Tip: Begin painting out-of-doors as quickly as possible. Don't keep searching round the next corner for a slightly better view. There usually isn't one
Failed Paintings
We all suffer 'failed' paintings - paintings that start out well but loose their way. These paintings are always disappointing, but how can we learn from them?
Here's some of the reasons why my paintings fail. I've put together a rogues gallery of my paintings that have failed. Read the article, and have a look. I hope you can learn from them:
1) Biting Off More Than I Can Chew. A lot of my paintings fail because I pick a subject that's beyond my technical capabilities. I can't paint hands, clouds or trees so I go to great lengths to avoid them in my paintings. Of course I need to practice them if I want to become a better painter, but when I want to produce a finished painting, I avoid them. There is a time for practice and a time to play to your strengths.
2) Inspiration Failure. As I paint, many things will distract me from my initial inspiration and I can get bogged down in details. I try never to forget my initial inspiration. That's where quick sketches are useful. I make a quick sketch of your subject, add colour notes and even write down the reasons why I feel inspired by this particular subject at this particular moment in time.
3) A Step Too Far. This is the worst way for a painting to fail: You are pleased with a painting and decide to add just a few more changes. The changes take the painting too far and it looses its appeal. The solution is to learn to walk away from the painting. Turn it to the wall and don't look at it for a few months. Then turn it round. If I do that, the chances are I won't want to change anything. The painting is finished.
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Bad Art
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If you thought your paintings were bad, seek comfort here! Also contains lots of so called 'Bad Links' to other bad art sites.
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