When is it finished?

So how do you know when it's finished?

I go upstairs to my studio and I stare at this painting. Is it done?

No.

But what does it need? Maybe a critter, a chipmunk or a squirrel or a fish jumping out of the water.

Should I add more darks or more lights? Should I have more highlights?  Where is the sun source?

How do you know when a painting is done?

I remember reading a quote (wish I could remember who said it but I don't) - "You know it is done when that special thing has been said".

I stand back and look at this painting and I like it but I don't think that special thing has been said just yet.

The Lonely Goose

Here is my latest painting. I call it "Lonely Goose". Canada Geese mate for life. When something happens to one, the other one will spend a long time looking for their lost partner. They mourn for a very long time. We see this guy in Tonawanda Creek swimming by himself every day.