An Artistis Ugly Stage

"The ugly stage", an artistic development period seducing the creator to give up and throw brushes down in frustration, rip paper to smithereens doubting ideas and talent.

Learning from other artist's experiences and most importantly from may own experiences I now accept that being able to see past the ugly stage is an indication of growth. My paintings always go through an ugly stage; I accept it and move on. Many artists believe that working through the ugly stage helps determine if it is just the ugly stage or a piece of work not worth finishing. The ugly stage is not a happy stage but an important part of the process of development.

When a painting reaches the ugly stage, I take a break for a couple of hours, maybe a day, then come back and reassess. What does it need, values composition, colour? I always take a photo and view back through my iPad, most times I will see things I hadn't noticed before, a solution! With fresh eyes I might consider the piece not so bad. Power through the ugly stage and think. The problem may be the paper, the brushes, or simply impatience. Yes impatience, but once I problem solve, relax and think, I then arrive a the "getting there" stage where the sun comes out and all is well in the world.

Example photos of my "ugly stage" whilst developing a botanical piece in water colour - 'Hellebores'.