Foundational Year

Students who wish to gain from the structure of atelier training but are not yet ready to commit to the full three-year course can join the Studio for the Foundational Year.

Half of the day is devoted to sight-size figure drawing in pencil and charcoal. Pencil drawing is crucial for the understanding of line, contour and modelling. Emphasis is on seeing the drawing as a whole, rather than as a composite of separate details. Work in charcoal teaches the perception of chiaroscuro in relation to the background and leads to a broader and more painterly handling. At intervals throughout the year students are taught anatomy as they develop their skills in figure drawing.

For the other half of the day casts are drawn to the scale of life using the sight-size method. Students work from a number of casts in charcoal each term to gain the ability of laying in proportions accurately and modelling the subtleties of chiaroscuro. They are prepared for portraiture to the scale of life by the end of the first term.

During the third term students are introduced to portrait painting in oils using a limited palette.

‎This course is aimed at students aged 17-30.  

Term Dates 2026 / 2027

The academic year runs from October to June with breaks at Christmas and Easter. Sessions are held from 9 am-noon and 1-4 pm weekdays. There is a lecture every Thursday at 7:30 pm and a sketch class each Tuesday from 6:00-8:00 pm. The tuition fees below do not cover materials. When working on portrait projects from life, the students share the model fee. 

TERM	START DATE	END DATE	TUITION (€)
Autumn	05th October 2026	18th December 2026	FULL
Spring	11th January 2027	19th March 2027	FULL
Summer	12th April 2027	18th June 2027	FULL

‎APPLICATIONS ARE NOW BEING TAKEN FOR THE ACADEMIC YEAR 2027/2028 

Term Dates 2027 / 2028

TERM	START DATE	END DATE	TUITION (€)
Autumn	04th October 2027	17th December 2027	€ 3900
Spring	10th January 2028	24th March 2028	€ 3900
Summer	18th April 2028	23rd June 2028	€ 3900

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