Bad art verses good art and when to know it is time to change it, fix it or abandon it. Every artist at one point or another finds them self in front of a piece of art that just isn’t working. Working through the emotional attachment to the piece is know when to say enough.
When I take the steps and time to prepare it can be heart breaking when things just don’t turn out the way I want. All is not lost, because I can begin again. The thought process I go through is the same as losing a friend.
Bad art is in the eye of the beholder
I have worked for years mastering my style using my favorite pencils and the right papers for drawing. The best paints, brushes and whether they works best on canvas or panels. The materials are not in control of the outcome of the art piece.
I am comfortable drawing in front of you even if you don’t like my subject matter. Painting is different I have a more personal relationship with my painting. I watch a painting unfold in front of me and if it is off in any way I hesitate to finish it.
Having a processing disorder and dyslexia, I sometimes reverse shape and line, so when I feel it just not right. I will check every section of the painting making sure it is the way I see it. If I am unhappy I will paint over the whole canvas and start over. Friends don’t understand when they see a work in progress one day and come back and it has been painted over.
I believe them when they tell me that it was fine. Yet I am the one who is in control of the outcome. Most of the time the trouble is with my perception in the execution of the subject and materials.
Bad art happens to good artist because we are more critical of our work than anyone else. We know that there are more people than there is art and that most people will love it or leave it. When I show my work I am showing the best that I have to offer.
I want to put out my best. Some of my paintings have painting underneath that I had no choice but to abandon them and move on to save my sanity.
A promising out come
Working out the composition before you start the drawing or painting process is key. If you’re unsure about the way you want to present your subject or idea do rough drawings. Making your choices before you start the work. There are few artist that can pick up a brush and starting painting without a plan of execution.
Check the eye level, perspective and proportion of all the shapes in your rough drawings. Use materials you are comfortable with and pick the key and stick to it. Walk away from your work and come back when you are rested and see if you were just mentally drained to see it is an easy fix.
If you go through all these steps and you just are not happy with the outcome abandon it and move on to the next piece. Don’t be so hard on yourself bad art happens to all artist.
This piece was purchased shortly after I finished it. It is a great piece of art. You can check here to see what else I am up to.
