Painting, not Perfecting: Part 2 of My Tree & Undergrowth Watercolour painting
Every Brushstroke Teaches You Something
Part 2 of my tree and undergrowth watercolour is finally live — and if I’m honest, this painting gave me a rough ride.
What started with excitement and intention quickly became a bit of a battle. Somewhere along the way, I found myself slipping back into my default setting: illustration, not painting. That wasn’t the plan — but it’s where I ended up.
And here’s the tricky part: once you start in a certain direction, it’s hard to change course. I realised I’d committed to a more illustrative style early on, so rather than try to rework the entire thing mid-way, I decided to lean into it. Not ideal — but realistic.
There were days when I looked at the piece and genuinely considered filing it away in a drawer… or just putting it in the bin. But I had already poured too many hours and too much effort into it to walk away. And really, that’s when the learning started.
It’s OK to Struggle (In Fact, it’s normal)
This experience reminded me of something that all artists need to hear now and again:
Struggling with a painting doesn’t mean you’ve failed!
Some paintings flow effortlessly. Others feel like dragging your boots through mud.
But even the tough ones — especially the tough ones — teach us something valuable.
For me, this piece was a lesson in:
- Perseverance
- Accepting imperfection
And while it might not end up as my all-time favourite piece, I’m proud that I stuck with it. That’s what makes the difference — showing up, adjusting and hanging on in there.
The Takeaway? Every Day is a Learning Day.
If you’re wrestling with a painting right now, wondering if it’s worth finishing — I get it.
Just remember: the work you put in always gives something back. It might not be the result you imagined, but it’ll be a lesson, a step forward, or even just a mental note for next time.
Let me know what you think and if you’ve ever had a similar experience, I’d love to hear about it.
Here’s to all the paintings that challenge us — and the artists we become because of them.
Encouragingly,
Ruth
NEWS! – Come and See My Work in Person.
If you’re in or near Scotland this summer, I’m thrilled to invite you to:
Echoes – A Nature-Inspired Showcase.
This is a collaborative exhibition with my friends and fellow artists Stuart Gray and Sue Bibby.
Location – Harbour Cottage Gallery, Kirkcudbright
When – 25 August – 6 September 2025
This show celebrates our connection to the natural world through painting, embroidery, and a shared creative journey. It’s going to be something truly special!
Watch my latest video demonstration above to see this technique in action.
INTERESTED IN TAKING PART IN MY ONLINE PAINTING COURSE ABOUT PAINTING ROUGH SEAS? CLICK HERE
DOWNLOAD A FREE PDF ABOUT TRICKS AND TECHNIQUES IN WATERCOLOUR HERE.
DOWNLOAD A FREE PDF ABOUT THE COLOUR WHEEL AND COLOUR MIXING HERE.