AIBU - DIY paintings to go on the walls? Art is so expensive!

[Deria]

I know this is in Home Decor but AIBU to think I can have a go at some art/painting to put up on the walls?

I am creative and in the past have done ‘paint alongs’ on Youtube which have worked out well.

DH is aghast at the idea and says there is no way that anything I create will go on the walls because “even if it looks good, it’ll be amateur.” He then said that “if we’re ok with putting our drawings on the walls then we may as well cancel the decorator” who’s coming to do the downstairs.

The thing is that art is so expensive and I don’t see the harm in giving it a go and seeing what it looks like?

Am I BU?!

Well I would definitely cancel the decorator and start with that. Then absolutely make your own art!

Definitely do it! Original art so much better than a generic print from a shop.

I don’t know why he wants to cancel the decorator as neither of us are very good at hanging wallpaper 😅

Ah wallpaper. I’d still DIY it!

By all means have a go but also look at local auctions. Ive had some stunning pictures from ours and they're often dirt cheap

My DM did this years ago and it still looks great. She kept it really simple as she's not particularly 'arty' but I really like them and they work in the space.

We have original art and though most of it was done by ‘proper’ artists, one was done by a relative who did a YouTube follow along. It doesn’t look out of place - she is a gifted artist but didn’t pursue it as a career.

some original art by artists is terrible, so I don’t think that is a good measure.

we bought many of our originals through the ‘own art’ scheme which allowed interest free payment. I don’t know if that scheme still exists but it does make art more affordable.

Of course it's worth having a go, @Deria !! Abstract expressionism is you friend... Borrow some art books from the library for inspiration. Lots of artists post on YouTube - have a look at Pamela Caughey, Louise Fletcher, Kuenstlerstreich...... there's so many who post really interesting and instructive videos about how they create art.

Maybe consider framed prints?

I’m an artist and work in a creative field too - tbh, most of the stuff I see that has been painted by people who aren’t trained, is bloody awful. But that’s down to my trained eye - I can see it isn’t done by someone who knows how to paint. My particular bugbear is the “abstract” style people try to emulate - I can’t stand it!

If you’re happy with it, then why not? It’s your home and if it makes you happy, then go ahead!

I did this. Huge canvas and some
oil paints from home bargains. Now I can actually afford art, I still have it & it's a great talking piece.

Thanks for the encouragement all. I think what has upset me is DH’s point blank refusal to even consider that what I create could look good enough to go on the walls. It’s sort of made me even more determined to paint something amazing!

I so want to do this. It's on my bucket list to buy an enormous canvas and create a piece of abstract art.

Why don;t you make some art secretly, using sample ppots of painst in colour ways you are already planning for the room, so you know it will work, and then once it's ready tell DH you found it in an auction room for only £30 or something and see what he says. If he likes it, you can reveal your newfound talent to him!

You go girl!

But use acrylics rather than oils - easier to work with for a newbie 😀

My library has some good books on how to learn to paint. Get a large sketchpad to try things out. Start with a rough underdrawing in pencil or charcoal. Don't use too many different colors all at once.

It's your home too.

If it doesn't have to be art on canvas then have a look at printable ar etsy. You order what you like, they send you the digital film and you print it at the local print shop as large as you need.

It doesn't have to be expensive art or your DIY. There are options in between that look good. We have some of our favourite concert posters framed on the wall in our dining room.

Honestly a decent frame and even shit art can look ok. I’d give it a crack

a friend of mine is quite artistic but she did a very complicated piece of art that was effectively paint by numbers, and then framed it in a really nice frame, and you’d honestly never know. You get lots of kits on line to match your taste

www.amazon.co.uk/WJGJ-Number-Painting-Beginner-Without/dp/B08LKH64PX/ref=sr_1_12?crid=3O95C7C32VG80&keywords=paint+by+numbers+for+adults&qid=1666688846&qu=eyJxc2MiOiI4Ljc2IiwicXNhIjoiOC43MyIsInFzcCI6IjguNDQifQ%3D%3D&sprefix=Paint+by%2Caps%2C86&sr=8-12

www.amazon.co.uk/CaptainCrafts-Painting-Numbers-Beginner-Frameless/dp/B09C7PCS3M/ref=sr_1_55?crid=3O95C7C32VG80&keywords=paint%2Bby%2Bnumbers%2Bfor%2Badults&qid=1666688957&qu=eyJxc2MiOiI4Ljc2IiwicXNhIjoiOC43MyIsInFzcCI6IjguNDQifQ%3D%3D&sprefix=Paint%2Bby%2Caps%2C86&sr=8-55&th=1

Art needn't be expensive. I have several fabulous pieces bought at the local amateur Art Society annual show.

It depends. Being “creative” doesn’t necessarily mean your art is appealing or will look good on a wall. I’m sure all the people who produce the Facebook Marketplace glitter-covered wine bottles, wooden hearts on hairy string, and wonky Scrabble letter plaques think themselves creative, but it isn’t really stuff you’d want as home decor. There’s no harm in giving it a go and seeing if you surprise the both of you with your talent, but if he doesn’t like it then I don’t think he should have to have it on the walls of his joint home. DP is an actual artist with a fine art degree, and I still don’t like a lot of his work enough to want to look at it every day.

There are some great tutorials on Instagram for this. I like the textured canvasses..

Just had another thought. One of the artists I love is internationally renowned. I can’t afford an original large piece as even prints are in the thousands, but the artist does occasionally sell off smaller practice pieces at lower prices. If there is an artist you love it might be worth approaching them.

Paint on the sly then bring the canvas home one day after finding it in a gallery/charity shop in town 😉

This isn't a bad idea. Of course you have to be prepared for him looking at it and not thinking it's as good as you think!

I have a couple of friends who have their own artwork all over their house. Their choice but it does kind of advertise that they're not very good. I would never say anything because they obviously love it, and might not like the stuff I have up in my room, but I do find it slightly odd.