We always stress the importance of a strong academic education to every artist we speak with. Artists need to understand, and then master, the basics before venturing out ... after that, what they decide to paint is up to them. Today, there are many ateliers which offer a structured education: Ani Art Academies, Florence Academy of Art, Grand Central Atelier, Atelier Canova, etc.
A recent article by Milene Fernandez, in The Epoch Times, gives a nice overview of the field and its current standing in the art world ... one that is definitely changing as younger collectors are beginning to appreciate the quality and power of these works.
This May we will be presenting Skin & Tonic, an exhibition featuring the works of two academically trained artists -- Todd M. Casey and David Palumbo ... hope you can make it.
Source: A Resurgence of Art