Perfection in Art
Celebrate the Art of Learning, Embrace the Beauty of Mistakes
From the beginning of our artistic journey, we're taught that every brush stroke, every blend of color, and every shape we create is part of an evolving learning process. And yet, each of us, at times, will invariably find ourselves staring at a completed piece and see something we wish we could change or feel a pang of regret for a mistake that, in our eyes, was so clearly avoidable.
It's a familiar tale I've lived many times in my artistic pursuits. Each of us has a masterpiece in our minds that doesn't quite make it onto the canvas. You're not alone in this. You're in the company of all artists who have ever put paint to canvas, beginners and masters alike.
Painting is not just a physical act. It's a journey of learning to truly see the world around us. To notice the way light plays with shadow, how colors subtly shift, how objects are formed by the interplay of shapes, and yes, even the direction and intent behind each brushstroke.
Sometimes, the most challenging pieces, the ones that push us beyond our comfort zone, teach us the most. They help us refine our craft, push our boundaries, and open up new vistas of creative expression.
Consider the parts of your work that went well. Susie had 95% of her painting correct. It was a beautiful piece; it just needed a few adjustments. So, I say to you all – don't let your art become a pursuit of perfection. Let it be an exploration, a learning opportunity, and a path to expanding your skillset.
I've seen many of you, like Susie recently, who almost had a perfect painting but for a tiny detail that was not quite right. And it's easy to see this as a failure. But what if we look at it from another perspective?
When you feel down about a piece, ask yourself, “What have I learned from this?” or “How have I grown as an artist through creating this?” If we shift our focus from pursuing perfection to pursuing progress, our art – and our lives – can take on a whole new hue.
One of the tools I recommend is the free app, “Broken Brush.” It's a game that helps train your eye to spot the most minor differences using the world's greatest paintings. It's not just fun; it's a clever way to fine-tune your artistic eye.
So remember, fellow artists, what we perceive as imperfections or mistakes are often just opportunities in disguise. They help us grow, stretch, and become better artists. And often, what we see as a ‘mistake', others may see as a unique style or a creative expression. Our art is our own, and it is beautiful in its uniqueness.
Keep painting, learning, and, most importantly, keep enjoying the journey. Your art is your story, told in colors, shapes, and lines. It's unique, it's beautiful, and it's perfectly imperfect, just like you.
With warmest art hugs,
Your Personal Art Coach,
Ginger
I so agree. Some work falls into place – as intended. Others just become work and overwork. For me, I see others take on challenging paintings and get frustrated because it isn’t ‘what they wanted’ – and yet what I see is simply a change a growth, their journey.
Thank you for reminding me that Art IS A JOURNEY 🎨🤗
Great gazette again Ginger and Jon!
Great article.
Love the article. However, the “Broken Brush” game isn’t available for new Android devices. At least, that is the message that I received when I tried to download the app.
Well, drat! It used to be available on Android devices. We’ll have to look around to see if there is something similar. Thanks for letting us know!