Old Masters Academy

How to paint like the Old Masters using modern materials

Art Competition Archive

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I love painting portraits, I paint regularly but I am aware of the challenge ahead

Paintings by Ptak Evelyne

I am always entranced by classical paintings, especially the great mastrer’s paintings like Vermeer, Rembrandt , da Vinci, Veronese…

I was a boat people who had fled VN in 1980, when I was 25 years old. I have endured seven attacks from pirates during the flight and I still suffer from PTSD. I had difficulties to concentrate and to memorize. I had nervous breakdown and I have been hospitalized in psychiatry twice. Because of that, I could not continue working.

Doctors encouraged me to have some creative hobby. I have a fascination for old masters’ paintings and as I have a sister who painted well, and I admired her very much, I naturally choose painting and I have enrolled your drawing courses in 2013. …

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I want to paint for a living

by Christina Halkiopoulos

I’ve been drawing since a little kid. Year 9 i entered our school’s art completion. My painting came first place. On the day of issuing the trophies they decided not to give the first prize to me because they dint believe I painted it.

That was 28yrs ago. 3 months ago I decided to try again. Here I am 🙂

I rediscovered myself!
In a good time I will change careers. I want to paint for a living. I need my skill to represent a top academy. When people ask where you learn..I’ll say from the best!
Old master technics are my favourites…and romanticism.

Color theory and stages of painting. I need to be able to look at a photo and know where to start from.
Color blocking etc..

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A whole new world ahead where NOTHING is impossible

Drawings by Ryan P. Spring

I’ve been an artist all my life, however I was at a loss in high school when we were told to pick a career and I said I wanted to be a world famous artist…where did da Vinci turn in his job application?

Dejected I lost 15 years of life in a bottle and had a long road to recovery and now I’m sober and my mind has been opened to a whole new world ahead where NOTHING is impossible.

I’ve been self employed as an artist for the past 2 years with the time being spent mostly on teaching myself oil painting and struggling to learn the business of sales which has been nearly nonexistent.

I learned that the oldest methods of oil painting involved glazing and this is where I’ve been unable to ‘get it’ and wish I was financially able to receive some instruction. …

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Becoming a Contemporary Master

Portrait by Stella Han

My first dream was to become a painter when I was five. As I grew older my passions became varied, yet they were always art related; whether it was being an art teacher, comic artist, or illustrator and so on. I had my first opportunity to learn painting when I was in the 2nd grade, however after two sessions, it was unfortunately cancelled due to low enrolment.

My second artistic opportunity came when I was in the 9th grade. At first I was ecstatic, though soon enough I became disappointed. The teacher merely directed me in how to trace and lacked any traditional skill training. The fees for the class became too much for my parents, and again I was forced to leave.

By the time college rolled around I had to create and manage my portfolio all by myself and luckily I was accepted in School of Visual Arts in New York. I was truly excited to learn ‘real’ art. Once again, it was a discouraging experience because my painting professor told me: “Skills don’t matter.” All I learned from there was to paint and draw without any direction. The only feedback I received from my professors was: “That’s good.” I yearned to learn more about how the old masters created their stunning works, and wanted to discover their rigorous methods and skills; however I simply couldn’t find the answers to my questions. …

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I quit a job as a systems analyst and programmer to pursue a degree in art

Painting by Bill Curtis

I have always been an artist. At least I have always been a dabbler at art. About 26 years ago I quit a job as a systems analyst and programmer to pursue a degree in art at the University of Hawaii.

Art holds a high place in my life. Its almost a prayer as I paint and draw or sculpt.

Creating a product I believe, and better yet, the buying public believes is worth purchasing.

Consistency is probably the word, and the techniques I would need to explore other styles and approaches to my art. …

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Drawing and art subjects at school became my relief from the stress of home life

Artwork by Lee Anchor

I was born and raised in Hong Kong. Growing up in Hong Kong, my family and I experienced hardship, where work and income were important for the family’s survival and basic needs of food and accommodation.

To help the family, every day after school, I did part-time work and quite often finished at 8-9pm. I was 12 years old when I started working. This affected my attendance and performance at school and my education became secondary to ensure my younger brothers had enough food to eat.

Notwithstanding my poor education, I began to realise my natural talent for drawing and design when my teachers regularly used my school work to demonstrate to other students. Drawing and art subjects at school became my relief from the stress of home life. It became my outlet when I was upset or had no one to turn to. Because of my poor up-bringing, I was not able to develop my skills and passions. …