Our academically trained tutors are passionate about helping you acquire the technical skills required to draw, paint and sculpt with confidence..
Surya Murali
AMAA Founding Director and Principal Instructor
Murali is a Realist Painter and manufacturing professional living in Melbourne. With a unique combination of Art and Engineering skills, he has successfully progressed as a painter working with Charcoals and Oils. In 2014 he travelled to the Art capital Florence, Italy, to learn advanced painting at The Florence Academy of Art. The absence of similar training in Australia has always troubled him. He
graduated from the Drawing and Painting program from FAA in 2019. He became passionate about the idea of helping keen artists in Australia in pursuing their dreams of training in classical realism.
He worked to establish the Atelier Melbourne Art Academy. In 2020 he started the Atelier in a small scale within his house. Covid restrictions made it difficult to sustain however the small group of keen students kept it going. Early 2022 AMAA moved to an artists studio in Hallam, Victoria. Early 2023 we moved to Oakleigh, Melbourne to a larger dedicated studio. AMAA’s vision is to provide the best facility focused on high quality training for artists seeking professional skills in classical realism. He is glad to be working with many aspiring artists, who are developing skills here in Melbourne which were once only available overseas. Through AMAA he is focussed on providing the training to achieve high level drawing and painting skills. AMAA has teamed up with a group of highly skilled teachers who are all classically trained from well known Ateliers in Europe.
Matthew is a representational painter based in Melbourne. He completed a Diploma of Visual Arts at RMIT University in 2016. In 2019, he moved to Sweden to pursue his studies at The Swedish Academy of Realist Art. In his second year, he undertook the role of Anatomy teacher, and in his third year served as a student teacher. He's not only passionate about painting, but also about sharing his knowledge. Read more…
Matthew McIntosh
Principal Instructor
Robert Kelly
Principal Instructor
Robert Kelly was born in Melbourne in 1988. After completing his studies in Science at the University of Melbourne, he traveled to Italy to train at the Florence Academy of Art. After graduating he became a principal Instructor at the Academy as well as teaching in the school’s ongoing intensive workshop courses. Continuing to teach and work there for another 4 years. In 2018 Robert returned to Australia to continue his career in painting. A move primarily driven by portraiture and the desire to paint the Australia Landscape. He strives to achieve the highest standard of craftsmanship and traditional technique, in doing so becoming an observer of natural light and the intricate way it reveals life, colour and impression. Read more…
Georgina Mills
Visiting Instructor - Sculpture
Georgina Mills is a South Australian figurative sculptor and art instructor who, between 2015 and late 2020, lived, studied and taught in Florence, Italy. Georgina primarily works from life, generally the nude, interpreting her concepts in clay. This translation is then cast, with bronze being her preferred medium.
Georgina has trained locally and internationally at the Adelaide College of the Arts (BA-Sculpture); University of South Australia (GradDip – Arts and Event Cultural Management); and the Florence Academy of Art, Italy (Advanced Sculpture). At the Florence Academy of Art she was awarded a Winter and Spring Scholarship (2017), Outstanding Performance in Écorché Sculpture (2017), and Best Écorché Sculpture (2018). Graduation from the Florence Academy of Art (2018) was a pivotal point in Georgina’s career when she was awarded a Graduate in Residence position (2019). During this time she created work that was exhibited internationally at the European Museum of Modern Art, Barcelona (2019). Read more…
Troy Argyros
Visiting Instructor - Drawing and Painting
Troy Argyros (Melbourne, 1990) is a classically trained realist oil painter. He is a 2021 graduate of The Florence Academy of Art, and in 2023 undertook further training at Charles H. Cecil Studios in Florence focusing on portrait painting. Troy holds a Bachelor of Fine Art Painting and a Graduate Diploma of Visual Art Education from Monash University in Melbourne, and has also studied intermittently at The Julian Ashton Art School in Sydney. Troy is a visiting Instructor at Atelier Melbourne Art Academy.
Troy has exhibited his work in group shows throughout Australia and Italy, including The AME Bale Travelling Scholarship in Melbourne and "Oceania" at Gruppo Donatello in Florence. He has held six solo exhibitions in Melbourne and two in Italy, and is included in private collections in Australia, the United Kingdom, Portugal and the United States. Troy teaches workshops in academic drawing and painting, specialising in oil portraiture in sight-size and to the scale of life. Most recently he has taught at Atelier Melbourne Art Academy, and privately from his own studio or in collaboration with other studios. In 2017, Troy was awarded 1st place in The Graeme Hildebrand Prize for Young and Emerging Artists in the oil painting category. In 2019 he undertook an artist residency at Casa Lu in Mexico City, and over two winters in 2021 and 2022 was an artist in residence at The Art Gallery of Ballarat, Victoria, creating a half-scale master copy of Solomon J Solomon's "Ajax and Cassandra". Recently he painted a portrait of the renowned singer-songwriter Tina Arena. Troy is currently working from a studio in Pontedera, a town near Pisa, Italy, and is accepting commissions.
Rayan Btaddini
Assistant Instructor
Rayan is an emerging artist in his final year at the Atelier Melbourne Art Academy (AMAA). His strong passion for the arts, combined with dedication and a disciplined work ethic, has distinguished him as a promising talent within the academy. In recognition of his artistic ability and commitment to excellence, he was awarded a scholarship at AMAA.
In addition to his studies Rayan teaches Beginner Level-1 bringing patience, encouragement, and clear guidance to every class. He inspires students to develop both technical skills and a genuine love for art, making learning enjoyable and rewarding. His mentorship not only strengthens his students’ skills but also reflects his commitment to fostering a vibrant and nurturing artistic community.
James Foster
Assistant Instructor
James is a talented emerging artist in his final year at Atelier Melbourne Art Academy (AMAA). His dedication, creativity, and exceptional artistic skills have earned him a scholarship at AMAA.
Alongside his studies, James contributes to the academy as an Assistant Instructor, teaching Beginner Level-1 and Figure Drawing. In this role, he supports and guides students as they develop foundational artistic skills, sharing his knowledge with patience, encouragement, and a genuine enthusiasm for creativity
Leanne Austin
Materials Co-ordinator
Leanne is an emerging artist currently completing her final year of study at AMAA. Known for her dedication, thoughtful approach, and strong artistic ability, she has become a valued member of the academy community.
Her passion for the arts and consistent hard work have earned her a scholarship at the Atelier Melbourne Art Academy. Alongside her studies, Leanne contributes as the Materials Coordinator, where she thoughtfully manages the in-house materials store at AMAA. With a strong understanding of artists’ materials and a supportive approach, she helps ensure that students and staff have access to the resources they need for their creative practice.
We can help you...
Learn the skills to Draw
It all begins with training your eye to see like an artist. Our structured exercises will help you in acquiring the skills required to improve your drawing ability.
Build your confidence
Learning the foundational skills of drawing and painting will provide you with a structure and process for creating your artwork. You will be able to express yourself and your creative ideas with confidence.
Expand your potential
Learning the skills to draw and paint professionally will help you meet your maximum potential, whether it’s helping you building your own style or expanding your business offerings.