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As an artist, the first person to be excited and like your painting is yourself. Incidentally, this makes you an art critic. There is no need for you to wait for others to tell you where you went wrong. Since you are your own best art critic, find all the errors in your painting yourself and, if possible, fix them. It is important for you to be critical with your work and not let flattery make you smug. However, do not destroy your passion to be a good artist. Remember, all active artists are in a perpetual state of growth.

Knowing how to properly judge your work is as important as knowing how to paint. However, when you ask others what they think means you’re not sure where the faults are. Here is a suggestion: compare your latest painting alongside some previous ones and rate them. Ask yourself if you’re improving by directing the viewer to the focal point. How does the tone and color compare? How about the balance and composition? Be a good and fair judge. If your latest painting has the best number rating on it…hurrah! If not, simply say,”I am an active artist in a perpetual state of growth,” and go back to work.

Below is an example of how one of my pieces of art led to another. It was about thirty years ago and I was in the frame of mind to watercolor the style of painting where the foreground washed down where it seemed to be flushing away. I liked the look and decided to try it. The painting, “Hut in the Woods“, was my first attempt. I didn’t like it so I painted “Winter Farm“. I liked this one better because I felt the tonal value and the foreground and middle ground and background were more defined. Is it perfect? Not by a long shot, but I’m an active artist in a perpetual state of growth.