When you’re working on a picture, you can get to a point when you find some exciting areas, but it’s not quite working as a whole. Next moves can take you forward, but others move you back. I call this part of the journey the “messy middle.” It’s that point where you hit the doldrums and aren’t sure what to do next. Let me share with you what I do when I get to the messy middle.
Asking myself what I don’t like and what I have too much of helps direct my next move. If I see too much of the same thing, that’s an opportunity to make a change and bring more differences into the work. Regularly evaluating and asking questions as you create helps troubleshoot issues to keep you moving forward. Give it a try!
What questions do you ask yourself to move your work forward? Let us know in the comments.
This week’s podcast is about starting a painting and the psychology behind that. I’ve recorded myself talking while starting on this same painting. I’ve never talked through working on a painting without showing it, so it’s an experiment! I hope you’ll join me. Click here to subscribe to the Art2Life Podcast and catch up on past episodes, too!
Have a great Sunday!
NicholasPS: Don’t miss our annual Art2Life Free Online Workshop! It’s five days of creativity with me and some of our coaches that will radically shift your art this year! It all starts on February 13th. Join us!
Hi! I’m
Nicholas Wilton
the founder of Art2Life.
With over 20 years experience as a working artist and educator, I’ve developed a systematic approach that brings authenticity, spontaneity and joy back into the creative process.
Join me and artists from all over the world in our Free Art2Life Artists Facebook Group or learn more here about Art2Life.
