Learning to Stay With a Painting That Isn't Working

This video is about what it looks like to keep going when a painting isn’t going to plan. I’m working on two abstract pieces using acrylic inks, responding to what’s happening on the paper as things shift, change, and sometimes fall apart. Instead of scrapping the work, I stay with it, experimenting, covering things up, adding contrast, and letting the process lead somewhere unexpected.

As I paint, I share reflections on frustration, problem-solving, and learning to enjoy the process rather than chasing a specific outcome. This session is less about technique and more about resilience, curiosity, and giving yourself permission to keep experimenting when nothing feels “right.” If you’ve ever wanted to throw a painting away because it wasn’t working, I hope this encourages you to pause, try one more thing, and keep going.

Materials used include acrylic inks and acrylic paint on watercolor paper, along with brushes, pencils, and other mark-making tools.

Thanks for being here.

#acrylicinks #beginnerartist #creativehobby, #paintingprocess #layeringtechniques #artexperimentation #watercolorpaintingtips #abstract #abstractlandscape

-- Art Supplies used in the video --
Baohong Academy Cold Press Watercolor Paper
Acrylic Inks: Prussian Blue, Permanent Red Violet Light, Indian Yellow, Yellow Medium Azo, White and Payne's Grey
Princeton Catalyst Polytip Round Brush size 10
Princeton Neptune Dagger Brush size 3/8"
Yasutomo Calligraphy Brush

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Please leave a comment below if you have any questions or feedback - thanks for watching!

Music by ThinkChill - flashlight - https://thmatc.co/?l=0D71A67C
Music by Gordon Crumb - Happiness - https://thmatc.co/?l=A031D0CF