Old Masters Academy

How to paint like the Old Masters using modern materials

Art Competition Archive

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As a child I carried a sketchbook with me everywhere I went

Artwork by Lee Risdale

I’ve always been passionate about art as a child and carried a sketchbook with me everywhere I went. I remember receiving a few large books from a charity shop with pictures of Old Masters paintings and tried to copy them. I was especially fascinated by the paintings of Leonardo Da Vinci and attempted a copy of the Mona Lisa when I was about ten years old. My school displayed it in the main hall. …

… I love Old Masters Academy because it teaches classic art painting which is no longer taught and much of this teaching has been lost from education.

I would love to win the Old Masters Academy course because I am so passionate about painting in this style and producing art approaching this standard that I might one day also pass on to new promising artists who like me might otherwise not receive this great opportunity. I hope people will vote for me so that I can make this dream a reality.

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Techniques of the old masters have guided my work for years

Artwork by Charles Daniels

I am a retired physicist. However, I have been drawing and painting since I was very young. At the present time I am enjoying pastel painting, Ling Nan Style Chinese Watercolors, and graphite drawings.

My greatest artistic challenge is to create artful and accurate portraits as well as lovely landscapes. To me the greatest challenge in any art project is composition. Almost everything else is secondary.

The techniques of the old masters have guided my work for years. Several years ago I studied, part time, with Myron Barnstone. I would love to continue to explore the techniques that he taught, which correspond to the approach taken by the Old Masters Academy. …

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Always learning!

Artwork by Carol Cyr

I am a wife, mom, grandmother, business owner, gardener and a sometimes artist. Art is a place where I can regroup and clear my head. There is nothing like getting in the mode where one is totally engrossed and that time ceases to exist. It doesn’t always happen, but wonderful when it does.

I am always eager to learn new techniques that I can apply to my art.

I didn’t think I was able to use color, but when I decided to make some time for myself and picked up my great grandfather’s pastels, I realized that maybe I could do this. And when I discovered the proper paper and tools it became clear that there was so much to be learned, and I was hooked. …

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I want to learn the Old Master techniques

Artwork by Jenny Kyng

Growing up in a household where art materials were plentiful–thanks to my mother’s vocation as an artist/art teacher–I started drawing at the age of 2. I was lucky that my parents were somewhat bohemian and didn’t mind the mess. I’ve had a passion for all things art and creativity-related ever since. In this life, however we have time enough for only one obsession. As the ancient Chinese saying puts it: “if you try to chase 2 rabbits, you end up catching neither”. After flirting with both acting and writing in my youth, while still practicing art, I came to the point of having to choose. Art won out in the end.

Along the way, I’ve had to make a living. I was tired of being a starving artist. Being hungry is not so inspiring after all! I was directed into nursing when I was 25.

More recently I’ve become a counsellor and run art therapy groups which I really enjoy. …

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I’ve had these cravings since birth. . . to draw, paint, sculpt, create

Artwork by Ronnie Caplan

I’ve had these cravings since birth.
To draw, paint, sculpt, create…
This eventually led me to Parsons School of Design NYC, developing my crafts and honing my philosophy amongst the community of artists in The Village.

To pay for my passions, I landed as creative director at several ad agencies & publishing companies. I also advanced my ability to generate emotion by designing live environments as an event designer. …

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I decided I would learn everything about painting to make the dream come true

Artwork by John S. Williams

In 2012 I was a welder and had an accident that left me with a TBI (Traumatic Brain Injury). I started painting by number crafts and simple drawings until I was bored. One night I had a dream I was putting the finishing touches on a beautiful autumn woodland scenery with a buck and doe by a steam. That day I decided I would learn everything about painting and drawing I can to make that dream come true. …

Fast forward 3 years 2015, I’m now painting in oil and mixed medium. I have been asked if I would sell my art work. I wasn’t sure.

Now fast forward to 2020, I began to learn the art of pastels in chalk and oils. I’m now working with water soluble oil paint. I’m finding it fun but slightly difficult. …