HOME– Introduction and Upcoming Courses |
STUDIO ESCALIER is a private studio art school and international art colony in France, founded in 2001. Designed and directed by artists for artists, it is dedicated to the contemporary classical study of drawing and painting from life.
Offering courses in English in the heart of Paris as well as in Argenton-Chateau (Poitou-Charentes), we are an international point of contact for professionals, emerging artists and beginning art students too, attracting artists from more than 45 countries and 40 different US states.
Anyone may apply, there are no academic or artistic pre-requisites to apply as a student. It is an open admissions process, based mainly on portfolio submission – a review of artwork drawn or painted from life.
Admission to our Intensive Courses and Special Programs in drawing and painting in Argenton-Chateau — and to our various Paris Programs including our Winter at the Louvre 8-week program — is by online application only. Entry can be competitive.
Online application is required for every course, 4 to 6 months before the first day of class.
See our COURSE SCHEDULE page for the most current information on upcoming courses in all locations, and how to apply.
–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
Our student body includes: career painters, portraitists, illustrators, concept artists, animators, muralists, college art teachers, architects, sculptors, printmakers, graduate students, undergraduate students, serious beginners, and people who simply love to draw and paint the human figure.
To see our complete schedule of upcoming courses and application deadlines, visit the COURSE SCHEDULE page.
Every program that is currently accepting applications can also be found here on the HOME page.
Please pay close attention to the application deadlines below, and follow the links below.
––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
APPLY NOW:
2024 SPRING FIGURE at the LOUVRE / 5-week Drawing Program |

Copy after the “Albani Centaur” by Gustavo SCHOSSLER, pencil on paper, 2015
––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
LOCATION: | Our next Spring Figure at the Louvre – 5-week Drawing Program will offer figure drawing sessions in our Paris Program Studio in Montmartre, as well as offer weekly critique of ongoing student drawings at the Musee du Louvre. Please see our Facilities page for complete details on the Paris Program Studio. |
CLASS DATES: | The program will meet as follows: Monday, 4 March – Friday, 5 April 2024 (5 weeks) |
CLASS SCHEDULE: | Figure sessions 15 hrs/week (Mon, Tues, Wed, Thu morning, & Tuesday afternoon) One-on-one critique of student drawings at the Louvre One individual Louvre critique per student weekly, with founding faculty Timothy Stotz (Thursday or Friday afternoon only). |
CLASS SIZE: | 10 maximum + instructors |
WHO is ELIGIBLE? | Anyone may apply – There are no academic or other pre-requisites. All students must enroll full-time for the course, held in our Paris Program Studio in Montmartre, and the Musee du Louvre. |
TUITION PRICE: | 1800 EUR Cost of housing in Paris not included. Students required to find and contract their own housing in Paris. |
APPLICATION DEADLINE: |
FRIDAY, 29 SEPTEMBER 2023 |
ADMISSIONS DECISIONS RETURNED: |
SUNDAY, 2 OCTOBER 2023 |
TUITION PAYMENT DUE: |
SATURDAY, 7 OCTOBER 2023 |
HOW to APPLY: |
Admissions for 2024 SPRING FIGURE at the LOUVRE are OPEN.
Please review the ADMISSIONS page for general information about the application process. Desktop and laptop users can apply online. Tablet and smartphone users can apply offline. |
––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
APPLY NOW:
2024 SPRING PAINTING: COLOR to COMPOSITION |

“Study of Phoebe” (detail) by visiting faculty David BAIRD, oil on linen, 2023

“Cinematic Study” by visiting faculty Ryan WURMSER, oil on linen, 2018
––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
LOCATION: | SPRING PAINTING: COLOR to COMPOSITION will convene in Argenton-Chateau (79). Please see our Facilities page for complete details on our campus and school facilities. |
CLASS DATES: | 11 April – 25 May 2024 Group Arrival: 5:00PM, 11 April at Angers/St Laud – Gare SNCF. |
CLASS SCHEDULE: |
Studio sessions will be held for 6 weeks total, Sunday – Thursday with 6 hrs life model daily, 5 days per week. |
CLASS SIZE: | 12 maximum + instructor(s) |
WHO is ELIGIBLE? | Proof of complete COVID-19 vaccination is required to enroll. There are no academic or other pre-requisites. All students must enroll full-time for this 6-week program. |
TUITION PRICE: | 3850 EUR, shared 2BR housing included. (Single living available in limited supply for a surcharge) |
APPLICATION DEADLINE: |
29 SEPTEMBER 2023 |
PAYMENT DEADLINE: | 7 OCTOBER 2023 |
HOW to APPLY: |
Admissions for 2024 SPRING PAINTING: COLOR to COMPOSITION are OPEN. Before you apply, please review the ADMISSIONS page for general information about the application process. Desktop and laptop users can apply online. Tablet and smartphone users can apply offline. |