Inspired by Ellie’s unique approach to portraiture, pupils had the opportunity to experiment with oil paint, a medium that was new to many and instantly captured their imagination.

The session provided an invaluable insight into professional artistic techniques, with pupils exploring composition, expression, and the relationship between artist, sitter, and viewer. Ellie’s guidance encouraged them to embrace creativity in an intuitive and expressive way, making for an engaging and immersive experience.

For some pupils, this workshop sparked a newfound passion for oil painting. One young scholar was so inspired that she has already shared with Mr Spurrett, Head of Art, her desire to use her scholar bursary to invest in oil paints and an easel. The impact of seeing a professional at work was undeniable, leaving everyone excited to continue developing their pieces over the coming weeks.

Ellie Kerr-Smiley's work focusses on bold, expressive portraiture, challenging traditional depictions of women in art. Her process is intuitive and dynamic, incorporating vibrant colours, layering techniques, and unexpected details to create pieces that feel alive with energy and emotion. She believes that art should be both expressive and fun, often leaving “mistakes” visible as part of the piece rather than covering them up. Her unique approach to painting resonated with our students, encouraging them to explore their own artistic voices with confidence.

A huge thank you to Ellie for sharing her expertise and passion with our students—we can’t wait to see how their work develops!