Art Competition Archive

Village Patriarch, Uncle Will, Birmingham, Alabama

From early childhood I have always been "making art". Except for an art course in high school, some short-term workshops and workshops in the painting of Russian Byzantine Icons, I am pretty much self-taught. I did take college courses in the principles of teaching art in elementary schools, but no art courses as such. My self-taught art education I credit to the public libraries where I borrowed art books to teach myself how to draw and paint. Of course there was never much time to indulge in this self-satisfaction during my teaching years. Now in retirement having time for self-improvement is candy!

I am impressed with the quality of teaching I have viewed on the free art art lessons. I also like the fact that principles of the particular medium are taught, and not just the "how to do it". These lessons are well taught by competent, articulate artists. The lessons not only teach well the "how to do it", but the principles of art are very well presented and lay a good foundation for when one is on her own...

Reflection in a museum

I am 55 y/o who has always wanted to learn to draw. I have been experimenting with watercolor painting for several years. Learning to draw will be a great benefit for my watercolors.

Drawing Academy has an excellent methodology for learning to draw.

A systematic approach to drawing is what I need to improve my skills...

Girl Thinking

I'm a designer and a beginning artist.

The Drawing Academy course provides a great help in learning how to draw figurative artworks.

I want to learn basics of drawing and how to draw from imagination...

Comic Author, now Artist.

Hello, my name is Alexis and I'm 20 years old from Yucatán. Since I was a kid I've always loved to draw. When I was 13, I started to draw short comic strips at school. I actually started to enjoy more and more my drawings, it was a joy to create those little characters with my own hands.

Two years ago I stopped to draw these short comics. I came in contact with art for the sake of art, and I fell in love with it. I actually decided my life to be centered on my art. But I had a little problem, I never actually tried to improve my drawing skills because I was only thinking in telling stories, so my drawing skills were pretty basic at the time.

I've learned a lot these past years. but I believe my drawing skills can get a lot better, because there are still many things to learn. And I believe classical fine arts to be the highest form of art...

Sacred Dance

In the fall of 2013 I found myself enrolled in a beginners painting class at our local art gallery. I had vague memories of enjoying art as a young child when we still lived in the northern part of England but had never picked up a paintbrush in all of my adult life. I was 56 years old.

During the class I had not expected to feel the sheer delight nor the peace which came as I painted my very first painting. For the length of the class I felt I was transported to another world as this present one faded away...

New Life New Sight!

Nine years ago I made a decision to make myself a priority. This was a new concept for me and one that I have not once regretted. It was a turning point, with the past behind me and unlimited future ahead I was ready for change!

For me making yourself a priority means listening to that sweet, still place within. Through the silence my enthusiasm began to rise, slowly at first then with more gusto. Drawing became a habit, when the student is ready the teacher appears...

Always Challenging Myself!

I feel every artist is at a level in which in order to improve needs to continually challenge themselves. Also at each you level you need to appreciate where you are at and if with each success is the fuel to keep going with your creativity and experimentation. I have been painting for 50 years and am continually learning and thoroughly enjoying the process. I was fortunate to have a mother and grandmother who where both artists and encouraged me. I have in my later years focused and draw and paint mainly trees and the human figure. I feel both subjects have a lot in common - each an individual with character and perseverance...

I love oil painting, drawing and art in general.

I have the art school diploma, but do not work as an artist. However, I do oil painting as a hobby...

Artwork by Jad al Saintbai

I'm a self-taught artist and want to develop my art skills.

I think that the Drawing Academy course is amazing and I want to win this course because I need to learn the science of art and drawing...

Artwork by Marie Kearns Mc Kay

I am from Ireland, co Cavan to be exact. I have attended art college over the years on a part time basis. I still draw in between work and hanging out with my grandchildren. I hope to do more when I eventually retire. I had trained in portraiture years ago and always strive to get a good likeness of the person. I would also be inclined to paint more in a manner that is realistic.

i love the academy because its the type of work I want to achieve. I have signed up to the oil painting video course and feel it is time for me to study more on how to draw figures and to refine any skills I have within the study of portraiture...