Drawing artist program - Angoulême

Master the basics of representational drawing while exploring the power of narrative through art in the following industries: comics, illustration and animation.

Keys informations

  • Total number of teaching hours:

    Face-to-face teaching hours with a teacher: from 1,020 to 1,236 hours per year.

  • Reconnaissance de la formation

    School Certificate.
    An application to extend the visa held by the Lyon campus will be submitted at a later date.

  • Keys numbers

    In Lyon, 96% of students graduated in the 2020–2021 academic year

  • Highlights of the program

    A renowned teaching approach, with instruction in academic drawing and narrative drawing delivered by experienced artists who are present with students throughout all class hours.

Program overview

Practical training

The Drawing artist program is designed to develop a strong drawing culture and the technical skills required for careers in narrative arts across publishing, animated film and video games.

At École Émile Cohl, drawing culture is built on applied knowledge and a solid foundation of hands-on instruction. Students learn how to construct accurate drawings — mastering proportions, anatomy, perspective and values — based on real-life observation. Through extended studio sessions, they gradually learn how to faithfully translate three-dimensional objects into two-dimensional images, first on paper and then digitally. Working from plaster casts, live models, and a variety of real-world objects (tools, tableware, toys, fish, plants), they develop both technical precision and artistic sensitivity.

 

Serving the narrative

The curriculum gradually leads students to produce increasingly refined compositions that meet real production requirements: starting with simple line drawings of objects, then moving on to colour — first by hand, then digitally; staging characters and environments in various formats; creating both still and animated images.

The goal of the training is to develop confident, purposeful drawing skills in the service of storytelling. In all courses — character drawing, illustration, comics and animation — assignments are based on specific production briefs. Students are expected to adopt a professional mindset and respond to artistic direction provided by their instructors, who are themselves practising artists.

By the end of the program, students are able to carry out execution and production tasks under the supervision of an art director or animation director. However, the Dessinateur Praticien diploma does not certify the ability to fully design and lead complex editorial or digital projects in fields such as video games, animation, comics or illustration. That level of authorship and creative responsibility is the focus of postgraduate specialisations (Master’s level, Bac+5), which offer more advanced technical training and stronger artistic mentorship on group projects and personal portfolios.

 

This certification is available through initial training or continuing education.

  • 1st year (DP)
  • 2nd year (DP)
  • 3rd year (DP)
année

En savoir + sur chaque année

  • Year 1: discovering drawing techniques and visual arts professions

    Highly selective, the first year offers intensive training in observational drawing in all its forms, providing a solid professional foundation for future artists. At the same time, it introduces students to the wide range of careers in the visual arts.

    • Tuition fees for the 2025–2026 academic year

      €8,160 (+ €900 annual administrative fees)
      This includes 1,020 hours of face-to-face instruction with a teacher — equivalent to 34 hours per week.

    • Courses

      • Artistic Anatomy

      • Object Drawing

      • Cast Drawing

      • Character Drawing

      • Documentary Drawing

      • Life Drawing

  • The second year builds on and strengthens students’ observational drawing skills. Teaching gradually expands to include the creation of narrative images and the use of digital tools. Some classes are taught in English.

    • Tuition fees for the 2025–2026 academic year

      €8,160 (+ €900 annual administrative fees)
      This includes 1,134 hours of face-to-face instruction with a teacher — equivalent to 38 hours per week.

    • Courses

      • Life Drawing

      • Object Drawing / Illustration

      • Cast Drawing

      • Documentary Drawing

      • Sculpture / volume

      • Artistic Anatomy

  • Objective: to deepen skills in observational drawing and digital tools (DTP, 2D/3D graphics, interactivity), all in service of narrative art.
    The third year strengthens students’ command of traditional and digital drawing techniques and prepares them to produce both still and animated images in a professional context. A two-month internship in a company is part of the curriculum.

    • Tuition fees for the 2025–2026 academic year

      €8,160 (+ €900 annual administrative fees)
      This includes 1,236 hours of face-to-face instruction with a teacher — equivalent to 37 hours per week, including a 280-hour internship.

    • Courses

      • Comics / Scenario

      • Narrative painting

      • Youth illustration

      • Skecthing

      • Sculpture / volume

      • Caricature / Press drawing

Application

  • Admission requirements

    The Drawing Artist program is open to candidates who have completed a high school diploma or equivalent (required), either through initial training or continuing education. The program is offered on the Lyon and Angoulême campuses.

    In Angoulême (opening in fall 2025), admissions are handled outside the Parcoursup platform, based on an artistic portfolio and a motivation interview with a school administrator or academic advisor.

     

  • Prerequisites

    A strong motivation for drawing practice is essential.
    Applicants must prepare an art portfolio showcasing observational drawings from real life. The same portfolio is required when applying to the Drawing Foundation Year (Prépa Dessin), Year 1 of the Practising Illustrator program, or Year 1 of the 3D Designer program.

  • Portfolio requirements

    Create 4 boards, each containing 2 to 3 observational drawings from real life:

    • Board 1: Interior or exterior architectural views

    • Board 2: Full-body life drawing (human figure)

    • Board 3: Tools, fruits or vegetables

    • Board 4: Observational drawings — subject of your choice

    Each board must include the date of the drawings, the techniques used, and the time taken for each piece.

     

     

    Tips to build your Portfolio :

Admission

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