How do you cope with a bad painting day?

Lacey Lewis · 12-01-2005, 12:13 AM

I don't have any answers, but man, I know what you mean! There are times when I feel I know nothing about painting, or about art, or about much of anything for that matter. I get really upset, too and wonder if there is any point in picking up a brush again.

Then I am grumpy, and I can't even seem to enjoy a good meal. And my poor family that has to put up with me...

Now, I'd like to think that this is all part of the process of learning and growing. There were times when I struggled like this, and afterwards made great strides. But not always!

So, I would be glad to hear what others do to tame the madness! And maybe, at least, you will feel better that you are not the only one who ends up wrecking paintings again and again and gets no where and feels miserable? (Did you see my thread with the bridal portrait profile!?!)

OK, sorry, not my thread to rant.

Kimber Scott · 12-01-2005, 12:37 AM

Thanks, Linda. I'm sure that's what I NEED to do. Unfortunately, I'm supposed to turn this thing in for a grade. Oh, I hope the gods don't let me embarrass myself in public. I have until Monday...

Lacey, rant away. It does help me to know I'm not the only one. Last semester, I read Emile Zola's "The Masterpiece." I've talked about it here before. This book really sticks with me, though, because I feel I behave just as the main character, Claude, did in the book. He'd start a painting, it would take off really well, then he'd keep messing with it and messing with it until it turned into a mess. Unfortunately, things didn't turn out so well for him. Now, I'm not that bad, but I can really feel his pain!

I'm thinking hot chocolate might help...

Tom Edgerton · 12-01-2005, 10:13 AM

99% of the time, if I am self-destructing at the easel, it's because I'm tired. So I do business maintenance, straighten up the studio, and go away. Flailing at the canvas when you're exhausted never amounts to anything but a waste of time.

Trust that what you've invested and learned in getting to your current level of proficiency won't go away because of one bad session.

Best--TE

Joan Breckwoldt · 12-01-2005, 10:22 AM

Hi Kimber,

I think you must have more confidence than you think because I didn't see any indication that you're thinking of giving up painting! It looks like from your post there is no question of you stopping painting. And, that's what I have done in the past, I've gotten so frustrated when I couldn't solve a problem (when I was trying glazing mostly) that I just stopped painting for months!

So, you're doing the right thing, you're keeping at it. That's all we can do. And try to remember that every painting and all the time spent in front of the easel is learning. I'm better about remembering that now, and even when a painting doesn't turn out, I try to remind myself that I'm learning all the time.

And chocolate does help! So does a day or two off.

Joan

Lacey Lewis · 12-01-2005, 10:40 AM

Months without painting!?!

I think I am going to faint...

Joan Breckwoldt · 12-01-2005, 11:15 AM

Yes, months! My kids were younger, I took a night class (still life) one summer a few years ago, then I got interested in glazing portraits. I tried it at home but just couldn't get it. I got a lot of help from the forum but didn't have an instructor or anybody to help me out, or encourage me. Then the kids started school, things got busy, holidays came, we moved, a few more months went by. I was diong a lot of volunteering at my kids' school, had an antique shop for 6 months, I was certainly keeping busy, but not with painting.

I eventually signed up for a portrait class here in Houston, it wasn't very good at all, not much help from the teacher, lost steam and went on to something else. Then a year ago I found a great still life teacher and that got me painting every week! And through him I found a wonderful portrait instructor!!! I've been painting on and off like this for years, until now. Now I'm serious about it!

This brings to mind something I read on the forum years ago. Somebody asked how does one find the time to paint every day? The answers were basically "I don't do anything else". I thought that sounded crazy, but now that I've committed to learning how to paint, I've found I've done the same thing. I only volunteer at my kids' school minimally. I don't do a lot with friends because that takes away from painting. I don't even like going to the grocery store because that takes time away from painting, though it has to be done. I can't remember the last time I was in any kind of department store. The only store ever go to is the ART store for things I need that day, the rest is ordered online. I do belong to a prayer group but that's only an hour each week. So, now I understand what people were talking about those years ago because I have the same attitude.

Sorry, got off track there.

Joan

Michele Rushworth · 12-01-2005, 02:18 PM

Tom wrote:

Quote:

99% of the time, if I am self-destructing at the easel, it's because I'm tired. So I do business maintenance, straighten up the studio, and go away. Flailing at the canvas when you're exhausted never amounts to anything but a waste of time.

I find the same thing. If I paint when I'm tired there's a triple danger: I don't accomplish anything worthwhile, I have to repaint that section the next day anyway since it wasn't any good, and I get frustrated.

So, while I want to paint pretty much all the time, I know I can't physically or mentally do that. I need to go take care of other things or rest up for the next day so I that do have a good painting session. (I guess I know I'm addicted to painting when I start wishing there was some magic drink I could take that would give me all the energy I need and never have to stop, rest or sleep. And no, Starbucks hasn't yet invented the perfect concoction that quite does the trick!)