My old art professor told me my paintings were 'too safe'

Was at a critique session 2 years ago at community college. Professor pointed at my landscape and said 'you never commit to the ugly parts'. She was right. I always softened shadows, made colors prettier than real life. Started leaving mistakes in. Paint drips, weird mixing. Got way better feedback after that. Has anyone else had a teacher call them out on playing it too careful?

3 comments

3 Comments

jana_jones22h ago

Wait, she said you don't commit to the ugly parts?

seth_singh2021h ago

Laughing at myself because I definitely bail when things get messy. I'll clean out a full garage but won't stick around for the emotional heavy lifting. It's a bad habit I'm trying to break, but man, the ugly parts are tough.

stellaperry20h ago

@jana_jones right, she meant I was hiding from the uncomfortable stuff and it was hurting my work.