The internet was so devastated about the news that Paint was to be scrapped that Microsoft reversed their decision.
For 32 years the trusty (and endearingly crap) graphics program has been a one-stop-shop for crude drawings of stick-men, animals, pop culture icons and the person sitting next to you in class (more than likely with a penis attached to their forehead). It looked like it was a goner, before we all swept in and saved the day with memes.
For all its limitations, Paint should be celebrated for letting anyone, of any age, have a go at digital drawing, regardless of artistic ability. Like all the best services, it’s free at the point of need, and a procrastination stalwart.
One website that respects Paint’s contribution to our lives is Public Collectors. Founded to help preserve cultural artifacts that public libraries, museums and other institutions would otherwise ignore, it’s one of the best archives of mini masterpieces people have created with the software over the years.
Marc Fischer put together a collection of Microsoft Paint recreations of classic album covers, originally sourced from forums on the website Forever Doomed, and now stored on Public Collectors and its accompanying Flickr site. We’ve gathered up some of the best.
AC/DC – Flick of the Switch
Iron Maiden – Piece of Mind
Michael Jackson – Thriller
Kraftwerk – Computer World
Run-D.M.C. – Run-D.M.C.
Nirvana – Nevermind
David Bowie – Hunky Dory
The Beatles – Meet the Beatles!
2Pac – All Eyez on Me
Weezer – The Blue Album
