Fresh Eyes on the Prize

[chadblevins]

Yesterday, I attempted to work on this painting, but I found myself getting really frustrated. I noticed some problematic areas, but trying to fix them only made the portrait look like someone else entirely. How could this happen? It wasn’t capturing me at all. I remember an artist named Marko Djurdevic saying that on those type of days, the best thing to do is to go do something else that gets your mind off your work, so, I put down the Apple Pencil, turned off the iPad, and decided to walk away. Instead, I indulged in one of my favorite activities: watching YouTube videos and catching up on the many reels that my friends send me on the grid app, BUT not before hitting the gym because I need to get in shape. I'm putting in work on two fronts these days: the artist's mind and the artist's body.

Today, I returned to the painting with fresh eyes, and things are improving. There are still some problematic areas, but after about an hour of work, I feel like I’m back on track. Amazing that a little break can make such a difference!