How do we know when a painting is done?

One of the most popular questions I get in my mentor practice is- How do we know when a painting is done?

It can be so tempting to keep adding more and more details, or even broad big strokes, but it can also lead to overworking a piece and losing the original intent. I am guilty of this– wrestling some paintings to the ground and losing any semblance of my original intent.

 Or maybe you find yourself growing timid trying to decide if a painting is good enough. You know deep down it could better reflect what you truly want to create.

One must take important risks

Oval, Collage, handmade gesso, oil on panel 50 x 35'

There is also a third element to all of this. It’s a basic understanding of your intent as you begin your process. It takes time to build trust and deep intuition in order to be truly present for what a painting calls for.

But there are strategies you can start using right away to help you know when to decide for yourself if a painting is done.

This is a topic I consistently guide other painters on if you work with me in a Private Mentorship.

Learn More About the Process of Finishing a Painting In this Video Here: