Have you ever started a painting that looked promising until you start to tidy up the details.

Then the atmosphere has disappeared under another layer of paint and you fear you have ruined another painting.

How to avoid over-painting:

1  It is tempting to want to tidy up the details, but this leaves nothing to the imagination. You don't have to explain every aspect of the painting. Leave some for the viewer to interpret for themselves.

2  Simplify the composition to ensure the painting is not too busy and fussy. You can probably cut out half of the detail to make a looser painting.

3  Think more of the feeling and shapes of the work, created by the colours you are using, not the elements. 

4  Allow some things to remain unexplained and unresolved. Our brains want clarity, but leaving some parts of the work to the imagination is ultimately more satisfying.

5  If you are unsure if the painting will benefit from another layer or not, leave the painting, work on something else and come back to it with fresh eyes later. The painting must be finished - but never over-worked.

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