Old Masters Academy

I have taught myself technique of the Old Masters…

Artwork by Sripriya Mozumdar

I am Sripriya Mozumdar, an ex-marketing professional turned self-taught artist. I have been painting full time since the past 10 years and along the way have taught myself oil painting and further within that, the Old Masters technique through extensive reading, viewing and practice.

In my journey of teaching myself oil painting, I was instinctively drawn to the multi-layered techniques of the Old Dutch Painting masters and to photo-realism. Photo-realism’s focus on amplifying the image, rather than the artist speaks to my sensibilities as an artist. And I like to bring forth the inherent beauty and minute details of the mundane, rather than focusing on the hand working the piece. Me as the artist is best present in my total absence in the painted image – that is my expression, my voice. My greatest joy is when my painting is mistaken for a photograph.

Being entirely self-taught, my biggest challenge has been that each painting I work on is a new experience – and often I discover that I had made some mistakes in the early layers, which can no longer be fixed at the color layer. …

I never miss the opportunity to learn

Painting by Ben Morales-Correa

I started drawing very early, since my father, who was what is was called back then a commercial artist, saw that I had a natural disposition to hold a pencil and draw some intricate geometrical designs that I discovered inside a magazine. That is the legend he told me later on. The fact is that he let me look and copy the masters from his many art books.

My first figure anatomy book was by Reginald Marsh. My dad’s concern was always to improve on his craft, which explains why many of his books of art were more of the “how to” side. That yearn for learning how to produce excellent art was passed on to me. I never miss the opportunity to learn.

Much of what I have accomplished is by self-teaching, picking up tips here and there. There is so much out there to achieve, which is why I say I’m always satisfied when I put something new on an art piece, but never allow myself to feel 100% pleased with my results and prefer instead to strive for more. Art is very significant in my life, not just the visual, but music and literature, too. A respect for History and cultural tradition is essential in seeking the best in very field. …

When I was young I thought that I do not have enough talent to be an artist

Artwork by Mariana Birsanu

I always dreamed that I am going to paint when I will retire. I imagine people looking at my paintings and make them happy and forget about their problems.

I would like to learn more about the art of the Old Masters and I believe that this course will help me find out more about it. …

Coming Back to Art again!

Artwork by Laura Prevratil

There has been a long gap between the start of my art practice, as apprentice to Dan Flavin, and today. Suffice it to say that it was due to a terrible accident and the loss of use of one of my hands. At that time, I was pursuing my MFA in New York at Stony Brook University. Unfortunately, that educational process was interrupted by years of surgeries and inability to afford to return to art school. But, philosophically, it did not deter the desire in me to work and the influence of the heredity of generations of artisans that I came from.
And, above all, the love of glass and light stayed with me; as well as the love of classical art the Dan Flavin instilled in me. …

I have a dream

Painting by Veronica Tailor

I’m a woman painter and I love to paint and to draw especially the classic masters. I would like to improve my imagination. I’m drawing and painting since I’ve memory, but I’m never satisfied of myself. Also I love the classical way, but it seems that drawing and painting well is over.

I have a dream to be very skilled in being a fine artist. I am self taught so far and am finding it difficult to understand how to expand my learning on my own. I wish to one day to be able to inspire others in having a dream, you can achieve it.

This Old Masters course seems an ideal place for me to improve art skills and learn new techniques used by the Old Masters.

Painting by Abd Alqader Bsata

I started drawing since I was four years old. Although I did not learn drawing at an institute or college, I have participated in several art exhibitions.

Here is one of my paintings with the symbolic reference to Salvador Dali

Artwork by Annette

Turning the Curse into a Blessing!

I am a 65 year old woman who was grew up in Kansas metropolitan area.

Art Is the love of my life. I would rather do art then sleep. I use Art to express myself, to tell others how I fell about them or something they did for me. Art can be used for all kind of good things in ones life.

My challenges in art is shading, still life, and color. I am real good at cartoons.

Life is full of beauty

Painting by Janet Touron

Life is full of beauty, harmony and creativity. Life is creation itself and needs to be expressed through ones vision, heart and soul. The more it is, the more one feels the beat and to be one with all.

Art does this for me, to be lost in a world of creative concentration of pencils and paint, portraying what is perfect on paper and board, extending myself, without the enslavement of time to dumb the senses, this is heaven for me.

how-to-paint-like-Old-Masters-How I felt in love

How I felt in love with the Old Masters

Paintings by Pilar Gógar

I’ve been painting all my life. I remember being at my grandma’s house painting with my colors. Later on, at sixteen, I started to practice with my first oil paintings; now, as an adult, I’m struggling to have a career as a fine art professional and being able to live throughout my passion.

I have started to make portraits and solo exhibitions and my dream is to make more and more.

Art is everything to me. I’m happy when I have time to be painting and drawing for hours. Old masters’ works amaze me, so I’ve been always trying to figure out their techniques and tricks. …

how-to-paint-and-draw-reality-like-old-masters

I paint and draw reality

Paintings by BJ Haugstad

I started in wildlife art when I was a younger artist. I am now moving in a different direction using different mediums and expressions.

I think the most pivotal part of my life was my mother dying when I was 4 and being the youngest of 8. My father was a stern man who was a sportsman and avid hunter. So for me the segway into the wild life art seemed logical.

I once showed at Les Kouba’s art gallery in Minneapolis MN. I want to grow my knowledge to become more adept and able to create what I see. I struggle with not being loose in my work and for me realism is important. When you grow up with the kind of family I lived in you learn that even if it hurts honesty is important; so I paint and draw reality. I have been fortunate to have studied with a mentor and teacher Charles Pearson (wildlife artist). …