Patrick Dalli did not receive any formal artistic training during his youth. He trained largely on his own as a typical 'dilettante' painter, learning skills indirectly through experience. As he trained his eye, more than his hand, Patrick Dalli grew very critical of his own work and at the age of 40, when most painters think that they cannot forcefully push their art much forward, he made the decisive step that changed his art and formed his style. This was the decision to attend formal art classes under the tuition of Anton Calleya (b.1955). Undeniably, Anton Calleya played an important role in moulding the art forms of Patrick Dalli. Moreover, he instilled into him the love for human form and stimulated him with an interest in drawing from life.

To his credit, Patrick Dalli showed a mature understanding of his earlier limitations and undertook an earnest programme of hard work that, during the past six years, showed him to be one of the most eager students of the life classes, attending classes at Targa Gap, Mosta, Anton Calleya's studio at Bahrija and at the Malta Society of Arts, Manufacturers and Commerce in Valletta. His disciplined approach aimed for a continuous improvement, particularly through inviting his friends to criticize his work. This, Patrick Dalli considers to be an essential part of his training.