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echosilver · 06-13-2009, 07:41 PM

A random question I know, but I'd really love some help on this.

My art folder is FULL of unfinished pics. 90% of my art files are unfinished and it's become a really bad habbit. I sat down today to have a go at finishing one of them off, but I kept closing it and opening another file, or starting something new. It's very rare that I'll sit down and tackle an image all in one go - I keep hopping from one to another and never get anything done (or at a MUCH slower pace)

It's an odd thing to ask advice about but I don't think I'll really get any where with my work until I can do one piece at a time, or at least finish a decent image once a week.

um, help? XD

How do YOU set yourself to finish a picture?

Sorry if this is in the wrong section, I'm new to the hub forums.

aftertouch · 06-13-2009, 09:19 PM

Honestly, I find it's really hard for me to consider any piece of mine finished. My whole design education at college has me always taking a look at my works and seeing if there is something I could do to make it better. Usually there is, but part of the balancing act of art is knowing when to stop working a piece and let it speak for itself (something I do have trouble with sometimes!) In the end I like to think all art is a work in progress, and that pieces that are "finished" are just where the artist decided his/her work could stand on its own.

Hope that helps, I feel like I rambled a little...

echosilver · 06-13-2009, 10:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aftertouch

Hope that helps, I feel like I rambled a little...

yup! i undertand what you mean XD thanks for your comment ^^

Evolvyn · 06-13-2009, 11:16 PM

I have that same problem. I just love to start drawings and put down ideas, but I just about rarely finish any of them. I either lose interest, think it looks bad now, or get inspired to draw something else.

I heard it's healthy tho, to bounce from work to work when you start to get bored of one thing. But they keep bouncing from project to project until they get done. Unfortunately, I just keep bouncing onto newer and different things.

Usually I just try to keep working on that one artwork until i can get as finished as i can get. Work non-stop only. Cuz I know I won't wanna get back to it if I stop now.

echosilver · 06-14-2009, 11:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Evolvyn

Usually I just try to keep working on that one artwork until i can get as finished as i can get. Work non-stop only. Cuz I know I won't wanna get back to it if I stop now.

yeh, i guess im just looking for concentration tips or something XD because i think it's a bad habbit to have if you have uni projects to finish, or work deadlines, etc. thanks for your comment ^^

Shinypants · 06-14-2009, 11:19 PM

do you have any clear definition as to what you want to achieve with your pieces?

Like do you set yourself a goal saying... "hmm... i think i'll create a story with this one"... cause then you should a fairly defined end point...

i think for me its when i'm happy with how its turned out. sometimes i'll stop before i know its finished or theres more that i could do to it but then i feel guilty and go back and work it. maybe its a matter of you dont know how to finish your work and then its probably a good idea on getting some feedback to improve.

just some random thoughts...

echosilver · 06-15-2009, 05:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shinypants

i think for me its when i'm happy with how its turned out. sometimes i'll stop before i know its finished or theres more that i could do to it but then i feel guilty and go back and work it. maybe its a matter of you dont know how to finish your work and then its probably a good idea on getting some feedback to improve.

just some random thoughts...

yeh, that's probably it. I don't know what's 'finished' with my work!

Insectscorch · 06-15-2009, 09:37 PM

I think discipline is the key. I have the same problem with my projects, I start something new, a drawing, a model, whatever, but soon I get tired and I just stop working on it. But that�s just for a moment, after I play some video games or take a nap, I�m on my way again. It�s hard to work when your head is full of images and distractions. I recomend you to take a rest, make something completely different for a while.

echosilver · 06-17-2009, 01:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Insectscorch

I recomend you to take a rest, make something completely different for a while.

good idea, i have several projects on the go, it' s just knowing when you have too much on to concentrate long enough on a single one at any time.

thanks for the comment ^^

wahay · 07-29-2009, 02:18 AM

This summer has been spent taking my old sketches and adding a new coat of paint. I am done with these pieces when they feel whole and I like them.

Ozymandias · 08-05-2009, 06:25 PM

Many times I only find myself finishing pieces that deserve finishing. If I do 10 pieces over a few weeks time and get 9 of the 90% done, I only get one 99% done. If that makes sense.

I also find that the last 10% is the hardest. Color balancing, making sure your focal points still work and that the piece makes sense as a whole. I think tutorials abound on how to start a work, but very few talk about how to finish it.

I agree its also some discipline. As soon as you have clients and future commissions on the line, it gets a lot easier to hammer it out at 3am.

Allan-p · 08-13-2009, 02:42 AM

"Art is never finished, it is merely abandoned." ~ Leonardo Da Vinci

I do have a problem finishing works, and I'd always go back to it to see what else I can add or what I can touch up. But the downs of having so many ideas popping up is I rush through one piece just to start another.

I find it best during my "art blocks" just to go back to a piece and retouch it. I also leave a piece when I'm stuck with it just so I can come back to it with new eyes.

walrus · 08-17-2009, 01:29 PM

I used to have the same problem and found that taking actual freelance assignments - where I had NO option of abandoning a piece - really got me in the habit of completing work. You could try entering a contest, whether it's something casual like a Drawing Jam or something more "formal" (like, with prizes, etc.) like Dominance War or the CGSociety Challenges. Then you'll have a hard and fast deadline that may push you to actually complete a piece (but of course, your mileage may vary.) One you get in the habit of completing pieces, hopefully that very good feeling of completion and satisfaction will trickle down to the rest of your work. Good luck!

jaybendt · 08-18-2009, 02:22 PM

That last homestretch is the most tedious bit of any piece of artwork, mostly because it's the "Ugh...I just want to be done," mentality that gets to me. xD I just take a few days off and go back to it.

echosilver · 08-19-2009, 11:10 PM

thankyou for all your comments! Some have been really useful, I'm nowhere near getting to a stage when I can easily finish my vast collection of 'w.i.p's but I'm sure I'll get to it eventually.

Please keep your input coming!

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	Permalink #1
echosilver Join Date: Sep 2008 Posts: 40 Member Thanks: 0 Thanked 4 Times in 4 Posts	06-13-2009, 07:41 PM A random question I know, but I'd really love some help on this. My art folder is FULL of unfinished pics. 90% of my art files are unfinished and it's become a really bad habbit. I sat down today to have a go at finishing one of them off, but I kept closing it and opening another file, or starting something new. It's very rare that I'll sit down and tackle an image all in one go - I keep hopping from one to another and never get anything done (or at a MUCH slower pace) It's an odd thing to ask advice about but I don't think I'll really get any where with my work until I can do one piece at a time, or at least finish a decent image once a week. um, help? XD How do YOU set yourself to finish a picture? Sorry if this is in the wrong section, I'm new to the hub forums.

	Permalink #2
aftertouch Join Date: Oct 2008 Posts: 89 Member My Mood: Thanks: 1 Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts	06-13-2009, 09:19 PM Honestly, I find it's really hard for me to consider any piece of mine finished. My whole design education at college has me always taking a look at my works and seeing if there is something I could do to make it better. Usually there is, but part of the balancing act of art is knowing when to stop working a piece and let it speak for itself (something I do have trouble with sometimes!) In the end I like to think all art is a work in progress, and that pieces that are "finished" are just where the artist decided his/her work could stand on its own. Hope that helps, I feel like I rambled a little... __________________ Personal art/sketch blog: http://aftertouchs.tumblr.com/ Livestream: http://www.livestream.com/aftertouchsatelier

	Permalink #4
Evolvyn Join Date: Apr 2009 Posts: 49 Member Thanks: 5 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	06-13-2009, 11:16 PM I have that same problem. I just love to start drawings and put down ideas, but I just about rarely finish any of them. I either lose interest, think it looks bad now, or get inspired to draw something else. I heard it's healthy tho, to bounce from work to work when you start to get bored of one thing. But they keep bouncing from project to project until they get done. Unfortunately, I just keep bouncing onto newer and different things. Usually I just try to keep working on that one artwork until i can get as finished as i can get. Work non-stop only. Cuz I know I won't wanna get back to it if I stop now.

	Permalink #6
Shinypants Join Date: Sep 2008 Posts: 385 Senior Member My Mood: Thanks: 24 Thanked 38 Times in 34 Posts	06-14-2009, 11:19 PM do you have any clear definition as to what you want to achieve with your pieces? Like do you set yourself a goal saying... "hmm... i think i'll create a story with this one"... cause then you should a fairly defined end point... i think for me its when i'm happy with how its turned out. sometimes i'll stop before i know its finished or theres more that i could do to it but then i feel guilty and go back and work it. maybe its a matter of you dont know how to finish your work and then its probably a good idea on getting some feedback to improve. just some random thoughts...

The Following User Says Thank You to Shinypants For This Useful Post:
Marucha

	Permalink #8
Insectscorch Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 24 Member My Mood: Thanks: 6 Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts	06-15-2009, 09:37 PM I think discipline is the key. I have the same problem with my projects, I start something new, a drawing, a model, whatever, but soon I get tired and I just stop working on it. But that�s just for a moment, after I play some video games or take a nap, I�m on my way again. It�s hard to work when your head is full of images and distractions. I recomend you to take a rest, make something completely different for a while.

	Permalink #10
wahay Join Date: Sep 2008 Posts: 6 Member Thanks: 1 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	07-29-2009, 02:18 AM This summer has been spent taking my old sketches and adding a new coat of paint. I am done with these pieces when they feel whole and I like them.

	Permalink #11
Ozymandias Join Date: Aug 2009 Posts: 11 Junior Member Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	08-05-2009, 06:25 PM Many times I only find myself finishing pieces that deserve finishing. If I do 10 pieces over a few weeks time and get 9 of the 90% done, I only get one 99% done. If that makes sense. I also find that the last 10% is the hardest. Color balancing, making sure your focal points still work and that the piece makes sense as a whole. I think tutorials abound on how to start a work, but very few talk about how to finish it. I agree its also some discipline. As soon as you have clients and future commissions on the line, it gets a lot easier to hammer it out at 3am.

	Permalink #12
Allan-p Join Date: Aug 2009 Posts: 17 Member My Mood: Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	08-13-2009, 02:42 AM "Art is never finished, it is merely abandoned." ~ Leonardo Da Vinci I do have a problem finishing works, and I'd always go back to it to see what else I can add or what I can touch up. But the downs of having so many ideas popping up is I rush through one piece just to start another. I find it best during my "art blocks" just to go back to a piece and retouch it. I also leave a piece when I'm stuck with it just so I can come back to it with new eyes.

	Permalink #13
walrus Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 58 Member My Mood: Thanks: 10 Thanked 14 Times in 10 Posts	08-17-2009, 01:29 PM I used to have the same problem and found that taking actual freelance assignments - where I had NO option of abandoning a piece - really got me in the habit of completing work. You could try entering a contest, whether it's something casual like a Drawing Jam or something more "formal" (like, with prizes, etc.) like Dominance War or the CGSociety Challenges. Then you'll have a hard and fast deadline that may push you to actually complete a piece (but of course, your mileage may vary.) One you get in the habit of completing pieces, hopefully that very good feeling of completion and satisfaction will trickle down to the rest of your work. Good luck!

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	Permalink #14
jaybendt Join Date: Sep 2008 Posts: 400 Member My Mood: Thanks: 2 Thanked 21 Times in 20 Posts	08-18-2009, 02:22 PM That last homestretch is the most tedious bit of any piece of artwork, mostly because it's the "Ugh...I just want to be done," mentality that gets to me. xD I just take a few days off and go back to it. __________________ Jael S. \| Elloi If you have any questions or problems; Please send a note and I'll be happy to try and help.

	Permalink #15
echosilver Join Date: Sep 2008 Posts: 40 Member Thanks: 0 Thanked 4 Times in 4 Posts	08-19-2009, 11:10 PM thankyou for all your comments! Some have been really useful, I'm nowhere near getting to a stage when I can easily finish my vast collection of 'w.i.p's but I'm sure I'll get to it eventually. Please keep your input coming!