If you like murky, muddy dark green and dark brown, have at it but most find it unappealing, even those who have no idea why they dislike it. Every field of endeavor requires skill on some level, painting a picture is not all subjective. If you “like” the subject matter, that’s fine. You might even consider it “art” and that distinction is yours to make. But, Mr. McNaughton is not very good at execution and that’s really inexcusable because technical proficiency is learned, not innate. I’d say he’s lazy.
Okay, to be serious for a moment.
I'd say that less technical learning is necessary the more innate ability an artist has.
Said another way, I believe artists are born, not made. Tons of people do "art" only because they want to be artists. Only those born with true artistic ability can be true artists. I've seen enough crap art to realize this fact.
There are very few Michelangelo's but many Andy Warhols.
Editor's note: Of course even Michelangelo had to learn to use his tools.
For contrast, the work below has a bright palette and I especially appreciate the allegory about President Trump throwing the jackboot of oppression and tyranny off the throat of mankind. The artist has a strong command of scale and proportion and the human figure is exquisitely executed.