This is a question that keeps popping up: How do you know when to put down your brushes and declare a piece of art done?

I get it; it's one of those tricky dilemmas that can plague any artist. I mean, sure, the easy answer is to trust your gut and let your instincts guide you to that moment when your work is truly complete. But let's be honest, it's often not that simple.

Many of us grapple with the demons of perfectionism, the nagging feeling that we're not quite 'good enough,' and those relentless waves of self-doubt. In those moments, our gut instincts seem to go AWOL.

So, what can you do when your inner compass is on the fritz?

First off, acknowledge that perfection is a mirage. Your art will never be flawless. You'll forever spot its imperfections. Accept this as part and parcel of the artistic process. Leonardo da Vinci himself once said, "A painting is never finished, only abandoned."

As the creator, you'll always find something you could tweak, something you'd do differently. We're constantly evolving and growing as artists, which means our work is perpetually in flux.

However, this doesn't mean you can't overwork a piece. Trust me, you absolutely can. There have been countless instances where I've been stuck in that analytical frame of mind, afraid to stop because I'm convinced the work hasn't reached its peak potential.

Once I made peace with the idea that perfection isn't attainable (and neither am I), knowing when to call it quits became a tad easier. Spending time with my art and its techniques has made me better at making creative decisions, including when to say, "That's it."

Now, these aren't strict rules, but they're worth pondering when you're evaluating your piece:

1. Are you content with the outcome?

2. Have you applied your techniques correctly?

3. Is anything missing?

4. Do your colors harmonize?

5. Have you maintained consistency throughout the work?

6. Is your composition balanced?

7. Is there a clear focal point?

8. Is your message or voice evident?

9. Have you provided enough context for viewers to understand your piece?

10. Have you lost the passion to continue working on it?

Sometimes, I just know deep down that a piece isn't finished, but I can't put my finger on what's missing. So, I live with it for a while. I hang it up and glance at it as I pass by or sit down and stare at it. Eventually, the missing piece reveals itself to me.

Without a doubt, one of the toughest aspects of creating art is deciding when to stop. To truly finish a piece, it has to resonate deeply within me. And that sense of resonance takes time to develop, gained through countless hours of introspection.

Because at the end of the day, we each have to figure out for ourselves when it's the right moment to lay down the brush and declare, "It's done."