Creating artwork can be a great stress reliever, but I think all artists have had projects that reach the point of frustration. I know I have. It may be your project just doesn't come together right. For example, in my case, a pencil portrait may not look like it should - the mouth seems wrong, or the eyes are slightly off. Often the problem remains oblivious to others, who will probably think the drawing, painting, or whatever looks fine. This often just compounds our frustration. However, artist's are always their own worst critics, and we often frustrate ourselves trying to make our work perfect.
So, what is the best way to solve this problem? I have found a few things that help me.
1. The number one and most important thing to do if a project has gone from fun to frustrating - Walk Away. Put the project on the shelf for awhile, and maybe even work on something else. Leaving the project alone lets you come back and look at it fresh. Once picking it up again, you may be able to quickly see what needs to be adjusted. There is no limit on how long you leave it alone. I have occasionally let a project sit for weeks before finishing it. Obviously this is a little harder if you have a deadline, but take what time you can - even if it's just a break for a snack or watching your favorite TV show.
2. Do not take your frustration out on your artwork. You will wind up with more troubles if you, for example, push too hard with your pencil, or erase too hard and damage your paper. When you feel this way, read and follow number one.
3. Try not to be too hard on yourself about your work, and don't compare yourself with others. Many artist's feel their work is never quite good enough, or quite what they wanted to achieve. This especially applies to new artists. It takes time to become proficient in a medium. So, my best advice is to be patient, and do not compare yourself with anyone. All artists develop their own unique style, and while it is good to learn from others, it is best not to compare your self with them.
4. Eventually, you may just have to start over. It is hard to scrap a project and start again, since usually there has been a lot of time and effort involved. However, the second time around, things often go much easier, and you may be more pleased with the results.
