Welcome to the Blog
ABSTRACT PAINTING TIPS, TECHNIQUES, PROFESSIONAL ADVICE, AND CREATIVE TRAVEL IN SANTA FE.
Many people feel trepidation with the idea of showing their artwork to others. However, participating in regular critiques is one of the best ways to improve as an artist. Finding a group of artists that are willing to share their work, give and receive feedback is a huge asset to your creative process. It is important to understand the purpose, benefits and ways to participate in a critique so that you get the most out of the experience. If you are ready to be bold and get feedback on your artwork through critiques, then read on!
It is important to know how to access your right brain mode so that you can draw and paint better. While it comes naturally to some people, others need to learn how to access this mind state. The concept of the “right brain” being more creative and intuitive while the “left brain” being more logical and analytical is a popular one, it is important to note that this is a simplification of the complex functions of the brain. Nevertheless, there are ways to tap into your creativity and intuition to create better paintings, and these methods involve accessing different parts of your brain. In this article, you will learn how to use right brain mode to paint better.
I’ve been painting for 30 years, and in that time I have figured out some favorites when it comes to paint, brushes, and canvases. I get absolutely nothing from recommending these brands; these are just my favorites. All of these products deliver good quality and are well-priced, unless otherwise noted. If you want to find out the best acrylic painting tools including brushes, paints, canvases, and much more, then read on!
If you want to learn how to paint, you have come to the right place! I started out as an oil painter, but once I learned how to use acrylic, I made the switch and have never gone back! Don’t get me wrong: oil painting has its place, but for several reasons I have chosen to focus on acrylic. First, I will address the differences between oil and acrylic paint, and then I will discuss how to set up a work space, what tools you need, and how to start an acrylic painting. Consider this your How to Paint 101 crash course!
Setting and writing down goals for ourselves is an important practice if we are serious about success. I have found that writing down goals helps me be more accountable, thus increasing my chances of success. As your trusted painting teacher, I would like to suggest that you make 1-3 goals that relate to you as an ARTIST. Being a teacher for over 20 years, I can confidently say that making SPECIFIC goals is important and yields to better results. Below are a few methods to write specific goals for yourself.
As a painter I am accustomed to seeing my artwork hanging on a wall. While this has kept me inspired for 25 years, recently I have been interested in how my paintings can inhabit interior spaces in more dynamic ways. I want to breathe new life into my paintings so I can watch them transform into functional objects that can grace a sofa or a dining table. It excites me that the price of functional art makes it available to a larger audience, and hence my research into Print on Demand (POD) services began. I’d like to share what I’ve learned so far about various POD services because it truly takes a lot of time and experimentation to figure out which company is the best for you. If you are keen on turning your art into products, then keep reading!
Acrylic painting is a popular medium for artists of all levels because it is versatile, quick-drying, and easy to clean up. Further, acrylic is a forgiving medium that can easily be covered over. Here are some acrylic painting techniques to experiment with.
Sometimes you want to be in your studio or do something creative, but you don’t fee like painting. So what should you do? It’s a good idea to do activities that support your painting process, without actually starting on a new canvas. I am going to give you several ideas for what to do when you want to support your creative process, but don’t feel like painting.
Learn to Use Color Better by Studying Van Gogh Not many people could deny the fact that Van Gogh was an amazing colorist. He was a master of creating contrast with color and texture, and also used color symbolically, which we know from his letters to his brother Theo. My background in Art History has […]
If you are looking for easy acrylic painting ideas for beginners, then you are in the right place! I am going to break down and provide videos for several abstract painting techniques that will be sure to inspire even the most novice artist. Acrylic abstract painting is fun, and with a few step-by-step instructions, you will be on your way to making beautiful abstracts for your home, office, or to give as gifts.
"It is clear Andrea loves what she does and was born for teaching."
"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."
what people are saying...
"Different (BETTER) than
just a ‘Wine & Paint’ class!
"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.
"We created some great family memories, along with interesting paintings."
"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."
"Good Teacher, Knowledgeable, Patient & Encouraging."
"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 left feeling inspired, and way more confident!"
"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!"
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