Sometimes We Don't Know What to Do Next  

Not knowing what to do next happens at some point in most paintings.

Paintings often begin with a burst of enthusiasm, excitement, even adrenalin. We have an idea and can't wait to get started.

Depending upon the painting, we gather props or reference material (drawings or photos we've taken) and begin by sketching out our ideas. Sometimes a painting begins with a really rough sketch in a journal.

It can take an hour or more to translate our idea to the paper, and another 30-90 minutes to apply texture and paint.

We smile when people ask how long it takes to create a painting. Sometimes it depends on the size and complexity of the composition. There is more to the story.

Once the texture and paint has been applied, the painting has to dry and rest. (Note: Resting is good for paintings and for painters.) The length of time drying and resting takes depends on the weight of the paper, the humidity in the air, and the layers created.  

For the still unnamed painting shown here, the process to this point took at least nine hours (and countless hours of class time and practice). No one would consider this painting finished.

It once took me two years to complete a painting because I didn't know what to do next. Then one day I woke up and simply "knew" how to complete the composition.

Over the course of several weeks, this particular painting has begun to emerge. She's still not finished.  

She is resting ... again.

I'm not sure what to do next; she hasn't yet given me a clue. If you have any suggestions, please email me: Patrice@artofaloha.com

In the meantime I've started and finished a few more baby mermaids, and started a few other paintings as well.

You might be wondering why I don't plan the entire painting out before I begin. Planning is important. Perhaps its impatience that impels me to jump in before the entire plan is firmed up. I prefer to rely on intuition and follow my energy levels.  

When I plan a painting to the point of knowing what it will look like when finished, I am bored. I want to feel the energy and excitement of not always knowing the outcome.

Paintings are "funny". The excitement and adrenaline of the beginning can give way to moments of puzzlement and indecision.

Until a painting is "finished" it is just a piece of paper, waiting for more paint. Theoretically we have nothing to lose by continuing to paint.

However, when we really like what's already begun to form, we hesitate. When the stakes are high, we don't want to mess it up.

That is why it is hard to quantify the length of time it takes to complete a painting. We start fast and finish slow.  

Sometimes we really just don't know what comes next, both in painting and in life.

And that is a very good thing.