Old Masters Academy

how-to-paint-I was born with a brush in my hand

I was born with a brush in my hand

Artwork by Polytime Kern

Daughter of a talented artist — graduate of the Fine Arts Academy of Athens. Was born, so to speak, with a painter’s brush in my hand. Creation as a whole is a work of art, beautiful inside and out.

We emulate what we see in nature through various mediums, so art is and should be an intrinsic part of our life and in particular my life. …

how-to-paint-self-thaught-artist-From puppet heads to portraits

From puppet heads to portraits

Artwork by Joan

Over the next many years I taught myself as best as I could the fundamentals. I painted in the middle of the night as this was the only time I was free from work and family duties. I took a course here and there but couldn’t afford and didn’t have the time for a serious art course.

I have always been fascinated my the Old Masters’ paintings, especially the Dutch portraits. To me, the Old Masters define art.

Now at the age of 70 it would be a dream come true to finally be able to take a course teaches the skills of these master artists.

how-to-draw-Needs Old Masters Academy Lessons

This Old Lady Needs Old Masters Academy Lessons!

Artwork by Katherine Pohl

Sending me to my room as a child wasn’t a punishment for me. My sketchbooks were full, and my pencils worn down. I loved to draw and I took advantage of the wooded area across from my home as inspiration.

Art has always been a part of my life until it wasn’t. My ex husband didn’t encourage art in my life and so, my creativity was stifled. I spent the next 26 years forgetting my first love until I was given a new set of brushes, paints and canvas as a Valentine’s gift from my now husband. …

how-to-paint-enjoy doing portraits of people

Losing my sight but not my vision

Artwork by Eddie Hornedo

… My challenges has always been the eyes. Sometimes the proportion of the eyes to the face has to be adjusted several times before I’m satisfy. Many times perhaps because I am a perfectionist I find myself wanting to keep adding to a painting to make it better. I have been developing my art over the years. Many different styles I’ve mimic. I’ve done charcoal, pastels, mostly oil and some acrylics.

I have always admired the old masters style but never done one. I would be interested in learning more.

I hope to win so that I can learn a technique that I have never done. I hope people can see that even with poor vision, we can express a profound love for art. I also hope that people can see my story behind each painting.

I developed myself in a self-taught way

Artwork by Somlyai Péter

I was born on January 1, 1955 in Nagykőrös, where I still live.

I learned the profession of a carpenter, while led by the painter József Rácz in the Fine Arts Circle 6 b. with pencil I developed my drawing skills with charcoal in watercolor and painted with pastel chalk.

I worked as a decorator in the canning factory in Nagykőrös.
In the last 10 years, among other things, I graduated from the Piarista grammar school in Kecskemét, I developed myself in a self-taught way, and then I went to an online academy and evening school as a painter. …

how-to-paint-like old masters paintings

The old masters paintings have always meant a lot to me

Artwork by Anne

My name is Anne. I’m 21 years old and live in the Netherlands. I have numerous hobby’s and love learning about the world and to capture the things I’ve learned in crafts. I’ve been painting for about two years now, but only sporadically, because my studies take up most of my time and because I can only devote a particular amount of energy to one thing at the time due to my post traumatic stress disorder. The continuous stress and flashbacks tire me out, but I find relief in crafting. …

The old masters paintings have always meant a lot to me. Their beauty is astounding and I would love to learn how to paint like that. Unfortunately, I just don’t have the knowledge. I don’t know how you should mix colors, which brushes to use, how to paint skin colors. I just make a wild guess and hope for the best, but I would love to actually learn some technique. The videos I’ve seen from the Old Masters Academy have already taught me some things I didn’t know about before and I’d love to expand my knowledge by following this course.

I would Love to learn properly how to draw and paint in the Classical Style

I would Love to learn properly how to draw and paint in the Classical Style

Artwork by Robert Vaessen

… Years ago I used to paint and do wood carvings, play the classical guitar and was involved with various art mediums. I love real, authentic and good art of high quality.
I never went to art school, but always have loved following different artists and their styles. Art involves my every day, it is all around us.
After the loss of our daughter and subsequent tragedies over the years, my ability and inner freedom to paint, draw and play music all seem to have become frozen.. though only recently and thankfully have begun to surface again..

… I would love to win a course with you as I am financially broke, being now on my own and also on Accident Compensation while waiting for an operation on my hand. I have never promoted myself, being a Self-Employed Tiler for the past 20 years and I rely on ‘Word-Of-Mouth’ to make my income. So as far as asking people to vote for me to win the Old Master’s Academy Course it would be on the basis of helping a poor guy hopefully finding his artistic potential and rehabilitate my life, in view of the path I have walked.

how-to-paint-I love the idea of keeping old masters techniques alive

I love the idea of keeping old masters techniques alive

Artwork by Christopher Delni Offord

Raised in an orphanage in England, I was always a curious soul, somewhat lonely and searching. My first visit to a gallery as a little boy in London found myself transfixed in front of a huge biblical scene by one of the great Master’s. It felt like home.

Your Academy sounds so very apt for what I am looking for, it feels like for the first time I have seen people absolutely dedicated to maintaining the old masters techniques. I currently do the same by painting onto wood. I love the idea of keeping these old techniques alive.

I think winning this course will achieve a life long dream and bring me such joy and propell me as an artist to find in me my real brush on God’s canvas. …

how-to-paint-I went to University to study Fine Art

I went to University to study Fine Art but I feel like I was sold short in my degree

Artwork by Cheri McLaughlin

I went to University to study Fine Art at the turn of the Millennium but I feel like I was sold short in my degree. I naively thought in undertaking a Fine Art degree that I would be taught all of the skills that the Masters passed on to their young apprentices in their studios in Florence, Paris and Flanders. If I could have my time again I would not have undertaken a traditional degree but instead gone to study in Florence where I now know they do still teach the old methods. So this is what I want to learn, all of the techniques that I believe should still be taught in Universities today.

The understanding of the conceptual art of the contemporary art world is important for sure but I think it should be a minor module of any modern art education not the primary focus as it has become. It is an absolute tragedy that the amazing skill of the old Masters is being overlooked in favour of this approach in our Higher Education establishments and it undermines the talent and potential of so many who wish to learn, sweeping away any opportunity for real advancement in the modern art world where there is clearly a gaping hole of epic proportions for truly gifted artists.

how-to-paint- I am a professional artist

I am dreaming of a life where I am a professional artist

Artwork by Claire Zanelli

… I was very excited when I discovered Old Masters Academy. It is accessible and kind (and I have been to art school- kindness is not always at the forefront of critiques!). It is a place that nurtures lifelong learning and has created a niche for people who have patience in their work and are not content with the next quick Instagram art craze.

I cannot say why people should vote for me over others to win this course. I’m sure there are many deserving people who have applied alongside me. All I know is that whether I win this competition or not, whether I reach my dream of becoming a professional or not, I will continue to paint and continue to learn.

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