We have all been there. Hours of work on a painting, and you are more frustrated than ever before. Perhaps you are so deep into this frustation that you are close to hysterics (only me?).

In this article, explore some to the point tips on what to do when you are at that point.

So what do you do when a painting is kicking your butt? (and you don’t want to start over)

1. Recognize you are frustrated. If you are reading this, then something tells me you have already done step one: You realized that you are not in a great headspace right now. Did you know that is a really important part of this process? Yay you!

2. Breathe. Speak to yourself with a ton of compassion. Not only is this not a reflection of your worth as a human, it is something every artist has been through. Even seasoned painters can find themselves in this state. Take comfort in that your struggle is not unique.

3. Take a step back from the easel. Like a hearty step. Do something else for some time (at least a day or two, if you can). Don’t look at the piece… no, not even on your phone photo reel. Disclaimer: Next to noticing you are frustrated, this is sometimes the hardest part!!

4. In this space, find joy in making again. Take a break from that type of work and do something that is really satisfying. Do you love the predictability of baking? Chocolate chip cookies it is! Is digital illustration a fun outlet? Go work on that type of project. Remember, perfectionism is not helpful. That’s why I love to set limits on myself (i.e., finishing the painting the night of the wedding). It helps you to let go and be okay with the marks of your hand.

5. After you have calmed down (but before you approach your easel again), reflect on what could have been changed about the situation. This is the journey of the artist, we are always learning and adapting. Is it perfectionism you are struggling with, or something technical? One is more emotional, the other is something you can change (maybe, but perhaps not in this painting).

   Examples of technical considerations: Was it a poor reference photo? How can you change that in the future? Did the size impact it? Sometimes making something larger does not work. Does it seem like you need to learn more about a particular fundamental, such as the human face or color theory? Make a plan, after you are done with the piece, to take action to grow in that area.

6. Approach your easel and make an impartial observation. Hopefully, some time away has given your body time to calm down, and your creative mind time to rest. What do you notice about the piece right away? Set a timer and make the small correction. Sometimes that break is all you need for your eye to objectively see a problem. If nothing obvious comes up, then move onto step 7….

7. Embrace the piece. Maybe you made a small change that helped you like it more. Or perhaps, you are setting too high of expectations for yourself. Chances are, someone else will love the painting, even if you wrestle with it. Overworking and overthinking are so easy to do, and whatever you decide to do with it (toss it, keep it as a record of your journey, or show it to the world), let it be part of your growth.

   Remember, every artist goes through this process, even seasoned veterans. You showed up to make, and that’s the most important part. Whether or not you decide to show it to the world or toss it is okay, and something everyone experiences!