Raziel, Scholar of the Infinite - (Detail Phase) (Patreon)

When I get to this point in the painting process I'm trying to balance two opposing forces.

One one hand, I'm trying protect the colors and textures that have emerged organically from the earlier steps in the process. On the other hand, I'm trying to bully the content that's already there into a refined state. The goal is to do everything that's necessary to complete the painting and avoid all unnecessary work.

Beyond just being a time sink, adding extra detail runs the risk of overwhelming the natural and beautiful things that the painting contributes all on its own. If the best choice was to spend more time on it, I would do that, but I strongly believe that the most optimal path for me to complete a painting is by using a gentle touch when it comes to the final steps.