about us
Our Studio: Who We Are
The Dutch Atelier of Realist Art (DARA) is a private vocational art school in Haarlem founded in 2018 on the basis of advancing the academic tradition of figurative drawing and painting. As a part of the growing "atelier movement" of fine arts academies specializing in contemporary realism, DARA seeks to provide a skill-based education in figurative drawing and painting which prioritizes the importance of learning from observation.
DARA was co-founded by Dutch artist Thomas Langeveld and American artist Mischa Tranquilli. Both artists were classically trained in Florence, Italy, and are graduates of the Angel Academy of Art's core programme. Alongside a small collective of similarly trained visiting workshop instructors, DARA was founded with the vision of promoting traditional drawing and painting methods in fine arts education, with the goal of advancing contemporary realism.
DARA's students are diverse: from a variety of different nationalities and different levels of artistic backgrounds, our studio is open to artists of all ages and backgrounds who have a serious desire to advance their ability in representational drawing and painting. In order to ensure a consistent and high level of quality in our classes and workshops, every artist who teaches at the Dutch Atelier of Realist Art is a classically trained professional artist who shares our core studio philosophy and teaches in accordance with these ideals.
The Dutch Atelier of Realist Art is a vocational school recognized by the Centraal Register Kort Beroepsonderwijs (CRKBO). Students enrolled in courses at our studio are therefore exempt from paying additional VAT (BTW) costs.
DARA was co-founded by Dutch artist Thomas Langeveld and American artist Mischa Tranquilli. Both artists were classically trained in Florence, Italy, and are graduates of the Angel Academy of Art's core programme. Alongside a small collective of similarly trained visiting workshop instructors, DARA was founded with the vision of promoting traditional drawing and painting methods in fine arts education, with the goal of advancing contemporary realism.
DARA's students are diverse: from a variety of different nationalities and different levels of artistic backgrounds, our studio is open to artists of all ages and backgrounds who have a serious desire to advance their ability in representational drawing and painting. In order to ensure a consistent and high level of quality in our classes and workshops, every artist who teaches at the Dutch Atelier of Realist Art is a classically trained professional artist who shares our core studio philosophy and teaches in accordance with these ideals.
The Dutch Atelier of Realist Art is a vocational school recognized by the Centraal Register Kort Beroepsonderwijs (CRKBO). Students enrolled in courses at our studio are therefore exempt from paying additional VAT (BTW) costs.
our programmes
What We Offer
DARA currently offers two options for study: part-time courses, which run on a recurring three-month basis led by our core instructors, as well as shorter workshops led primarily by visiting artists.
Part-Time Programme: The part-time programme consists of a variety of courses that run during evenings and weekends; each course requires a commitment of at least 6 hours per week minimum (excluding time outside of class for homework assignments.)
Our school year is divided into 3-month trimesters during the Fall, Winter, and Spring. Students may enroll in one or more part-time courses at the beginning of any trimester, and are required to enroll for a full trimester at a time. Each course is designed to be successive; students in the first trimester of any course start at the foundation level, while those who continue for additional trimesters pf the same course advance to progressively more challenging work.
Outside of regularly scheduled class hours, part-time students are welcome to work independently at the studio during open studio hours, or to participate in the studio's extracurricular study groups.
Workshops: Workshops offer the opportunity for intensive study over a shorter time frame, with courses typically ranging between 18 to 30 hours of instruction over a 3- to 5-day period. Workshops can range from introductory courses intended for beginners to become immersed in the fundamentals of drawing and painting, to highly focused master classes intended for experienced artists to expand their skill set.
Workshops are led by visiting international artists, each of whom are working professionals who are classically trained in ateliers renowned for contemporary realism. Our workshop schedule is carefully selected each year in accordance our studio's core philosophy and methodology, and complements the training offered in our part-time programme.
General Information: Courses at DARA are open to students ages 12 and up (please note that students under age 18 will need permission from a parent or legal guardian to attend.) Applications are accepted through our website by completing an online application form. Unless otherwise specified, English is the primary language used in our classes.
Part-Time Programme: The part-time programme consists of a variety of courses that run during evenings and weekends; each course requires a commitment of at least 6 hours per week minimum (excluding time outside of class for homework assignments.)
Our school year is divided into 3-month trimesters during the Fall, Winter, and Spring. Students may enroll in one or more part-time courses at the beginning of any trimester, and are required to enroll for a full trimester at a time. Each course is designed to be successive; students in the first trimester of any course start at the foundation level, while those who continue for additional trimesters pf the same course advance to progressively more challenging work.
Outside of regularly scheduled class hours, part-time students are welcome to work independently at the studio during open studio hours, or to participate in the studio's extracurricular study groups.
Workshops: Workshops offer the opportunity for intensive study over a shorter time frame, with courses typically ranging between 18 to 30 hours of instruction over a 3- to 5-day period. Workshops can range from introductory courses intended for beginners to become immersed in the fundamentals of drawing and painting, to highly focused master classes intended for experienced artists to expand their skill set.
Workshops are led by visiting international artists, each of whom are working professionals who are classically trained in ateliers renowned for contemporary realism. Our workshop schedule is carefully selected each year in accordance our studio's core philosophy and methodology, and complements the training offered in our part-time programme.
General Information: Courses at DARA are open to students ages 12 and up (please note that students under age 18 will need permission from a parent or legal guardian to attend.) Applications are accepted through our website by completing an online application form. Unless otherwise specified, English is the primary language used in our classes.
our philosophy & methods
Learning Through Imitation of Nature
Our philosophy at DARA prioritizes learning from observation. We believe that mastering fundamental techniques of how to draw and paint is developed through imitation - specifically, deliberate imitation from observation of nature.
In the same way that one must first study vocabulary and grammar in order to write a joke, compose a play, or tell a story - we believe developing visual fluency through first learning to draw and paint what we see is what allows an artist to effectively express his or her inner creative vision.
While a variety of painting approaches are taught in our courses, ranging from seventeenth century to twentieth century methods, this philosophy is at the core of all our studio offerings. Note that we are not a school of photorealism, and we generally do not agree with the practice of instructing students from photography. Students at DARA learn either through direct observation of life, or through imitation of a master's work.
Concerning figurative art, we do not agree with the modern idea that art is purely subjective. By its very nature, representational art is objectively assessed by how successfully the artist is able to depict a conceivable aspect of reality. This is not to say that we think creativity and self-expression is not important, but we believe that these concepts depend on the artist's ability to demonstrate an understanding of what he or she sees.
This emphasis on the development of a high level of draftsmanship, combined with an understanding of best practices and correct use of artist materials, forms the backbone of our studio.
In the same way that one must first study vocabulary and grammar in order to write a joke, compose a play, or tell a story - we believe developing visual fluency through first learning to draw and paint what we see is what allows an artist to effectively express his or her inner creative vision.
While a variety of painting approaches are taught in our courses, ranging from seventeenth century to twentieth century methods, this philosophy is at the core of all our studio offerings. Note that we are not a school of photorealism, and we generally do not agree with the practice of instructing students from photography. Students at DARA learn either through direct observation of life, or through imitation of a master's work.
Concerning figurative art, we do not agree with the modern idea that art is purely subjective. By its very nature, representational art is objectively assessed by how successfully the artist is able to depict a conceivable aspect of reality. This is not to say that we think creativity and self-expression is not important, but we believe that these concepts depend on the artist's ability to demonstrate an understanding of what he or she sees.
This emphasis on the development of a high level of draftsmanship, combined with an understanding of best practices and correct use of artist materials, forms the backbone of our studio.
our location
Historic Haarlem
The Dutch Atelier of Realist Art is located in the historic city of Haarlem, the capital of North-Holland and home of the renowned Dutch master Frans Hals. The studio is based in the Leidsevaartbuurt neighborhood in the west end of Haarlem, situated near the New Cathedral of St. Bavo and just a short distance from the city center.
Haarlem has historically been an important city of inspiration for artists, with a number of renowned artists such as John Singer Sargent and William Merritt Chase making several visits over the course of their careers to study from the masters of the Dutch Golden Age. The city's historic center retains its medieval charm with cobblestone roads lined with centuries-old buildings, and boasts a variety of cultural attractions of particular interest to artists. Famous examples include the Frans Hals Museum and the Teylers Museum, the latter of which is the oldest public art gallery in the Netherlands.
Haarlem is conveniently located just a short 15-minute train ride from Amsterdam, and even nearer to the coast. The city is also easily accessible from Schiphol Airport by bus and by train.
>> How to reach us
Our studio address is:
Zuider Emmakade 45-F
2012 KN Haarlem
Parking:
Parking is free in the large public parking lot directly in front of our building.
Public transport:
The nearest train station is Heemstede-Aerdenhout. To reach us from the station, take Bus 80 (direction Amsterdam Elandsgracht) and depart at Schouwtjesbrug, about a 5 minutes walk from our building. (To walk directly from the train station takes about 20 minutes.)
Haarlem has historically been an important city of inspiration for artists, with a number of renowned artists such as John Singer Sargent and William Merritt Chase making several visits over the course of their careers to study from the masters of the Dutch Golden Age. The city's historic center retains its medieval charm with cobblestone roads lined with centuries-old buildings, and boasts a variety of cultural attractions of particular interest to artists. Famous examples include the Frans Hals Museum and the Teylers Museum, the latter of which is the oldest public art gallery in the Netherlands.
Haarlem is conveniently located just a short 15-minute train ride from Amsterdam, and even nearer to the coast. The city is also easily accessible from Schiphol Airport by bus and by train.
>> How to reach us
Our studio address is:
Zuider Emmakade 45-F
2012 KN Haarlem
Parking:
Parking is free in the large public parking lot directly in front of our building.
Public transport:
The nearest train station is Heemstede-Aerdenhout. To reach us from the station, take Bus 80 (direction Amsterdam Elandsgracht) and depart at Schouwtjesbrug, about a 5 minutes walk from our building. (To walk directly from the train station takes about 20 minutes.)
DUTCH ATELIER OF REALIST ART
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