Whether you are a professional, a student, or you paint just for enjoyment, you ought to be serious about it, at least while you are painting. ALWAYS give it your best shot. Have a warm respect for your art and cherish your affection for it.Never demean your efforts because you think you're not in a class with Rembrandt. Paint the things you passionately respond to, and use any means necessary to make your work come out the way you intend. (That's what Rembrandt did.) Like other painters, I sometimes shudder when I see my early work, but I was trying my best at the time. Today I am certainly aware of the shortfalls in my current paintings. (Shortfalls is hogwash for outright bungling.) I remind myself, however, th从if I got it right every time, there would be little sense of accomplishment.