Is it finished yet?

This is artist code for “if I keep going will I ruin my painting?” <Spoiler alert… Probably, yes>

Computer says NO

When you’re submitting a form online, are you ever told your perfectly reasonable entry was “invalid”? Maybe a sanctimonious red error message enlightens you further about your shortcoming. Maybe you just spin round digital purgatory, trying to guess the way out.

That is the software equivalent of an overworked painting: the main purpose having been spoiled by “intelligence”.

Thunder and lightning

I paint because something's caught my eye about the subject: Trying to stay true to that first bolt of inspiration, whether it's a 30-minute “impression" or a 30-hour epic.

A successful painting strikes you instantly - it need not be perfect (indeed hopefully not), but it should give a direct feeling of the moment it was created.

So, imagine you’re painting your favourite beach, and you've somehow managed to capture the magic of the light through the waves as they break on golden sand. You may ask yourself (or a friend) the fateful question: “is it finished?”.

Neeeeeee Naaaaaaah!

If you get self-conscious, or led astray by well meaning feedback, it’s SO tempting to ‘tidy it up' without reference to the scene. In a few brushstrokes you can remove all trace of inspiration. But hang on a minute… if you are brave enough to leave it, people may think you can’t paint for toffee. Argh.

Let me refer you to one of the most visually honest artists I follow:

Sarah Freeman

Sarah is a brilliant contemporary “Scottish pencil weilder” with a strong non-meddling game:

Sarah’s work is available direct (find her on instagram). You may occasionally be lucky enough to catch her work in public before it gets snapped up, for example her recent landscape selected for The Pastel Society annual open exhibition is still available at the time of writing. Too late for her three paintings at the Royal Institute of Oil Painters annual open exhibition, all sold. Can you tell I’m a fan?!

Send in the cavalry

If you buy an unframed painting online, unwrapping your delivery can be quite underwhelming. The colours may not pop like they did on the screen, the brushwork may look clumsy.

If you are an artist wondering whether to tidy up your fresh honest painting, only YOU can decide when it’s time, because only you had that moment of inspiration. Please give your work an extra moment to prove itself.

And THAT, Dear Reader, is where a good solid frame comes up trumps. Choose well, and the frame will add finesse, letting the brushwork speak honestly of the moment.

This painting of Maceley Cove was saved by the wind and rain - I would have overworked it, but being a fair weather painter I stopped and went home for cake.