might be the feeling that you need a break, or that it's time to walk away from the painting. Whatever the signal, follow your instinct.
I call this 'the steeping phase' which any avid tea drinker will understand. To make tea, you have to let it steep. Don't stand there and stare at it; go and do something else. When you come back, the tea is just about ready. Add a spot of milk or honey or sugar and it's done.
A nearly-finished painting isn't much different. When you reach that point where you feel like you can't do much more, let it steep. Walk away. Go and do something else. When you come back, you will be ready to see what finishing touches the painting needs, and you will be ready to add them. A spot of highlight here, a touch of detail there, and it's done.
So how do I know when a painting is done? This is a tricky question with even trickier answers. Every artist has their own way of knowing. The best way, for me, is to try and let the painting tell me when it's almost there. What does THAT mean? I reach a point where addition marks or color do nothing for the piece. For someone else, it might be the feeling that you need a break, or that it's time to walk away from the painting. Whatever the signal, follow your instinct.
I call this 'the steeping phase' which any avid tea drinker will understand. To make tea, you have to let it steep. Don't stand there and stare at it; go and do something else. When you come back, the tea is just about ready. Add a spot of milk or honey or sugar and it's done.
A nearly-finished painting isn't much different. When you reach that point where you feel like you can't do much more, let it steep. Walk away. Go and do something else. When you come back, you will be ready to see what finishing touches the painting needs, and you will be ready to add them. A spot of highlight here, a touch of detail there, and it's done.