Most women start painting with me thinking…

“I’m not artistic.”
“I can’t paint.”
“I’m probably going to mess this up.”

And after teaching door hanger and canvas painting for over 11 years, I can tell you this with confidence: You do NOT have to be naturally artistic to create something beautiful.

You just need a willingness to try.

If you’re ready to give painting a real shot, this tutorial is the perfect place to start. It’s quick, easy, and gives you practice on canvas before you move on to a wood blank. Work through this tutorial at your own pace, and come back to this post as a guidebook as you do!

You can get the exact template I used in this tutorial here. 

The “Messy Middle” Is Normal

One of the best pieces of advice I can give you when painting is to NOT judge your work before it’s done. There’s always a point where:

• The bow looks like a blob
• The strawberries look patchy
• The basket feels weird
• The plaid looks questionable

I call this the messy middle.

And if you stop there mentally, you’ll convince yourself you “can’t paint” before your project ever has a chance to come together.

But once you add:

• Another coat
• Some detailed lines
• Paint pen accents
• Highlights
• Outlines

Everything starts making sense! Sometimes you just have to trust the process a little longer to see your painting come to life!

Why I Love Small Canvas Painting Projects for Beginners

This strawberry canvas is actually one of my favorite kinds of beginner painting projects because it’s approachable. You’re not trying to paint some giant complicated masterpiece.

Instead, you’re learning:

• How to work with acrylic paint
• How to layer colors
• How to hold your brush
• how to add details
• and how to relax while creating

Small projects build confidence FAST. And confidence matters so much when you’re first learning to paint!

You Are NOT Cheating If You Trace

Using graphite paper and templates is not cheating. I teach women every day who feel intimidated because they “can’t draw.” But painting and drawing are two different skills.

Tracing allows you to skip the stressful part and focus on:

• Color
• Creativity
• Brush control
• And actually enjoying yourself

That’s exactly why I create templates the way I do at Southern Adoornments. I want painting to feel possible for beginners.

A Few Acrylic Painting Tips for Beginners

If your painting felt harder than expected, these little things truly make a difference.

Dry Between Layers

This is one of the biggest beginner mistakes I see. If you keep painting wet paint on top of wet paint, everything starts blending together and getting muddy.

Drying between layers helps:

• Colors stay brighter
• Details stay cleaner
• Mistakes wipe away easier

Even a cheap hair dryer works great for this!

Keep Baby Wipes Nearby

This is probably the least fancy art supply recommendation ever, but it’s the most helpful tool you can have on hand. 

Baby wipes are AMAZING for beginner painters. They help remove:

• Little mistakes
• Fresh paint
• Accidental smudges
• Extra graphite marks

Especially on projects with lighter backgrounds, they can save you a lot of frustration.

Long Brush Strokes Create Softer Backgrounds

If you noticed me using long brush strokes in the background, there’s a reason for that. Long strokes help:

• Smooth the paint
• Soften the look
• Create a more blended background

Short choppy strokes tend to create more texture.

Neither is wrong! It just depends on the style you want.

For this strawberry painting, I wanted the strawberries to really pop, so keeping the background soft helped everything stand out better.

Whimsical Painting Is Supposed to Feel Fun

One thing I love about whimsical painting styles is that they leave room for personality. Nothing has to be perfect or matchy-matchy. 

In fact, those handmade imperfections are what make painted decor feel so special!

That little wobble in the line? That unexpected brushstroke? That’s the part that makes it yours!

Easy Ways to Customize This Strawberry Canvas

If you want a challenge, don’t be afraid to switch things up!

You could:

• Change the bow color
• Use polka dots instead of plaid
• Add words or a quote
• Make the basket match your kitchen decor
• Turn it into tiered tray decor
• Paint it on wood instead of canvas

That’s one of my favorite things about painting. Once you learn the basics, you can make projects fit your own style and home.

If Your Strawberry Painting Isn’t “Perfect”…

Friend…perfection is not the goal. It’s trying something new, relaxing, learning, having fun, and making something with your own two hands!

And remember that every painter starts somewhere. So keep going! You might be surprised by what you’re capable of creating. 

Want More Beginner Painting Help?

If you enjoyed this strawberry canvas project and want more step-by-step guidance, printable templates, paint tutorials, and encouragement from women who are learning right alongside you, come join us inside the Painter’s Clubhouse.

That’s where I teach:

• Beginner-friendly door hanger painting
• Seasonal paint projects
• Acrylic painting techniques
• Paint party ideas
• Creative projects to help you grow your skills

It’s truly one of my favorite corners of the internet because it’s filled with women who once said, “I’m not creative…”

…and now they’re painting things they never thought they could!

You can learn more about the Painter’s Clubhouse here. We’d love to have you for our next door hanger project!