We’re tackling something most people don’t like to talk about when it comes to painting door hangers — the ugly stage (or what I affectionately call it, the messy middle).
You know the one…when you’re halfway through a project, and it’s not looking anything like what you imagined. The colors feel off, the brush strokes look streaky, and you’re wondering, “Is this even going to turn out good?”
If you find yourself stuck there, this post will give you the encouragement and door hanger painting tips to keep trucking along!
What the Messy Middle Really Looks Like
To show you what the frustration of the messy middle looks like, I’m going to give you two real-life examples. You may find yourself relating to one or both of these stories.
A Lesson from a Pizza Parlor Paint Party
Let me take you back to one of my early paint party days, where this lesson hit home. I was hosting a paint night at a local pizza joint, and partway through the class, I noticed an empty seat.
At first, I didn’t think anything of it. There’s always someone walking around, stretching their legs, using the bathroom, etc., at a paint party. But when I walked over to throw something away, I saw it…a half-finished door hanger in the trash.
Someone had gotten frustrated and decided they were done. It turns out that person had also left the party. My heart broke — not for the piece itself, but for the lady painting it. She gave up on something that just wasn’t finished yet.
That night, I pulled her door hanger out of the trash and finished it for her, then gave it to her friends to pass along. I don’t know if it ever reached her, but I hope it brought her a little joy and reminded her not to quit!
From Frustration to Finished: Laurel’s Story
Recently, one of our Painter’s Clubhouse members, Laurel, shared a post that had all of us cheering her on. She was stuck in the messy middle of her Lola the Highland Cow project from a recent door hanger workshop and didn’t know how to move forward.
But instead of walking away, she asked for help, and the community showed up big time! 81 comments of encouragement, advice, and “I’ve been there too” moments poured in.
And guess what? She kept going. She posted a photo of her finished door hanger, beaming with pride. It turned out beautiful because she stuck it out to the end!
Door Hanger Painting Tips for the Messy Middle
In both of these stories, the pain point is the same: getting caught up in the flaws of the messy middle.
But here’s the thing…this stage of the creative process happens to everyone (yes, even me!). So when you find yourself stuck, use these tips to help you power through.
- Don’t sweat the small stuff. Most of the “flaws” you see will disappear once you add highlights and outlines.
- Keep baby wipes handy. Mistakes happen. Wipe them off and move on. It’s just paint after all!
- Try painting outlines with a brush. I know paint pens are popular, but a round-tip brush gives you more freedom and flow once you get the hang of it. Plus, it’s really handy for covering up tiny imperfections.
- Take a step back. Set your piece down, walk across the room, and look again. Most imperfections vanish from a distance. If you come back to it and still feel the frustration, take a long break away from your project (like going for a walk or getting a snack) and come back to it once you’ve had some space.
And above all: trust the process. You’re learning, growing, and building confidence, so don’t give up on yourself!
More Door Hanger Tips and Encouragement in the Clubhouse
Whether you’re picking up a brush for the first time or you’re just carving out time on a Saturday to binge craft, remember: you’re doing something for you. And that’s worth celebrating, even with the imperfections!
If you ever feel stuck or unsure, our Painter’s Clubhouse is filled with women just like you who are ready to cheer you on and help you get unstuck (just like Laurel!). You don’t have to do this alone!
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