frequently asked questions
About Our Studio
general questions
How much do courses cost, and what is included in the price?
The fee for each course is published on the individual course webpage. (Click on the class thumbnail on the Part-Time Programme or Workshop page.)
PART-TIME PROGRAMME
Most part-time courses are priced at €495 per trimester. (Model classes are priced slightly higher at €560 per trimester, including the model costs.) This amount covers between 44 to 66 hours of in-class instruction during the term, in addition to lesson materials given to students outside of class. Part-time students are also welcome to work in the atelier outside of class times during open studio hours, and to participate in any extracurricular study groups.
WORKSHOPS
Tuition fees for workshops are more varied (dependent upon instructor fees & travel, model costs, included materials, etc.) Generally courses are priced in the range of €450 for 3-day/18-hour workshops, and €695 for 5-day/30-hour workshops.
Workshop fees are always inclusive of model costs, complimentary lunch, drinks & refreshments daily, an end-of-workshop aperitif, and any materials marked as "included" in the course materials list.
PART-TIME PROGRAMME
Most part-time courses are priced at €495 per trimester. (Model classes are priced slightly higher at €560 per trimester, including the model costs.) This amount covers between 44 to 66 hours of in-class instruction during the term, in addition to lesson materials given to students outside of class. Part-time students are also welcome to work in the atelier outside of class times during open studio hours, and to participate in any extracurricular study groups.
WORKSHOPS
Tuition fees for workshops are more varied (dependent upon instructor fees & travel, model costs, included materials, etc.) Generally courses are priced in the range of €450 for 3-day/18-hour workshops, and €695 for 5-day/30-hour workshops.
Workshop fees are always inclusive of model costs, complimentary lunch, drinks & refreshments daily, an end-of-workshop aperitif, and any materials marked as "included" in the course materials list.
Which languages are used in class?
English is the primary language used in all classes for group lectures and demonstrations. Basic fluency in the English language is therefore necessary in order to fully participate.
Whenever a course instructor also offers individual critiques in Dutch, this is indicated on the course webpage.
Whenever a course instructor also offers individual critiques in Dutch, this is indicated on the course webpage.
What materials do I need to bring? Does the school provide any materials?
Easels and drawing boards are always provided by DARA. All other materials are typically at the student's own expense.
A list of materials required for each course is published on every course webpage, where it is also available to download as a PDF.
Students are expected to bring all required materials in order to participate in class. Please consult with the studio before substituting any items with something else. We understand art supplies can be quite pricey, so we ensure that we will do our best to limit the materials list to only what is needed and easily found in local art stores.
A list of materials required for each course is published on every course webpage, where it is also available to download as a PDF.
Students are expected to bring all required materials in order to participate in class. Please consult with the studio before substituting any items with something else. We understand art supplies can be quite pricey, so we ensure that we will do our best to limit the materials list to only what is needed and easily found in local art stores.
How do I register for a course?
To register for a course, it is required to submit a completed registration form through our website. A link to apply is available on each individual course webpage. All information contained in the registration form must be accurate and up-to-date.
At this time, there are no other enrollment obligations, such as sending in a portfolio or conducting an interview in the studio.
At this time, there are no other enrollment obligations, such as sending in a portfolio or conducting an interview in the studio.
Can anyone of any age apply?
Yes, students of any age may apply.
For students under 18 years of age: DARA must receive written permission from a parent or legal guardian in order for the student to enroll. There may be nudity in some classes (either drawing or painting models who pose nude, or copying after master works which contain nudity.) A level of maturity is expected in order to participate.
For students under 18 years of age: DARA must receive written permission from a parent or legal guardian in order for the student to enroll. There may be nudity in some classes (either drawing or painting models who pose nude, or copying after master works which contain nudity.) A level of maturity is expected in order to participate.
What does "skill-based training" mean?
We use the term "skill-based training" to indicate that our courses prioritize the teaching of practical technical skill. Our courses emphasizes the importance of observation - either direct observation from life, or through the reproduction of a master's work - with the goal of working as naturalistically as possible (as close to what can be observed in nature.)
This approach is in contrast to art schools that center instruction around subjective qualities such as expressionism and "finding your own style."
Any ideology which devalues the importance of the faithful representation of nature is out of line with DARA's philosophy and teaching methods.
This approach is in contrast to art schools that center instruction around subjective qualities such as expressionism and "finding your own style."
Any ideology which devalues the importance of the faithful representation of nature is out of line with DARA's philosophy and teaching methods.
Do students learn to draw and paint from photographs?
No, we are not a school of photorealism.
Limited use of photographic reference may be used occasionally for examples or homework assignments, but in general we do not teach from photographs. Students work from direct observation of nature, or from high quality reproductions of master works.
Limited use of photographic reference may be used occasionally for examples or homework assignments, but in general we do not teach from photographs. Students work from direct observation of nature, or from high quality reproductions of master works.
Is there space for me to store my belongings at the studio?
Yes, every student is given individual storage space to keep art supplies, art works in progress, and other personal belongings at the studio for the duration of the course.
All their belongings must be taken home at the end of the trimester or workshop. There is a storage fee of €7,50 per week if this rule is not followed.
Please check in with the studio first before bringing large items or furniture (easels, stools, etc.) because we have limited space.
All their belongings must be taken home at the end of the trimester or workshop. There is a storage fee of €7,50 per week if this rule is not followed.
Please check in with the studio first before bringing large items or furniture (easels, stools, etc.) because we have limited space.
Can I bring my pet with me to the studio?
No, unfortunately we do not allow pets inside the studio.
This is partly out of consideration for students who might have allergies or other discomfort working around animals, and also due to the dangers the studio environment may pose to your pet. The toxic nature of many of the painting supplies in use in our classrooms makes the environment especially hazardous and unsuitable for animals.
For these reasons, we kindly request that pets are kept at home.
This is partly out of consideration for students who might have allergies or other discomfort working around animals, and also due to the dangers the studio environment may pose to your pet. The toxic nature of many of the painting supplies in use in our classrooms makes the environment especially hazardous and unsuitable for animals.
For these reasons, we kindly request that pets are kept at home.
Can I bring a friend/family member to class with me?
Classes are only open to registered students. In order to maintain a comfortable, safe, and focused class environment for all students, guests are not permitted to join lessons. If a friend or family member is accompanying you to the studio, he or she is kindly requested to stay in the entrance/lounge area while classes are in session.
Do I receive a diploma or certificate when I study here?
DARA is a private institution, and we are not accredited as an MBO or university programme. Unfortunately, we are not able to offer an officially recognized diploma or certificate at this time.
Can I follow courses online?
No, all courses we currently offer are scheduled to physically take place in the studio. We do not have any plans to offer online classes at this time.
How do I reach you by public transport?
By bus:
The nearest bus stop is at Edisonstraat (Lijn 80 Amsterdam-Zandvoort), about 5-minutes walking distance from the studio.
By train:
The nearest bus stop is at Edisonstraat (Lijn 80 Amsterdam-Zandvoort), about 5-minutes walking distance from the studio.
By train:
- From Heemstede-Aerdenhout: At the station, take bus 80 (direction Amsterdam Elandsgracht ) and depart at Edisonstraat. (If walking directly from the station, the distance is about 20 minutes.)
- From Haarlem Station: At the station, take either bus 346 (direction Amsterdam-Zuid ) or bus 356 (direction Amsterdam Bijlmer Arena. ) Depart at Tempeliersstraat and board bus 80 (direction Zandvoort Centrum.) Depart at Edisonstraat. (If walking directly from the station, the distance is about 40 minutes.)
Can I park at the studio?
Yes, there is a large public parking lot directly in front of the studio building with free parking.
part-time programme
Can I sign up if I am a beginner?
Yes. Please start with Introduction to Classical Drawing before joining other classes.
Do I have to start with Introduction to Classical Drawing? Why is this recommended?
It is not strictly required for new students to start with Introduction to Classical Drawing, but it is very strongly recommended that you do so.
This course is the foundation to all other courses/workshops offered at DARA. There is extensive material covered every week pertaining to fundamental drawing skills which are necessary for students to grasp in order to succeed in other classes.
A large part of the Classical Drawing curriculum revolves around the faithful reproduction of master works from the neoclassical period. Copying master works formed the basis of figurative arts education before the modern era, and this tradition is continued at DARA out of our sincere belief that the most efficient way to learn any new skill is through imitation.
Through imitation, we hone our skills of observation and intuitive understanding of what we see. Copying enables us to study ideas about composition, mark-making, tonality, and form filtered through the craftsmanship of masters, and results in a profound advancement in our ability to work skillfully from life.
The suggested order to enroll in part-time courses at DARA is Introduction to Classical Drawing, followed by Cast Drawing & Painting, before joining other classes.
This course is the foundation to all other courses/workshops offered at DARA. There is extensive material covered every week pertaining to fundamental drawing skills which are necessary for students to grasp in order to succeed in other classes.
A large part of the Classical Drawing curriculum revolves around the faithful reproduction of master works from the neoclassical period. Copying master works formed the basis of figurative arts education before the modern era, and this tradition is continued at DARA out of our sincere belief that the most efficient way to learn any new skill is through imitation.
Through imitation, we hone our skills of observation and intuitive understanding of what we see. Copying enables us to study ideas about composition, mark-making, tonality, and form filtered through the craftsmanship of masters, and results in a profound advancement in our ability to work skillfully from life.
The suggested order to enroll in part-time courses at DARA is Introduction to Classical Drawing, followed by Cast Drawing & Painting, before joining other classes.
Can I start classes at any time?
Part-time courses are scheduled on a basis of 3-month trimesters during the Fall, Winter, and Spring seasons. New students can begin enrollment at DARA at the start of any trimester during the year.
The registration period is open for one trimester at a time, and begins 3 months before the start of each term. To register, students commit to attending a full trimester of one or more courses. It is not possible to sign up for only a few lessons, or to start in the middle of the term.
The registration period is open for one trimester at a time, and begins 3 months before the start of each term. To register, students commit to attending a full trimester of one or more courses. It is not possible to sign up for only a few lessons, or to start in the middle of the term.
Can I take a trial lesson before I decide if I want to continue?
We do not offer trial lessons. Courses are organized around the long-term development of technical skills (meaning that each class depends on building upon the skills taught in the last.) A single trial lesson does not adequately represent the entirety of the academic training we offer.
However, we are more than happy to welcome interested artists who are deciding whether or not to enroll to schedule a visit to the studio to meet with the instructors, discuss the course programs, and see the classroom environment firsthand before deciding whether or not DARA is the right fit. Please contact us to schedule an appointment.
However, we are more than happy to welcome interested artists who are deciding whether or not to enroll to schedule a visit to the studio to meet with the instructors, discuss the course programs, and see the classroom environment firsthand before deciding whether or not DARA is the right fit. Please contact us to schedule an appointment.
Do you give any scholarships or discounts?
We offer a 10% student discount off the cost of all part-time courses for the following students:
Students who qualify must send a copy of a valid photo ID and/or student card prior to the start of the course to claim the discount.
Unfortunately, we do not offer scholarships at this time.
- students under age 21 (at the time of registration);
- students who will be enrolled in a full-time university programme during their trimester at DARA.
Students who qualify must send a copy of a valid photo ID and/or student card prior to the start of the course to claim the discount.
Unfortunately, we do not offer scholarships at this time.
We offer a 10% student discount off the cost of all part-time courses for the following students:
Students who qualify must send a copy of a valid photo ID and/or student card prior to the start of the course to claim the discount.
Unfortunately, we do not offer scholarships at this time.
- students under age 21 (at the time of registration);
- students who will be enrolled in a full-time university programme during their trimester at DARA.
Students who qualify must send a copy of a valid photo ID and/or student card prior to the start of the course to claim the discount.
Unfortunately, we do not offer scholarships at this time.
Do you teach using the sight-size method?
Our general stance towards the sight-size method is that it has some limited benefits for beginners, but other methods are usually more useful.
The course description of each part-time class differentiates between the following methods that are instructed:
The course description of each part-time class differentiates between the following methods that are instructed:
- Working at a 1:1 scale. This does not indicate the "sight-size method" as it is commonly taught in ateliers. Although students do work at a 1:1 scale with the original model or reference, the mechanical plotting of points that characterizes the sight-size method is strongly discouraged. Instead, students sketch their drawings freehand (by eye alone) and then adjust their work by checking proportions and comparing angles.
- Comparative measurements. This indicates that the work will not be completed at a 1:1 scale with the original reference. This approach requires finding the relative scale of each element of the form in proportion to all others. This is more difficult than the other two methods.
- The sight-size method. This indicates that the student's work will be completed at a 1:1 scale with the original reference, the drawing will be fully realized through mechanical measurements, and students work at a fixed distance from the model and easel.
I will miss several classes during the trimester. Can I still sign up?
Do not enroll if you know you cannot attend at least 80% of the trimester. Please make an effort to be in attendance on the first lesson of the term if you are a new student.
Students who do not regularly attend lessons will not be able to follow the curriculum as intended. The studio reserves the right to refuse to re-admit students who show a repeated pattern of poor attendance into future trimesters.
If you are currently enrolled as a student and you know you must miss a class, please notify your instructor as soon as possible. He or she will send any notes, homework exercises, or other missed class materials to you.
Absences are not refunded. Students are welcome to work independently at DARA during open studio hours to catch up on missed class work, but instructors do not provide private teaching outside of lesson hours.
Students who do not regularly attend lessons will not be able to follow the curriculum as intended. The studio reserves the right to refuse to re-admit students who show a repeated pattern of poor attendance into future trimesters.
If you are currently enrolled as a student and you know you must miss a class, please notify your instructor as soon as possible. He or she will send any notes, homework exercises, or other missed class materials to you.
Absences are not refunded. Students are welcome to work independently at DARA during open studio hours to catch up on missed class work, but instructors do not provide private teaching outside of lesson hours.
Can students work at the studio outside of class times?
Yes. During the trimester, the studio is open for students in any part-time class to work independently (without instruction) on Saturdays from 10:00 - 17:30.
The cast room is also open for Cast Drawing & Painting students to work independently on Monday and Wednesday evenings from 18:30 - 22:00.
In general, please be respectful of our opening and closing hours. We kindly ask that students do not arrive more than 30 minutes before the start of class, and clean up promptly when class ends.
The cast room is also open for Cast Drawing & Painting students to work independently on Monday and Wednesday evenings from 18:30 - 22:00.
In general, please be respectful of our opening and closing hours. We kindly ask that students do not arrive more than 30 minutes before the start of class, and clean up promptly when class ends.
The lesson hours do not work for me. Is there an option to follow private lessons instead?
Instruction at DARA is only given during our regular course schedule. Private lessons during other hours are not offered at this time.
What are the extracurricular sketch groups about? Can anyone join?
Extracurricular groups are organized to provide additional opportunities for our students to study from life with other classmates and instructors at the atelier. Currently, there are extracurricular groups based on model sketching (both portrait and figure), and plein-air landscape (held outdoors during the spring season only.)
Extracurricular sessions are uninstructed, with no tuition costs other than model fees.
Extracurricular groups are open to part-time students only. (Either currently enrolled students, or recent former students.)
Extracurricular sessions are uninstructed, with no tuition costs other than model fees.
Extracurricular groups are open to part-time students only. (Either currently enrolled students, or recent former students.)
I applied for a part-time course. When will I hear a response?
Once your application is submitted, an automated email is sent to you to confirm that it has been received. The atelier reviews and responds to all applications within a maximum of 5 days.
workshops
Can I sign up if I am a beginner?
In the course description, each workshop indicates the recommended level of student ability. Although many workshops will be accessible to students of all levels, some courses are intended for more experienced painters, while others are targeted specifically for beginners.
In general, some prior training and basic drawing skills will allow students to fully benefit from all workshops on offer.
Please feel welcome to write to us with any questions you might have about enrolling in a specific workshop and whether the skill level will be suitable for you.
In general, some prior training and basic drawing skills will allow students to fully benefit from all workshops on offer.
Please feel welcome to write to us with any questions you might have about enrolling in a specific workshop and whether the skill level will be suitable for you.
Do you give any scholarships or discounts?
At this time, unfortunately we do not. Some workshop instructors may offer discounts on individual courses, and in these instances, the discount offer will always be published clearly on the workshop page.
I will be traveling to you from abroad to attend a workshop, and there are some materials on the supply list that I cannot take with me on my flight. Can you help?
Yes, we do keep some* materials available for purchase directly at the studio which we know students may not be able to travel with: such as linseed oil, odorless mineral spirits, and other flammable mediums that are not allowed on airplanes. We also sell loose sheets of oil-prepared linen.
(*The studio does not have a full supply store. Items like oil paints, brushes, palettes, palette knives, and pre-stretched canvas are not sold right now in the studio, and should be purchased ahead of the course.)
(*The studio does not have a full supply store. Items like oil paints, brushes, palettes, palette knives, and pre-stretched canvas are not sold right now in the studio, and should be purchased ahead of the course.)
What if I cannot transport wet paintings home at the end of the workshop?
Students can collect any wet paintings from the studio up to one week after the course ends. (If paintings or other belongings are not collected by this time, there is a €7,50 per week storage fee.)
Are you traveling home right away after the workshop ends? We are happy to arrange to have your work shipped to you. Art is securely packaged by DARA staff and shipped through PostNL. Shipping costs are at the student’s expense. An additional €15 service charge is added to cover the costs of packing materials and transport to the shipping facility.
Liability: PostNL offers insured delivery for both domestic and international shipments, which compensates up to 5500 EUR in the event of damage or loss. Insuring the package is at the student’s expense. DARA is not financially responsible if the package is lost or damaged during transit.
Are you traveling home right away after the workshop ends? We are happy to arrange to have your work shipped to you. Art is securely packaged by DARA staff and shipped through PostNL. Shipping costs are at the student’s expense. An additional €15 service charge is added to cover the costs of packing materials and transport to the shipping facility.
Liability: PostNL offers insured delivery for both domestic and international shipments, which compensates up to 5500 EUR in the event of damage or loss. Insuring the package is at the student’s expense. DARA is not financially responsible if the package is lost or damaged during transit.
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