The Hardest Question: Is My Art Finished?

How to know when to STOP? 

Artists ask me this all the time: “How do I know when my artwork is finished?”

It’s one of the most challenging questions in the creative process, because the honest answer is simple—your gut will tell you when the piece is done. But trusting your instincts isn’t always easy.

Perfectionism, fear of not being “good enough,” and persistent self-doubt often drown out our intuition. Many of us see flaws long after anyone else does, making it difficult to step away from a piece.

The truth? Your work will never feel perfect. And that’s part of being an artist.

Leonardo da Vinci famously said, “A painting is never finished, only abandoned.” As creators, we evolve constantly, and our perspective on our work evolves with us. That’s why we can always imagine changing something—refining, adjusting, improving.

But a piece can absolutely be overworked. I’ve been there many times, pushing too far because I feared the work wasn’t living up to its potential. Once I accepted that perfection is impossible (for my art and for myself), knowing when to stop became easier. The more time you spend with your craft, the more confident your creative decisions become—including the decision to stop.

While there are no strict rules, here are helpful questions to guide you:

• Are you satisfied with the result?

• Have you applied your techniques effectively?

• Does something feel missing?

• Do your colors harmonize?

• Is the work consistent?

• Is the composition balanced?

• Is there a clear focal point?

• Is your message or voice coming through?

• Have you given the viewer enough to understand the image?

• Have you run out of passion or energy for it?

Sometimes you may know a piece isn’t finished but can’t see what’s missing. When that happens, live with the artwork. Place it where you can see it in passing. Look at it casually. Sit with it intentionally. Eventually, what needs adjusting will make itself known—subtly at first, then unmistakably.

Knowing when artwork is done is one of the hardest parts of creating. For me, a piece is complete when it resonates deeply—when something inside says, yes, that’s it. That inner knowing develops over time by repeatedly looking inward and honoring your creative intuition.

At the end of the day, only you can decide when it’s time to step back, put down the brush, and call the piece complete.

What do you think? When do you know when your work is finished?

Be well….be creative,