If you were ever curious about ateliers in an art context, this article will answer all your questions from “What is an atelier?” to “How do I get atelier training?”
What does “Atelier” mean?
“Atelier” is simply the French word for “studio”. It is a place where artists train in order to master realistic drawing and painting skills. Today, this French term continues to be in use. This is because France is where many American painters acquired their realistic drawing and painting training throughout the 19th and early 20th centuries.
What about today?
Today, the term “Ateliers” refer to specialty art schools that train students in realism drawing and painting skills. Essentially, they teach you how to draw realistically like the Old Masters. The School of Atelier Arts runs an online atelier called Ateliyay! Painting Bootcamp.
By mastering technical drawing and painting skills, artists are able to achieve on paper and canvas anything their heart desires.
Learning how to draw is the same as learning any other skill.
There is no magic to it.
It simply requires focused practice under the tutelage of a master.
If you want to learn how to draw at a high level, you need to train with someone who has the skills you are looking for. You also need to devote a significant amount of time and effort in order to learn it.
You can find people with high levels of drawing training willing to teach you how to draw realistically in places called “Ateliers,” like the online Ateliyay! Painting Bootcamp.
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How does Atelier training work?
Below, you can see examples of my plaster cast drawings before attending an Atelier and after attending an Atelier.
Ateliers are VERY good at teaching you technical drawing and painting skills. By attending an Atelier, anyone can efficiently master the art of realistic drawing and painting.
The main idea behind Atelier training is to start students with very basic concepts, and build to more complex concepts.
This is why many Ateliers will have students draw for a year or more before moving onto painting. By focusing on drawing first, students are able to master shape, line, and form before adding in even more complex concepts that are introduced with color.
Where did Atelier Training come from?
The vast body of knowledge required to draw and paint realistically can be found in Ateliers. This collected body of artistic skills and ideas comes from many different places.
For example, in Western art the primary method of showing depth in a picture plane is to use linear perspective.
But that is not the only way to show depth in a picture plane.
In Japanese ink painting, artists developed a way of showing the depth of a picture plane by changing the hardness and softness of the edges of their subjects. For example, a mountain that was intended to look very far away would have a soft, fuzzy edge to account for atmospheric perspective.
Later, The Impressionists adopted this Japanese idea of showing depth into their work and it became part of the collective body of atelier knowledge.
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Just as the collected body of math knowledge has multiple origins (Arabic numerals and the Pythagorean Theorem just to name a few), Atelier knowledge has multiple origins across many cultures and time periods.
The intent behind Ateliers is to collect and share what is already known about technical art skills with the next generation of artists. In this way, the collective body of visual knowledge continues to expand.
Why Choose Atelier Training?
Unlike traditional university art programs that often emphasize conceptual or abstract approaches, Ateliers focus on technical skill development. This type of training is ideal for artists who want to draw and paint realistically with confidence and without that nagging feeling of it being not quite right.
Whether you’re an aspiring fine artist, illustrator, or even a tattoo artist looking to improve your realism, Atelier training provides the essential skills to bring any artistic vision to life.
Additionally, many contemporary Ateliers offer flexible study options, including online courses (like our Ateliyay! Painting Bootcamp), part-time study, and intensive workshops, making it more accessible than ever to receive classical training.
Contemporary Ateliers
The contemporary Atelier movement strives to provide equitable access to artistic knowledge. By mastering what is already known, artists have free choice in what techniques and skills to utilize in their own artwork.
In fact, The School of Atelier Arts runs an online atelier. You can learn more about our Ateliyay! Painting Bootcamp here.
If your heart has ever pined to be able to draw and paint your ideas exactly the way you envision them, Atelier training is for you!
How to Get Started with Atelier Training
If you’re eager to dive into Atelier-style learning, there are many ways to get started:
✔️ Enroll in an Atelier program—Research schools that align with your goals, whether in-person or online.
✔️ Self-study with Atelier techniques—Start with Bargue Plates and cast drawings to develop your skills.
✔️ Take an Atelier-style workshop—Many Ateliers offer short-term courses for those who want a taste of the training.
✔️ Follow along with online resources—Our YouTube channel features instructional videos that introduce key Atelier techniques! Make sure to like and subscribe to both the School of Atelier Arts and Da Vinci Initiative channels!
🎨 Want to see Atelier training in action? Watch our YouTube tutorials for step-by-step guidance and subscribe for more classical drawing and painting lessons!
By following the time-honored methods of Atelier training, you’ll gain the skills necessary to bring your artistic vision to life with accuracy, depth, and expression. Whether you’re just starting or looking to refine your craft, an Atelier education is an invaluable path to artistic mastery.
Author
Mandy Theis is a licensed K-12 art teacher and former Co-President of the Washington Art Education Association. She knows that anyone can learn to draw and paint realistically that as access to a teacher with these skills. Ready to improve your drawing and painting game? Join her newsletter for lesson plans, musings, & other art delights delivered right to your inbox.
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