Overwork or Stop a Brush?

We, artists are a Hamlet at some degree in regard to decide a finishing touch of work. To stop, or not to stop ; that's the question. Btw, what is overwork? Does anyone have an idea of definition? It's vague. In my view, it depends a style and a context. So, neither a specific nor generalised answer is found. What do you think? A "context" includes a required goal of a painting and a subject's setting/mood/condition in work -- I've meant.

In my style, simple lines and a limited pallete are main. Freshness and liveliness is the most strength in my colour work. My black and white before painting is just like below. Technical criticism was "Put something more such as splashes etc," "Add more colours/paints," or "Have you finished this work?" at the beginning of my career. I accepted the critiques and worked on the suggestions, but I did not feel comfortable with corrected results. Too many brush strokes and decorated information killed the vigour in my work. Then, I've concluded that it depends on a style and the context in work. I've come back to what I am and keep on my own style. As a result, I've been more interested in a focal point in work in these years. It requires to simplify visual information as much as possible in work. 

For example, have a look of contemporary portraits at top level exhibitions such as Doug Moran and Archibald in Australia. You can often find a white or simplified background. They are all completed art work. Some people call my work sketches. But even called sketches, my work is already accomplished art work. *Of course, categorising is ambiguous and an empty thing in arts and not my job! It's up to viewers' value system. Unlike traditional portraits, postmodern portraits have gained more freedom of expression and shown variety of styles in different medium. The same is true of watercolour painting. It's changing, which very excites me. In international exhibitions, you'll feel what postmodernism encompasses in our future portrait work.

Regarding my own watercolour painting, I've decided not to touch a work in which once I stopped a brush. A newly added brush stroke will only mess up my work and worsen it than ever. I assume it's not appropriate to add a paint on an already dried work. Technically, it requires to "prewet" again (*by spray or brushes) on the dried work before a restart. I looked up the work above and I wonderd if I would add any thing more, even for a try? I, eventually, stopped it. When I become a Hamlet, I usually stop a brush and "the end." Then, I check the work. However, my general rule, "don't add more colour on a dried work," depends on a style or a goal. I add more brushes on an uncompleted work to achieve goals such as picture book illustration and a big painting.

Probably, to "find a finishing touch" is our another fun in creating work and a learning process. I'm a life long learner. Lastly, I'd dedicate Michealangelo's say for you, "I'm still learning." Hopefully, we will enjoy being Hamlets! 
Friends, Happy Painting!






     

Overwork or Stop a Brush?