Students also have the opportunity to receive atelier training on a term-by-term basis. The following two options are available.
Foundational Term
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.
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 then prepared for portrait drawing by the end of the term.
This course is aimed at students aged 17-30.
Advanced Portrait Painting Term
Students focus on painting the portrait in oil to the scale of life. They are taught the limited flesh palette, the handgrinding of oil paints and the making and use of mediums. Poses are sustained over a number of sessions so that students have ample time to study shape, colour and modelling. Instructors work with the class to demonstrate by example in addition to giving individual critiques.
Previous experience in sight-size drawing and painting with Charles H. Cecil Studios (or a select number of other atelier programs deemed equivalent by us) is required.
Term Dates 2025 / 2026
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 | 06th October 2025 | 19th December 2025 | FULL |
| Spring | 12th January 2026 | 27th March 2026 | FULL |
| Summer | 20th April 2026 | 26th June 2026 | FULL |
APPLICATIONS ARE NOW BEING TAKEN FOR THE ACADEMIC YEAR 2026/2027
Term Dates 2026 / 2027
| TERM | START DATE | END DATE | TUITION (€) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Autumn | 05th October 2026 | 18th December 2026 | € 3900 |
| Spring | 11th January 2027 | 19th March 2027 | € 3900 |
| Summer | 12th April 2027 | 18th June 2027 | € 3900 |