If you’ve ever looked at a painting halfway through and thought, “This is not going to turn out great,” just know you aren’t alone. In fact, even I, as a painting teacher, have had those moments…and have even said it out loud during a live class. 

That moment has a name. It’s called the messy middle, and it’s one of the most important stages of the creative process. And embracing it is the key to letting go of perfectionism. 

Understanding it could be the difference between giving up on painting…and creating something you’re truly proud of.

What Is the Messy Middle in Painting?

The messy middle is the stage where your project looks unfinished, unbalanced, and honestly, a little confusing.

The colors may not be working yet. The design doesn’t look like you imagined. And doubt starts to creep in.

Many beginners assume this means they’ve done something wrong. But in reality, this stage is completely normal! Every painter experiences it, no matter their skill level.

Why the Messy Middle Feels So Uncomfortable

There are a few reasons this stage feels so discouraging, especially for beginners.

You expect results too early:

1. It’s easy to believe that if you’re doing it correctly, your painting should look good from the start. That’s rarely how it works.
2. You haven’t seen the process play out yet. If you’ve never pushed through to the end, it’s hard to trust that things will come together.
3. You confuse unfinished with failed. A painting in progress often looks incomplete. That doesn’t mean it’s ruined.

A Real Example: When It Didn’t Look Like It Would Work

During a live class inside the Painter’s Clubhouse, I was teaching a butterfly painting using a palette knife technique.

Palette knife painting requires a different mindset. Instead of controlled brush strokes, you’re blending and layering paint in a way that feels less precise and more unpredictable.

It’s a technique that requires you to trust the process.

Halfway through the project, the butterfly didn’t look right. The colors were blended, but they lacked definition. The overall design felt messy and unclear. And because this was a live class, there was no editing or starting over.

I even said out loud, “I’m not sure this is going to work.”

The Step That Changed Everything

At the end of that butterfly project, we moved on to the final step: outlining. Using black paint, I began defining the wings, the body, and the details. That’s when everything shifted.

The same colors that looked chaotic suddenly had structure. The design became clear. The painting finally made sense.

What looked like a mistake just minutes before turned into a finished piece that everyone loved! But in the beginning, it definitely didn’t look like it would turn out that 

The Real Lesson Behind the Messy Middle

That experience reinforced something I now teach often:

The messy middle is not a sign that you’re doing it wrong. It’s a sign that you’re in the process.

Painting isn’t about getting it perfect from the beginning. It’s about continuing, even when it doesn’t look right yet. That’s the skill you’re building every time you paint.

How to Get Through the Messy Middle

If you find yourself stuck in the middle of a project, here are a few simple reminders to keep going:

1. Recognize where you are: Say it out loud if you need to: “This is the messy middle.” It reminds you that you’re in the middle of the creative process, not on the verge of failure.
2. Avoid making quick decisions from one mistake: Don’t throw the project away or start over too soon.
3. Focus on the next step: Instead of judging the whole piece, just keep moving forward one step at a time.
4. Trust the process, even when the result isn’t clear yet.

You Don’t Have to Figure This Out Alone

If you’re tired of second-guessing your work or giving up halfway through, having guidance makes a big difference.

Inside the Painter’s Clubhouse, you’ll learn step-by-step techniques, but more importantly, you’ll learn how to keep going when things feel uncertain. You’ll be surrounded by women who are learning, practicing, and growing right alongside you.

If you’re ready to stop quitting in the middle and start finishing pieces you’re proud of, the Painter’s Clubhouse is the place to begin!