The philosophy of learning at the Fine Arts League is unique in this milieu of artistic revolution.  Other Ateliers have built their philosophy of learning primarily on the Nineteenth Century site-size method of copying from the cast, or primarily on direct observation from nature.  The former too often results in cold and lifeless art pieces from this mathematical approach, and the latter can result in drawing errors that distract from the emotive elements intended.  The Fine Arts League has built their philosophy of learning on direct observation of the human figure, a solid and extensive knowledge of human anatomy, a working knowledge of techniques like the site-size method, and an awareness of the emotive elements of composition, atmosphere, and color.  Apprentices at the Fine Arts League employ the nineteenth century site-size method of cast drawing and painting in their first year, but are also simultaneously involved in countless drawing sessions where they draw from direct observation of the live model in various poses and attitudes.  The goal is to create artists capable of drawing the figure in any position simply from memory.  Apprentices advance to portrait drawing, long-pose figure drawing, still life painting, landscape painting, and portrait painting as they continue through the program.  The learning atmosphere is one of community growth and discovery.

The founder of the Fine Arts League of Asheville, artist Benjamin F. Long IV, wrote to one of his students in the very early days of the school:

The school eventually—if I have my way—will be structured to teach and help other serious artists to move further into the life of work, the true, deeper development of their skills, so that the school efforts become life efforts, work to be proud of, serious pieces in a real career, not ‘school work,’ but those shining bits of each individual’s endeavor that marks a significant professional beginning.  The instructors should not be just giving out information and short how-to demonstrations, but, rather, they should be sharing and revealing the elements of their own high standards and expectations.  In so doing, they keep their own skills honed, and now and then, even learn some thing new for their work.

The mission is to equip artists with the traditional methods and materials necessary to create art that is relevant to their time, while instilling a deep thematic appreciation for high quality art of all ages and cultures.  Where this perspective and knowledge of materials is absent or scarce in the broader academic world of America’s university art programs, the Fine Art League strives to be a place where respect for the past informs the present, and the effort to equip artists enriches each life involved.  If Picasso believed that “In order to make a dove, you must first wring its neck,” the purpose at the Fine Arts League is to redeem the dying dove, and through this redemption, see it rise from the ashes like a burning phoenix.