Old Masters Academy

How to paint like the Old Masters using modern materials

Art Competition Archive

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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. …

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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. …

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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.

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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. …

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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. …

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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.