"One of the distinguishing characteristics of a great painter is that he knows when to stop. Many a painting which would have been great, if the artist had known when to stop, has been weakened and spoiled by over-finishing. In his anxiety to perfect a few insignificant details he robs his work of its vitality — kills it. It is the same with a case."
From: "The Genius of Homeopathy: Lectures on Homeopathy Philosophy" by Stuart Close, MD, p. 170
Now doesn't that just say it all so well? How'd this doc know that?
Finishing a painting is indeed a challenge at times. Like many other artists only partway on the never-ending path to greatness, I am plenty guilty of overworking paintings.
But gradually I think I am learning better ways to balance the desire for detail and finish with the desire for freshness. Here are some things I've learned thus far from master painters. Some are about how to first get the life in a painting (good idea, loosening up). And some are about knowing when and how to stop so you don't kill the life that's there:
GET THE LIFE IN IT:
• Learn to express gesture and contrast: Simple, suggestive gestural marks or soft, hazy areas that contrast with areas of greater detail give life to a work of art. This is so commonly said in art classes, it has almost become a formula. Nevertheless, broad brush strokes and dynamic scribbles, especially ones at the edge that lead in to the composition, can also aid this process. Try things that help you loosen up: big brushes, large sheets of paper, 5-20 minute studies, and so on. This painting was done on brown paper and glazed over a time or two for fresh re-working onsite from life. The amount of positive feedback I've had on this NFS plein air painting tells me that there is power in the simple:
• And speaking of plein air, it helps to work from life, at least some of the time.This practice not only helps you see more quickly but because very little in life will hold still for very long. That forces you learn better how to capture the essence and simplicity of a subject. If you really prefer to work from memory, imagination and photos, that's fine, nothing wrong with that. Respect yourself: just stay in touch with what is full of life and spirit in your idea and occasionally work from life in some manner to help that process.
• Keep some areas thinly painted, especially the darks and shadows. This leaves life in the painting. If you've overdone a shadow, bring some reflected color back into it, or even repaint it from white on up.
• Rather than work every detail of an object, try painting the broad geometric form first, and THEN cut back into it with highlights, shadows and carving out the edges with the negative shapes of the sky or background.
• Squint, take off your glasses and see the big broad picture of masses. It is often, but not always, true that less is more and simple compositions and designs become more evident in the manner.
• Respect your own style and what is fresh and lively about it. Despite what is said above, don't fall into a formulaic trap for freshness. Some people prefer emotional, gestural, abstract paintings and some prefer precise detail. Detail is OKAY! Again, there is no right or wrong here. We must learn to honor and enjoy our own nature or we are at war with ourselves. So if your nature is to prefer precise photo-realism or even abstracted detail, then you must be especially careful that the IDEA behind your painting is full of life and that you retain excitement as you loving render it. That, of course, applies regardless of your style. So...
• Attend to your spirits. Writing poetry, listening to music, and sitting peacefully and inviting the joy of your inner muse are all helpful ways to start, to work on, and to finish a painting. If, on the other hand, you feel tired, cranky or hungry, that's a good time to stop and take care of yourself before returning to the easel. Many artists can only work for 2 to 3 hours at a time without a break. That's fine. It's not a marathon.
AS YOU NEAR COMPLETION...
• Step back and get some distance in both space and time. If you feel that an area is not right, rather than "lick it" to death, put down your brush.Be deliberate, not on autopilot, as you paint. So step back and ask yourself (nicely), what is it that bothers you?What would be more exciting? . If it's not immediately clear, get input and/or put it away and come back to it later. Hang it on the wall or prop it up in view. Then, sometime while you are chatting, watching TV, or otherwise gazing at it in a relaxed manner, you might immediately and effortlessly see what needs to be done. Take notes and when you are ready, try it out. But be careful about overdoing it!
• If something really feels off, then maybe you need to REALLY work it over anew. Wipe it off/let it dry (depending on the medium) and just start off freshly. Extended plein air artist Clive Pates likes to glaze over the entire painting or major sections of it in order to have something to work back into while still retaining the underlying drawing and values. Marcia Burtt, a plein air acrylic master, likes the easy way that she can keep painting freshly over acrylics with her broad gestural strokes, sometimes first taking the whole "not right" area back to white and starting over.
• Don't assume you must keep working and working to a certain period of time or that it has to all have the same level of detail. Contrast of detail and looseness is one of the most exciting aspects of great paintings.
• If you are tempted to try it a different way, you can always start a new painting of the same subject instead.
• Ask for feedback but ultimately, trust your own judgement. If a teacher, friend or family member makes a suggestion, listen and consider, especially if several say the same thing. But don't turn painting into a committee project. Each person's style may be as unique as their handwriting and the important thing is that YOU are satisfied with the result and that it communicates what YOU intended it to communicate.
And if YOU like it, you can be sure at least SOME others will like it too!
