We recommend completing a registration on a laptop or desktop computer, as opposed to using a phone. Please visit the corresponding individual course description page to find the registration links.

• If a class is currently open for registration, there will be a button on the page labeled Register Now. Click the Register Now button to proceed with the registration process.
• If the class has been filled, the Register button will display “Register for Waitlist”. You will not be charged for the course if you register for the waitlist. If a spot becomes available in the class, we will contact the waitlist. If you are on the waitlist, only after we have confirmed there is a spot for you in the class, and you have confirmed you are still available and interested, you will be added to the course and asked to pay. It is very unpredictable whether or not a spot will open to the waitlist, sometimes a spot opens weeks or days in advance, sometimes the night before.

We recommend taking a foundations class. The ability to draw is essential and we encourage complete beginners to strengthen their drawing skills before taking a painting class. Drawing classes for beginners include the GCA Orientation Seminar, Figure Block-in, Portrait Block-in or Drawing Light and Form 1.

Painting classes for beginners who already possess sound drawing skills are the GCA Painting Orientation Seminar, Painting Light and Color 1, Poster Studies, Human Features.

The Orientation classes offer a shorter time commitment and lower cost for prospective students to gain a foothold in GCA’s training and help them determine if the methodology is right for them.

It really depends on how much time you have each week. Be realistic about your aspirations. Do not try to take all the classes all at once. You can often expect to spend at least the same amount of time in class on the homework. You may not always have that time. That’s okay.

Most students take 1 or 2 classes per semester. We rarely recommend that someone take 3 classes per semester. Only do that if you have already determined that the GCA methodology is for you and you are in the position to devote full-time to your practice. Otherwise, take one, possibly two classes. You can not drop out of a class and receive a refund or credit, after the class has started, so carefully consider your schedule and as well as your goals.

Read our Guide to Online Studies to gain more insight.

Most of our online programs are registered on a first-come, first-served basis. Occasionally we hold a class that is by application only; if this is the case, we will indicate an application requirement on the course description page. Some classes have pre-requisites that must be satisfied before taking the class. Please carefully read the course descriptions for each class. Many classes include students with various degrees of experience and training; regardless, instructors tailor individual critiques accordingly.

It is important that you keep your most up-to-date contact information in your Active Networks registration account so that we can easily reach you via email. Please register using the email you most frequently check. Once you register for a course, a confirmation email will be automatically generated and sent to the email on file.

Course descriptions and material lists are available on each individual course description page.

Additional information including zoom links are emailed to students within 24 hours of the class or workshop start date. We email students at the email that is in the registration system.

Active Networks is the service we use to enroll and process registrations and payments for our programs. Please note how GCA appears on your credit card statement. Active Networks is based in Dallas, Texas. Your credit card statement will show their name and location. It may say Active or Activework Camps. It should also list our name as GrandCentrlAtelier but depending on the bank, it may not list us alongside Active. The amount on your credit card statement will correspond to the tuition you paid.
You can log into your account by clicking here. GCA can not reset your password, you will need to follow prompts to do so through Active.

Our online class sizes are very small to maintain the integrity of our high quality training. Most of our online classes have a limit of 10-12 students maximum.

In general, instructors lecture, lead discussions, and/or demo in addition to critiquing student work. A few classes don’t include homework therefore there won’t be critiques in these classes.

Each online class has homework/weekly drawings or painting assignments unless indicated.

In most of our online classes, students can work on their class projects during class but students will also need to devote some time outside of class to work on assignments and apply the principles in the lessons.

Each class is recorded. Students receive access to the recording the following day for the duration of the class plus an additional thirty days.

Only classes that list an audit option are available to audit. These are Devin’s Drawing Light & Form I and Painting Light & Color I.

We also offer a few demo class opportunities such as Dale Zinkowski’s Alla Prima Demo Series, Diana Buitrago’s Portrait in an Environment Demos and Justin Wood’s Working Up Demo.

For classes without an audit option and with students unable to attend live for one or more of the classes, most instructors will critique submitted students’ work live and the students may watch the recordings. It’s highly recommended that students attend live to gain the benefit of the dialogue with the instructor about their work.

Students must have a laptop, desktop computer, tablet, or smartphone. Computers are recommended over mobile devices. A camera is not required but is recommended so students may better engage with their classmates and converse with their instructor during critiques. Most classes have demos in addition to critiques. Students can work on assignments during class; however, expect to devote some time outside of class to best apply the principles from each lesson.

We use Zoom and Google Classroom. You will need to create a free account for each to attend and receive class materials. Google classroom is accessed through a gmail account. For mobile devices, you will also need to download the app.

Click to view this video made by one of our instructors and then view this pdf.

Materials lists are available on the website on each individual course page. You can view & download either before or after you register for the course. For classes that include both drawing and painting elements, students new to GCA should contact their instructor before buying oil paints, as the instructor may recommend the student focus solely on drawing at the onset of the course. Our approach to drawing is specific and instructors may recommend you draw even if you have experience in a different methodology.

Instructors will provide guidance with regards to lighting according to the specific needs of the class.

You can read our registration policies here. You can not drop out of a class and receive a refund or credit, after the class has started.

All dates and times are in the Eastern Timezone to correspond with our physical home base of New York City. Please convert your timezones accordingly.

Unless otherwise indicated, all of our classes are taught in English. Some of our instructors are bilingual, but demos and critiques are all held in English.

GCA offers an effective approach to drawing, painting, and sculpting from life. This approach provides students with the opportunity to engage with the physical world in a meaningful way and to consequently achieve a high degree of verisimilitude in their work. Students can expect thorough guidance in every course, including what materials to buy and how to use the system of comparative measurement (as opposed to sight size measurement) that is essential to our pedagogy.

The GCA approach to drawing and painting requires patience, persistence, and dedicated practice. Work by GCA artists represented on Instagram is the result of a long-term commitment to drawing, painting, and sculpture. If you found us on Instagram, we highly recommend you start with an Orientation class.

Click here to read our Guide to Online Studies.

Adopting an attitude of curiosity, motivation, and a willingness to accept critique will result in progress and success. Personal growth is generally relative to the amount of hard work and practice a student is willing to invest in their practice.

Working from photographs is neither taught nor permitted in our classes and workshops. In programs that are based on learning through copying the masters, students will work from high resolution printed reproductions of masterworks. Students choose from a selection of images curated by the instructor unless otherwise indicated and subject to the instructor’s approval.

Our online classes are appropriate for artists 17 and up. We do periodically offer some classes specifically geared towards high school students-ages 14 and up, but do not have any offerings at this time. We are not instructing students under 14 years old at this time.

By registering for a class and/or workshop, students are agreeing to our Code of Conduct and Registration Policies.

We do not offer financial assistance for our online programs.

Not at this time.

We do not recommend oil painting if you are pregnant. While the choice to do so is ultimately up to you, please keep in mind turpentine, mineral spirits, and many pigments are toxic.

Use this form to contact The Admin Team. Please note we generally work Monday – Friday from about 10am – 6pmEST. We do not respond to inquiries over the weekend or during the holidays. We are a small, busy office and try our best but we can’t always respond to each inquiry right away. Kindness is appreciated. Please refrain from using all caps in the subject or body of an email.