Before and After by an Old Masters Academy student
Hello,
I studied painting in Kharkiv. I painted and drew well in academic style. I painted in separate brushstrokes in the manner of Repin and Sargent. But when I was a student and afterwards, I had never come across any teacher who would teach me how to paint like the Old Masters. I could copy Old Masters’ works in museums, but it was always a copy made in rough brushstrokes. I tried to do sfumato by smoothing the paint on the canvas, but it was ALWAYS simply a simulation of the Old Masters — I could never achieve their real effects.
I’m attaching my student’s artwork, which is very academic and not “Old Mastery” at all as I would like it to be.
I had never heard of the Old Masters Academy while I was a student, otherwise I would have learned from you the techniques and would marry my knowledge of academic skills with the brilliant techniques of the Old Masters.
Despite it all, I am very grateful to my alma mater for giving me the knowledge of anatomy and basics in drawing and painting. At the same time, I think that my diploma work would be on a higher level if I could apply the methods I learned in your course.
“After” – a portrait painted in multiple layers and consisting of velaturas and glazes of various opacity.
I am especially satisfied with the “glazing” background I am able to achieve now and could not do before. Painting skin had always been a torture for me. Now, when I implement some tricks you showed me, I can handle it easier.
I also got rid of all unnecessary paints, which I had in abundance — now I understand that I tried to replace my lack of skills with more and more new materials.
I also love watercolor painting. It would be wonderful if you could create an online course on watercolor as powerful as the Old Masters Academy.
Thank you,
Maria
Learn time-honored oil painting techniques of the Old Masters!
What you will get:
- Instant access to all 60 multi-part video lessons
- A lifetime membership
- Personal coaching by the course tutor
- Constructive critiques of your artworks
- Full access to the Art Community
- Exhibition space in the Students Gallery
- Members-only newsletters and bonuses
- Old Masters Academy™ Diploma of Excellence
How you will benefit:
The Old Masters Academy™ course is very comprehensive, yet totally beginner friendly. All you need to do is watch video lessons one by one and use what you’ve learned in your creative projects. You will discover painting techniques of the Old Masters. This is the best art learning experience you can have without leaving your home. All information is delivered online, including personal support by the course tutor.
Luciano O says
WOW! For my opinion BEFORE is too mundane. But AFTER is just magical, like the old masters with a bit of contemporary touch!
Olga says
Your student’s artwork is also ok, but lacks of individualism, it looks like an ordinary direct method painting. While the second portrait tells story and shows your individuality. I would love to see it in real life to examine its layers of glazes. I’m also a member of old masters academy, right now I’m doing color mixing exercises and start painting in glazes.
Rex Duff says
While your after painting shows skill in the Old Master style, I think that the style of the before painting is more in tune with what I see in the contemporary art scene. This is not to say one is better than the other, just different, and you have to go with the one you like most.
Joseph Comstock says
Your work is so incredibly beautiful it’s everything I aspire to in my dreams of art! Do you have a website?
Mary says
Both artworks are beautiful in their own ways but the ‘after’ painting displays a leap towards mastery of materials, techniques and subject matter that any artist would be proud of. Beautiful work!
NinjaRaven says
Sorry but I disagree, I like the first painting much more, it has dynamism and character, the second looks almost flat because the skin is so smooth, maybe this is a case that would be otherwise in person. Both are pretty but I like the before much more.
Christiene says
I agree the first (before) captures the strength and emotion of the subject. While the after is pretty however captures no real emotion in the style of “upscale anime”. In another words the first tells a story of strength a women of substance who has something to say to the world. While in the second I not sure what story is being told. Try “marring” the two styles together in order to capture the depth of human character the person’s story and see what happens.
Paul Bond says
just curious, is there something in between the two extremes of style?