How to paint like the Old Masters using modern materials
“Any attempt to express the unknown will utterly fail. How can one express something beyond expressions? BUT IT IS WHAT IT IS. May be a failed attempt, it is a beautiful one. That’s the beauty of living, the essence of the superconsciousness flowing through stream of consciousness. Why not express that even sky is not the limit? Spread to the every corners of possibilities this body is capable of.” Says Daigo.
… In my opinion studying the Old Masters is essential for this task. As far as I Know, precisely the arrival of the Oil Painting Medium enabled to paint the human flesh in the more realistic way, never seen before (grisaille and glazes of Primitive Flemish Masters of 15th century) With the ages, other contributions were made (sfumato of LEONARDO DA VINCI in 15th and 16th centuries, scumbling and impasto of TITIAN in the 16th, which was carried to their greatest expressions in REMBRANDT Works in the Baroque period and chiaroscuro style… What I find amazing is how despite all this different techniques and ways of painting, the resulting portraits can be so realistic.
After this, I find it would be very interesting to learn how to paint in “Alla prima” and in the Impressionist and Postimpressionist way of Direct Method, and so on. …
… I loved to draw and paint every day, every chance I had. I learned from whatever books I could get – I loved to copy Michelangelo, Leonardo, Rembrandt, Vermeer. Family and friends told me I had a natural gift. But there were no art classes available where I grew up, so I didn’t have the opportunity to get disciplined training or develop my skills.
And somehow twenty years passed by, filled with work as a manager and family commitments, and no way I could find the time or resources to go to art school. But I never let go of my first passion, which has stayed inside me all this time. …
… As an artist and Chaplain in Aged Care, I lament this tragedy; and I challenge it. I resolve to quieten the insecurity of the aged, to lift their heads, survey their weathered skin, and tell them emphatically, “You are beautiful. Let me see your face and let me hear your voice” …
… It is the creative part of me that is surprised by the process of creation and gets lost in time and space, caught up with seeing the beauty and complexity of a face and the accompanying colours, textures and tones I see around me. I would like to grow in this and since I am only 65, I have still much to learn. Winning this course would enable me to grow.
… It is a great privilege to live in a world where I can find beauty in mine and other’s art. Art has even served a therapeutic purpose for me, and has eased my anxiety. Between busy classes I can be found content behind an easel with a paintbrush in hand, absorbed in the work.
I can’t afford a grand or expensive art education though I would love to and it has always been my dream., so it would be wonderful if I won this course. The Old Masters Academy impressively offers so much valuable, solid and exciting information. Personally, I would especially love to grow in the areas of color theory and composition.
… As noted by my college professor, I have a painterly style. My work in painting is mostly impressionistic. My drawing is more detailed. My challenge and pursuit in recent years, has been to put more realism in to my paintings and hone the skills I have in drawing.
I want to learn to be a better artist than I am. From the lessons I have seen so far, this program is more than one could hope for in a Master of Fine Arts curriculum. Because, as I stated earlier, the learning never stops, this program would be the fulfillment of my life plans to complete an “MFA” program. Help me fulfill and finish my dream of being a “master” of art.
