10/07/2026
There’s an old wives’ tale about artists that depression and pain make the best art. There’s some truth to this, in that raw emotion channeled into a painting can give outstanding emotional impact. But the reality is more nuanced.
Sometimes the absolute best thing you can do for a painting is to stop. When you’re tired, stressed, or feeling unwell, sometimes the worst thing you can do is keep painting. That was me, Monday. Trying so hard to keep plugging along when my mental and physical health were pressing me down, down, down. As a full time artist, I often have to keep going no matter how I feel, but then the mistakes started happening.
Over and over.
Eventually, I almost ruined the flame because too much red seeped into an area meant to be white, and when I went to fix it, I both daubed an accidental color into the area and dragged my paper towel through wet paint, leaving a smear . . . Twice. I managed to fix it, but it was close to curtains. I tried working on the fairy’s wings instead, and the color was HORRID and had to be blotted off.
That’s when I knew it was time to stop. There are times you fight yourself, and times you fight for yourself. Rest is not a failure of work—it is part of the natural cycle of life. When you’re making more mistakes than progress, STOP. Walk away. Come back some other time when you’re feeling refreshed and ready. It’s okay to not be okay.
🔥What’s a hard life lesson a mistake taught you? Share in the comments!🔥
Showing Mastodon paintbrush by Dynasty Brush artist brushes .
