Based in Birmingham, UK, Alex Kelly is a dedicated painter and educator who has been teaching—and continuously learning—both in-person and online for many years. His practice is deeply rooted in the alla prima technique, primarily painting directly from life in the studio and en plein air. However, Alex also enjoys working from photographic reference to develop more conceptual pieces, balancing a spontaneous, immediate response to his subject with a more considered, deliberate approach.
For Alex, painting is fundamentally about “learning to see.” It is a process that requires heightened sensitivity, discernment, and an appreciation for the beauty found in direct visual experiences. To Alex, beauty is anything that evokes emotion, sparks curiosity, or invites deeper exploration. By navigating both the literal and the conceptual, he constantly challenges himself to refine his perception and discover new visual languages in paint—a passion he brings directly to his students.
