When is a Painting Finished: My Personal Checklist

How do you know when a painting is finished? This can be one of the hardest questions to ask when you are close to being done. The last part of a painting can sometimes drag on unless you have an idea of what you are going for.

During the last few years, I started using and updating a checklist that is used whenever I feel like a painting is finished. Having a checklist may sound like a creativity killer, but trust me. It is quite the opposite! It has not only helped to make a faster and smoother process, but has prevented me from overworking a painting.

Here is my personal checklist that I like to use. I hope it can help you as well:

  • Looks like it was fun and it was easy to paint (compare to Joan Miro)

  • Painting should reflect original goals

  • Is this a Christian Ives painting? 

  • You shoud have at least  TWO paintings completed in this same color scheme

  •     Compared to another painting you did with this color scheme (if none, start new one at this point)

  • Competes with other paintings I’ve done when hung together

  • Light enters the painting and GLOWS out-helps to glaze the right color WITHOUT white

  • 3 Pillars:

  • 1. Loooooooove this Image (Pontormo/del Sarto  helps)

  • 2. Ehh eh, want to understand but can't (BLACK and Brice Marden helps)

  • 3. Playful Chaos (Addictive song and Grunge helps)-“Should Almost Collapse on it’s own ambition”-Vincent Desedro 

  • Do the colors scream “eeeghhh, aahhhhhhhh?!”

  • Red/Yellow-eeeeeeehhhhh

  • Blue-Ooooooooohhhhh     (Wizard of Oz song)

TECHNIQUE

Check 1 color at a time looking @ specific color on color chart (stare at the color then your painting)

  • Hang on wall surrounded by other art you love (Art Room on mural wall with art posters around) and in the dining room

  • Is it true to color sketch 

  • Compare to most recent paintings you completed and loved 

  • Directional lines of strokes, are you craving any new direction?

  • Keep taking pictures and comparing to other pictures on phone

  • “Too much reality is always a disappointment to the soul. We love suggestions and not hard facts” -Carlson 

  • Tracy quote” Every single piece you make is infused with your heart and soul.”

  • What do you think is beautiful? 

  • Find a couple art books and find this months’ beauties)

  • Abstract shapes- “You label it, you lose it!”