What People Say
About Us
The Useful Art Class is a series of workshops that will provide you with the essential skills fundamental to drawing and painting. The classes are short, concentrated sessions that focus very clearly on the principles that are foundational to creating 2D artworks. Sessions are taught by practicing artists in-person and online who between them have over 30 years of experience within the art world and will equip you with practical knowledge that will help you with your art practice.
The weekly life drawing classes are delivered in the heart of Birmingham’s creative quarter, the Custard Factory, Digbeth, in exhibition space attached to the teaching artists’ studios.
The Tutors
Stephen Earl Rogers
Stephen Earl Rogers creates striking, contemporary portraits and paintings for both public and private commissions. Painting with incredible realism, Rogers captures physical likeness with clean precision whilst at the same time achieving a powerful presence and depth of character in his subjects.
Regularly shown at the National Portrait Gallery in London, his work has featured in exhibitions representing the very best in figurative and contemporary art practice worldwide.
Lucy Fiona Morrison
Morrison has established a reputation as a painter renowned for capturing the character and essence of the land. Driven by a desire to remind viewers of the beauty of the landscape and inspired by the diverse vistas of the UK, Morrison is compelled to translate the breadth of colours, shapes and forms onto canvas. Morrison’s gestural oil paintings are composed of expressive colours and richly textured brushwork, offering abstract representations of the British Isles. Morrison’s paintings are held in private collections internationally.
OUR WORKSHOPS
Introduction to Oil Painting
Life Drawing
Introduction to Portrait Oil Painting
Introduction to Still Life Oil Painting
Following a demonstration of essential considerations of oil painting, featuring advice on composition, perspective and colouring, get hands-on creating depth & perspective in your own oil painting.
Have fun experimenting and gain the confidence and inspiration to successfully draw from life. Starting with quick sketching and progressing into longer timed drawings, we will lead you in exercises to get you familiar with working from life and the process of observational drawing.
In the sanctuary of the Artist Studios this welcoming workshop offers a unique opportunity to learn from a knowledgeable International Portrait Artist. Learn how to set out a palette and mix paint to accurately create any portrait
Featuring advice on composition, perspective , colour mixing and application technique, get hands-on creating your own expressive and colourful mini paintings. Working from life you will explore the shape, form and texture of everyday objects, fruit and flowers.
FINDING US
We are located on the fourth floor of the Custard Factory on Gibb Street.
If you are attending one of our life drawing classes we will meet you outside by the pool and the orange rhino doors. We will email you a number to ring to contact us directly when you arrive and then you will then be taken up to the artist studios.