In chess, when it’s your time to move, you have to move something. And if you like the position and you don’t want to disturb the position, or you don’t quite know what to do, you make a minimum move. You “push pawn.” That’s as close to nothing as you can do in chess. If you’re painting and you’re confused, you’re not inspired, or you’re unclear as to what to do next, “push pawn.” Drop the brush, drop the pastel!
Albert Handell, “Moments in Time” interview by Gail Sibley
Stopping for now is not the same as giving up on a painting. Taking a break from a painting lets you see it with fresher eyes. Sometimes it’s a short break, sometimes long, sometimes several.
