The majority of our courses are held at our studio in Clapham. The full-time course runs five days a week (Monday-Friday) from 9:30am - 4:30pm. However, we also have additional classes on the weekends and evenings, as well as short courses during some of the weeks of the year. See the page for the particular course you are interested in attending for the specific timings, location and dates of that course.
Registrations are accepted on a first come, first served basis, and the registration process will be closed once all places on the course are taken. Subject to availability you can commence studies at LARA throughout the year. You are advised to register early, to avoid disappointment.
Due to our independent status, students at LARA are ineligible to apply for Student Finance. For other possible sources of funding, look on our website here: https://www.drawpaintsculpt.com/funding-opportunities/
For details of our cancellation policy see our Terms & Conditions.
All students are expected to supply their own materials. Materials can also be purchased from the LARA Shop.
Full-time students are in the studio for 36 hours a week. Each day runs from 9:30am - 4:30pm with a one hour lunch break (workshops run from 10am - 5pm). On most evenings, there are also classes in figure or portrait drawing. Additional workshops run at weekends.
Students may begin their studies either Term 1 (January), Term 2 (April), Term 3 (July) or Term 4 (October). Full orientation is provided to all new students. Subject to availability it is possible to start mid-term.
The Materials List for the full-time course is in our Student Guide. However, all you will need for the start of your studies are pencils, a putty rubber and masking tape. The Materials lists for Short Courses are found on each course page on the website. We stock all the materials you need in the LARA Shop. If you already have materials you are welcome to bring them with you and our tutors will advise where and if you need to supplement them. If you would like to reserve materials from our shop, please email [email protected] in advance with a list of the materials you would like to reserve and whether you would like to pay for these in advance or upon arrival.
Normally all students are required to have completed the Foundation in order to be accepted onto the Diploma. The purpose is for the student to acquire the necessary skill base before confronting more complicated problems in advanced drawing or painting. On occasion, students with prior training in a classical atelier may gain advanced entry onto the Diploma course. Their level is determined by the school in an application review, and whether the student has met the criteria assessed on LARA's Foundation course.
After completing the nine modules in drawing & painting, many of our graduates undertake careers as professional artists. The work of our alumni can be found on the Alumni page of our website. Students usually begin to sell their work to commercial galleries in the UK and elsewhere in Europe before they finish their studies. After their studies, they then participate in group and solo shows in these galleries. Other LARA alumni have entered a range of creative industries, including the Games and Film Industries. Others have pursued careers in a range of applied arts.
Those who complete the required courses for the Foundation or Diploma course, and have an attendance of at least 80%, will receive a certificate of completion for the course.