About Us

About Brisbane Painting Classes

Brisbane Painting Classes is a vibrant and welcoming boutique art school founded by Master Artist Marcel Desbiens in 2005.

Housed in a large, light-filled warehouse in Albion, Brisbane Painting Classes offers a wide range of courses and workshops across a variety of mediums including oil, acrylic, watercolour, drawing, charcoal and pastel, at a range of levels from absolute beginners through to those seeking to refine and extend their practice. We also offer seminars and workshops in art history and the business and marketing skills needed to work as a professional artist.

We offer the opportunity to try something new, or to extend and expand your skills, in a friendly, relaxed and supportive environment. And if you get inspired, we have everything you need to take you on the journey from beginner to professional artist!

Our students benefit from the expertise of more than 20 teachers, all of whom are award-winning, practising artists from Brisbane, interstate or overseas. And we keep our classes small so that all students benefit from personal attention and support.

The school’s origins lie in the traditional techniques of oil painting, learned from the old masters like Caravaggio, Rubens and Rembrandt and arose from French Canadian artist Marcel Desbiens' belief that anyone can paint if they are given the right instruction and support to apply the appropriate tools and techniques. The Foundation in Oils course developed by Marcel remains one of the school’s most popular and respected courses.

Using this tried and tested approach, Brisbane Painting Classes has helped thousands of students to develop their skills, as well as inspired many to pursue their art long term. Some students have even gone on to become award-winning artists themselves!

At Brisbane Painting Classes, our mission is to:

• help people to discover their artistic potential by supporting them to develop techniques in various art forms

• help aspiring artists to build confidence in their ability to create art

• provide artists with extended knowledge on artistic techniques by interaction and instructions from accomplished professional artists

• provide artists with knowledge of the art scene, and an understanding and appreciation of the art in general

• inspire people to find their artistic voice and develop their own personal artistic technique

• offer the opportunity for people to develop an artistic hobby for the years to come, including in retirement

• provide a serene and safe supportive environment with like-minded people

• provide an opportunity to connect with the artistic community.