Feel like giving up on an artwork midway? Here’s how I motivated myself to complete my artwork as desired

As artists and creators, we often reach a phase in our art creation process when we tend to leave it incomplete. Sometimes, we never go back to it or even if we get back and finish it, we are not satisfied. 

Why does this happen?

There are various reasons for this block. One of the most common reason is that the artwork is not turning out as we had expected. We wanted to create something, but midway, realized that it is different from what we imagined. Does that happen to you often? 

Other reasons are:  

• Something more interesting and exciting came up 
• A need for a break from it
• Heath reasons
• Travelling out of station and couldn’t take it with along.
• Life happened. 🤷‍♀️
• More.

Well, our lives are busy and there are important things that crop up daily leaving us with less time, energy, and motivation to complete a piece of art.

It Happened to Me 

At the beginning of the year, I started a painting inspired by Rajasthan’s Bani Thani, to put it up near the entrance of my house. 

This project got me very excited as it was not my style at all. I knew the challenges were many; large amount of detailing and getting the color combinations perfectly were some of it. I was gung-ho about it and confident that I will be able to make the painting as per my expectation and satisfaction.

When in January, armed with my jazz music and paints and brushes, of course, I completed the background with the right colors and design. That pepped me up even more. But I received commissioned works (which is good) and that took up lot of my time. I also had to travel to Mumbai for my bro-in-law’s wedding, which meant, I was away from the painting for roughly 15 days. 

After returning, I didn’t touch it for a week or two due to the intense holiday hangover and my work schedule. Every day, I went back to it but commissioned works and new inspirations, again kept me away from this project. February turned to March and March into April and then to May. All this while, I would either look at it, or attempt few strokes here and there, but practically did nothing on this artwork.

How Did I Motivate Myself to Complete It?

Guilt: The delay had turned me into a confused mind. I was unable to concentrate on new artworks (not commissioned), as I felt guilty of not completing the previous one. I felt that without completing it, I won’t be able to do justice to my future artworks.

Dream Project: This project, which was different from my style, was my dream project. Four months ago, I had made up my mind to attempt it and I has to finish it. 

Other factors: Also, my wife pointed out that as per Feng-Shui, one shouldn’t keep pending works in the house as it blocks positive energy (yeah! She is into such stuff, but I guess it helps). 

Not without this project: I promised myself not to start any new artwork or touch existing work in progress works till I finished this. I had to beat myself to follow it. 

Starting afresh: Then one fine day, I sat with a fresh mind and reviewed the painting. I identified quite a few things that needed changes. So, starting with fixing those. In that process, my motivation to work on this painting geared up. It didn’t take me long to finish the painting. 

Seek Support: I also took help from my friend, Sudipto (who understands art) to add more designs elements to it for an authentic look.

Finally, the day came when the painting was complete, and it adored the walls of my house. Trust me, the satisfaction and happiness cannot be described. More bars to the motivation meter!

My Learnings

Every artist faces this situation at some point in life. Process of creating any artwork is not different from a relationship. When things turn south, a couple should maybe take a break, think about why they were together in the first place.    

Similarly, in case of an incomplete project, the trick is, whenever you face such a hurdle, mental block, or plain boredom, take a break from it. But if the break is getting longer, then remind yourself, why did you start with this artwork, in the first place.

Ask yourself (and answer it too), what was that exciting motivation that made you take up this project in the first place?

You will feel that energy coming back to you to complete it. As you sit down to complete it, at every step, you will feel that happiness driving into you. Once you have completed the project, you will be content and motivated to go on to your next creation.

Keep creating!

Well, that’s my story, but let me know how you overcome the mental blocks, while creating your masterpieces in the comments below.