Our Mission / Introduction
introduction
The is no process that will reliably produce a great painting or drawing, only careful observation of nature can do that. However, there are many techniques, materials and knowledge which can make the task a lot easier.
our mission
The London Atelier of Representational Art (LARA) was established in 2008, in response to the rarity of rigorous representational art education and is unique in
the UK in its approach to teaching the most fundamentally important aspects of drawing, painting and sculpture from life. Inspired by the atelier method of instruc- tion, the unique emphasis of the course is working directly from the live model in a continuous pose of no less than a week and up to a month under unvarying (natural) north light conditions, giving optimum time to observe the figure and understand how to see. Working with tutors 6 hours a day and using the “sight-size” technique we aim to teach essential concepts of proportion, line, gesture, form and light in order to master expression of the human form.
The previously lost atelier method of teaching, passed down through generations
of artists, provides the ideal environment for students and professional artists to perfect their skill. It is our belief that it is necessary to teach the grammar of drawing, thus giving the student the confidence to execute their ideas, whether they decide to become a representational artist, or pursue any alternative visual medium.
To instil this creative confidence we encourage the student to apply their knowledge by exploring further techniques and media through quick drawing.