revisions, how to suck it up?

[himlayan]

First post :bashful: I'm always in awe of the talent here, so I just tend to lurk in dark corners.

I was wondering how other artists manage to stay interested through revising a single artwork. I know some artists can get it right the first time, but for those who have to make changes either based on other people's critique or just a bunch of errors you personally see yourself...well, is it pleasant for you? ^^; I hope this isn't a weird question.

I find myself wanting to move on after a certain period of time spent on one drawing. Even though I know I shouldn't, and I should work on it some more (usually realised in the mornings, when I look at it again and think "oh hell, no"), the mere thought of touching it again is gut-wrenching. But I constantly see artists who don't even hesitate to put brush to used canvas again for the sake of revision, and I keep wondering if there's something wrong with me. Apart from the usual XD

If this has been asked before, I apologise ^^;

[Jason Rainville]

If this is going to be a piece of major importance, then woring it over is important - you want to get it right afterall

If the piece is only a study or a doodle, then learning to let it go can help. Sometimes it's best to take what you've learned from something and start fresh, apply it to something new. I find if I overwork something, making major changes to it could really ruin it. What affects one part effects everything essentially, and soon I may find out that I'll have to alter the whole thing to match.

[dose]

Great question.

At this point I tend to think of every piece I do as "in progress"- even if it's framed and hanging somewhere or delivered to a client. They're all fair game for later. Some are put aside until tomorrow, while others (most?) are probably put aside for the rest of my life.

I've gone through similar struggles as what you're going through. I think it's a totally normal part of artistic growth, and it never really stops. What stops (hopefully) is the self-judgment and the unreal expectations. That's at least the part you have some control over.

And I agree with Rhineville- choose your battles. If it's a sketch or a study, learn what you need to from it and get out. You can always come back later and touch it up if it needs or deserves it. If it's a finished piece, don't "stop" until it's exactly how you want it to look- which is pretty much never if you're honest. If it's because of a lack of technique or knowledge, then you have the perfect direction of what to study next- better than any teacher or book could ever give you. Put the piece aside and do a bunch of studies. Depending on where you are in your artistic development, this might take anywhere from a day or two to four or five years. When you're done with the studies, you may realize that it's not worth going back to the finished piece (for now!). So start a new one and repeat the process.

Believe it or not, this process actually becomes the really fascinating part of doing art. Stick with it!

Hope this helps

Tim

[Jazz]

Rhineville and dose have great points! I concur with them!

Sometimes I will just work and work on a picture when I really feel the drive to finish it. It's more of a "feeling", like I can't stop. Other times, I need to get away from it for a while because there's something daunting or confusing about what I'm trying to do. If I come back with a fresh eye, I might be able to figure out what that something is, and continue to work on the piece.

After that, I just do as much as I feel like doing, and that's it. I'm done. It's a good idea to not spend too much time on something, or, instead of revising, you might have to start all over! ...You should see some of my sketches. Ugh!

Good success in finding away to work with revisions!

[chaosrocks]

bonfires are my favorite art tool
chaos

[Seedling]

bonfires are my favorite art tool
chaos

Mmm, tasty toxic smoke. ;-)

[Hyskoa]

ocd + Perfectionism (psychology)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Obsessive-compulsive_disorder
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Perfectionism_(psychology)

Enjoy.

[dose]

ocd + Perfectionism (psychology)

Maybe you're joking. If not- wow, harsh!

I think it's a normal part of artistic development. Who doesn't have/hasn't had some sort of issues with finishing stuff or not? One direction leans towards perfectionism, the other direction towards carelessness. I imagine we're all somewhere on that spectrum...

[DavePalumbo]

I don't think that making revisions because you are not satisfied with your own results is fun for anybody, but even the most skilled and experienced artists are going to do it from time to time. Careful planning in the early stages will minimize it though. The will to do it seperates the men from the boys.

Making revisions because your client is unhappy with something (in my opinion) sucks even more, but it is certainly a part of the business and you should not be surprised, put out, or grumpy when it happens. Not to your client anyhow, get grumpy in private all you like. 50% is generally the figure I hear from other illustrators on jobs needing some kind of adjustment (anywhere between a mountain and a molehill) and that fits about right for me too. It's one reason why I'm always a clenched ball of anxiety when I turn a piece in, no matter how happy I am with it.

[himlayan]

Thanks so much for all the replies, a lot of them helped <3 Gave me some new perspective on revising artwork. Will be trying to let go of the pieces that butt heads with me and maybe be a bit more productive ^^; (crosses fingers)

[Momus]

My animation design prof was a cold-hearted machine when it came to critiques and revisions. I'm thinking every student goes through a period in their three years where they absolutely hate him. Either they get over it and get better as an artist, or they don't and drop out. I dropped out for completely unrelated reasons, I assure you!

I learned after a while to try to be honest with myself about what I was weak in, and ask him for help in those areas as best I could. This was partly to steal his thunder, HAHA, but also to just develop in the areas I knew I needed to. That didn't stop him from finding whole new problems, unbeknownst to me!

Just don't fall in love with your stuff, whatever you do. Be proud of the progress you make and strive for ever better, but do not fall in love as this will invariably lead to stagnation. As well, and I know it's hard to resist, but don't hate your stuff, either! That's just demotivating.

Hope some of this helps. Also: I don't know what this smiley is for, but I will use it as it is silly-looking. :donk:

[Maxine Schacker]

Momus has given excellent advice! Listen to him.

[himlayan]

Thanks a lot Momus, this part specifically was pretty striking to me:

Just don't fall in love with your stuff, whatever you do. Be proud of the progress you make and strive for ever better, but do not fall in love as this will invariably lead to stagnation.

Never really thought of seeing it that way. I'm one of those who tend to really like what he/she just finished for...well, 5-10 minutes. Then it starts looking like crap. :D; Very sound advice though, thanks a lot!

[Momus]

Don't mention it! :^^: