How long should I work on a series before I consider it complete or move on to something else?

There’s no fixed endpoint. As a working artist, you’ll constantly be creating new work—that never turns off. Don’t get stuck waiting to ‘finish’ a series before you start marketing or showing your work. The real mistake is creating a body of work, never showing it to anyone because you haven’t marketed it, then moving on to the next thing without ever finding out what resonated. Show your work as you go, get market feedback, and let that inform your direction. It’s very easy to add new pieces, drop others, or revisit old themes throughout your career.

---

Asked by a plein air painter preparing for their first show · Answered by Patrick · Art Business Webinar · 2026-09-11