Because you can leave it as is and it feels and looks done. Trust your own instincts. If you have to ask yourself if it’s done or not and you don’t know one way or the other then it’s not done.

My suggestion would be that you can work your magic with pen and ink to define some details more sharply. But let it be known that’s only because I love your pen and ink renditions!

I understand you want to get away from that, but I sure don’t see why.

to jump out that much or not. The whale is still good.

and just put it somewhere where I can see it while I go about the business of living. Eventually my subconscious will let me know what to do. I trust that process implicitly.

I’ve even lived with a painting for years then one day suddenly getting a totally new idea of what to do to it.

and a half before I have to give them to my coworkers. Plus the mats are still in transit anyway.

Seeing before and after artwork is always great!

my skill level will be the same.

I can try.

What needs to be different?

... different, If you like the panting, it gives you one to sell and one to keep.

Most of my stuff gets painted three times.

Soothing to look at. Ty!

I'd set it aside for a day or two, and if you think it needs more work, then have at it. But you then run the risk f overworking it. One of the hardest things in painting for me is knowing when to quit.