A huge ugly piece of artwork

[artquejtion]

Could I whitewash or do something with a very ugly piece of artwork? or does anyone have any ideas how to make it more palatable ?

I bought it a few years ago abroad, I didn't open it for several months as it was in storage with other stuff. When I finally opened it, it definitely was not the one I purchased, At that point I felt it was too late to do anything about it, so just stuffed it in a storage room.

Now I realise, it is a perfect size for a wall I need to put something on, but I think I will gag every time I pass it. It is an abstract painting in red and pink colours, and I prefer more earth tones, so not my taste at all.

It will also be expensive to frame, so I was thinking of whitewashing over the really vibrant colours, or any other creative ideas. Don't think anyone would be interested in buying it, plus it was not an inexpensive purchase !

Pinks obviously not oinks

The fabric thing is a great idea. Do you know someone who does quilting? They might make you a textile picture of the right size. It could be stapled over the frame at the back. I don't like the current picture at all.

If you cannot return it and you do not want to sell it & if it is acrylic ( & this is the last resort ) I would splatter some acrylic paints in colours you like over it and then spray water over it and let it dry - repeat until it feels congenial ) - if it is a good painting then I would phone back or sell it but my suggestion is a last resort thing.

It looks much better the other way up. I had a painting that really didn't go and I just got some oil paintings and used a colour I wanted and it turned out really well. You could buy a pallet knife and put your own colours over it. if you really hate it you could try doing that. I wouldn't white wash it though.

Whatever you paint over it will be better than that! Could you use masking tape to do a Mondrian style painting?

We were given a large, contemporary painting on an unframed canvas by an acquaintance that was moving house. Despite my best efforts to make it work in our eclectic home, it looked awful. Having failed to sell it for peanuts at a carboot sale, a couple of months back I painted over it with white acrylic paint before drawing a new design that is more to our taste. I then painted this in acrylic paints and it's now looking far better on the guest room wall 😉 Total cost around £20 for new brushes and paints 😀

I couldn't live with that. Can you not just sell it on?

I'm an author, not a painter but painting over it in any form doesn't sit right with me. That's what the artist intended the painting to look like and changing that seems a bit like vandalism or something to me.

Since you prefer earth tones you could buy some cheap yellow ochre, orange and burnt umber in acrylic paint. Add water (and preferably acrylic medium in a ratio of 50/50) to make 3 glazes: yellow, orange dulled down with some umber, and bt umber alone. Test them on white paper first - you need to be able to see through them. Then brush the yellow one over the pale area at the top, the orangey one over the middle and the brown (umber) one over the bottom. When its dry go over some of the lines, and some small areas in undiluted yellow, bt umber, and the orange/brown mix. These opaque parts should appear to come forward and stand out against the glazed areas.
Plan it out beforehand, then paint with confidence. Don't fiddle with the glazes while they're wet, and do the opaque lines with a flourish and plenty of paint on your brush.

If it doesn't come out right you can still paint over it in white paint.

Sunk costs fallacy.

You've spent (go on, tell us) a considerate sum on this painting that's subsequently been bunged in storage. Not unreasonable that even if it had been the one you thought it was you've decided it's not right but it's hard to get over the initial ££ outlay. A good few suggestions as to how to change or improve it, but be honest with yourself, it's going to cost ££ to change, with dubious skill/ability on your part, and whatever happens you're not going to be 100% happy with it. But you spent all that money on it...

Nope. You don't like it. You're never going to love it, and even if you found someone to paint over it completely it'll always be there, underneath.

Get rid. Sell it if you can, car boot/ebay/fb marketplace/offer it to a school/care home/gp surgery/community centre. Or charity shop. It didn't break the bank when you bought it, you weren't thrilled enough with it to even open it to display as soon as it was delivered, and you've never thought that you'd have to consider selling it to raise essential funds.

So get rid. Buy something you love and want to display immediately. I'm not a big fan of the 'sparks joy' bs but quite clearly this painting never did and the only thing that's stopping you from chucking it out is the price you paid/wasted on it in the first place.

@QuestionableMouse

I'm an author, not a painter but painting over it in any form doesn't sit right with me. That's what the artist intended the painting to look like and changing that seems a bit like vandalism or something to me.

Agree. This thread is making me cringe. Please just sell it.

I agree with questionable mouse.

I work in the art trade, I have a fine art education. For me, real fine art is a physical manifestation of a philosophical idea, it holds high value and is a kind of sacred object.

To be comfortable with erasing an artists efforts, it exposes that many people see art as a commodity. I find that really sad.

Real Art is not the same as decoration (although it can be decorative).

No, sorry could not live with that stomach churning blood and milk come to mind. Do not think you can improve it. Bite the bullet and get rid either right now (pick it up and dispose of - wheelie bin, charity shop, side of road) or after doing some research place
in a suitable sale/auction.

I think it looks awful. Could be a nice base for glueing photos/bits of kids' artwork to?

Bloody hell that's horrible i would say least try and sell it and then buy something you do like. Even a £30 print from dunelm would be nicer than that.

@happysunr1se

I agree with questionable mouse.

I work in the art trade, I have a fine art education. For me, real fine art is a physical manifestation of a philosophical idea, it holds high value and is a kind of sacred object.

To be comfortable with erasing an artists efforts, it exposes that many people see art as a commodity. I find that really sad.

Real Art is not the same as decoration (although it can be decorative).

Falling on deaf ears methinks.

A base for sticking kids pictures.

Please just sell it. Don't deface it. Although it isn't to your taste (nor mine) it has been made with skill and thought. If you'd be happier with an IKEA print then eBay this and buy one.

I like it but I'm sure it's out of my price range!

I love art and do not see it as a commodity but it has to talk to me. The op did not choose this piece, it does not sing to her, enrich her life, make her emotional so it is not the 'right' piece for her. I do not agree with changing it as to me it would always be a reminder of the horror underneath but if that suits her then so be it.

I'd sell it. I know art is not about decoration but, conveniently, pinks and greens are in fashion now so it will suit someone else's home.

Artists paint over their work all the time.

It is awful. Sell it or donate it and buy something you like. Plenty of young artists are struggling at the moment buy something from one of those.
Go to exhibitions of students work. A teacher paid £30 for a drawing hoping the student will be famous at some stage and because he liked the drawing. She is an artist now selling work up to £650 so he is hoping.🤣

Print exhibitions. The artist makes a series so cheaper than the original picture but still increase in value.
How much would you like to spend?

I'm an artist. I think it's brill :)

I would recommend selling it, even asking on fb - there will be someone out there who gels with it. (It's fine that you don't!)

Don’t know how much you want to spend but this artist is getting more popular and often uses the colours you like Mark Pearce he might be an investment.

Please sell it on rather than vandalism it. I would contact your friend, explain the situation and ask for artist details for the sale. The artist might even want it back.

There’s a bit in Annie where he says about a piece of art ‘hang it in the bathroom I might learn to like it.’

I genuinely think if you look at art a lot you can change your mind about it. Maybe hang it for a few weeks then decide? If you still don’t like it I would sell or give away, I wouldn’t start messing with it.

Reverse image brought a lot of similar paintings, this reminds artwork me of yours. www.artsy.net/artwork/helen-teede-empty-chest