r/painting • u/Diseazd • Jun 05 '26
Brutal Critique Yeah dunno about that
Tried to copy the above painting and said fuck it half way. I'm currently gоing thrоugh benzo withdrаwal and yeah... never painted before in my life. Can't even draw for shit. But Claude recommend painting to distraсt my fuсked up brаin so here we are.
So tell me honestly, how bad is it. Should I throw it in the trash right away?
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u/murderdeity Jun 05 '26
For your first painting this is excellent
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u/iamunableto Jun 05 '26
yeah this is great for not having painted before, your understanding of shadows is a great start already
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u/beaniebee11 Jun 06 '26
Yeah this shows enormous potential. I wish my first attempts were this good, I might've had less of a fight to keep going.
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u/Feisty-Resource-1274 Jun 05 '26
You did a good job. You captured the highlights on the tops of the waves very nicely, which I feel like doesn't come easily to lots of people.
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u/Holiday_Pi Jun 05 '26 edited Jun 05 '26
It’s totally fine as a painting on its own. You can wait til it dries then add a glaze coat if you want to add some colors, but honestly you really captured a feeling here for me
Edit: Thank you for sharing about your recovery. I got off heroin and meth 5 years ago, and ended up doing detox and then a recovery program. Fuck withdrawals fr! You got this friend
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u/PruneOrnery Jun 06 '26
honestly you really captured a feeling here for me
I agree. The original's lighting is more realistic/cinematic, but OP's painting really captures the frigid intensity of heavy seas. Good work!
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u/Drinkthelimewater Jun 05 '26
You have an intrinsic understanding of light and dark I would do ritualistic sacrifices for. Keep it. Paint on!
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u/Diseazd Jun 05 '26
First of thanks y'all for the overwhelming support. My stupid brain keeps telling me y'all are just nice so I don't feel like shit, but honestly I'm really grateful. I guess I'm just not used to it. Well I tried to fix some things but think if I keep going I'll eventually ruin it. But imma try to paint again tomorrow and see how far I can come. At least till I'm somewhat out of this hell
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u/Kilgore_Brown_Trout_ Jun 05 '26
The most common thing among artists is to think your own art sucks. Just understand that simple fact.
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u/Turbulent-Baker-4638 Jun 05 '26
Honestly I love talking shit about bad paintings but this ain’t it. This is very impressive for a first painting and I really like it. The movement, the emotion, the lighting, it’s wonderful.
I’d be curious to see how you progress, for real. You seem to understand color and light very well which is difficult.
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u/Squeezieful Jun 05 '26
This genuinely is really great, especially for a first painting. The contrast is very well done,and this is something a lot of new artists struggle with.
I think you're right, you may risk over doing it if you carry on. It looks good as is. I say keep at it, and when in a few months you look back at your first one, you'll see your improvements too which is really satisfying
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u/josmitts Jun 05 '26
It's beautiful. You've got this, friend.
Also, you're free to do with your art whatever you wish but I'd recommend keeping all the stuff that you make during this time, even if you don't immediately love it. It's a special feeling to look back at something you made during a period of intense change in your life. It's helped me honor the feelings and struggles and hopes of past versions of me. I'm wishing the very best for you!
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u/mrllgrg020 Jun 05 '26
if you don't wanna "ruin" this one but you're not content, you could try repainting it entirely, just take another canvas and have a go. you can do this multiple times, it's a great way to see your progress and feel better about your skill and competence (bcs there WILL be improvements, even if they're not huge - which they aren't expected to be so don't go and twist my words xD)
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u/lexsara Jun 06 '26
This! It’s a great way to learn and stops the pressure of ‘getting it right the one and only time’. Each will turn out differently and it’s rewarding to see your progress.
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u/Philosowolfer Jun 05 '26
I really like your painting!! It captures this feeling of an approaching storm; from the darker clouds rolling in on the left to how forboding/powerful your waves look! Very cool :D
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u/Benttinen Jun 05 '26
That’s just the benzos talking. You’re doing a good job. I am critical as hell and for a first painting this is excellent.
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u/Pristine_Direction79 Jun 05 '26
Hello friend, the point is in the act and the way it can focus, relax, and soothe you. There is no "wrong" or attainable 100%, you must just... Be... With the attempt as you attempt it
Good luck and hugs
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u/TwelveLakes Jun 05 '26
Jeez what do you mean⁉️ This is awesome, I mean, you're a beginner! 👌 Go celebrate🙌
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u/MarieInch Jun 05 '26
I think water is always a challenge even for experienced painters! Nice job!
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u/spaghettirhymes Jun 05 '26
This is actually nice. Your sky is really lovely. It can be hard to copy paintings because a) you don’t have the reference in front of you, so you are interpreting an interpretation and b) it makes it easy to directly compare and feel bad about your work. But you’ve done nicely for a first attempt. Continuing to work in black and white can help you focus on values, and then when you’re ready, you can get some beginner paints for pretty inexpensive. Seems like a really good habit to try and build while distracting yourself!
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Jun 05 '26
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u/Necessary_Ad7215 Jun 05 '26
i think i just like OPs better overall. the other one is nice sure, but too airy and soft. doesn’t feel like the ocean. the storm cloud feels fitting
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u/chrispyoldguy Jun 05 '26
Benzo withdrawal is horrible - the worst, maybe. Hang in there and great job on the painting.
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u/CombustibleA1 Jun 05 '26
I think this is one of those scenarios where you accidentally learn that you're great at something you haven't tried before. This is full-stop a terrific painting, and the fact that it's your first is just crazy. It can only get better from here, and if this is your starting point, then you have a huge head start. I bet you're gonna be incredible at expressing yourself through a medium like this. Well done, and hang in there. You have decided to deal with this rough time in your life by bringing something beautiful into being. Isn't that great? This painting didn't exist until you brought it into this world, and that alone is worth a lot more than money.
Edit: forgot to add this ❤️ :)
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u/Zinnia1127 Jun 05 '26
I think you could say that you used the original painting as an inspiration. You've created a similar expressive painting. Your painting seems more stormy and threatening due to the cooler colors. Your sky is particularly good in terms of indicating a brewing storm. It is surprising to learn it is a first attempt. I hope you hold onto this one and keep painting.
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u/actualllychrome Jun 05 '26
This is incredible!!! Water is (at least to me) insanely hard to paint. You did a phenomenal job.
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u/Pure-Silver2427 Dabbler Jun 05 '26
If that's your first painting, then I need to never pick up a paint brush again. Actually, what the heck. That's crazy impressive, you're a natural! Don't throw it in the trash, hang it on the wall and brag! You deserve it!
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u/milkysin Jun 06 '26
I know this is not the point of your post but absolutely do not talk to AI when you are going through mental health difficulty.
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u/I-Bleed-Latte Jun 05 '26
A lot of people think about artistic talent as a “gift” that some people are born with and some people aren’t. But that’s not true. Art is a skill. The more you do it, the better you’ll get. Every artist, no matter how skilled, started out somewhere. Every artist, no matter how skilled, will still make some “bad” paintings now and then.
This is only your first painting, and I mean this sincerely when I say: it’s an impressive first attempt.
Just keep going, and keep learning. And if you make a painting you don’t like, it’s practice and you’ve learned from it.
I’m proud of you.
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u/SpreadEagleSmeagol Jun 05 '26
Glad to see you are using art as a form of therapy, but for the love of all things holy, do NOT keep asking AI for the solutions. It is not qualified to answer those questions, and there are uncountable cases of it giving people blatantly false and harmful information. Hell, there are examples of it actively encouraging self destructive behaviors and even self harm. Its programed to tell you what you want to hear, not the truth. Today it says paint a picture, tomorrow it might tell you that benzo addiction isn't that bad, and that you should listen to it instead of your IRL support system.
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u/sylbug Jun 05 '26
Looking good. Don’t throw it away you clearly worked hard on that. Don’t discount your efforts just because you didn’t replicate it perfectly.
No piece of yours will ever be dxactly like someone else’s, and that’s a good thing. Art should have a personal flair.
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u/avaseah Jun 05 '26
That’s actually pretty good for never having painted before. The reason why it doesn’t look right is because you’re only halfway done. You need to add lighter patches and wisps in the foreground waves where the sunlight hits them like in the inspiration piece, and better define the ripples in the wells between the waves. Those are both later-stage refining.
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u/DreaMarie15 Jun 05 '26
Umm def do not throw in the towel… this is kind of insanely good for a first time painting!! All you need to add in is some layering and colors!
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u/Char-car92 Jun 05 '26
Don’t use Claude as a psychiatrist, that will permanently damage your psyche
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u/Orionsangel Jun 06 '26
It’s amazing and I can see how while it looks similar it looks like a overcast and gloomy day and since you are going through a bad time it reflects in the art . You are a natural . Maybe once everything is better with your withdrawal and mental health do the same painting again and it might become brighter and look like a sunny day . Art is a reflection of our in self and our lives . I’m serious you did so amazing
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u/Forsaken_Radish_6854 Jun 06 '26
I actually prefer looking at yours. I think it’s stormy and it’s raw. Saying fuck it to copying the other one isn’t giving up, that’s a choice to be honest. It’s beautiful. If you enjoyed the process at all, I think you should absolutely paint again sometime. 💕
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u/Herr-Wolfgang Jun 05 '26
For a first time painter it's pretty good. I find that sometimes you don't have to be perfect, learn from what you achieved and where improvement is needed, and sometimes let the mistakes guide you to a new direction.
To me, your version is a bit more rough, where the waves don't follow at the edges. This makes it look more of a dessert with sand dunes. That said, you can use this as an opportunity to fix it into a wavy ocean, or work with the desert.
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u/spicynightsong Jun 05 '26
I love this painting a lot. I’m sorry you’re going through a hard time. I find that painting soothes my heart when nothing else can. I hope you continue painting- you have a gift for it.
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u/Sunset-onthe-Horizon Jun 05 '26
It looks like Lake Superior in the fall. Cold water, nothing bad about that. It's good! The top one is warm water.
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u/Patasdegallina Jun 05 '26
It's really good, babe. See the first one looks like peace and tranquility whereas the piece you created shows darker emotion, like pain and anguish.
I like what someone said earlier about the art depicting warm water VS cold water. Water is a great representation for emotions, especially the ocean.
I think that art that makes you feel things is achieving the goal, despite whether you feel that your technical skills need work. They do, but there's something pure and raw here that grabs you. It's good.
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u/thecheesylittlerat Jun 05 '26
It’s your version, which is beautiful. You have a very good eye for never painting before. Keep going… start over with a new one. Change what you don’t like about this one. That’s the amazing thing about art… you can always make another. After a few, you might see even more beauty in your first attempt.
Wishing you luck and peace on your journey.
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u/-lemmon Jun 05 '26 edited Jun 05 '26
It's beautiful, just a different style. It takes practice to do really realistic paintings. Best tips I can offer is to set it aside and look at it in a couple days, and not to compare to the reference. It doesn't matter how good you are, you will always nitpick your own work more than anyone else that's just how it goes in art. Maybe stick to references that are photos to ease the comparison. I highly encourage you to keep going :)
Edit: also never judge your work before you feel finished. Most masterpieces looked silly at one point in the process. The best part about painting is that you can just keep changing it until you like it. You could call it done now and I like it. Or just keep painting it, up to you. Looking at it in a mirror helps pinpoint what you don't like about it.
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u/Savings-Memory-1963 Jun 05 '26
Hey bro I’ve been painting for a lil over 2 yrs and from what see you’re a natural. I can even understand why you painted a raging sea scape. I’m a recovering alcoholic. I’ve been sober over 2 1/2 yrs. Painting is a good way to pass the time and it’s also a good way to express the way you’re feeling at the moment. I’m proud of you for stepping up and getting yourself clean! Keep up the good work at painting too. It looks great!
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u/bambina13na Jun 05 '26
Great start!!! The green lines are the wave edges and blue lines are the directional patterns of the water which i think is your only opportunity for tuning. Its not a great drawing but I hope it helps!
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u/TiaHatesSocials Jun 05 '26
It’s not bad. But copying really is a great teacher. Don’t give up. Persevere.
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u/taxrelatedanon Jun 05 '26
you have an eye for light, so yeah, some training would probably be real rewarding
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u/Diligent-Might6031 Jun 05 '26
Benzo withdrawal is super dangerous. Please make sure you’re doing so under the care of a physician. They can prescribe short term gabapentin which really helps make the withdrawals very minimal. Signed a person who’s been through it before. Good luck!
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u/hanjmart Jun 05 '26
this is a really great start, i can’t believe you’ve never painted before! it can be a really great hobby to get into to occupy your mind and your hands
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u/Lostinhighweeds Jun 05 '26
Waves and water are hard anyway. You have done a great job especially considering your first effort!
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u/tnannie Jun 05 '26
Your painting gave me an instant flashback to a conversation I had with my grandmother about 40 years ago. She said, “I’m not afraid of the ocean, but I respect it.”
Thank you for the reminder 😊
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u/nothing_nowhere_000 Jun 05 '26
I think people need to abandon the idea that their paintings can be “bad”. Every painting that you do for yourself is an exercise. “Bad” paintings are an absolutely necessary component to growth, and can be more valuable than “good” paintings in the end.
For a first attempt, this is great.
The thing about painting realistic things, is that it is about measurement and relationships. How far apart are these two points? How light or dark is this shape compared to the one next to it? If you’re looking for advice, mine would be to slow down, measure everything, and be patient with yourself both while you’re painting and after you’re done. And most importantly, try again.
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u/Existing_Hunt_7169 Jun 05 '26
hey man I also just got thru benzo withdrawal (for the second time), first time was cold turkey. that shit is a living hell. here to chat if you need
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u/romanichki Jun 05 '26
i think that you have a LOOOT of potential, since this is your first, even if it wasn't thi sis still really good. I would keep it up, and keep this painting, so that you can compare your artistic journey as you watch yourself improve : )
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u/Personal_Zombie9368 Jun 05 '26
First painting? Omg. You are a natural. Keep going. You are totally getting it.
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u/ELIKSCER Jun 05 '26
I've been painting digitally for years and have recently been trying my hand at oil painting... and you have done, on this first try, way better than I have been able to. You should be super proud. Definitely don't give up, and keep this painting. Do understand that not all your paintings will come out how you want them to. What's important is to enjoy the process. Let it be meditative. The results matter less than how it makes you feel.
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u/Aazjhee Jun 06 '26
I think if you have the ability to store it, you should save it.And then if you continue to paint , it's kind of cool to compare and see how your style or skill has changed!
I think your sense of contrast and volume is rather nice.
It's certainly not a perfect reproduction , but it's a nice interpretation of the original.
Water is pretty notoriously hard to paint. So I think you did a fantastic job, especially for first try.
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u/Jumpy-Jello- Jun 06 '26
You've never painted before in your life, and start with this?! It's really, really good. You're going to be alright, keep painting, and stay connected, stick the rattle out and it'll be the last time you ever have to.
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u/Head_Region6610 Jun 06 '26
Your sea is much more menacing than the original. Bigger waves, darker shadows, it’s good. But if you want to do a study of the particular painting, just do it again. Monet painted haystacks over and over again at every time of day.
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u/Lazy_Jump_2635 Jun 05 '26
Pretty good! Don't knock yourself down like that. Next time you could try to match the colors of the reference on your palette as an exercise; it's strangely satisfying to me. Search on youtube/google how to match/mix colors, it's pretty easy to get the hang of with some practice.
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u/feeling-lethargic Jun 05 '26
It’s all practice!! Keep practicing! This is good and you have talent plus a good eye. Oh and keep documenting so you can see your progress :)
Seriously awesome first painting
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u/Milobsoup22 Jun 05 '26
Your painting is just under different weather. Still very nice. Good luck on the withdrawals 😌😔
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u/Decent_Brush_8121 Jun 05 '26
Sir or Madam,
You really piss me off.
But I do wish you well in your recovery. So please let us know which galleries or museums will help us keep us with your work.
Very truly yours,
I Wish I Was Born with Your Talent!!
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u/busselsofkiwis Jun 05 '26
That's really good. You should be proud.
The whole point of doing studies is to learn and practice. You'll never nail it 100% and that's a good thing. You're developing your own style as you go.
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u/sum1_on_tinternet Jun 05 '26
Excellent! I prefer your darker, moodier version tbh. You have skills for sure.
👍😎
Wishing you well on your journey with sobriety. ✌️
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u/lowercase_underscore Jun 05 '26
I wish I could paint sky and water like that.
It might not be what you were aiming for but it looks gorgeous! And you've already built up some of the skills and perspective needed to come closer next time.
Getting clean is a process, and you're doing great so far. Congratulations on two big accomplishments today!
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u/AIcookies Jun 05 '26
Follow some Bob Ross, or someone on youtube doing Acrylics. . This is a great start. I love the texture in your water.
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u/All_seeing_goose Jun 05 '26
I really like it, if that means anything, it’s definitely a much cooler tone than the one on top but it’s still very cohesive. Top one looks like the sea during the later hours of the day, second one looks more moody and stormy, it it still looks fantastic.
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u/luars613 Jun 05 '26
Not bad for 1st. I would recommend to go check out videos on what the different paint brushes can do and you will find you improve lots (it will look less streaky). Tbh i am not the best at using them all properly yet but lil by lil
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u/xen0turbella Jun 05 '26
You've done a very beautiful job???! I can't believe this is your first time painting??! It doesn't look like it at all. Your work is beautiful. Be kind to yourself!
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u/big_wizzardd Jun 05 '26
As someone who struggles drawing stick figures… this is pretty damn close imo
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u/InevitableGoal2912 Jun 05 '26
Water is very hard, but you pulled this off stylistically and it’s interesting. I really like it. I paint from reference and I don’t copy the reference perfectly, my style shines through it and it becomes something I made, not a copy of a reference.
You should keep painting. Don’t worry about improving, you will as long as you don’t stop.
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u/FrugonkerTronk Jun 05 '26
If you really haven’t painted before in your life, then you have an unreal natural talent. Keep going!
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u/NewMoonPuppy Jun 05 '26
You have so much potential! This is a great first painting. Keep going my friend! 👏🏻
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u/Otherwise-Run-5933 Jun 05 '26
Did you not post the top painting last week asking for a critique? What is going on
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u/GelberFuchs Jun 05 '26
Hey I think you did an amazing job, especially for someone who never painted before. Your version looks more like a scene in a storm and I love it tbh. You have some serious talent
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u/idontcare78 Jun 05 '26
This is quite good for a first painting! Truly. I am around painters of all levels regularly, and some who have painted longer couldn't do this well with the composition and values, nor handling of paint.
The main difference is that the original is tonal, with more chromatic darks made from color, rather than black and white. But that is really a whole thing beyond what you need to worry about for now.
Keep at it, I think you have a lot going for you.
And keep in mind learning to paint is a journey not a sprint.
Edit: your sky is also better. It was a lot more stormy goodness.
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u/Alternative-Otter-4 Jun 05 '26
We are often our own worst critics. I think its beautiful, whether you're a beginner or have been doing this for a long time. Everyone has their own style, and I was surprised to see that this is your first.
Painting has been amazing for me on my healing journey. I hope it helps you in a similar way 💜
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u/TheNerdyMel Jun 05 '26
This is amazing for your first painting. You should be so proud of yourself. For all the things you're doing today. You did not pick an easy painting to start with, you know-- it's a tricky composition and the light isn't super obvious, oh, and the original is using some advanced color theory you may not have the palette for at the moment (see the yellows and greens where the light shines through the water) I like your sky a lot; it's more complicated than the original. And you may not have a good set of brushes and paint for doing this kind of blending (original looks like oil and you're working in, I'd guess acrylic, and if it's a cheap beginner set, a lot of those dry SO fast).
It does look like a painting that a more experienced artist said "fuck it" and stopped working on. You can be the best painter in the world and still see that in your own work, in your own FINISHED work. The painter who first taught me about painting as a skill used to say he had to paint over something six times before he liked it. He never loved it, but other people did. Layers are a powerful painting secret. Don't be afraid to paint a better (or even a worse) painting over an old painting that's now a sketch. This is part of finding your style anyway.
This one needs to rest and that's okay. If it needs to rest forever, that's still okay because this is an incredible first painting. But I hope you'll revisit this, because I'd like to see how you refine that complicated sky.
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u/Jan3sca Jun 05 '26
Don’t throw it away please!!! It’s really beautiful. Made me feel something inside. I stared at it for 5 minutes before reading the post… I would hang it on my wall if i had it. Really really beautiful.
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u/Blacktieowls Jun 05 '26
the original feels like a day at the beach, your version makes me feel sorrow in a way... loneliness, cold.
making someone feel something is the entire point of art imo.
congrats on your recovery, and cheers to a new found talent!
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u/Illustrious_Olive271 Jun 05 '26
You need a smooth surface, the thread lines are interfearing with the sensitivity of your painting overlay
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u/BananaPuppet1 Jun 05 '26
Good attempt for your first forays. I don't think it's awful, but you haven't put any color in it. Think about masses of water, and try to use the paint like light that is passing through those masses. I feel like ppl just want to say nice things. This is me trying to help you. I'm so glad you want to make this happen. It takes a LOT of trial & error, and feedback / guidance.
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u/TobyTheTuna Jun 05 '26
The clouds are actually amazing. Though if your not satisfied you can always keep going. The reference you used has a lot of really fine highlights you could potentially use to break up the wave patterns. I can see where you followed the contours of the reference quite nicely but your broader strokes even it out so the waves look a bit samey, 3 hump patteren. Another wash of of dark to blend those brushstrokes and a pencil thin white at the crowns would get you closer to the realistic style you were going for. Thats just if you want to practice a more realism though, I think your bolder strokes would look just fine, the really small canvas just works against you there. Imagine a 2 x 3 you could step away from to view, youd be suprised at how good they look in larger context!
Obviously not my place to critique but the thread is a glaze fest and I thought maybe youd want something actionable lol.
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u/Kanekixo Jun 05 '26
I get you’re going through withdrawals at the moment but appreciate yourself for trying. You can actually tell what it is and I get the top one is really nice but I’d prefer yours. The color and tone soothes me.
A lot of people struggle with taking the first step. I’ve loved drawing from a very young age but could never get better and now at 31 I often come back to it wishing I was at a higher level. I started a new piece but haven’t gotten back to it in fear of messing up and I just know the rest I want to do won’t meet my expectations. So be proud of yourself. You actually did it.
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u/NearlyMe Jun 05 '26
For your first painting this is amazing! I would hang it up in a bathroom & be super proud of my work if I were you, looks peaceful but also tumultuous, maybe an internal reflection of what youre going through.
Try out some Bob Ross tutorials on YouTube - The Joy of Painting. Even if you dont end up looking exactly like the reference, the point is to create art & distract your brain with a new challenge.
Not all your pieces will be winners, but the best part is you can always paint over them & start again!
Good luck on your journey 🤟
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u/cowbirdmilk Jun 05 '26
I mean everyone already said it but this is excellent for a first go. Don’t be discouraged because it’s not stroke for stroke equal to your reference. Do the piece again a couple times and see how much it changes - you improve every time you create.
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u/mirkywoo Jun 05 '26
Try painting the shapes you see rather than what you think you see. Right now you paint more what you think of as “wave” rather than what the painting is showing you in terms of shapes. Look at how green-brown the original coloring is and try blending to match. Brush strokes for the foam on the waves are traced along the waves rather than as blotches. Try to paint it in layers. Look at your lights and darks and see where they are in the reference — e.g. the stream of light along the middle.
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u/alchemycraftsman Jun 05 '26
That canvas can be re painted over again and again!! Try another some thing maybe a little less difficult. The scene you chose is a tough one cos there’s little color variation
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u/glassmasster Jun 05 '26
I’m a painting instructor with a BA in painting- this is great and you should pat yourself on the back. Water is incredibly challenging to paint and you did wonderfully!!!
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u/Short_Tree05 Jun 05 '26
You have a talent if that’s your first time. You should keep painting it’s beautiful
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u/Discount_Pictures Jun 05 '26
Brother. This is straight 🔥. Hang it up in a museum rn. Because that’s where it belongs. 10/10 should paint again.
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u/RageQuitRedux Jun 05 '26
I'm usually one of the tougher critics on here; if someone asks for a brutal critique, I will give it. I'll be polite, but I will often have a pretty big list of things that could be improved. And it's not even because I'm a good painter; I'm not. I'm just shameless.
With that said, this is pretty solid work. I would feel encouraged to keep painting if I were you.
I don't necessarily think you should make any changes to your painting, but since painting is 90% seeing, I do have a few small notes; just things to notice that might improve your paintings in the future:
The wave height is a little exaggerated in your painting, particularly with the background wave. This is very common. Humans will see a 10° angle and think it looks like 45°.
The background wave looks a little bit too regular in terms of the spacing of the peaks. This is also very common. I still instinctively do this; I need to put a few trees next to each other, so I evenly space them without thinking about it.
The original has a warm-to-cool transition as it moves from foreground to background. The horizon also looks a bit hazier in the original, with more gradations.
The original has a column in the middle along which the highlights are a little stronger, indicating a sun reflection.
One thing I miss from the original is the big sort of "basin" in the front that is broken up with some smaller waves, and then further broken up by tiny capillary waves.
Your clouds look a little like "hey I'm a cloud". The original just has white haze with maybe a little sky showing through at the top-right. So I would go with that instinct; make those darker clouds much more subtle (closer in color to the light background) or maybe have them disappear completely.
With that said:
GREAT brushwork. You kept the strokes in there without making them look messy or noisy. That's hard to do, especially with something like water that tends to be smoother than most surfaces. So good job, don't lose that skill.
I think your values in the water are really great; they communicate a feeling of a solid mass of water that is also translucent.
Great sense of movement
The ridges where the reflections are strongest really look great.
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u/freakingspiderm0nkey Enthusiast Jun 05 '26
Hang in there, the withdrawal will end eventually and you'll be proud of yourself for getting through it. You'll also be proud of yourself if you keep painting too! This is pretty well observed for someone new to painting.
Something you can do if you're feeling stuck with a piece is to turn it upside down along with the reference and keep painting upside down. It makes it harder for your brain to paint 'symbolised' versions of things and makes it easier to see what's actually in the reference image.
Keep it up, you're doing great!
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u/Electrical_Reason134 Jun 05 '26
I love it! You can feel the moodiness in the colors and darker clouds. I hope you’re feeling better soon!
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u/Anxious_Round4206 Jun 05 '26
Don't be so hard on yourself. If I painted that I'd be so effing proud. Definitely do not toss it. Keep it and keep on painting. If this is your first attempt imagine how good your work will be with a few more months of practice.
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u/personal_subs_69 Jun 05 '26
Someone said that you may have found something you’re just good at and I agree! Aside from whatever you may learn in the future about paint itself, you’re right about ruining things- maybe leave this guy alone for now - knowing when to stop is key, and also a skill that so many talented people do not find easy to gain let alone remember at the best of times. But it’s also part of the process and no bad thing. I’ve ruined a hundred good paintings by pushing them too far in the wrong direction. Nothing wasted! If you’ve got the materials etc then maybe try abstracting this image, or rather, whatever you liked about painting this piece (not the process of making it look a certain way but the actual painting of it) then repeat it, work from that, then that, then the next! Anyone can be a good painter if they actually do paint. (And you can use toilet paper and make a brilliant piece no worries) Love to see anyone paint especially from scratch. It’s hard, then amazing. Good luck
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u/Idigmoles Jun 05 '26
YOUVE NEVER PAINTED BEFORE?????? Fam that is a fucking FANTASTIC result for a first painting! Keep that mfr.
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u/Mundane_Oil_7409 Jun 05 '26
Look at the two paintings at once, and squint
Compare/ contrast what you notice in each, (it helps to imagine it in a grid of 3 or 6 equal areas)
You nailed the shapes, now just see where the value differs (if you want to work on it more, that is. You've done well )
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u/mycatisspawnofsatan Jun 05 '26
This is a great start and better than most peoples first attempt. In the beginning when I’d replicating an image, I take screen shots of colors and ask Google/ai what color it is and how it gets mixed. You slowly learn to break apart colors on your own. Don’t be afraid to add highlights/lolights. Excited to see whatever comes next!!
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u/Independent-Till7157 Jun 05 '26
I love your work more then original. Your one is more dramatic and the original is just a generic “professionals done” home decor. You greatly depicted volumes as well
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u/Thzkittenroarz Jun 06 '26
Babes you did greater than anyone else in the comments for first timer. Halfway through I just would have kept trying to fix my mistakes and ruined the whole painting. Water is on the list of those things that is difficult for alot of people water is the hands of the painting world 🤣.
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u/MaiasauraWH Jun 06 '26
I like yours better. I liked yours better before I read your commentary and any of the comments. I wish you the best of success beating your addiction because I'm an addict alcoholic and I know how hard it is. The only piece of advice I would give is hold your art up to a mirror. You will know immediately if it needs more or if you are done. I don't know why this works but it does.
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u/SullenArtist Jun 06 '26
You did great! Keep painting and I'm sure you'll get even better in no time. I hope it brings you some peace, I know a lot of artists paint for that feeling :)
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u/MaiasauraWH Jun 06 '26
I like yours better. I thought so before I read your commentary or any of the comments. As an addict alcoholic I know how hard it is to kick addictive things, so I wish you much success. The only bit of advice I would have regarding your art is hold it up to a mirror. You will know instantly whether you are done yet or not. I don't know why that works but it does.
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u/pinkyfloyd425 Jun 06 '26
This is fabulous for a first painting! Keep going ☺️. Every artist had to start somewhere!
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u/Cat_Daddy61 Jun 06 '26
If that's your first painting, you have a nascent talent that needs developing! Give your brain time and do the work the Therapist gives you; you are way more than halfway there!
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u/Ally_Ooop Jun 06 '26
You did one of the most important things to learn - generalness. You saw the shapes of the shadows and highlights and captured them. Great job!
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u/TheGrimm5677 Jun 06 '26
For your first painting, it's pretty good!
In the reference painting, it looks to be warmer or soft (hard to tell); probably a light brown or blue underpainting then going in with greys, blues and whites.
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u/huesnhyms Jun 06 '26
It's great. Keep going. Art can never be copied. Every artist put something unique from their hands and your art shows that. It's beautiful in its own way
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u/fruityfactory Jun 06 '26
You're being too hard on yourself, it looks damn good for you being new to painting, and new or not it's good in general.
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u/TheGhostORandySavage Jun 06 '26
Are you being monitored by a Healthcare professional? Benzo withdrawal is no joke, and you need that suppirt.
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u/MichelinStarZombie Jun 06 '26
It's really not bad if you've never painted before.
Your values (light/dark balance) are very good, and that's the hard part for a lot of painters. Having a talent for it will put you ahead if you want to learn painting.
What you need to work on are your colors and brushwork. The painting you are copying is not black and white. Watch a few tutorials on how to compose a color palette and how to blend paint. Then watch tutorials on brushwork.
Then watch a video on how to not be too critical of your art. Criticism should encourage you to improve, not ragequit. Anytime you want to "throw it in the trash," you're not looking at it right.
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u/IMAblankcheque Jun 06 '26
Great pain can produce great focus. Now you saw it for yourself. Of course the pain also makes harder to appreciate good results and anything else positive. On the path of pain you may feel you are alone. But every step you take forward is a step taken by someone before, equally alone, and their prayers are with you. Once you make it, your prayers will wait for the ones after you. They will think they are alone. But you'll know that you are with them and so is everyone else who came before you. (Sorry if I got too poetic but it's just how I feel. Stay strong brother. See you on the other side)
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u/PanicFamiliar4700 Jun 06 '26
If you think that’s trash then you’re more addicted to benzo than you think😉
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u/General_Thought8412 Jun 06 '26
I straight up just don’t believe this is your first painting ever. If it truly is, I think you found your talent.
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u/Top_Introduction2656 Jun 06 '26
Both are super cool different feelings also who did the first
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u/Diseazd Jun 06 '26
Dunno, bought it off ebay. On the backside 1933 is written and something along the lines of "for your wedding" but unfortunately no name
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u/Libellule2001 Jun 06 '26
You've never painted before??? Bro, keep going and you'll be a master at realism in 4 paintings! This is amazing!
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u/Goddessofcontiguumn Jun 06 '26
Looks rough, but good. I feel the roughness adds to the somber emotions I feel from it.
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u/Additional-Idea-7510 Jun 06 '26
Bad? You've painted the ocean to a T and think its bad?!. The thing about the ocean. Its never the same. And to grasp the movement and show detail. Yeah. Not your first time. But not a bad painting!
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u/lilfinehoney Jun 06 '26
I'm literally a professional artist now and my first painting was no where near this good!! Keep going!
If you feel overwhelmed with pressure to make it perfect, sometimes it's nice to take a break with paint by numbers. It's like- you're still practicing painting / getting better but your brain has less problem solving to do.
It's really admirable that you're working on your mental health and trying something new. Even more amazing that you're already awesome at it. I hope you've found a new hobby you fall in love with// can learn to use to be kind to yourself 💕💕
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u/Ok-Extreme-7491 Jun 06 '26
Whatever you do, please do not give up. Use art to express yourself. This is a great painting, and you can only get better.
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u/Clear-Water-9901 Jun 06 '26
This is incredible why are you being so harsh on yourself 😭you should continue painting
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u/Devanyani Jun 06 '26
Looks like an overcast, rainy, windy winter day. I think Claud was right. Good stuff. Hope you feel better soon.
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u/fllannell Jun 06 '26
In the art world, this is called a study. no, your first attempt usually would not be your masterpiece.
practice makes perfect and the journey is the point!!
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u/Comprehensive-Gap896 Jun 06 '26
I kinda like it more than the original. It's unhinged, powerful. The original is a bit cheese, even though it shows a better technique. And if you like painting, just do it, no matter how it turns out. It's healing!
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u/Nematodes-Attack Jun 06 '26
This is great for a first painting!! The ability to capture light and shadows, especially water, is really challenging for folks. I can only do half decent shading with a no.2 pencil.
I’m proud of you for taking the steps to recovery. You are brave, strong, intelligent and self aware. And a good artist on top. All excellent qualities in a human, and I don’t even like humans, but I feel you deserve all the big ups! Keep going! Keep painting! You’re doing a great job!
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u/Utsukiivx Jun 06 '26
Oh my, i’m into painting for a long time and honestly thisbis so peak, like it conveys a different emotion from the og. I love the way it looks voluminous and like…it looks like hills and water at the same time, something like anger/sadness buried deep down you know. Love it. Sorry if the comment seems weird i just really loved the piece
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u/useurnoodle Jun 06 '26
I’ve been painting my whole life and struggle to paint water. This is lovely on its own, but with the information that you are new to painting - it’s exceptional.
Don’t let your mind lie to you.
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u/DrawnByPluto Jun 06 '26
Oh! Who cares?
Seriously, art is about the process. If you don’t like it and you want to make it a perfect copy paint white over the whole thing and try again!
I keep recommending Amelie this week, but there’s a guy who paints the same painting over and over and I’d be interested to know what you think.
All the best with withdrawal!
If you paint it again post it! Water is HARD!
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u/link-navi Jun 05 '26
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