What is Behind the Easel?

Behind the Easel brings the storytelling and production values of broadcast documentary to the world of painting, creating a whole new way to learn from artists.

Each film follows an accomplished painter through the creation of a single work as part of their real studio practice. Along the way, we get to know the person behind the paintings and witness the frustrations, mistakes, decisions and breakthroughs that shape the work.

It's a chance to learn from the messy, fascinating reality of painting!

Is it a painting course?

Unlike a conventional painting course, there are no modules, exercises or prescribed techniques to follow. Instead, each film gives you a front-row seat as an accomplished painter thinks their way through a real painting.

The learning is embedded in the storytelling. You'll discover the experiences and influences that have shaped their work, while picking up plenty of practical insights to take back into your own practice, supported by additional resources on materials and methods.

It's learning through observation, wrapped up in a documentary you can enjoy in its own right. And hopefully, you'll come away freshly inspired too.

Will I learn practical painting techniques?

Absolutely. There's a huge amount of practical and technical information in every film. Because we're there throughout the making of a complete painting, you'll see and hear artists talk about things like colour mixing, palettes, materials, brushwork, composition and paint application, as well as why something isn't working and how they fix problems. The difference is that none of it is scripted or taught to camera. You're watching those decisions being made in the course of a real painting. It's less "here's how you should do it" and more being allowed to look over an artist's shoulder while they work, and learn from everything that happens.

How much does it cost?

Each film costs £70 to buy, giving you unlimited viewing, plus the artist’s own notes and a chaptered transcript. We've put around £25,000 of production value into each film because we wanted to make something that felt very different from watching a painting tutorial. You'll see aspects of the artist's daily life and learn what inspires them, as well as seeing the creation of a complete artwork from start to finish. And hopefully it'll be something you'll want to watch more than once, whether that's at your easel, or on the sofa.

Why aren't the films free?

Because we believe an artist’s knowledge and experience are worth paying for. Every featured artist shares in the revenue from their film, in recognition of the time, expertise and openness they bring to it.

And the learning experience itself comes wrapped in an independently made documentary. We bring decades of broadcast filmmaking experience to each film, shooting with high-end cinema cameras and lenses, then carefully editing and finishing the film over many months. The result is something as enjoyable to watch as it is to learn from.

Can I claim the cost as a business expense?

If you're a professional artist, you may be able to claim the cost of our films as a professional development expense. Tax rules vary by country and individual circumstances, so we recommend checking with your accountant or tax adviser.

Do I get anything else with the film?

Yes. Each artist film comes with the full transcript and Artist's Notes written by the artist, so you have the key insights, techniques and materials from the film to refer back to afterwards. The Artist's Notes will include things like the artist's palette, materials, technique and other useful information to support the film.

Can I watch from outside the UK?

Yes! The films will be available to buy internationally, so you can watch wherever you are.

How long are the films?

Each film finds its own natural length, from a broadcast hour to feature length. We wanted enough time to really get under the skin of how an artist works, but not so long that you struggle to find time to watch them.

Who are the films for?

They're primarily for painters and artists, whether you've just picked up a brush or you've been painting for years. You don't have to want to paint like the artist we're filming. We're much more interested in what happens when you see how someone else thinks and works, and what that might unlock in your own practice. But we think anyone with an interest in art would find them enjoyable and deeply immersive. An antidote to our fast-cut world!

Do I need to create an account?
Your account is created automatically when you purchase. You'll receive a confirmation email with your login details. Simply log in at any time to watch your film.

Is this a subscription service?
No. Every film is a single one-time purchase. You pay once and keep access permanently. We may introduce optional membership packages in the future but there is no subscription required.

How do I buy a film?
Click "Buy Film" on any artist's page and you'll be taken through a simple secure checkout. Payment is processed by Stripe - the same technology used by thousands of trusted websites worldwide.

What payment methods do you accept?
We accept all major credit and debit cards including Visa, Mastercard and American Express, processed securely via Stripe.

Is my payment secure?
Yes. All payments are handled by Stripe and are fully encrypted. Behind the Easel never sees or stores your card details.

Can I buy more than one film?
Absolutely. Each film is purchased individually and all your purchases are stored in one account. Log in at any time to access everything you've bought.

Do you offer refunds?
If you have a technical issue that prevents you from watching your film, please contact us at hello@behindtheeasel.com and we'll resolve it promptly. As our films are digital products with immediate access granted on purchase, we are unable to offer refunds where the film has been accessed.

Where do I watch my film?
Log in to your account at behindtheeasel.com and your purchased films will be waiting for you. Click to watch directly in your browser - no app, no download required.

Can I watch on my TV?
Yes, you can cast from your browser to a smart TV using your device's built-in casting feature, or mirror your screen. For the best experience we recommend watching on the largest screen available.

Can I watch on my phone or tablet?
Yes. The player is fully optimised for mobile and tablet viewing. For the best experience we recommend connecting to a strong WiFi signal rather than mobile data.

How many times can I watch?
As many times as you like. Once purchased, you can return to the film and watch it again and again, with no limit on the number of views.

Can I download the film to watch offline?
No. All films are delivered via secure streaming only. Downloads are not available. An internet connection is required to watch.

How do I get the best picture quality?
The player adjusts quality automatically, but for the sharpest possible image click the  settings cog in the bottom right corner of the player, select Quality, and choose the highest resolution. A strong WiFi connection will give you the best result.

The picture quality seems low - what should I do?
First check your internet connection, then click the cog in the player, go to Quality, and manually select the highest resolution. Switching from mobile data to WiFi will make a significant difference.

The film won't play - what should I do?
Try the following in order: refresh the page, check your internet connection, try a different browser (Chrome or Safari work best), and clear your browser cache. If the issue continues please contact us at hello@behindtheeasel.com.

I can't log in to my account.
Click "Forgot password" on the login screen and we'll send you a reset link straight away. If you're still having trouble, email us at hello@behindtheeasel.com with the email address you used to purchase and we'll get you back in.

I didn't receive my confirmation email.
Check your spam or junk folder first. If it's not there, contact us at hello@behindtheeasel.com and we'll resend it immediately.

Can I share my login with someone else?
Your account is for personal use only. Sharing access is not permitted under our Terms and Conditions. Each household should purchase their own access.

Is my personal data safe?
Yes. We take your privacy seriously and handle all data in accordance with UK GDPR. We never sell your data to third parties. Full details are in our Privacy Policy at behindtheeasel.com/privacy.

How do I contact you?
Email us at hello@behindtheeasel.com and we'll get back to you within two business days.