As digital printing becomes an increasingly common alternative to hand-painted scenery, this session explores what is truly gained — and what risks being lost — when traditional scenic painting is replaced by faster, mechanised processes.

Bringing together leading scenic painters and designers, we unpack the intelligence and artistry embedded within painted environments — from texture, depth and scale to atmosphere, illusion and emotional resonance. These are not simply decorative skills, but storytelling tools that shape how audiences feel and perceive a world across theatre, film and live experience.

Alongside creative discussion, the session offers practical guidance for designers and producers: how to brief more effectively, collaborate earlier, and unlock what is possible when scenic artists are fully integrated into the design process. Crucially, the conversation will also address stewardship — how we protect, nurture and future-proof this craft so that the next generation inherits not just techniques, but a living, evolving discipline.