For todays post I thought that I would talk about finishing paintings and how they are not "done" until the artist feels that they are. There are many things that go into an artists thought process when it comes to finishing a painting. Do I want the work more detailed or do I want to just "suggest" something, what kind of texture do I want, will it look overworked if I keep going in there. Sometimes you have to wrestle with adding things and taking things out in order to balance the painting and sometimes you change your mind about something at the last minute. What remains a constant is that "inner voice" that all artists have that tell's them everything is in order and it's time to call it done and sign it. I know of one artist who has to stop her daugther (also an artist now) from carrying paintings out of the studio because she wasn't done with them yet! Style also plays a huge part, the artist I just mentioned paints abstracts which of course opens a whole new world as to what is finished or not as opposed to realism with reference material right next to it. As far as my own work, I really just go with my "gut" more than anything else. I'm looking for everything to be balanced, does anything look "divorced" from the picture my teacher would say. If it's a commissioned piece I go over a "checklist" in my head on what was important to them to capture in the painting and to make sure I covered it. I would love to hear from all of you on what you think makes a painting finished and what you look for in a finished painting as well so feel free to leave me a post. Thats all for now, take care and I'll see you again on Friday!