Stop Getting Mad At Your Art!!!

How many artists get mad or frustrated at a painting? Something isn't quite working or we wish we had thought of a composition change earlier. I have heard many artists cursing because the painting isn't looking like they envisioned and have even seen some tear up a drawing in a fit of rage. Is this necessary? Is it helpful in creating art?

I am an artist because I love creating art. If I am getting upset while painting, something is wrong. I should be smiling. I believe that if you have angst or frustration in life, then your artwork should help you get it out and achieve equilibrium, not make it worse. If painting is making you miserable, you don't need to stop painting, you just need to examine your process and change your perspective.

Trust in your vision

It is often very difficult to see how the beginning stages of a painting will end up as a great artwork. A few strokes on the paper don't look like much, but they are laying the foundation for something beautiful. You cannot judge a painting by the initial stages or even the middle stages. It is like looking at raw eggs, flour, baking soda, sugar, oil, and cocoa powder and saying "I am not eating that because it looks gross!" when you haven't allowed the brownies to bake. You must trust that your plan for a painting will work.

Plan your composition

When you plan out your distribution of values, spatial design, color scheme, focal point(s), and do preliminary sketches, it can help you feel comfortable that your idea for a painting will work. This may sound like it is analytical and stifling to the creative spirit to some, but it actually allows you to paint expressively because you are more confident in where your painting is going. This is not constraining, but freeing and makes it more likely you will end up with a painting you like.

You can always start over

No matter how many hours you have put into a painting, it is not the end of the world if it isn't working. Count the painting as practice and don't make the same mistakes again. If you have painted well before, you can do it again. Art is not an accident, though our experiments are not always successful and it may feel that way on a tough day. Learn from the painting and move on. The greatest masters from art history had many failed paintings and it is inevitable that you will too.

Christopher Reid painting en plein air in Kinston, NC

Every painting you do is practice

If you approach every painting as artistic practice, you will be surprised how much more open you are to your inner creativity. You will see it more as playing and actually enjoy your art more.

Identify what isn't working

Step back and examine your painting. What exactly isn't working. Is it an issue of proportions, drawing accuracy, values, chroma, hue, or edges? If so, then it is nothing to get upset about. It is something that you can fix. Why would you get mad about it? Anger is unproductive. Just make corrections and move on.

Your next painting will usually be even better

Trust in your growth as an artist. Your best paintings are yet to come. You have to get through the stage of your path that you are on now to get to the really great parts. The hills you have to climb will eventually put you on top of the mountain. Put in the work now so you will reap the rewards in your future work.

"Sunnin' Turtle" pastel painting by Christopher Reid

Smile, you're an artist :)

No matter how many failed paintings you have, you are still creating art. You are making the attempt, which puts you ahead of 99% of humanity. Be proud that you have the courage to occasionally fail. Dust yourself off and get back to it! You are an artist and are part of a global community of beauty. Enjoy creating art. :)

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Christopher Reid is an award-winning artist working in pastel, watercolor, acrylic,and charcoal. He paints all different subjects from coastal landscapes to wildlife to portraits. View his work at reidsart.com or email [email protected]