How to Ruin a Painting in One Easy Step

Getting back to painting has proved far more difficult than I’d expected. It’s nerve-wracking, although I can’t say exactly why.

Last week I set about doing another landscape, and all things considered, I actually did a fairly good job. I had snow-covered pine trees that looked like they were supposed to. I had an icy-looking little pond. And I had snow! In the past, I’ve had a terrible time painting snow. This time, I “laid it in” with a palette knife and thick applications of Titanium White paint. Oh, it looked so good.

But my skies weren’t right. I hated the colors. So, having failed to learn the lesson about not trying to “tweak” skies after completing the rest of the painting, I futilely attempted to change the hues in the heavens.

The result, of course, was disaster. So I grabbed a rag, and here’s what I ended up with:

I have to admit, it felt good to just wipe away all of the paint. I smeared it around the canvas a little, and I think that helped to alleviate some of the anxiety I’ve been feeling whenever I get close to my easel.

I did one thing more, as well. I challenged myself to find a way to salvage this ruined painting. Oh, I did something else, too. I bought myself a few new brushes and a bit more Titanium White paint. Unlike my earlier experiences while art shopping when I felt out-of-place and undeserving, strolling down the aisles now reminds me that I am an artist. It’s a good feeling.

I’ve already begun re-vamping the ruined canvas, and I’ll be posting my progress as I go along. It’s going to be another landscape, but I don’t yet have a clear vision in my head. Who knows what it’s going to be! I don’t. But whatever it is, it will be better than the ruined canvas. I’m going to have fun with this one.