Art is my joy and therapy in isolation-self-thaught-artist

Art is my joy and therapy in isolation!

Artwork by Carmen

My artistic challenges are to learn how to paint realistically, but in a loose and imaginative manner. I adore the artwork of the male and female Old Masters. They were the pioneering trail blazers of art and made such innovative discoveries in art techniques. The way they painted takes my breath away! I want to learn about all their art techniques! I want to know about their colour theory, how they mixed colours effectively, their different layering techniques, and how they painted human skin, hair, clothing, animal fur, bird feathers, and water realistically using modern materials. I want to paint portraits, landscapes, still lifes, and paint images that I see in my imagination using the painting techniques of the Old Masters.

how-to-paint-Old-Masters-I get on my sketchbook first thing in the morning

I get on my sketchbook first thing in the morning

Artwork by Connor

… So art has always been one of the only ways to express myself, release emotions, talk to people without having to talk to them, I’m well-read enough to write my feelings but it doesn’t make me feel better the same way drawing does. …

… My challenges are numerous, but all of them affect me strongly, I’ll try to talk about them as best I can: I don’t have much money for good supplies, I’m still unsure of how to use some mediums, I don’t have a good enough understanding of any practical art theory, and also being autistic; I have dyspraxia, which means my fine motor skills and coordination can be pretty dodgy and inefficient, and most times I have a great visual idea; I can’t properly put it on paper. …

how-to-paint-Old-Masters-paintings

The Housewife Artist

Artwork by Amanda Bowoade

I am a housewife with four young children. I stay at home with my two youngest, who are babies. I have hopes of eventually becoming a 3D animator and I am currently in school for this, but to become a great animator, you need to be a great artist first: and so I am always learning, trying to fill in the gaps in my art knowledge. However, I live in a very small town in the depths of Alberta, Canada and there aren’t many opportunities here to expand my skills in the ways I want to.

The time that isn’t spent changing disappears and picking up after four children and feeding six hungry mouths is spent drawing, painting, or studying.

Art is my biggest challenge, my best friend, and my greatest enemy – I’m either excited about what I’m achieving or angry about my shortcomings. Art keeps my mind from becoming stagnant and makes the isolation of being in the house all day bearable. I have carved out a sizeable chunk of our living room and that is where I spend most of my day, at my drawing board, surrounded by my pencils, drawing and painting while my sons play at my feet. …

Artist-for-Life-Portrait-by-Frank-Paquette-artist

Artist for Life!

Artwork by Frank Paquette

I am a 49 year old with a love for painting life’s little moments. I have dabbled with artistry since I can’t remember when! I have always loved visiting Galleries and Art museums, just to look and study paintings and how / why they were created. I find the ability to create portraits fascinating!

I am not schooled in arts, but have self educated in the hopes to learn from anyone / anything I can.

I would love to learn more about form correlation, colour theory and application, perspective, etc… You are never too old to add to your skills!

Old Masters Academy is, in my opinion, ideal for me. From the level of interaction I have seen, this would be an asset for learning. Being that I have a full time employment, it would be very difficult for me to attend normal classes where I am from (Ottawa, Ontario, Canada). The Old Masters Academy would be perfect for me, as I could study at my own pace.

Watercolor Academy
Life Drawing Academy
Drawing Academy
Anatomy Master Class