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When diving into the world of painting, one often wonders, “Does the quality of a paintbrush matter?” or “Does the price of a paintbrush matter?” The answer is both yes and no. While some argue that “you get what you pay for,” that’s not always the case. There are high-quality, expensive brushes worth every penny, but there are also excellent, affordable options available. In this blog post, we will explore how to identify a quality paintbrush, best practices for caring for your brushes, and my top picks for both splurge-worthy and budget-friendly paintbrushes.

Every artist has faced the frustrating moment when a paint tube cap refuses to budge. When you need that perfect color immediately, a stuck cap can be infuriating. However, with the right techniques, you can open that stubborn paint bottle in no time and prevent future mishaps. Let’s explore effective methods to fix and prevent stuck paint caps!

Every artist has a preferred palette, and there are many options available: wet-palettes, plastic, disposable paper, paper plates, and glass. If you paint with acrylics or oil, consider using a glass palette. Glass palettes are one of the best palettes for oil and acrylic painting. They are customizable, ideal for color mixing with their white background, easy to clean, and can last for years with proper care. In this guide, I’ll show you how to make your very own glass palette.

Painting pours have been all the rage for quite some time. By thinning down paint and pouring it rather than the conventional brush application, artists can craft mesmerizing visual effects. Yet, relying on pre-made pouring mediums may impose limitations. Without the knowledge of crafting your own, you might find yourself stuck when the desire to create strikes. Consequently, I’ve curated my own pour medium recipe, giving me the flexibility to make it at will and create the effects I want.

Many students report feeling a lack of confidence when starting their painting journey. The fear of not creating something deemed “good enough” often looms large. This fear can be paralyzing, causing some to give up prematurely. However, it’s crucial to recognize that every artist starts as a beginner. Just as in any skill, mastery in painting takes time and practice.

"My son and I had an amazing weekend in Santa Fe and the best ending to it was taking our abstract painting class with Andrea. From the minute we walked in, we were in a warm and welcoming environment. Its clear Andrea loves what she does and that she was born for teaching art. I had no experience and felt a little inhibited, but with her guidance and support it was an extremely positive experience and I certainly learned a lot."
"I was looking for an experience beyond the typical tree painting class and Andrea’s class was perfect! I’ve taken many art classes and am a relatively experienced painter, but my mother was more nervous about being “let loose” to paint whatever she wanted to. During our class, Andrea handled both our desires wonderfully. Giving us mediums, techniques and suggestions whenever we needed them. We could have brought in reference photos, (or wine lol) but being surrounded by Andrea’s work was inspiration enough. We both walked away really feeling like we created something memorable and unique in just two hours.
"Andrea is an accomplished artist, and her teaching style is appropriate for all levels of artists. Our granddaughter is very proud of her finished painting. We had a wonderful time, and we created some great family memories, along with some interesting paintings. We all agreed that we can’t wait to do it again. It was a great family activity."
"Andrea Cermanski has all the skills of a good teacher. She's knowledgeable, patient, encouraging, and gives precise and helpful instruction to each individual student, allowing him or her to discover their hidden artistic talents."
"I did a private class with Andrea and it was so wonderful!! Andrea is an amazing artist and she is also a great teacher!! Thorough, patient and just a fun person to be around! I really wanted a basic introduction to how to use the paints, mediums, brushes, palettes, etc. I got that and so much more!! She even helped me with the anxieties I was having around painting. I left feeling inspired, and way more confident! Ready to go home and explore. I look forward to another class after I have played some on my own. Highly recommend!"