When and How to Make Bold Changes

Starting a new painting often comes with grand visions of how it will turn out. However, as the process unfolds, you may find that something isn’t quite right. This realisation can be frustrating, especially after investing significant time and effort. The dilemma then becomes: should you keep going and hope the issue resolves itself, or make the necessary, although challenging, changes?

In the finished painting below, I made several significant adjustments, and here’s why:

Assessing and Adjusting Composition

Originally, I chose to elongate the sea area by using a much longer format than the original photo. While this was an intentional decision to emphasise the seascape, I soon realised that the composition felt off. The angle I had chosen didn’t convey the intended perspective, and parts of the water appeared too wide, diminishing the sense of distance in the painting.

See examples below.

Balancing Colour Dynamics

Another issue was the colour balance. The painting had too much blue, which competed with the yellows and oranges, creating a chaotic visual experience. It felt disjointed and lacking harmony. To address this, I used a rigger brush—a thin, long brush perfect for detail work—to repaint the lines. I also reduced the saturation of the blues, making them less dominant and more cohesive with the rest of the colour palette. These changes transformed the piece, bringing a much-needed sense of balance and satisfaction.

Key Takeaways

1. Embrace the Creative Process: Not every painting will go smoothly, regardless of experience. The creative journey involves experimentation and adaptation. Allow yourself to be flexible and open to change.
2. Trust Your Instincts: If something doesn’t feel right, it probably isn’t. Artists often have an intuitive sense of their work’s needs. Listening to this intuition can guide you toward necessary changes, even if they are daunting.
3. Be Bold with Corrections: Don’t be afraid to make drastic changes. While it may seem overwhelming to alter a piece significantly, these adjustments can be crucial for achieving your vision. It’s better to make bold corrections than to settle for a work that doesn’t meet your standards.

In my case, making these changes was crucial to my satisfaction with the painting. Had I ignored the issues, I likely would have never been content with the result.

Have you ever faced a similar situation? Share your experiences in the comments below. Did you make drastic changes, or do you have a painting you’ve set aside, knowing it needs revisiting?