about
The Dutch Atelier of Realist Art is a private art institution in Haarlem, the Netherlands founded on the basis of advancing the academic tradition of figurative drawing and painting.

study
Our studio philosophy is based around the belief that a solid art education should be skill-based, focused strictly on the teaching of objective technical proficiency, and this informs the way each of our classes are instructed.

instructors

​
Visiting Instructors
Each of the professional artists instructing our part-time courses and workshops are classically trained artists and graduates of leading academic fine arts institutions.

Gallery

Get a glimpse inside our studio and see examples of the type of work our students have completed.

CONTACT

Want to schedule a visit to our studio, or request more information? Here's how!

frequently asked questions

about > frequently asked questions

frequently asked questions

about dara

  1. Do I need to have any former experience to study here?
  2. What do I need to provide to register for a class?
  3. Can anyone of any age apply?
  4. Can students from outside the European Union apply?
  5. Can I take a trial lesson before I decide if I want to continue?
  6. Can I start at any time?
  7. Are there any scholarships or discounts?
  8. Can I pay in installments?
  9. What languages do you offer classes in?
  10. What materials do I need to bring? Does the school provide any materials?
  11. Is there space for me to leave my belongings at the studio?
  12. Can I bring food into the studio?
  13. Can I work at the studio on my own outside of class times?
  14. Do I get an officially recognized diploma or certificate when I study here?
  15. Can I visit the studio in person before I sign up?
  16. I am a life model and I would like to pose for classes here. Do you have any openings?

Q: Do I need to have any former experience to STUDY HERE?

A: No, we do not require our students to have any former artistic training before applying. However, our classes are intensive and are designed for students who wish to attain a high level of technical skill in the realms of representational drawing and painting. As such, we expect students to show a sincere commitment and dedication to their studies at DARA.

​Regardless of experience level, we strongly encourage all students to attend one to two trimesters of our Introduction to Classical Drawing class, which serves as the foundation to all drawing and painting classes we offer.
​
​

Q: What do I need to provide to register for a class?

A: Students who wish to enroll in a class at DARA must complete the online registration form available on the class or workshop page. At this time, there are no other enrollment obligations, such as sending in a portfolio or conducting an interview in the studio.

​

Q: Can anyone of any age apply?

A: Students must be age 16 or older to apply.
​
​

Q: Can students from outside the european union apply?

A: Regrettably, we are not able to sponsor student visas to artists who reside outside the European Union at this time. Interested students may, however, opt to study at DARA on a short-term basis (consisting of 90 days out of a 180-day period) with a valid Schengen Visa. More information is available in our Student Guide.

​​

Q: Can I take a trial lesson before I decide if I want to continue?

A: The skills and techniques taught at the Dutch Atelier of Realist Art are successive, built up over many hours of intensive study in our courses and workshops. It is unfortunately not possible to get a sense of the entirety of the studio experience from one class, so we do not offer the option of taking a trial lesson. However, prospective students are more than welcome to schedule a visit of the studio to meet with the instructors, discuss individual artistic goals, and see the classroom environment firsthand before deciding whether or not to enroll.
​
​

Q: Can I start at any time?

A: The school year at the Dutch Atelier of Realist Art is divided into trimesters which each last for three months, and students can start a course at the beginning of any trimester. It is advisable to sign up for courses and workshops early, as spaces are very limited to ensure each artist gets individual attention and one-on-one critiques.

​​

Q: Are there any scholarships or discounts?

A: Regrettably, we do not offer scholarships at this time. We do offer a 10% student discount off the cost of tuition for 3-month courses at DARA for the following individuals:
​
  • students under 21
  • students who are enrolled in a university programme

Students who qualify must send a copy of a valid ID or student card upon acceptance into a course to claim the discount.​
​
​

Q: Can I pay in installments?

A: For students enrolled in 3-month courses, we offer the option of paying with an Installment Plan under the following conditions:

  • Our Installment Plan bills students monthly for the equivalent of one third of the course tuition. The first installment is charged upon signing up, and the subsequent two installments are deducted automatically every 30 days (calculated from the date of checkout.)
  • The Installment Plan is only offered for students paying by credit card, debit card, or Paypal, and requires a Paypal account to use. Please note that a 3,5% processing fee is applied.
  • The option to sign up for the Installment Plan ends 14 days prior to the course start date. Students who register for a course after this time are obligated to pay the full course fee.
  • The Installment Plan is not offered for any short workshops/masterclasses with visiting instructors.

Students who prefer to pay in installments can do so by clicking the link provided in the "Installment Plan" section listed under the course description. If there is no "Installment Plan" section in the course description, this indicates that the option to pay in installments is either not offered or has expired.​
​
​

Q: What Languages do you offer classes in?

A: Because we have students and instructors of all different nationalities, English is the primary language used in our classes. Some instructors also speak Dutch.
​
​

Q: What Materials do I need to Bring? Does the school provide any materials?

A: Easels and drawing boards are always provided by DARA, while most other materials are at the student's expense. In the event that any additional materials are included with the cost of tuition, they will always be indicated as such in the course description.

Each course instructor compiles a list of required materials for his or her classes, which is made available online as a PDF download on the class or workshop page. We do our best to list supplies that are easily found in most local art shops, though we are always happy to assist if a student has any difficulty locating the correct supplies. Students are expected to bring all required materials in order to participate in class.

For painting students, we kindly request students to use odorless mineral spirits rather than turpentine, as we do not have an adequate ventilation system to accommodate the use of strong-smelling solvents. We also very strongly discourage painters from purchasing student-grade paints, as elaborated on in our Student Guide.
​
​

Q: Is there space for me to leave my belongings at the studio?

A: Yes, every student is given individual storage space to keep art supplies, art works in progress, and other personal belongings at the studio. Please note that students are required to bring all their belongings home during the breaks in between trimesters, during which time the studio is thoroughly cleaned and prepared for future courses.
​
​

Q: Can I bring food into the studio?

A: Yes, students are welcome to bring food and drinks (with the exception of alcoholic beverages) into the studio. There is a refrigerator, microwave, and grill sandwich maker in the kitchen that students may use, and we also offer complimentary tea and coffee during studio hours. Students in our workshops and master classes also enjoy a complimentary light lunch and snacks provided by us.

Please note that students are kindly requested to confine food and drinks to the kitchen/dining area in order to avoid risk of damage to student artwork.
​
​

Q: Can I work at the studio on my own outside of class times?

A: Students currently enrolled in any 3-month class at DARA are welcome to work at the studio uninstructed on Saturdays from 10:00 - 17:15, except during school breaks and holidays.
​
​

Q: Do I get an officially recognized diploma or certificate when I STUDY HERE?

A: The Dutch Atelier of Realist Art is a private institution and is neither accredited by the government nor authorized to offer officially recognized diplomas or certificates. However, we believe that the value of an art education is quantified by the skillset gained by the student and the quality of work the student is able to produce as a result of the training he or she has received. What our students do gain from our programme is practical, skill-based instruction in representational drawing and painting that will enable them to produce professional-quality work in a variety of artistic fields.
​
​

Q: Can I visit the studio in person BEFORE I SIGN UP?

A: Yes, absolutely! Please contact us to schedule an appointment time.
​
​

Q: I am a life model and I would like to pose for classes here. Do you have any openings?

A: We are always seeking new life models! Please fill out our contact form or send an email to info@dutchartatelier.com for a full application.