about us
Hi!
We are Nikki and Justin Cooke and we have been running classes in Dorset since 2009. We offer tutored courses in all media.
We'd love to help you create amazing paintings, stunning prints and learn all the tricks and tips that you might find in a professional artists studio. We are both professional artists with many years of exhibiting experience.
It began with Japanese sketchbooks, a minibus, and pouring watercolour onto sheets of handmade paper...
Back in 2009 we established The Studio Art School with the aim of providing the art-school experience to anyone who would like to try their hand at any art media under the tuition of an professional artist. It began with a small workshop - eight artists painting with poured watercolour and pastel out in the beautiful landscape of south Dorset - and soon became a range of regular weekly classes. Specialist workshops in historic painting techniques and different media such as lino printing were added. 2020 saw the addition of online classes and in 2021 we began regular workshops with our fantastic new etching press.
As founders and tutors we believe it is important to inspire through our own work too. Our work has been shown at The Royal Academy Summer Exhibitions, Royal West of England Academy Exhibitions as well as independent and public galleries throughout the UK .
At The Studio Art School we have gathered together a complete resource to help you with your painting and drawing. Alongside our courses and workshops which we run locally in Dorset, UK; we also run zoom classes online. On this site you will find tips to improve your skills, some of which we have developed into our masterclasses.