Nicholas Baldion

I’m of the opinion that a painter is more than just an ‘eye’, but a whole human who is thinking, who is conscious, who is a member of humanity and society. I believe that the artist’s role is to reflect the times they live in – to have something to say. This is what I aim to do in my work. I’m a social realist painter, who has won several prizes for my paintings, including the John Moores Painting Prize(shortlist 2023) and the John Moores Peoples Choice 2023.

I have a deep passion for teaching painting and drawing, and begun my first tentative steps in teaching in 2023. I’m thrilled to now be joining the fantastic team at the Mary Ward Centre and to have worked with some wonderful and talented students.

The study of Painting and drawing changes lives. It changes the way you see and what you notice in the world around you. It deepens your understanding of form and the rhythm inherent in nature and the universe.  It reconnects you with the powerful creative ability you possess.

For me, teaching art has two interconnected and crucial aspects. On the one hand, the continual rigorous honing of the technical aspects of drawing and painting: line, Tone, Form, Proportion, Colour.

On the other hand, the development of creative connection and the artistic pursuit, with the ethos behind every class to not only help students draw what they see, but more fundamentally to encourage students to draw what they want to help others to see.

In 2026-2027, I will be teaching the following courses:

Drawing for Absolute Beginners is for students new to drawing and students looking for a course that returns to the fundamentals and building blocks of Drawing. It is the perfect course to begin your journey.

Portrait Mixed Levels. Nothing is quite like painting and drawing the figure from life. This course is ideal for those with some early experience drawing to those who have been painting and drawing for years. It will systematically go through different approaches to portraiture.

Drawing on Location is a very enjoyable course taking place on location around London (and a little in the studio) that will really give you the confidence to go out and draw from real life everywhere and anywhere, and how you can use these sketches to make work in the studio.

Every course will introduce you to artists both contemporary and historical. In order to examine their approaches and the means by which they created artworks which are able to move us so completely.