Academia El Taller del Aire

History

 El Taller del Aire was founded with the aim of providing rigorous artistic training rooted in direct observation, technical mastery, and a broad humanistic understanding of art. Over the years, it has become a meeting place for artists, students, and thinkers, integrating studio practice with the study of art history, philosophy, and visual culture.

Today, the academy offers a three-year Professional Program in Drawing and Painting, a Flexible Program for adults, classes for young artists, and the weekly course Understanding Art. Its faculty includes painters and educators Alberto Donaire, Ester Lloveres, and Jacobo Alcalde, and its teaching approach combines technical instruction with historical, philosophical, and cultural formation in the context of a contemporary atelier.

Philosophy

 At El Taller del Aire, we understand art education as the formation of the whole person. Technical excellence, direct observation, historical knowledge, and philosophical reflection are inseparable dimensions of a single process aimed at cultivating both artistic skill and intellectual depth.

We conceive figurative art not merely as a style, but as a living tradition that extends from prehistoric art to contemporary practice. Drawing and painting are taught alongside art history, philosophy, geometry, anatomy, materials, and professional development, fostering a broad humanistic education.

For us, art is both a craft and a way of understanding the world. A mature artist must not only master technique but also develop criteria, cultural awareness, and a personal vision capable of entering into dialogue with tradition and contemporary life.

Our teaching rests on four pillars:

1   Technical mastery through direct observation and disciplined studio practice.

2   Historical and philosophical understanding that connects artistic practice with the wider history of ideas and culture.

3   Personal artistic development aimed at helping each student discover and cultivate an authentic visual language.

4   Community and dialogue, creating a space where artists, students, and thinkers learn from one another and participate in a living artistic tradition.

Programs

I. PROFESSIONAL PROGRAM

Three Years · Full-Time
The Professional Program of El Taller del Aire is structured around ten complementary areas that integrate studio practice, theoretical formation, and the development of a personal artistic voice.

Drawing
Study of form, proportion, light, and volume through direct observation and sustained work from life.

Painting
Progressive development of pictorial language and the relationships between drawing, value, color, and composition.

Artistic Anatomy
Understanding the structure of the human body and its application to artistic representation.

Materials and Techniques
Study of traditional materials, supports, and procedures employed in drawing and painting.

History, Philosophy, and Theory of Art
Exploration of the major artistic traditions and reflection on the nature of art, beauty, and the meaning of images with special attention to realistics traditions.

Plane and Symbolic Geometry
Introduction to fundamental geometric forms and to the relationships between number, proportion, nature, and artistic traditions.

The Art of Looking
Direct study of masterpieces and artistic traditions through museum visits (Museo del Prado etc.), observation, and analysis of original works.

Personal Project
Individual guidance aimed at the discovery and development of a personal artistic language.

Professional Orientation for Artists
Introduction to the art world and to the practical tools required for developing a sustainable artistic career.

Monthly Seminar
Interdisciplinary conversations with invited artists, writers, scientists, and specialists intended to broaden the student's cultural horizon and encourage dialogue between art, science, and the humanities.

II. FLEXIBLE PROGRAM

Part-Time Training Compatible with Other Activities
The Flexible Program is intended for students who wish to receive a solid education in drawing and painting while adapting their studies to professional, academic, or personal commitments. Students may join at any time during the academic year and progress at their own pace.

Rather than constituting a separate curriculum, the Flexible Program offers access to the same artistic tradition and teaching philosophy that define the Professional Program, but with a schedule adapted to students who cannot attend full-time.

- Drawing

- Painting

- Artistic Anatomy

- Materials and Techniques

- History, Philosophy, and Theory of Art

- Plane and Symbolic Geometry

- Personal Project

- Professional Orientation for Artists

- Individual Guidance

- Cultural Activities and Seminars

Students are free to combine one or several weekly sessions and to shape their studies according to their availability, while benefiting from the same principles of direct observation, individualized instruction, and integration of technique, history, philosophy, and visual culture that characterize El Taller del Aire.

Facilities

The Air Workshop is a spacious, naturally lit studio, ideal for teaching drawing and figurative painting. It includes:

– A main workspace with easels, tables, and storage areas.

– A modeling area with controlled lighting.

– A still life and painting section with natural light.

– A library with specialized art books.

– A classroom for lectures and discussions.

– A reading, relaxation, and meeting area.

– Offices for instructors, restrooms, and a small kitchen.

The academy offers a tranquil, inspiring, and disciplined environment where, upon request, students can stay outside of class hours to continue their work and research.