I’ll be honest: few things feel worse than tossing a painting you’ve poured hours into (or letting it sit in a dusty stack that grows taller by the week). We’ve all got those half-finished, “meh” pieces that didn’t quite work out but still tug at us. We can’t seem to throw them away, but we also don’t know what to do with old art. 

I’ve been there too. I used to have a bunch of old watercolor paintings. From color swatches that went nowhere to full sheets where one flower looked great and the rest fell flat. For a long time, I didn’t know what to do with old art like that. They weren’t “frame worthy,” but they also felt too precious to toss. Sound familiar?

That’s why I wrote a blog a while back on what to do with finished and unfinished art. Today, I want to go deeper and share ten creative, practical, and really fun ways to give your old watercolor pieces a second life. Some of these projects are gift-worthy (yes, Christmas IS coming up), and all of them celebrate the joy of repurposing instead of wasting.

No painting is ever a total failure. Even if it didn’t turn out how you hoped, it can still bring beauty and spark creativity in a new form.

1. Turn Them Into Gift Tags

If you’re wondering what to do with old art this one is simple and so satisfying. Cut small shapes from old paintings, punch a hole at the top, and thread through a piece of string or ribbon. Suddenly, you’ve got a batch of handmade gift tags.

They’re perfect for birthdays, hostess gifts, or holiday wrapping. (I love using the bits with big watercolor blooms or bold color washes, the details look intentional when cropped down.) You can even personalize them by adding metallic pen lettering or stamping initials for a custom touch.

2. Make DIY Wrapping Paper

Got larger pieces lying around? Flatten them out and use them to wrap small gifts. Not only is it eco-friendly, but it also adds a personal, artistic touch. Imagine handing someone a present wrapped in your own watercolor art. They’ll probably want to keep the wrapping just as much as what’s inside.

Pro Tip: if your painting paper is too thick to wrap easily, scan or photograph it and print onto lighter-weight paper. You’ll get the same look with easier folding.

3. Create One-of-a-Kind Greeting Cards

Another classic idea for what to do with old art: fold old paintings in half or glue them onto blank card stock, and voilà: instant greeting cards.

They’re ideal for thank-you notes, holiday cards, or just-because mail. If you want a little inspo, check out my 5-Minute Holiday Watercolor Cards tutorial or this floral card video below. Both are quick, easy, and great ways to use up scraps. Bonus: you’ll save money on store-bought cards and have something way more personal to send.

4. Frame the Best Bits

Sometimes an entire painting doesn’t work, but a little section shines. Cropping your old work is one of the simplest ways to decide what to do with old art that didn’t turn out quite right.

Frame your favorite sections as mini prints or group several together for a gallery wall. It’s amazing how much more polished a piece can look when you zoom in on the details.

5. Turn Scraps Into Bookmarks

I never have enough bookmarks, so this one comes in handy. Cut your watercolor scraps into rectangles, then laminate or coat them with Mod Podge for durability.

They make thoughtful gifts or personal keepsakes. Plus, painting bookmarks can be a project in itself. 

I even have a tutorial on moon cycle watercolor bookmarks if you want to create them from scratch. You could also punch a hole in the top and add ribbon for extra flair.

6. Use as Backgrounds for Mixed Media Art

Old watercolor pieces make beautiful foundations for mixed media. Layer pen-and-ink drawings, collage elements, or lettering on top for a whole new look.

This approach gives new life to pieces you may not love on their own. (I’ve taken more than a few “blah” washes and turned them into something layered and striking with just a Sharpie and some mini doodles.) If you’ve ever been curious about mixed media but didn’t know where to start, this is the perfect low-pressure way to try.

7. Craft Custom Envelopes

Snail mail deserves a comeback. If you’re still debating what to do with old art, try folding it into envelopes. Turn your old art into envelopes for invitations, holiday letters, or pen pal notes.

There are plenty of free templates online to guide you. You can even line plain envelopes with cropped sections of your art for a little hidden surprise.

8. Make Ornaments

This one’s especially fun around the holidays. Cut your paintings into shapes (stars, circles, hearts) back them with sturdy cardstock, and punch a hole for ribbon.

Hang them on the tree, use them as table décor, or gift them to friends. (Bonus: kids love helping with this project, so it doubles as a fun family time craft idea.) You can even brush on a little Mod Podge with glitter for sparkle that catches the light.

9. Create Watercolor Wall Calendars

Here’s a project that’s both creative and practical. Crop different sections of your paintings to use as monthly art in a DIY calendar.

You can bind the pages together or clip them onto a board for easy display. By the end of the year, you’ll have twelve pieces of art that brought joy and function to your space. These also make thoughtful gifts, imagine giving someone a calendar filled with your repurposed artwork. It’s personal and sustainable.

10. Start a Collage Journal

What to Do With Old Art?

So, what to do with old art? The truth is, you don’t have to throw it out or hide it away. Repurposing not only keeps waste out of the trash but also sparks creativity in surprising ways. Each piece (finished or not) can inspire new projects, gifts, or décor.

And here’s the encouragement I want you to take away: no painting is ever truly a failure. Even the “meh” ones can bring joy and beauty when given a second chance. For beginners, this is especially important. Those early paintings that feel clumsy or uneven? They’re not mistakes. They’re raw material for learning and experimenting.

I’ve found that giving old art a second life also changes how I view my creative process. Instead of seeing unfinished work as “bad” or a wasted effort, I see it as potential. That shift makes painting feel lighter and more playful, which is really what watercolor should be.

So before you toss another painting into the dusty stack, grab your scissors, brushes, or glue stick. You might just discover your favorite new project hidden in yesterday’s art.