The Messy Middle: Why We Should Share The Art That’s Not Finished

Social media is a funny thing.We scroll past square after square of polished, pristine, perfectly-lit masterpieces. Finished pieces. Signed pieces. Glorious beacons of someone else's done.

The messy middle is the learning part of the process!

But here's the truth no algorithm wants to spotlight: every piece of artwork goes through an ugly, awkward, soul-crushing stage in the middle.You know the one—the stage where nothing looks right, everything feels off, and you're convinced you've forgotten how to draw a straight line, let alone create something worth sharing. (See- we have ALL been there!! ) :-)

I never did get around to finishing this one!

I used to hide that part. I thought the process was something to be ashamed of. Something to clean up before anyone saw it.But over time—and through many sketchbooks and mistakes—I’ve learned that the messy middle is not a failure. It’s the fertile ground where real growth happens.

The Process Is the Point

The finished piece is just the tip of the iceberg. What you don’t see beneath it is the series of decisions, missteps, retries, and breakthroughs that shaped it. Each moment spent adjusting proportions, changing colors, redrawing a petal or a profile—that is where the learning lives.

And it’s worth celebrating.

Because every mistake offers us a lesson.Every moment of frustration teaches us how to push through.Every "this is awful, I want to quit" moment is a mile marker in our artistic journey.It’s not a sign that we’re failing. It’s a sign that we’re right on track.

Working through my Pitcher Plant piece

You're Not Alone in the “I Hate This” Phase

Let’s normalize the ugly middle.Let’s stop pretending that great art arrives fully formed.Let’s start talking about that point in every piece when we want to rip the page out, throw the iPad across the room, or abandon the sketch entirely.

Because the more we talk about it, the more we give each other permission to keep going.

When you're in that spot—take heart.It doesn’t mean the piece is ruined.It means you're halfway there.

And halfway is still forward.

What If We Shared the Process?

Imagine if we posted the messy versions too.The half-rendered faces. The muddy washes. The overworked layers.What if we invited people into our journey instead of only showing them the destination?

I think we’d find more connection.More community.More realness in the scroll.

Because art isn’t just about the final image.It’s about who we’re becoming as we make it.

Ugh - just looking at this - I only see the errors- the unfinished - but I remember the struggle and not giving up and coming out the other side.

Keep Going

So if you're staring at a piece today thinking, "This is terrible"—you're in excellent company.The messy middle is part of every masterpiece.Let it teach you. Let it stretch you. Let it remind you that you’re growing.

And please, please don’t hide your process. Someone else may need to see it to believe that they, too, can get to the other side.

Art demands craft.And craft demands time, patience, and a whole lot of imperfect marks along the way.

Celebrate them.

They’re leading us all somewhere beautiful.

🐝 Want More Support for Your Daily Practice?

Come join us in the Bee Hive Chronicles, where we sketch daily, share the in-between, and remind each other that process matters. It’s not about perfect—it’s about pencil miles.

🖥️ Or if you’re just getting started with digital art, take your first steps in Procreate 101. It’s designed for beginners, warmly guided by a fellow learner, and grounded in traditional art principles.

Your creativity deserves space to grow.Let it be messy.Let it be real.Let it be.