Most of my paintings go through a phase where I hate them, think they're utterly unfixable garbage, and make me want to make a bonfire out of my brushes. This painting happened to spend about 90% of its creation time in that garbage-phase. I kept at it because I really really liked the sketch, and after longer than I like to think about it turned into something I can at least be moderately happy with.

As frustrating as the experience is, I'm glad - its these frustrating paintings that teach me the most about art and leave me most excited to create more.