Start up Photoshop with a hi-res (4MPixel) photo! Duplicate the base layer twice, for a total of THREE layers!

1. On the bottommost layer, apply the Artistic Palette Knife Filter
2. On the middle layer, apply Artistic Drybrush, then Artistic Watercolor. Set the layer mode to SCREEN
3. On the top layer, apply Gaussian Blur, then set the layer mode to OVERLAY

Voila! A really cheap and cheesy painted effect. Ba da bum ba da bing!