The Time I Almost Lost a Painting (and My Sanity)
Fine Art Friday #58
I was halfway through a painting when disaster struck.
Not the kind of disaster where you spill a little water and dab it up with a paper towel. No, I’m talking about the catastrophic kind—the kind that makes you question your life choices.
It started with an innocent cup of coffee. I set it down on my desk, right next to my palette (bad idea). My brush was loaded with the perfect wash of color, and I was in the flow. And then—one accidental elbow bump later—coffee. Everywhere.
Thankfully it wasn’t one of these.
Across my table, into my brushes, and—worst of all—right onto the painting I had spent hours perfecting.
For a solid 10 seconds, I just stared at the mess. Could I fix it? Would I have to start over? Did I just invent a new sepia-tone painting technique?
After the initial panic, I did what any artist does: I improvised. I lifted what I could, blended the rest, and—miraculously—the painting survived. Maybe even better than before.
Because here’s the thing: making art isn’t about avoiding mistakes. It’s about adapting, embracing the unexpected, and sometimes turning coffee stains into creative breakthroughs.
Art Tip of the Week:
If you ever spill something on your painting (or make a mistake), don’t panic! Try these tricks instead:
Lift the stain: Blot with a clean paper towel immediately. If it’s watercolor, a damp brush can help lift some pigment.
Incorporate the “mistake”: Sometimes a smudge or stain can be worked into the piece, making it even more unique.
Know when to start fresh: If all else fails, remember—every artist has had to scrap a piece and start over. It’s part of the process.
Have you ever had a near-art disaster? Or turned a mistake into something even better? Reply and tell me—I’d love to hear your stories!
Happy painting (and may your coffee cups stay far, far away from your artwork and mine),
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Thanks for reading today's edition of the Stories I Only Tell My Friends newsletter! & if you're new here—hi! I'm Courtney, fine artist and live wedding painter, honored to paint beautiful celebrations around the 🌎. I'd love for you to stick around and subscribe to keep reading one art tip, once a week. :)