My student Haoyi and myself spent today standing in front of The Poultry Yard by Melchoir D’Honhecoeter at the NGV behind an easel and canvas with oil paints and solvents and reproduced a fine masterpiece.

One guard said he’s been working at the NGV for 10 years and not since Eolo Paul Bottaro and his student Alexi who last year reproduced a Titian and Poussin has anyone painted at the NGV. I don’t understand why more students/ artists don’t do this… or maybe they just don’t know they can.

We had many viewers, some artists approached us enquiring about our methods and techniques and where we learnt them. My reply was the old Technical schools and now Rings Road Art Studio. They found it refreshing to see artists painting – a big contrast to what was happening down stairs.

So I hope that after Eolo’s efforts and myself today, we inspire our young students and artists to do the same.

A massive thank you to NGV for giving us the opportunity to educate and learn from the masters. My student and I will be spending the next 2 weeks at the gallery painting and glazing. Come visit.

Effie Mandalos