Master Classes techniques and know-how

Because our craft is constantly evolving... message from Michel Nadaï

The craft of decorative painting, like all other trades, is in constant evolution as our clientele is become more demanding. Yesterday's definition of a decorative painter was an artisan who specialised in marbling and graining, who also did patina effects, sign paintings, and occasionally skies and landscape seneries. There was a clear line that separated Fine Arts and decorative painting, where on one side the artist was a creator and on the other side the artisan was one who embellished a space.

Today all this seems to be changing, the frontier between the two worlds is not as rigid as before, clients are more informed and search for originality, creativity and know-how. Artists are also giving it a shot by offering to paint murals, thereby pushing us decorative painters to realise the importance of perspective drawing, format and planes in order to compete with this new rival in the market. The decorative painter's craft has expanded, techniques that were once reserved to Fine Art are now being adopted; in today's image-oriented world, it becomes urgent that advanced techniques are used to offer a demanding clientele the high end work they're expecting.

This is why since several years we've been inviting accomplished artisans and master artists who come and teach their specialty courses at our school. We made the choice to broaden the range of subjects we offer to our students, even adding subjects that some may classify as fine art. We are convinced that as decorative painters we can greatly benefit by studying academic disciplines. Like any profession, our craft evolves and it's up to each one of us to lay down the foundations that will guarantee the tradition but also embrase the constant evolution of our trade.

Today, in a world that is becoming more and more complex, beauty and art matter even more!

Michel Nadaï

► Click here to see our last newsletter!

Joyeux_Noel

MASTER CLASSES AT ATELIER NADAÏ!

For more information on our courses or to receive the brochure of a specific workshop, please contact us.

For more information on how to access our courses please click here.

2026 Master Class Calendar Portrait and still life, trompe-l'oeil, murals, painting a seascape, icon painting, grotesca and more at Atelier Nadaï!	The Art of Icon Painting Icon writing course with Master Iconographer Deacon Nikita Andrejev of the Prosopon School of Iconography.
The Art of Graining and marbling - intensive class Join us for this 10-day intensive workshop on graining and marbling with Michel Nadaï!	The Art of creating an interior portrait with water colors This master class invites you to rediscover a little-known artistic tradition that emerged in the late 17th century and reached its peak in the second half of the 19th century: interior portraiture using dry watercolors.
The Art of painting a Still Life with Michel Nadaï The objective of the course is to paint a still life in the spirit of the 19th century realism, using the classical academic techniques.	Master Class The Art of Painting a Seascape This Master Class offers an in-depth exploration of seascape painting for decorative arts, combining technical precision with a sensitive understanding of natural movement and light.
The art of Portrait in pastel with Cuong Nguyen During this workshop, Cuong Nguyen, a master of soft pastels and pastel pencils, will be showcasing his unique techniques.	Pre-registration form Pre-registration form