Classical Atelier Training
Online 1-1 mentorship
Train with internationally recognised artist Nichola Eddery from anywhere in the world
1-1 Private Online Mentorship
Train in the classical atelier tradition through private, one-to-one mentorship with Nichola Eddery, an internationally collected British portrait, equine, and sporting artist.
Unlike many online art programmes built around pre-recorded lessons or written critiques, this mentorship is centred on live, personalised teaching, where every correction, demonstration, and refinement takes place in real time.
Each programme is individually tailored to provide a structured path through classical drawing and painting, adapted to your experience, pace of study, and long-term artistic ambitions.
Why Study with Nichola?
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Classically trained at some of the world's leading ateliers in Italy, France, and the USA.
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Over 20 years as a professional artist exhibiting in London and internationally, with more than 10 years of teaching experience.
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Artist in Residence at the National Horse Racing Museum (2024–2026), where she continues to lead specialist equine drawing masterclasses.
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Learn Nichola's distinctive step-by-step methodology, rooted in nineteenth-century atelier practice and Renaissance principles.
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Private one-to-one mentorship tailored entirely to your individual goals and artistic development.
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Build a strong foundation in classical drawing and oil painting, or specialise in portraiture, still life, landscape, equine, canine, or sporting subjects.
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Bespoke study programmes suitable for complete beginners through to professional artists.
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Train from anywhere in the world with structured lessons, personalised assignments, and ongoing guidance.
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Develop the technical understanding, skills and confidence to create accomplished representational artwork.
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Limited enrolment ensures every student receives exceptional personal tuition.
Learn more about Nichola's teaching.
"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, former student
Transform your drawing. Elevate your painting
Master the timeless principles of classical drawing and oil painting with a foundation course, or choose to further your studies and specialise in traditional subjects or sporting art.
Atelier Mentorship
Foundation | Core | Development
Mentorship is offered across three levels, each designed to suit your individual goals, commitment, and pace of study. Together, these programmes provide a structured pathway through the traditions of classical atelier training.
Nichola recommends that most students begin with the fundamentals of drawing, as strong draftsmanship forms the foundation of all artistic disciplines and is essential to successful painting. From there, students may progress through a comprehensive drawing programme before advancing to oil painting or refining their skills within a chosen genre, such as portraiture, equine, canine, or sporting subjects.
Whether you wish to master a single discipline or develop confidence across several, each programme is individually tailored to your experience, ambitions, and long-term artistic development. Experienced artists are also welcome to focus exclusively on a specific subject or area of practice.
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 still life, 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. Landscape painting can also be included. -
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. This also includes learning how to paint the horse or dog in the landscape.
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
Why this mentorship is different
"Built on direct, live teaching - not recorded critique or delayed feedback", Nichola
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.
Sessions are conducted via Zoom, with work reviewed and refined in real time. For the one-month programme weekly lessons are recommended and for the longer courses alternating weekly between lessons and critiques is recommended to support consistent progress.
Each Mentorship has a differnt time allowance, designed to suit your level of commitment and pace of study.
4 & 8-Week Classical Atelier Intensives - Build strong foundations (Most popular for new students)
4 or 8 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.
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 (Most popular for alumni students)
6 Private Lessons (2 hrs per Session) | 6 x 20 minute Zoom Critique | Bespoke Study Plan | Assignments | Additional week to complete your course
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 experienced artists seeking sustained guidance, longer lessons and extra time to tackle to harder assignments with personalised feedback to accelerate one's progress.
Six-Month Professional Atelier Mentorship - Refine Mastery (Best value for serious study)
12 Private Lessons (2 hrs per Session) | 12 x 20 minute Zoom Critique | Bespoke Study Plan | Assignments | Additional three weeks offered to complete your course.
The atelier experience
An immersive period of one-to-one study designed to refine technique, deepen understanding, and develop a cohesive body of work.
Ideal for dedicated students seeking to achieve a professional standard through sustained classical atelier training.
Atelier Philosophy
"A process of directing, correcting and accelerating - guiding each student towards faster, more confident progress", Nichola
"I have utterly enjoyed my live online lessons with Nichola over the last few months. Nichola is highly knowledgeable and provides thorough guidance throughout the lessons. Her advice on drawing and painting has been invaluable." Michaela, Abu Dhabi, former student
How online Mentorship works
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Initial consultation and tailored programme
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Live, one-to-one Zoom sessions with direct feedback
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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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Continued support between lessons via 20-minute Zoom critiques
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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. “How do the lessons actually work online?”
Lessons are held privately online via Zoom, allowing for direct observation, feedback, and demonstration in real time.
3. “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.
4. “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.
5. “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 atelier training online.
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Artists looking for structure, clarity and consistent progress.
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Students aspiring to a professional standard in classical representational art.
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Suitable for all levels—from complete beginners to professional artists.
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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 and length of programme
Please send your equiry to Nichola at:
"I very much look forward to hearing from you and supporting your development", Nichola
Availability
Lessons and critiques are scheduled according to UK Time
Tuesday - Friday: 9 am - 6 pm
Saturday: 9 am - 12 pm
Offer
10% discount for new students who enrol in 4- or 8-week courses
Le
Price List
90 British pounds
300 British pounds- 560 British pounds
650 British pounds
Read MoreIn Depth 6-Month Training Period | 12 Lessons (2hrs Each) | 12 x 20-minute Zoom Critiques & More
1,200 British pounds