One of our de Laszlo scholars Dante Orozco writes about his experience studying at LFAS:
As an artist, I feel reconnected in this stage in my life while training at the atelier. My studies at London Fine Art Studios has enriched me with new knowledge as well as opened my artistic vision. I have previously painted as a self-taught artist however, I decided to restart my artistic journey at the atelier where I’m learning to paint from life. I’m currently in a period where I learn something new every day.
This half term we’re working on an 8 week portrait and for the first time, I’m painting with natural light, which I’m taking as a personal challenge. Until this point I’m trying to apply what I learned in the previous part-time atelier, using the classical painting techniques that I learned by my master tutors at London Fine Art Studios.
Following the tutors’ advice, I am very satisfied with the all the skills I’ve gained thus far such as using a limited palette, and body shapes to concentrate on the correct proportions of the figure and portrait.
I’m also learning how to paint on copper which I think is a lot of fun because you have to paint with the oil without medium and be very cautious. This is one of the most innovative experiences in this last part-time class.
My primary inspiration in art is Diego Velázquez, from Seville. John Singer Sargent was born in Italy and went to Seville to absorb the atmosphere of Velázquez’s first artistic works and develop a form of art which was exotic to the Paris Salon and the London Art Market. Both artists were influenced by the ancient frescos and murals of Iglesia Santa Maria La Blanca de Sevilla and the Moorish Real Alcazar. I wish first and foremost to spend time in Seville doing exactly the same.
I want to revisit Madrid to study Velázquez’s final period, his matured technique and his influence on modern artists such as Goya, the largest collection of which is in the Palacio de Liria, and Sargent.
