How to Finish a Painting: 11 Tips to help when you feel stuck.

We’ve all been there… Your painting starts off going smoothly and suddenly you reach a point that seems like there’s no return… You feel stuck and don’t know how to finish your painting.

Here are some tips on practical ways to help you over the hump:

1. Take a photo of your painting with your phone. When you look at the painting on your screen, some things might jump out at you that you didn’t see before.

2. If you are painting from a reference photo, turn the photo upside down. Doing this will help you see shapes and values more easily and take out the fear factor of  trying to capture a "certain image".

3. Being up close to your painting for long periods of time makes it difficult to see what you are actually doing. Try looking at your painting in the mirror...seeing a mirror image will give you a different perspective and again will help you see things you didn't see before.

4. Take a black and white photo of your painting. This will help you gauge the values and help determine whether you need to lighten or darken certain areas. (Be sure and change your reference photo to black and white as well to compare!)

5. Take some time away from your painting. Putting it out of sight for a while and then returning to it later can help you get a fresh perspective and allow you to look at it more objectively.

6. Don't give up...there's usually a point when your painting will look quite messy. This is a common stage. Push forward and refine by building up your layers; one strategic, but spontaneous stroke at a time. Laying in those last pops of color and highlights makes all the difference!

Questions to Ask Yourself if you Can’t Finish Your Painting:

7. “Are my colors cohesive?”

8. “Is there a distracting element or line that takes my eye off the canvas?”

9. “Do I have a focal point? If so, am I using the rule of thirds?”

10. Do my values have enough contrast?

11. Are there interesting temperature shifts in my colors? We are all amateurs at some point. Remember to accept where you’re at as an artist, and know that the more you practice, the better you’ll get. Look back at where you were a year (or more) ago, and imagine where you’ll be a year from now if you put in the time and effort! 

Keep this in mind: every painting you do will be a stepping stone to the next one!