How To Draw And Paint?

How to learn how to paint-draw-sketch in Paris, France?

• I live in Greece, and i'll go to Paris for (under and post)graduate studies in a few years. I really want to learn how to paint and draw and sketch, but the art schools in Paris have age limits and are very difficult to enter. My ambition is to paint and draw and sketch like Da Vinci and Michelangelo, to learn to put on paper what I think and what I see as accurately as humanly possible ( I don't ask much, do I ? ...). So, my question is, how? Do you know any good art schools or even individual teachers that offer what I want? My aim is not big galleries, just hobby. Thanks in advance. P.S. I'm planning on staying in Paris for 8 years.

• Answer:

  I'm 17 and I'm doing art as a subject in school. I dint know much about art colleges in Paris as such but I do know that in order to get into a college that specialises in art you will have to be able to draw quite decently. If you can't draw, no point going right now. You must be ale to draw first. I'm quite good at drawing and it took me 2 years practise from not being able to draw at all to just drawing. I suggest you don't pay to be taught because you can't really be taught how to paint or draw. Its just practise. Www.drawspace.com has good tutorials that are free, sign up its free, but just practise. Do one portrait or still life a day if you are dedicated and determined to make it work. Use ballpoint pens, pencils, paint, pastels... Whatever you feel is your best medium work on it. I personally did pencil for 1 year then I discovered that I was much better at Niro. I just do portraits in biro now. I hate painting as I tried watercolour and it failed but I can paint using dry brush technique quite well. It'll be a hard journey but worth it. Just draw a picture a day for a year and you will be amazing. Trust me. Practise will help.