Birmingham Figurative Painter

I am Emma Woolley, a figurative painter based in Birmingham. I create contemporary oil paintings that focus on emotion, presence and the quiet space between people. My work is rooted in the West Midlands and shaped by close, honest moments that reveal something human.

I paint from my studio in Digbeth, working with oil, charcoal and mixed media. My process is instinctive and physical, building layers of colour and mark making to bring out depth and feeling. I often work close up, allowing the viewer to sit with the expression, the tension, or the softness held within a face.

My practice includes ongoing bodies of work such as The Space Between Us and The Wonder Series, alongside live portrait sessions and new pieces created across Birmingham’s creative community. Each series explores connection, memory and tenderness in different ways.

If you are looking for a figurative painter in Birmingham, you can explore my paintings, visit the Studio Journal for notes and reflections, or get in touch to arrange a studio visit by appointment.