In my last video, I set out to paint a large 48″ x 48″ abstract… and somehow it turned into a dog.
So I decided to try again.
In this video, I take the same design and walk you through my process of pushing it back toward abstraction. You’ll see the early stages, the frustrations, the changes, and the moments where the painting almost disappears before it finally comes together.
I talk through how I make decisions when something isn’t working, how I use color to shift the energy of a painting, and why I often take close-up photos of sections that might become ideas for future work. Sometimes those little “gems” inside a painting can inspire an entirely new piece.
You’ll also see one of my favorite strategies when I get stuck: drips and experimentation in the areas of indecision.Being a good artist isn’t just about mixing colors. It’s about learning to see, pushing past mistakes, and learning how to quiet that inner critic (what I like to call the itty bitty shitty committee in our heads).
I’d love to hear from you. What would you have done differently in this painting? What parts worked for you? What didn’t? Your feedback helps all of us develop a better eye.
If you enjoy this kind of process-based demo, make sure to subscribe and join this supportive community of artists who are all learning and growing together.
