The New York Atelier of Drawing & Design

​NYADD is an atelier teaching representational figure drawing and design classes. Our mission is to build a new community of 21st Century artists who strive to add vitality to our culture and to equip them with strong representational figure drawing and design skills. We believe exceptional design is at the core of human progress and that connecting with art from every era and culture will further our success in the modern day. 

​Our focus is on teaching a clear understanding of the principles of design through the study of old master works from around the world. We encourage an exploration of the individual's unique vision, rather than a mimetic reproduction of things observed. We believe drawing with an open mind leads to successful, innovative design needed for contemporary figure drawing. The greatest masters in art history taught the principles of drawing and design using silverpoint. They held the ancient drawing medium in high regard because they believed "Metalpoint, more than any other graphic technique, honed the mental and practical skills necessary for design." We share this belief and thus encourage its use when first learning how to design a successful drawing.