We’ve all been there, unless you are an art god blessed with perfection, mistakes are bound to happen. It can be stressful and at times discouraging when you know a piece is not turning out the way you planned. Rather than be fearful of mistakes, we should actually expect them. Not only that, but as artists it is an important lesson to learn how to work with our mistakes. Down below are tips to consider when being faced with fault:
1. Take a step back
Whether it is because you have not eaten in a while or because you want a few minutes of fresh air, you need to step away from your art. Working constantly on a piece without giving yourself time away can actually prevent you from seeing mistakes that may have already been made. Think of it as a new pair of eyes seeing your work of art for the first time, right away you will be able to identify what does and does not work. Stepping away is also essential when you feel strained in order to cool down as working with tension can lead your art to looking even worse. I know it can be hard to resist pulling yourself away when you are upset, but an unhappy artist often shows unhappy art.
2. Create new sketches
Work around with the mistake you have made. Create mock-up designs of how your mistake may actually lead to a more expressive form. Maybe it provided a new texture or even a color scheme you did not think of prior. Oftentimes mistakes can even be covered up depending on the medium of art you are working with. Regardless, art rarely ever turns out as planned and even blueprints can only go so far.
3. Have room to experiment
Get to know the materials you are working with. No one expects you to be a master at all mediums of artwork and neither should you. One way to avoid a mistake is to first practice before working on a final product until you get the hang of it. When one is already made, experiment with where it might take you. Carefully study your work as you are creating it and you will better understand how to achieve your ideal outcomes.
4. Relax
The truth is, it is not the end of the world when a mistake happens. Sit down, take a breather, and continue forward. While art can provide many challenges, it should never be too strenuous. It is also important to remember that as you are working on a piece, you are continuously getting better at perfecting it, so do not stress the small stuff. Try and create a comfortable environment for yourself and your art. Even play music if it keeps your mind at ease but be sure your surrounding is not made up of too many distractions.
5. Ask for outside opinions
Sometimes even after stepping away we are still blinded from seeing the flaws in our work. Other times we spend hours planning and we still have no solution or new ideas to improve our art. This is where you should receive critiques from those who have not been constantly staring at your composition as you have been. Hear their thoughts and opinions. See if their remarks spark new concepts. You should not feel ashamed if your best ideas come from the help of others.
And there you have the tips to consider when taking your art from disaster to master!
