Old Masters Academy

How to paint like the Old Masters using modern materials

the old masters

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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.

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I finally gathered the courage to quit my day job to learn art

Artwork by Parul Pancholi

My name is Parul. I am 30 years old and I reside in India. I completed my graduation 8 years ago as a software engineer. I never could find my heart with my career as a coder. Painting always came to my rescue then.

I left my job to find more jobs that paid the bills. I worked in fashion, in marketing for startups and also started my own online jewellery store but I got the feeling of belonging only during times I held my paint brush or my charcoal pencil.

Last year in May, I finally gathered the courage to quit my day job to learn art and pursue what I loved the most in life.It took me 8 long years to do this. Art courses are expensive and India doesn’t have courses that teaches classical art. So I had the intent but no direction and guidance. I realised very soon that I have to teach myself instead because it’s not going to be an easy path. Going abroad to study was not an option because I would never be able to afford the expenses. But I did not give up nor I succumbed and went back to the day job.

I am and have always been fascinated by works of the great masters like Rembrandt, Sargent, Repin, Bouguereau and so many others. I couldn’t really control the urge. So I started teaching myself to draw and paint. …

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Everything I do is to work towards my dream of being financially sufficient through the sale of my artwork

Paintings by Amina Davis

I am a 16-year-old black girl who has been obsessed with art since I could pick up a pencil.
I love the earth and everything on and around it. I excel academically and socially as I charm almost everyone I meet with my wit and charisma.

Art has always been my way of venting and coping with the struggles of my reality. My first media was ballpoint pen; then I moved onto ink and colored pencils, crayons, watercolor, collage, and I finally fell in love with acrylic paint-my true calling.

Art is my life. Everything I do is to work towards my dream of being financially sufficient through the sale of my artwork.

Art is my healthy method of emotional release and raw expression. It is my way of being vulnerable with the world. In my artwork, I have recently struggled with achieving proper proportions, color theory, achieving contrast, and creating a dynamic and emotional composition. …

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I have a goal of putting wet paint on a canvas everyday

Artwork by Noel Wiggins

I am Noel Wiggins for the past 20 years I have been designing for others making their vision come to life, now I want to focus on creating my vision through fine art.

Art is one of the important things to me, I have a goal of putting wet paint on a canvas everyday, and seem to constantly be thinking of how to evolve my technique.

My challenges in art are becoming less and less with each new painting I do, nothing excites me more than uncovering new processes and techniques that inspire my work to go in new directions, I believe there is a lot of new techniques hidden within the old masters and look forward to the day with great anticipation on when I have adapted their techniques as one of my own.

Specifically I’d like to learn more about glazing and how to optically mix colors through layers of colors, currently I try and work in about 8 layers into my works but fantasize about doing dozens. …

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With Brush in Hand, You’ll Never be Lonely

Oil Paintings by Elizabeth Tucker

I started painting and drawing in my late 40’s after my husband, out of the blue, gave me an easel. It went in to the basement. Then he gave me money for art classes. OK….Why not give this a try. I’d always worked with my hands and loved art history so in I dove. It was life changing.
I quit my job and took classes and have never looked back.

I am completely drawn toward a traditional approach and went to a traditional art school but I didn’t learn grisaille and other aspects of old master style painting. It was mostly alla prima. What I learned after school I got from books and on-line.

Art is a MAJOR part of my life. I paint and draw almost every day and I teach painting and drawing. I also run an art group which has over 40 members. What I want to learn are methods that I can not only practice but become completely fluent in so I can pass those traditions on to other students. …

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Paintings by Anna Festa

No other art courses come close!

Hi , I’m Anna and I have been an artist for over 40 years. Art to me is not just a passion, it’s me, it’s the way I think, feel and express myself. I put my heart into art, and it truly is my therapy. I have been instructed in commercial art, and some fine art.

Many years back, I had the opportunity to be introduced to the painting style of the old masters, and fell in love with the different techniques to produce depth.

However, I have moved and the place where I am at truly has nothing to motivate me. …