Dessinateur Praticien

Updated 22/05/2025

Learn the fundamentals of representational drawing and develop your skills in narrative techniques: comics, illustration and animation.

Keys information

  • Total number of teaching hours:

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

  • State recognition and qualification certification

    State-recognised degree (French Level 6 RNCP title – equivalent to a Bachelor’s degree).

    State recognition and qualification certification

  • Keys numbers

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

  • Highlights of the program

    The program is built on a renowned pedagogical approach. Students receive academic and narrative drawing instruction from experienced professional artists who are present throughout all class hours. The diploma awarded — Dessinateur Praticien — is officially recognised and accredited by the French Ministry of Higher Education and Research.

Program overview

Practical training

The Dessinateur Praticien diploma 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.

To learn more about the skill blocks and validation options, click here.

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, continuing education, or via the French Validation of Prior Experience process (VAE), which allows professionals to obtain formal recognition of skills acquired on the job.

  • 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

      €9,090 (+ €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

      €9,090 (+ €900 annual administrative fees)
      This includes 1,134 hours of face-to-face instruction with a teacher — equivalent to 38 hours per week.

  • 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

      €9,090 (+ €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.

Application

  • Admission requirements

    The Dessinateur Praticien 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 Lyon, for initial training, applications must be submitted via Parcoursup, the official French national admissions platform for higher education.
    In Angoulême (opening in fall 2025), applications are processed directly by the school, outside the Parcoursup system.

  • 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.

    If you had an interview with us during an Open Day or campus visit, please include your interview sheet in the same PDF file.
    If your file is too large, you may upload the interview sheet instead of the “Fiche de réorientation et de suivi de projet.”

  • Application

    Applicants must apply via the Parcoursup platform and follow the official admissions timeline set by the French Ministry of Higher Education and Research.

  • In practice

    Submit your application choices on Parcoursup between January 15 and March 13. You have until April 2 to confirm your choice and upload your application materials: a cover letter and your art portfolio.
    The admissions team at École Émile Cohl reviews all applications based on motivation and artistic potential. A ranking of applicants is then established. Admission results are published on June 2 via the Parcoursup platform, in the form of a dynamic ranking that evolves as candidates make their final choices.
    If admitted, the candidate confirms their decision on Parcoursup and the school will send an official enrolment form by email.

Admission

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