In the watercolor class I teach, about 3 times a year we bring in our paintings that we were less than happy with.  If we can’t seem to make improvements to our paintings and have decided all is lost, we have a greeting card party!

We start looking at shapes and either tear or cut out designs, patterns and objects we feel would work in a greeting card.  A beautiful sky might turn into an angel, a grove of trees a holiday wreath, or we may find a part of a painting works (like my vase above) but use other paintings to find things to put with it.   The vase above is separate from the flowers that are in it.  The apples are 2 separate apples and came from another painting and they are over lapping.  The cake is made from a floral painting, the boxes and candle are from a sky.

Depending upon the thickness of the tape you use (foam tape, carpet tape, Zots dots) the image will appear 3-D.   Then you can add additional watercolor painting, ribbons, glitter, etc.   Whatever suits your imagination!  These become treasures in themselves.  I’ve had students tell me their card recipients end up framing them, too!

So, if you have what you consider a painting failure, don’t throw it away.  It could become a treasure!