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 contemprary academic methods, this philosophy is at the core of all that we offer at DARA.​

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• 
  Lecture

  Thérèse Schwartze
  with guest lecturer Cora Hollema

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• 
  Workshop

  Painting the Portrait
  ​and Figure in Oils
  with guest instructor Teresa Oaxaca

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• 
  Workshop

  Still Life: Painting Metals & Glass
  with guest instructor Diego Glazer

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• 
  Workshop

  Plein Air Landscape Painting
  with instructor Edoardo Durdin

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• 
  Check out our full Workshop Programme for 2023 and learn how to apply here:

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