While the boys were at the climbing lessons, I mingled around the nearby Walmart store, looking for inspiration and pieces to use in an upcoming post about a summer table setting. I found beautiful jade dishes by Pioneer Woman as a great launching point, but I wanted to add a whimsical element to the table beyond fruit, flowers, and a pretty cake for the pedestal. This particular Walmart has a pretty robust art supply section and, of course, I meandered through there to see if any new art supplies caught my eye. I found some mini stretched canvases and cute wooden stands and the wheels started turning. What about painting mini landscape “place cards” as a little takeaway for guests?
I put them in the cart and couldn’t wait to get started on them the next day.
THESE are the mini canvases I purchased for the landscape place cards They are about 2 x 2″.
I wanted the landscape paintings to compliment the mix of new and vintage dishes I was using, so I mixed up some colors to match…
I used oil paints for this mini landscape place cards, but you could certainly use acrylics.
I started sculpting puffy summer clouds with a pale blue sky…
Then I filled in the clouds with pure white mixed with a little bit of the blue. I finished with a strip of pale blue sky under the clouds. One of the keys to this soft look is to keep the sky & cloud colors low contrast.
I then painted the land, starting with a pale green towards the horizon, dotting in some blobby trees, and moving towards a darker green in the foreground. I also added some loose diagonal lines to reference our Minnesota farm fields that are in their full green glory about this time.
I didn’t overthink the landscape place cards or get fussy with the details but tried to get them done in five minutes or less.
And I really love how they turned out! Aren’t they so sweet?
I think these landscape place cards would be such a fun project to do with kids, especially. And, if you’re new to painting, this is a great place to start! You can always test out your colors and composition on paper before you put them on the canvas or buy a couple of extra to take the pressure off of yourself if you make mistakes.
THESE are the little wooden easels I used.
They ended up being the perfect little personal touch to this green and white summer table.
And, just for fun, I’m going to give away these four original landscape mini-painting “place cards” to one of my readers. If you’d like to win, simply subscribe to my blog and leave a comment on this post letting me know you have (or you already do!)
The giveaway is open to readers worldwide. A winner will be randomly chosen and announced Monday, August 19, 2019. Good luck!
I’ll share the full reveal of this green & white summer tablescape later this week.
Marian, your work is so wonderful!! I am a subscriber to your blog.
The oil tutorial was great! Thank you so much.
A beautiful table setting, with a perfect gift for guests💚
I am a subscriber to your blog
Love these SO much!
Just subscribed
Just subscribed!!
I’m now a subscriber! I throughly enjoy your IG posts and have used your milk paint for years. Your artwork is amazing!
I’ve been a subscriber for quite a while and learn something new every post. You’ve also inspired me to paint more! I would love to display these minis!
Just found you and subscribed. Love all your work!!
Janet
Love these! Just subscribed 🌿
Theses are so lovely and I have subscribed. Loving jade green!
I am a subscriber to your blog and love your paintings! These are adorable ! Hope to win!
I’m a subscriber! Love it!
Love these mini’s. Just subscribed. Thanks.
So extremely talented! ❤️
Just subscribed ☺️
I have followed you for years and years ❤️ So many Saturday mornings spent on your blog with many cups of coffee. Hope to meet you someday or buy something of yours now that you live in my state!
Love the paintings! I have subscribed!
Already subscribed! Love those little paintings.
Ohhh you make it sound so simple….yet my puffy clouds would never look like yours!! I believe I have been a subscriber but just in case!! I am going to try and replicate your old kitchen in my $1.00 1910 house I just bought!!
So beautiful! 💗
Subscribed and love your posts.
Love them!!
I wish I could paint!
New subscriber. The are beautiful! Thank you for sharing your talents!
What a pretty site! Live your use of colors. Very soothing!
Would love to win these mini canvases , been a follower for years.
Love your paintings. I entered the drawing
They are just the cutest!!
I am now a subscriber. Love your art! It really inspires me to pick up a brush myself!
I’ve been following on instagram and meaning to start painting. This inspires me to just try. Also I just subscribed. Thank you. I have some authentic fire king, now I’ll check out this new stuff
Marian, Thank you for inspiring me to paint!
Carmen
Just subscribed. Your work is awesome!!
The colors you used have always been my favorites. These minis are so beautiful! You inspire me so much that I contemplate taking a painting class. Thank you! ❤️
Hi Marion! I have been a long-time subscriber. I love your blog. I love your art and all your projects.
I love your work, count me in!
Just subscribed……Your work is lovely!!
So lovely! Best of luck to all.
Adorable! Love this idea. Entered…fingers crossed!
Have been a user of MMS milk paint, reader/ subscriber of the blog, follower on Instagram, and general devoted fan for years! Your integrity, creative generosity, and authenticity are such a pleasure!
What a lovely idea. I absolutely love the soft soothing colors of these mini paintings. I am an email subscriber as well as Instagram follower.
Subscribed 🙂 these are beautiful!
I greatly admire your fearless attitude when confronting an empty canvas. It’s very inspiring and I love watching your style develop! Thank you for sharing your journey.
Absolutely love these!
You are so talented! Sure hope I’m lucky!
Love, love, love! You are so inspiring to all of us MMS retailers!
❤❤❤ these tiny pieces!!!
Beautiful! Just subscribed!
I enjoy following you on Instagram! Just subscribed. Love what you share!
Mary
I love your creativity. I just subscribed and I’d love to win these sweet place cards
You have the most fabulous ideas! Would love to win these little treasures!
LOVE! I always follow you on Facebook but just recently subscribed to the blog. Heading to Instagram now!
I have subscribed. Follow you on FB
I subscribed and thanks! What a fun giveaway!
Love the wee landscapes! Just subscribed.
You are so talented, Marian! I would love to own some of your artwork. Subscribed!
What a lovely idea! It would be most exciting to win! Kriss
would love to win these!
I love them and envy your talents. I have been a subscriber and truly enjoy following your blog and your instagram account.
Love your style. Beautiful!
These are so adorable!!
I am a subscriber and love everything about you!
Love your beautiful work!
Just lovely! Thank you for sharing your art and creativity. I’ve subscribed, and I love your blog as well as your new podcast.
These mini paintings are absolutely charming. I am a subscriber! 😊
Love the vintage inspired paintings. Just subscribed
Marian, you do beautiful work that inspires me to want to try to paint. Thank you for sharing your work.
Subscribed! Love your work!
I’m a subscriber now! Can’t wait to see more.
Beautiful table… love the miniatures!
I love everything about you Insta and blog! You’re so creative! Thanks for sharing with us!
I love your paintings!
These are beautiful! Thank you for the opportunity. New subscriber here:)
Hi Marion! Just subscribed to your blog and I LOVE these little “place cards” you’ve created! Would love to own these little cuties!!
So sweet. Just subscribed.
Love everything you do! I am a subscriber.
Stunning work! Absolutely love these and the colour combo❣️
It’s been so much fun watching your journey. You’ve been such an inspiration to my interest in painting furniture reupholstering. I love the way that you “just do it” when it comes to anything you set your mind to!
love your blog – so inspiring!
I’m already a subscriber 😊. Love those little miniatures! I’m hightailing it to my local WalMart, which may or may not have the canvases and holders in stock🙄. What a fun project!
Long time subscriber and I love all of your artistic endeavors!
I can’t wait to see the entire table! Just beautiful!
Subscribed and entered! This has to be the most unique, and lovely giveaway I’ve ever seen. I would love to proudly display these in my home. Also feeling so inspired to paint some of my own! Love your blog, can’t wait to see more.
Love these and Love subscribing to your blog!!
Love these minis, love your blog!
Subscribed long ago, love your work!
Have followed you other places for a long time. Never a blog subscriber until today 🙂
Marian, I connect with you on 2 – 3 social avenues. Can’t get enough? Maybe. 🙃 Love, love love the mini easels. We’re moving and getting settled in a new place. I would just love to have our first gathering, getting to know new people, with these as an amazing conversation starter. Love and admire your talent and generosity. ❤
Beautiful work! Love the blues and greens! Would match my home perfectly! 💙
Subscribed!
Happy blog! Please sign me up for easel landscape giveaway!
Love your color choices! I’ve been following on Instagram and admire your style. Just subscribed to your blog.
I am now a subscriber but I have followed you throughout the years! I am loving your cow paintings! Beautiful!!!
These mini paintings are the sweetest, Marian! Thank you for sharing your talent. I absolutely love your beautiful place settings. The colors are gorgeous.
I’ve been a subscriber for years and I have to say you are so inspiring. You always seem to come up with such good ideas. Love your mini landscape place cards. Thanks for all you give out to the rest of us!!!!
Love all your projects! Nothing too funky – just my taste. And, am amazed by your paintings; you make me want to give it a try.
I’ve always enjoyed you blog and the beautiful pictures you paint. Th am you for share your interests and talents.
New subscriber!
Love these tiny pretties. You are so talented. 🙂
Your mini landscapes are lovely. Thanks for the inspiration! I subscribed.
Such a creative idea!
I love all the creative things you do! I just subscribed.
So beautiful! I’m headed to Walmart!!!
I’ve been following your blog for years! I actually can never get enough of it!! TY!
Love your blog and following all of your adventures. P
How simple and adorable. It really doesn’t take much money to make anything special if you’re creative. I’ve been a subscriber to your blog for a couple of years and yours is my favorite!
I love this idea! I am also going on a hunt for these jade dishes :). I recently got a new email address so this was the perfect trigger to subscribe!
What a fun way to connect with your guests and readers! Here’s to winning but even if I don’t I adore your artistry with EVERYTHING! 💚💚💚
I’ve been a subscriber for a few years and I am always inspired by your blog posts.
These miniature paintings are the cutest!
Love these so much!!