look bleak

To seem or appear very unfavorable or utterly hopeless; to seem grim or bleak. Whenever things start to look bleak in life, my children always make me feel immensely better. After reviewing the fourth quarter financials, things are looking pretty bleak for the company.

paint a (some kind of) picture (of something)

To give an elaborate or detailed description of something that portrays it in a specific way. The board meeting painted a pretty grim picture. If sales don't improve, the company might not have a future. Jonathan always paints an idyllic picture of our childhood, glossing over the bad memories of our father.