We’ve all been there: you have this beautiful vision of what your art or project is going to look like in your head. You can picture every detail—how the colors will blend, how the texture will feel, how perfect it’ll all come together. But then, reality hits, and what you create looks absolutely nothing like that vision.
It’s frustrating. It’s disappointing. But it’s also completely normal for artists and makers. Sometimes the process takes unexpected turns, and the piece just doesn’t go as planned. Maybe the colors aren’t right, or the proportions are off. Or maybe, after hours of working, it turns into something totally different from what you envisioned… and that’s okay.
What’s important is that the process is just as valuable as the outcome. Those unexpected turns lead to growth, learning, and finding new creative paths you may not have considered.
So, next time your project looks nothing like what you had imagined, remember that it’s all part of the creative journey. It might not be perfect, but it’s yours, and it tells the story of your process.
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Text overlay: "Expectation: A masterpiece. Reality: What did I create?"
Show a funny comparison of a rough draft vs. the final piece of art (it doesn’t have to be “bad,” just funny). Maybe you're holding up a painting that looks like a masterpiece and then the real thing that's... slightly off.
Add some silly music (like something dramatic or over-the-top).
End with: “It’s the thought that counts, right?!”
Text overlay: “When your project/art/piece looks NOTHING like what you imagined…”
Start with a shot of you excitedly starting your project—show the sketch, the materials, the vision you have in your head.
Cut to the middle part of the process, where things start to go off-track—maybe the paint isn’t blending how you thought it would, or the shape isn’t coming out right.
Then, show the final result that looks completely different from your original vision—add a playful or dramatic sigh, and maybe even a funny “well, this isn’t what I imagined…” line.
End with a positive note, showing that you’re still proud of the piece, even if it’s not exactly as planned.
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Slide 1: Text: “Expectation: ‘This will be the best piece I’ve ever made.’ 🎨✨”
Slide 2-3: Show a few “almost there” pictures — maybe your canvas gets covered in splatters or an unexpected color scheme.
Slide 4: Text: “Reality: ‘This is... not what I was going for.’ 😬”
Final Slide: “But hey, it's still art, right?”
Caption: “If you’ve never been here, are you even a real artist? 😂 #artfails #creativejourney”
Slide 1: Text: “When your project looks NOTHING like you imagined…” with a shot of your original inspiration—maybe a reference image or sketch you had in mind.
Slide 2: Show a picture of the early stages of your project—where things are still looking good but maybe starting to diverge from your vision.
Slide 3: Share a shot of the “finished” piece—where it’s clearly different from the original idea, but still an expression of your creativity.
Slide 4: A picture of you with a smile, saying, “This was not what I expected… but I still love it.” Or you can add something like: “The beauty of creativity is embracing the unexpected.”
Final Slide: Text: “It’s not about perfection. It’s about the journey.”
Caption: “Sometimes things don’t go as planned, and that’s okay! This is the beauty of the creative process—embracing the mistakes, the surprises, and the unexpected outcomes. It’s all part of the journey. 🎨 #CreativeJourney #ArtisticProcess #EmbraceTheMistakes”
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Show a time-lapse of you starting a project that slowly goes off course.
Text: “When your art looks nothing like you imagined it... 😅”
Add a poll: “Has this ever happened to you? YES / Definitely YES”
Start with a video of you starting a new project, maybe excitedly saying: “Here’s what I’m envisioning for this piece. It’s going to look amazing!”
Then, as you continue working, share a clip showing how things start to diverge from your original plan—perhaps the colors or materials aren’t cooperating.
Add some funny text like: “Well… that’s not what I expected…” or “This was supposed to be blue… but I guess it’s more purple now?” to keep it light and relatable.
End with a shot of the finished project, with text like: “It may not be what I planned, but I’m still proud of it.” or “The creative journey is full of surprises.”
Use the “question box” feature to ask: “Have you ever had a piece look NOTHING like what you envisioned? Tell me about it!”
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“When your [project/art/piece] looks NOTHING like what you imagined, but you still find a way to love it.”
“When you start with a clear vision for your piece, but it takes on a life of its own.”
“I thought this was going to be [color/texture/design], but it turned out [totally different].”
“My project didn’t turn out how I planned, but it’s still something I’m proud of.”