Embracing Creativity: Finding Balance Between Play and Critique in Painting

Painting by Karen Sperling in Adobe Photoshop based on a photo. The video tutorial and new custom Photoshop brushes for painting in this style are now available to Artistry Academy members. Click here for information about the Artistry Academy and to enroll.

The Struggle of Starting to Paint

You sit down to paint. You're a little nervous. Actually, you're a lot nervous. Painting is something you dream of doing, but you haven’t really pursued it much. If you've tried, you didn't get far.

You pick up a brush and start adding strokes. Suddenly, it feels fun! But soon, self-doubt creeps in. You start to think, "This is no good. Why did I think I could do this?" Frustrated, you put everything away, hoping to forget that initial excitement.

Does this sound familiar?

Understanding the Mind's Battle

I’m not a scientist or psychologist, but I can share personal observations gathered from over 30 years as a writer and artist. I believe this frustration stems from a clash between our creative and judgmental sides.

In popular psychology, the right brain is associated with creativity, while the left brain handles judgment. When you’re enjoying the process of painting, your right brain is engaged. However, the moment you begin to see your work critically, the left brain takes control. This shift often leads many aspiring artists to abandon their projects, feeling defeated by their perceived shortcomings.

Finding a Solution

So, what’s the solution? For me, it’s about taking control of this left-brain/right-brain dynamic. Letting the left-brain critique serve to enhance the painting can be incredibly beneficial.

Instead of allowing your mind to dictate your creative drive, decide how you want to balance both sides. Allow time for creative play and make space for critical evaluation. Understand that both phases are part of the painting journey.

You have nothing to lose but the belief that your work is unsalvageable. Remember, every painting can be improved if you keep at it.

Tips for Balancing Creativity and Critique

Embrace Dual Roles

If the terms "left-brain" and "right-brain" don't resonate, think of them simply as your creative side and your judgment side. It’s essential to learn to harness the power of both. Decide how much time you want to spend being creative before switching to a critical assessment of your artwork.

By controlling the timing for each phase, you can avoid feeling defeated and enhance your painting experience.

Play First, Evaluate Later

While working on the garden portrait shown above, I experienced this dynamic firsthand. I painted in Adobe Photoshop for a new video tutorial and created custom leaf brushes specifically for the Artistry Academy of Painting for Photographers. At first, I tried to be methodical, building the painting step by step. This strategy wasn’t working; I was getting stuck.

So, I shifted my approach. I allowed myself to experiment freely with brushstrokes. This time, I engaged my right brain and had fun, which led to progress. Eventually, I stepped back and let my left brain evaluate my work.

The Power of Play

Next time you feel the urge to paint, be gentle with yourself. If you hit a wall and start doubting your skills, remind yourself to play. Let go of any expectations and enjoy the process. Try different brushstrokes, styles, and colors without worrying about the outcome.

If self-critical thoughts arise, acknowledge them but let them go. Those are merely left-brain interruptions. After your creative playtime, take a step back and facilitate the judgment side at your discretion. Assess your work critically, but don’t be harsh. Seeing areas for improvement is crucial, but so is recognizing that it’s simply a part of the process.

Cycle Between Playing and Appraising

This cycle of playing and appraising can recur multiple times throughout your painting journey. The key is to resist the urge to quit when self-doubt surfaces. Instead, focus on how to enhance your artwork.

For members of the Artistry Academy of Painting for Photographers, extra help with navigating this creativity/judgment dynamic is available.

Encouragement and Guidance

Members benefit from my guidance, which encourages exploration in videos and feedback webinars. They learn that each attempt is an interim step. For the judgment aspect, they receive structured lessons in Adobe Photoshop and Corel Painter. This hands-on approach equips them with knowledge to improve their artwork while offering support through monthly webinars.

Making a Choice

When you feel frustration rising and your creativity translates into self-criticism, remember: it’s your choice. You can continue painting for joy or take a moment to reassess and improve your work.

Whatever you choose, prioritize perseverance. Remember, the most important thing is to keep creating and never give up!

Happy painting!