welcome to dara

The Dutch Atelier of Realist Art is a private vocational school in Haarlem dedicated to the study of contemporary realism. We offer skill-based instruction that centers around achieving a high level of ability in drawing and painting through direct observation.

Our instructors are classically trained professionals who share a common philosophy towards figurative arts training. At DARA, we believe an authentic classical education is founded on a high level of technical achievement, developed through the deliberate and rigorous imitation of nature.

While we teach a variety of different approaches in our courses and workshops, ranging from 17th century to 20th century academic methods, this philosophy is at the core of all that we offer at DARA.​