Have you ever made a mistake while painting and felt like tossing the whole thing and starting over? 

Speaking from experience…we’ve all been there. Every painter, whether beginner or experienced, runs into little hiccups along the way. But the good news? Most of the time, these mistakes are totally fixable. And you don’t even have to start over to correct them!

Today, I’m sharing my favorite tricks for fixing common painting mistakes so you can keep going with confidence. Watch the video below or keep reading for all the notes!

Mistake #1: Too Much Paint or Uneven Coverage

One of the most common beginner mistakes is applying too much paint. You know…when you dip your brush into a big glob of paint and then it’s tough to smooth out? 

It’s easy to do if you’re not paying attention, and can lead to thick, uneven spots that take forever to dry.

How to fix it:

• Step 1: Wipe away excess paint using a baby wipe or damp paper towel. This helps smooth out globs and speeds up drying time.
• Step 2: Dry the area completely with a heat gun, hair dryer, or just let it air dry.
• Step 3: Sand it down with a sanding block to even out the texture.
• Step 4: Wipe away dust with a damp cloth before adding another coat of paint.
• Step 5: Apply a fresh, even coat of paint using long, smooth brush strokes.

The most important thing to remember is to start with thin layers and build up as needed.

Mistake #2: Picking the Wrong Color

Got halfway through your project and realized you picked the wrong color? Maybe it’s too bold or isn’t working with your base coat. Instead of starting over, try adjusting the color!

How to Fix It:

• Step 1: Dry the paint completely before making changes.
• Step 2: Mix a new color by blending your original shade with your base coat. This will soften the contrast.
• Step 3: Paint right over the existing color using a sponge pouncer or brush to create a more subtle effect.

That’s the beauty of acrylic paint — you can always layer and adjust it until it looks just right!

Mistake #3: The Dreaded Paint Ridge

Ever noticed a thick line of paint building up around the edges of your shapes? That’s a paint ridge, and it happens when too much paint collects at the edge of a brushstroke. 

This is another reason why it’s important to start with a thin layer and build upon it. But if your door hanger has them, don’t worry — it can be fixed!

How to Fix It:

• Step 1: Before the paint dries, rinse your brush and use a damp brush to pull excess paint toward the center of your shape.
• Step 2: Feather out the edges with light strokes to blend the paint smoothly.
• Step 3: Avoid creating ridges by starting your brushstroke inside the shape and working outward, rather than outlining the edge first.

Making a small adjustment to your brush, like changing from a filbert to a flat tip brush — can make a huge difference!

Mistake #4: Getting Stuck in the Messy Middle

It doesn’t matter how long you’ve been painting. We all hit the “messy middle” when nothing feels right. The best thing you can do? Keep going!

How to Fix It:

• Take it one layer at a time: Layers take time, and it will look better with each step.
• Add a second or third coat to even out streaky areas.
• Trust the process — the magic happens in the final details!

Every painter (yes, even me!) goes through this. Don’t judge your work too soon — give it time to come together!

Mistake #5: Stopping Too Soon

Many painters stop when everything’s been painted. But those small outlines and details, the finishing touches, are what truly bring a piece to life!

How to Fix It:

• Step 1: Use a paint pen to outline edges and add definition. Alternate between black and white, depending on the design and the colors. 
• Step 2: Try an extra-fine paint pen for delicate, sketchy details.
• Step 3: Layer shading and highlights to add depth and dimension.

These little touches are what can truly transform your door hanger! 

Final Tip: Learn as You Go

Painting isn’t about perfection — it’s about having fun and learning as you go. Every mistake is just an opportunity to get creative and find a new solution.

And if you want to paint alongside me to get additional practice, Sign up for our Highland Cow Door Hanger Workshop! We’ll be painting Lola the Highland Cow together on April 15 and 17, and I’ll guide you step by step — mistakes and all.

It’s just $10 to join — sign up now to get access to the door hanger template, supply list, and two nights of live instruction as I teach you how to paint!

We go live April 15th-17th. Reserve your spot here.