Les Shaw is passionate about art for everyone, fine draftsmanship and the expressive nature of colour.
He entered the Ryland Memorial School of Art, West Bromwich, near the age of thirteen from 1940-1946. He received a traditional art education that focused on drawing, as approved by the Ministry of Education. This was followed by two years National Service. He returned to his studies to practice fine art painting and the study of art history.
Following a career in advertising Les became an art teacher at Southend Art School for twenty four years. For seventeen of those he was the head of Adult Art Education. Since then he has been in private practice. He continues to enjoy teaching and gives demonstrations, talks and lectures as well as conducting workshops and classes in drawing, painting and the development of perception as a means to inspiration.