Every artist, no matter how skilled or experienced, has encountered a painting that just didn’t turn out as expected. It’s a natural part of the creative process! While most of us view an unsuccessful painting as a failure, it actually can hold a valuable learning experience. In fact, these moments of artistic struggle can teach us more about ourselves and our art practice than a successful piece ever could!
So what did I discover from making this?
1. What went wrong?
A painting that doesn’t meet expectations often reveals areas that need improvement. Or a part of your process that can be altered or completely changed.
With this particular piece I decided to skip a step and draw my idea right onto the panel.
For me, the real magic happens in the drawing stage. It’s where 90% of the problem-solving takes place—composition, values, color palette, and the overall vision all come together before paint ever touches the canvas. While some artists can dive right in with a quick sketch, I need a fully rendered plan to bring my ideas to life.
2. Experimentation creates growth
Trying a new technique, color palette, or subject matter can sometimes lead to unexpected results. But even if the final piece isn’t perfect, the knowledge gained from experimentation is invaluable. It encourages artistic growth and opens the door to new creative possibilities.
Skipping the drawing step in my process only confirmed how essential it is to getting the results I want. But in that misstep, a new possibility opened up—I can focus more on this single step, creating a collection of fully realized pieces just waiting for their moment on canvas. Now, instead of rushing, I get to build a library of ideas, ready to come to life with paint when the time is right.
3. Let go of perfection
Not every painting needs to be a masterpiece. Sometimes, letting go of the pressure to create something perfect allows for more creative freedom. Embracing mistakes as part of the journey can make the artistic process more enjoyable and less stressful.
Look, I get it—your Instagram needs to look flawless for galleries to notice you, your follower count needs to grow, and the sales need to roll in so you can keep making art. But can we just take a breath and remember why we create in the first place? Art isn’t for algorithms, curators, or the perfect grid—it’s for you. The pressure to be perfect sucks the joy right out of it, making mistakes feel like setbacks instead of progress. But without those mess-ups, and making crap art, there’s no growth. No breakthroughs. No real success. So stop dreading these failures and lean in, they’re not the enemy. They’re part of the process.
Conclusion
At the end of the day, every painting tells a story—not just on the canvas, but in the lessons learned along the way. So the next time a piece doesn’t go as planned, take a step back, reflect, and remember that even the most challenging works are moving you forward.
Happy painting!