You're going to screw it up..

You’re going to screw up a load of paintings if you want to be an artist. It’s true. There is nothing you can do about it..so learn to accept it.

But. You’re going to learn a lot every time you do it! What could be so bad about that?

If you think about it, you fell a lot when you were learning to walk. You didn't get into a car with your instructor and speed off able to parallel park when you were learning to drive. In fact, I’d be willing to bet that you didn’t pick up any activity and instantly become as good as it as you are today. So, if you’re painting abstract, and learning, what does that look like?

A painting with luminous exposed under layers. “Reef”, by Julie Prichard. Held in private collection.

It might look like wasted paint. I am here to tell you it isn’t. When you are learning to be an artist, specifically, an abstract artist, you may think you should be able to paint a painting start to finish in one straight path. You might think every painting should look like a home run painting you painted easily a month ago. That’s not how it always happens.

The beauty of a layered abstract painting is the putting down and pulling up of paint. Beauty is in the details that are left behind and the new ones that emerge. That’s the process in a nutshell! Putting down paint and pulling it up. You can’t allow yourself to fall in love with details that happen in the first layer. Because if you leave them exposed to the end, chances are that the painting will feel weak in that area and unfinished. You have to let the feeling go and carry on!

Detailed close up of a painting by artist, Julie Prichard. “Familiar” is available to purchase.

You know how to finish a painting by practicing. With practice, you will be able to take paintings from start to finish more quickly than when you first start. The practice is invaluable. This is the process.

I can help. If you are in any of my online workshops, you can post pictures in my private facebook group and I will help you along the way.. I am happy to do it. I encourage you to paint the samples a few times each! Take as long as you need. Hone your process. But don’t expect to create your process and call it a day after one painting. Let it simmer and mellow… enjoy getting there.