Every artist has that one painting—the one that feels impossible. The one that refuses to come together no matter how much you tweak, adjust, or rethink it. The one that makes you question everything and wonder if you should just start over.
For me, that painting was Chaotic by Nature:
The Struggle: When Nothing Works
From the very beginning, I struggled with this piece. The colors weren’t sitting right. The composition felt off. No matter what I did, it didn’t feel balanced or harmonious.
I kept adjusting. I tried different layers, new shapes, and altered the contrast—yet somehow, it only seemed to make things worse. Every time I stepped back to look at it, I felt frustrated.
I started thinking:
❌ Maybe this just isn’t working.
❌ Maybe I should just cover it up and move on.
❌ Maybe this painting isn’t meant to be finished.
That thought lingered for a while. I even grabbed another canvas, preparing to move on. But something inside me said, not yet.
The Turning Point: Stepping Away
So I walked away from it. Literally. I put the painting aside and focused on other things for a while, giving myself space from the frustration.
And when I came back to it with fresh eyes, something changed.
I realized that the problem wasn’t necessarily the painting—it was the way I was trying to control it. I was overthinking every little detail, instead of letting the piece flow.
So, I changed my approach.
Instead of correcting, I let things be. Instead of forcing balance, I let the composition breathe. Instead of trying to "fix" the painting, I started embracing what was already there.
A few intuitive adjustments later, and suddenly—it clicked.
The Lesson: Some Paintings Teach You the Most
This experience taught me something I’ll never forget:
🎨 Not every painting flows effortlessly, and that’s okay. Some pieces push you, frustrate you, and test your patience. But those are often the ones that help you grow the most.
🎨 Stepping away can be more powerful than pushing through. Sometimes, when a painting isn’t working, it’s not because it’s “bad”—it’s because you need to look at it differently. Taking a break allows you to return with a fresh mindset.
🎨 Mistakes aren’t always mistakes. What once felt like “wrong” colors or an “unbalanced” composition ended up being the exact things that made the painting interesting.
Now, Chaotic by Nature is one of my favorite paintings. And to think—I almost gave up on it!
Watch the Full Process
I actually filmed the entire process of this painting, from frustration to breakthrough. If you want to see the journey unfold, you can watch the full video here:
🎥 Watch ‘Chaotic by Nature’ on YouTube
Final Thoughts: Trust the Process
If you’re struggling with a painting right now—don’t rush to paint over it just yet. Take a step back. Let it breathe. You might be surprised at what happens when you return with a fresh perspective.
Have you ever had a painting you almost gave up on, only to end up loving it?
If you’re looking for more tips and inspiration, don’t forget to grab my free Composition Cheat Sheet below🎨
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