Why We Created the Masters Artist Collection at Mitten Masterpiece
When Mitten Masterpiece began, the focus was clear: meaningful places, thoughtful design, and materials that made paint by number feel less like a craft and more like art. Over time, as I spent more hours painting—testing kits, evaluating materials, and refining our own process—I realized something had shifted.
I had become a paint-by-number snob.
Not in the sense of dismissing the joy of painting, but in realizing just how much materials, design, and intention matter. Once you’ve painted with high-quality paints on a beautiful canvas, it’s hard to go back. And that realization is what ultimately led to the creation of our Masters Artist Collection.
Bringing the Masters Into the Mitten Masterpiece World
The Masters Collection currently features three artists whose work has long inspired painters and art lovers alike: Gustav Klimt, John Singer Sargent, and John William Waterhouse. Each represents a different expression of beauty, storytelling, and technique—but all share one important trait: their work deserves to be painted thoughtfully.
These artists weren’t chosen at random. Their paintings translate exceptionally well into paint by number when handled with care. They offer rich color, strong composition, and emotional depth—qualities that reward time and attention rather than rushing to the finish.
Why These Artists, and Why Now
As I explored what was already available in the paint-by-number market, I was surprised by how few high-quality interpretations of masterworks existed. While some versions were available, many relied on generic materials, inconsistent paint quality, or designs that flattened the original artwork rather than honoring it.
I wanted more than that. I wanted the experience of painting a masterwork to feel immersive, refined, and worthy of the original art.
And, candidly, I wanted to paint these pieces myself—but only if they were done right.
Quality Was the Missing Piece
By the time we introduced the Masters Collection, I had already spent months testing paints, canvases, and printing methods. I knew what worked—and what didn’t. And I knew that many existing kits simply didn’t meet the standard I’d come to expect.
With our own materials, hand-mixed paints, and carefully refined designs, we were finally able to create masterwork-inspired paint-by-number kits that felt complete. The kind of kits where the process is just as satisfying as the finished piece, and the final artwork feels truly display-worthy.
Once that standard was in place, adding master artists felt like a natural next step.
How the Masters Fit Into the Mitten Masterpiece Brand
At first glance, artists like Klimt, Sargent, and Waterhouse might seem different from Michigan landmarks or regional scenes. But philosophically, they align perfectly with Mitten Masterpiece.
Our brand has always been about:
Thoughtful curation over mass production
Quality materials over shortcuts
Art that earns its place on the wall
The Masters Collection extends that philosophy into art history. It’s for painters who want to slow down, challenge themselves, and connect with something timeless—using materials that respect both the artist and the process.
Painting What I Actually Want to Paint
There’s a simple truth behind the Masters Collection: these are the kits I want to paint.
After spending so much time refining our paints and canvases, I found that I could really only enjoy painting with our own materials. Once you know how good paint by number can feel, it’s hard to accept less.
The Masters Collection exists because I wanted to sit down with a Klimt, a Sargent, or a Waterhouse and enjoy the experience fully—without fighting the paint, the canvas, or the design. And I wanted other painters to have that same experience.
A Natural Expansion, Not a Departure
The Masters Artist Collection isn’t a departure from Mitten Masterpiece—it’s an expansion of it. It reflects the same values that guided our Michigan collections, applied to a different source of inspiration.
Whether you’re painting a familiar shoreline or a legendary masterwork, the goal remains the same: a calm, rewarding process and a finished piece you’re genuinely proud to hang.
For me, that’s what paint by number should be. Below, check out my current project, John Singer Sargent’s Fishing for Oyster at Cancale. This one will be a beauty when complete!
❤️ With Love from Michigan,
Bobbie
John Singer Sargent’s Fishing for Oysters at Cancale: in Progress