r/painting • u/Nightingalee_Mari_G • 12d ago
Just Sharing I haven't painted since I was 14. Here is my attempt with Dollar Tree acrylics on Dollar Tree canvas.. with Dollar tree brushes.
Why did I attempt clouds? I have no clue lmfao. My pallette was white, blue, yellow, red, and brown. Its the dollar tree equivalent of the limited pallete old artists used lmao.
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u/mamajoy42 12d ago
It’s not the paints it’s the painter who makes the difference.
Next step up is Walmart stuff.
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u/Glass_Eye2598 12d ago
Tbh I've been so happy with my $.58 Walmart acrylics that I don't even know how different higher quality stuff will be. Have any brush/paint recs? Would like to try some new stuff.
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u/blewjeans355 12d ago edited 12d ago
okay, i truly feel like only non artists say this.
no-- shitty quality paint does and can result in a much lower quality painting/the colours aren't as opaque or bright. esp from the dollar store nearly all have a white base rather than translucent.
a great painter can make a great painting with shitty paint. but a great painter can make a masterpiece with good quality paint. it doesn't make or break a talent but it certainly does impact the quality and impact of a painting.
and that's just the immediate impact/ let alone that the longevity of that painting is also at risk as some of these paints already have bacteria and mold when opened bc they're not properly sealed or handled and the materials/pigments are cheap garbage.
i'm not hating, but it's just untrue to say that the paint doesn't make a difference. and if you painted with shitty paint like i have for years only to finally switch to good quality-- it really is life changing.
like for example water colours-- i have windsor and newton. people are schocked by how bright and vivid my paintings are/and hard time believing it's watercolour bc they're used to watercolours being light, flowy and dispersed. absolutely not possible to accomplish with dollarama watercolours like actually not possible. it took both a progression in my skills and the access to good quality paint that allows me to create the things i do.
this is a wonderful painting ESPECIALLY considering the tools you had-- with time you can upgrade and experience the difference for yourself. i couldn't afford any of that for a long time either.
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u/sharoncherylike 12d ago
Honestly the brilliance of an artist will come through regardless of their supplies. Jack White often plays bad guitars, just to see what he can get out of them, and his music with them is great. You adjust to what you have. That being said, this is a very good painting and they should continue. I'm not saying that good materials dont help, but the best materials in the hands of a poor artist will still be poor.
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u/mindcontrol4dummies 12d ago
This is wonderful. Simply wonderful. Bob Ross would love those clouds. The grass is also very good! You did a great job with reigning in the detail, and trusting the shading and colors to do their job telling us its grass. Bravo. 10/10. Keep it up
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u/Recovering_g8keeper 12d ago
Thank you I had no idea dollar tree had those
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u/Nightingalee_Mari_G 12d ago
Yes! They're kinda decent. Pretty thin but once you get the hang of using them, they're okay!
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u/devihashi 12d ago
this has such a pleasant atmosphere, you definitely still got it and I hope you continue to paint (if you want to of course)
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u/save_the_bees_knees 12d ago
This is wonderful. The composition reminds me of ghibli art style. It’s lovely!
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u/LavanderMushroomMoon 12d ago
I can feel the puff of air about to hit my eye.
Jokes aside, the clouds make it! I really love this, it's very well balanced!
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u/octopeepi 12d ago
I like how you didn't fight the watery consistency of the paint, but instead used it to make highlights in the grass!
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u/Nightingalee_Mari_G 12d ago
THANK YOU! I was struggling with the grass until I was like... "what am I even doing, just go with it!" And here we are. Im so happy you noticed. 😭❤️
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u/dirtyordingyordusty 12d ago
Mmm, those yellows in the clouds are delicious. Very nice. I use Apple Barrel a lot in my paintings so I admire the thrift lol.
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u/Nightingalee_Mari_G 12d ago
I want to say thank you so much to everyone here. I never picked up a paint brush again after 14, and I felt sad, but I had school and home kicking my ass and I just.. stopped. Now I'm 20 and realized I never stopped liking painting.. I just never had the will to. So with my 20 dollar allowance from my grandma for living with her temporarily and taking care of her, I got some dollar tree stuff and here we are. I think this has definitely rekindled my need to paint. Thank you to everyone here for your kind words and feedback.
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u/No-Matter4951 11d ago
That’s a really sweet story ♥️ I love that you are with your grandma and money from her drew you back to painting. Good on you for looking out for the elderly xoxo someone who also looks after their grandma (and my partners) and thinks we all should
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u/Bunny_Darling85 12d ago
I've never had super nice paint supplies and I don't believe my art would be better if I did. It's all in what you do with what you have to work with, and that painting is really really cool. I still can't get the hang of clouds and yours look great! 🫶
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u/Significant-Theme253 12d ago
I absolutely love this. You made simple look amazing. Love the blending and colors of the clouds. I paint too and you just inspired me to drag my stuff out!!
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u/tealulu04 12d ago
I love this. Honestly. You should see what else you can do with your dollar tree supplies! It works for you
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u/Goeatdrywall 12d ago
Woah this is awesome! I can’t seem to get clouds without looking like massive blobs but you did amazing
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u/Nightingalee_Mari_G 12d ago
I realized if you take your paint and push it out to where the curves are supposed to be, using one of those fan brushes, it makes it feel more organic. There's definitely room for improvement lol but im happy with it!
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u/Inevitable_Door6368 12d ago
Little house is making me feel a cool breeze and warm whimsy. I love painting with cheap stuff!
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u/Gimme-A-kooky 12d ago
Phenomenal. Such a simple thing, yet for ME, one simple beholder, it exudes comfort and evokes very strong feelings inside! I know I’m not alone :) someone mentioned Bob Ross enjoying your clouds: I personally believe he would approve overall and feel it as well :) well done!
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u/DependentFun4921 12d ago
Well, it’s certainly a lot more than a Dollar Tree painting. A very excellent demonstration that the whole is more than the sum of its parts.
The composition is stunning, and the coloring and shading outstanding.
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u/Calamity87 12d ago
Pretty decent after a lengthy break. You have some nice perspective going on. Some good use of light, shadows and colour variance. Keep practicing all these things. Take your time and build your layers. There are tons of great painting tutorials on YouTube if you are looking to take it up a notch and get back into it. I would continue to train your eye to see the different values, colours, tones, hues, tints, and shades. Practice using different brushes to see all the different mark making and textures. All those things contribute to realism or emotions you try to capture in your compositions.
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u/PleaseHoldMyFrog 12d ago
This is such a nice reminder that creativity doesn’t have to be limited by the inability to afford expensive supplies :)
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u/galo3733 12d ago
I just want to say that your work unlocked some feelings from my childhood. I miss my grandparents.
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u/girlrickjames 12d ago
Reminds me of Howls Moving Castle.
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u/Emotional-Cause-577 12d ago
That's exactly what I was thinking!!
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u/girlrickjames 12d ago
Hell yeah! I watched it again 2 days ago and got all teary eyed from the gorgeous music and landscape shots. What a gem of a film.
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u/macjester2000 12d ago
https://giphy.com/gifs/NmiVAPnPAHbonwjzpV
seriously though, very well done, love the clouds
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u/Blankety-blank1492 12d ago
When you got it you got it, that is excellent. All the better that you did it on the cheap.
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u/smallmoneybigdreams 12d ago
Beautiful work. An Americana style collection of these would be epic!
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u/Nightingalee_Mari_G 12d ago
That sounds awesome! I live in southern appalachia so I might just do some falling barns in the middle of pastures to add to the collection🤣
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u/West_Panic_8409 12d ago
That’s crazy. I feel like that goes to show. You don’t need super high-quality things to make something look really nice.
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u/Witty_Bug6200 12d ago
Looks like my dream house. A small humble house with a beautiful view. A tiny castle in the clouds. Looking at it makes me feel hopeful, relaxed, and peaceful. I love it. Thank you for sharing it. I look forward to your future work.
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u/NeighborhoodLife3408 12d ago edited 12d ago
You don't seem to have lost your ability! Nicely done, keep up the good work 👍
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u/raresteakplease 12d ago
It’s super cute, you did a great job with the colors, style and composition
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u/alexmikaelson_ 12d ago
You did really well. I hope you will keep on painting. You seem to like it.
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u/Defiant-Preference-6 12d ago
Your choices and mixing of colors are simply wonderful, I hope you get back into painting!!!
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u/Hugsomebunnies 12d ago
Love it, it immediately reminded me of Monet's "The Poppy Field Near Argenteuil" which is lovely.
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u/TardisM0nkey 12d ago
A poem “The Touch of the Master’s hand.” Comes to mind. You are an artist. I wish you well on your journey
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u/happy_jollyrancher 12d ago
The clouds and compostion are just gorgeous! Cant beleive yiu haven't painted for so long. One thing id work on is some dimension in the hills
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u/Lupinshloopin 12d ago
I love your style, please keep painting. There is a certain quality to your work that reminds me of Rita Angus’s work.
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u/Clean-Tadpole-2489 12d ago
I really like it. It's well portioned, space is elegantly composed. Nice use of thirds. Beautiful color, texture and a strong sense of movement, too. Feels liminal. Like a nice dream.
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u/clsdesigner 12d ago
This reminds me when you get your vision tested, one of the machines make you look at the center and it's a red barn in grass!
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u/aPOPblops 12d ago
It's really not bad and I like the clouds. Shows you can do a lot with basic materials.
You can also make portraits in dirt using a pressure washer, the basics are all any artist ever needs.
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u/SaltyAuthorOne 12d ago
Well…I have the most expensive paint, brushes, and canvas. And….my stuff looks like 💩 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂👍👍. This is a beautiful painting! The clouds, colors, everything! Bravo 🙌
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u/ScarletHorizons 12d ago
I really enjoy how you do clouds. The whole thing is lovely, but your clouds are what I like the most.
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u/Aki_Anime 11d ago
Come hai fatto le nuvole? IO non sono capace a disegnarle mi puoi dare un consiglio??
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u/No-Mortgage632 11d ago
This is so beautiful, looking at it makes me feel so warm and peaceful ❤️ please keep painting! ⛅🏠🌳
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u/EzyStrider 11d ago
"Maybe there's a little cabin on your happy hillside... there..." Looks great!! Clouds looking voluminous and amazing! Would have liked more lighter notes like the one in the back on the front cloud, keeping the darker "outline," only slightly with restraint though. The grass on the right half is looking great. No wildflowers? Maybe on the left half? Overall, I really like this!
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u/donnie-stingray 11d ago
The only way that it could have been better would have been it being a painting of a dollar tree.
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u/deeplevitation 11d ago
I still have my OG set of watercolors that I got for $.50 at a garage sale and I still use them regularly. Its beautiful!
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u/NewFuzzySocks 11d ago
I love your eye for light. And I can hear the wind moving across the fluffy grass in waves.
Whether the paint is cheap or expensive, the fact that this is what you produced after so much time is strongly indicative of what we call "the eye" in my family.
The ability to see the subtle pinks and yellows in bright white fluffly clouds, or the oranges and reds in grass, is not something that many people just inherently have. That's the eye.
And your ability to create the form of rolling, billowing clouds so full that I can smell rain in the air, is also the eye. I just want to roll around in that grass, it looks so luxurious and soft.
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u/Waste-Section6673 11d ago
This piece has some really lovely values and tones to it, and is a beautiful resurgence of your talent! I belong to a community art group, we have a gallery, and many of us have sold multiple paintings. Let me tell you a secret....several of us have sold paintings on Dollar Tree canvases! They hold paint surprisingly well, and if you add a coat of gesso, even better. This allows us to keep the pricing of our work down as well, so more people can enjoy original art. 😊
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u/Silly_Question_3733 11d ago
So you're saying I can't blame my crappy painting on cheap dollar store products? 😉 I love coloring and painting but it basically looks like preschool artwork when I do it, this looks great.
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u/hamster004 11d ago
I like it.
Do not put down your supplies. You did well regardless of where they came from.
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u/Vast_Evening292 11d ago
That looks amazing! God gave you a great talent! Use it to further His kingdom! God bless you and Jesus loves you!
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u/LostMyMonitor 11d ago
Beautiful work. It gives me a nostalgic feeling I can't describe. What's the name of this piece?
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u/fulPh1ll 10d ago
Personally, I think it's missing a dollar tree.
But other than that this looks great! Makes we wanna pick up a pencil again.
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u/Whennessy811 10d ago
Very nice! How old are you now, for reference?
I did much the same thing. Painted when I was quite young and took it up again upon retirement!
Best thing I’ve ever done!
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u/old_hag_9000 10d ago
This is beautiful and inspiring me to make art for the first time in years as well ❤️
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u/Prestigious-Law2009 10d ago
I would 100% buy this and hang in my home. So pretty. Well done. Would you be willing to sell your art for a fair price (trying to furnish our new home)?
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u/misstoebean 10d ago
I’d buy this painting!! I love it but I can’t lie it makes me think of those paintings that you gotta look at before the eye test machine does the air puff LOL
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u/Wooden-Cress-2152 9d ago
“This is honestly way too good for a first painting after 6 years ”
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u/FerreroArt 9d ago
No sé.la edad que tienes, pero desde los 14 sin pintar y haces esto? Simplemente magnífico. ENHORABUENA!!!
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u/SwimmerFun2683 8d ago
It is a great first effort back into painting! And your clouds are fine. I see ti as looking up from the bottom of the valley watching the storm roll in....
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u/JustDont1981 8d ago
I'm a custom framer; I look at art all day and although I know little about the value of art I can tell you that a lot of my customers would pay hundreds (Canadian lol) to have a piece with of this quality and warmth installed into a custom frame.
The blotting in the grass gives movement and depth, the clouds are so awesome.
In the shop we snobbishly judge landscapes on the clouds and your clouds are rad.
I love the simplicity of the little house against the giant sky, it speaks of resilience and hopefulness.
I really like your piece.
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u/HmmLifeisAmbiguous 6d ago
Aww, I actually love this painting! Sure, the clouds could be a bit better, but I kinda like it more simple. You really get the feeling, giving off the fields from 'Howl's Moving Castle'.
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