Classical Atelier Training
In-person 1-1 mentorship
Train with internationally recognised artist Nichola Eddery in her Home studio Newmarket, Suffolk, UK
1-1 Private Online Mentorship
Train in the classical atelier tradition through direct, one-to-one mentorship with Nichola Eddery, an established and exhibiting British portrait and sporting artist.
Each programme is individually tailored, allowing for a structured approach to drawing and painting, adapted to your level, pace, and long-term goals.
Why study with Nichola
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Train with a classically trained artist with over twenty years of professional practice and more than a decade of teaching experience
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Private, one-to-one mentorship, fully tailored to the individual
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A step-by-step approach rooted in nineteenth-century atelier training and its Renaissance foundations
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The flexibility to pursue focused study — portraiture, figure, equine, canine, or the development of a personal body of work
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The ability to train next to Nichola in her some studio.
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A limited number of students accepted at any one time to ensure a high level of individual attention
"To be able to undertake high quality training in classical realism with an exceptional artist such as Nichola through the ease of an online platform has been a dream come true. " Clare, UK, current student
Atelier Mentorship
Foundation | Core | Development
Mentorship is offered across three levels, each designed to suit your individual commitment, goals, and pace of study. Together, the programmes form part of a structured progression within long-term classical atelier training.
Nichola strongly recommends beginning with the fundamentals of drawing, as drawing is the foundation of all artistic disciplines and underpins the success of a painting. From there, students may progress into a core drawing programme, refine their focus within a chosen genre, and later advance into oil painting. Students may choose to specialise in one discipline or develop confidence across several.
Drawing Fundamentals
Classical Atelier Training in Painting
Painting Fundamentals
Traditional Study of the Horse and/or Dog
Classical Atelier Training in Drawing
Development
Choose your Bespoke study plan
Foundation Programmes
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Fundamentals in Drawing (graphite)
Develop fundamental observational skills through traditional drawing exercises and still life studies, including perspective, proportion, light theory, value, planes, and form modelling. -
Fundamentals in Oil Painting
Learn the foundations of classical oil painting through still life and traditional exercises, covering value, colour theory, colour mixing, form painting, edge control, and an introduction to indirect painting methods.
Core Programmes
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Classical Atelier Training - Drawing (graphite, charcoal, chalk and sanguine)
A structured drawing programme rooted in the historic methods of the great European ateliers. Training includes Bargue studies, cast drawing, anatomy, Old Master copies, and portrait and figure work from photographic reference. Students are also guided in setting up casts and still life arrangements at home to support observational study and assignments. -
Classical Atelier Training - Oil Painting
A structured painting programme based on traditional atelier methods, focused on portraiture and the figure. Study includes cast painting, Old Master copies, monochromatic and colour studies, limited and extended palette techniques, direct and indirect painting methods, and compositional development using photographic reference. -
Equine & Canine Study
A classical approach to drawing and painting the horse and dog, grounded in structure, anatomy, movement, colour, texture, and form. Suitable for students wishing to specialise in equine, canine, and sporting subjects within a traditional atelier framework.
Development Programmes
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Sporting & Figurative Art
Composition, movement, and narrative within a classical framework -
Professional Development
Portfolio development, presentation, and guidance toward a professional practice
Three Mentorship Programmes
Traditional atelier training typically requires three to four years of full-time study, with fees often beginning at £3000 per term.
Nichola’s mentorship programmes offer a more flexible pathway into this tradition — without compromising on depth or rigour.
Teaching is delivered through direct, one-to-one sessions, allowing for immediate guidance, correction, and clarity — accelerating both understanding and progress.
The three and six-month programmes are complemented by dedicated critique sessions, providing time for independent study while maintaining focused, ongoing feedback.
Each Mentorship has a differnt time allowance, designed to suit your level of commitment and pace of study.
4 -Week Classical Atelier Intensives - Build strong foundations (Most popular for a focused introduction)
4 Private Lessons (1.5 hrs per Session) | Bespoke Study Plan | Assignments
The 4-Week Intensive is a focused introduction to classical atelier training, ideal for building strong drawing foundations or beginning a flexible programme of study.
8-Week Classical Atelier Intensives - Build strong foundations (Most popular for new students )
8 Private Lessons (1.5 hrs per Session) | Bespoke Study Plan | Assignments
The 8-Week Intensive provides a more immersive experience, combining drawing fundamentals with core classical techniques or serving as an excellent introduction to traditional oil painting. Also can be used as an ongoing training programme.
12-Week Classical Atelier Programme - Build confidence and consistency (Best Value for serious study)
10 Private Lessons (2 hrs per Session) Bespoke Study Plan | Assignments
Designed to build confidence through structured, one-to-one tuition, this progressive mentorship develops stronger observational skills, refined technique, and a deeper understanding of classical drawing and painting.
Ideal for students who have completed an Atelier Intensive or for students seeking sustained guidance, longer lessons and extra time to tackle to harder assignments with personalised feedback to accelerate one's progress.
How does in-Person Mentorship works
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Initial consultation and tailored programme
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Live, in-person sessions with direct feedback and live demos
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Studio equipment provided
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Ongoing guidance and structured assignments
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Flexible scheduling
What You Will Receive
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A private consultation to establish your direction and objectives
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Tailored one-to-one mentorship aligned to your level and ambitions
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A bespoke programme rooted in classical atelier training
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Live, in-depth critique and correction within each session
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Structured assignments designed to accelerate progress
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Demonstrations and refined visual guidance where required
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Portfolio review and strategic development planning
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Professional insight for those pursuing a career in art
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The confidence, clarity, and refinement to develop your individual artistic voice
FAQ
1. “Am I good enough and do I need prior experience?"
No. Beginners are very welcome. Training begins with fundamental drawing principles and progresses at your pace. Also great for more advanced artists too who want to focus on certain genres or subjects.
2. “Will this actually help me improve?”
Progress depends on commitment, but students benefit greatly from Nichola's live demos, immediate correction, structured guidance and assignments —advancing more efficiently than in group settings.
3. “Is this worth the investment?”
Traditional atelier study typically requires full-time commitment over several years. These programmes offer the same principles in a flexible, tailored format.
4. “How long should I study for?”
It depends on the individual and what they wish to accomplish. Anywhere from three months to four years.
WHO THIS IS FOR
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Adult students seeking classical training in-person
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Artists looking for structure, clarity, and meaningful progress
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Those aiming toward a professional standard
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Aspiring portrait, figurative, equine or sporting artists
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Beginners with commitment
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Dedicated and talented young students (16+) may be considered
Enquiries
Nichola offers a limited number of places each year for private mentorship, allowing for a highly focused, supportive, and personalised learning experience alongside her studio practice.
She warmly welcomes enquires from dedicated students at all levels including beginners who are seeking to develop their skills through classical training.
To help Nichola understand your goals, please include in your enquiry:
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A brief introduction
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Current level and any prior training
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Artistic goals
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Area of focus
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Examples of work
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Preferred start timeframe
Please send your equiry to Nichola at:
"I very much look forward to hearing from you and supporting your development", Nichola
Availability
Tuesday - Friday: 9 am - 12 pm
Saturday: 9 am - 11 am (limited availability)
Venue
Duchess Drive, Newmarket, Suffolk
