IT IS the age-old question – what is the difference between being naked and being nude?

Amateur and professional artists can ponder the issue every week at Magdalen Road Studios’ life drawing classes.

Each Wednesday, Manchester-born artist Francis O’Neill asks a model to get naked – or nude – for his class.

They can be 16 to 80, college students, professional artists, talented or talentless.

But Mr O’Neill says if you can not teach talent, he can definitely teach skill.

“Some people think drawing and painting can’t be taught.

“I’ve got before and after examples on my website and it shows you can teach skills.

“You can teach people how to look at things differently and how to mix colour.

“I get a lot of beginners come in and I can get them to a level of competence.”

Mr O’Neill, who has a degree in fine art from Edinburgh, said his models come from just as wide a background as his students; some have an interest in art themselves and some just want the extra cash.

Find out more, at magdalenroadstudios.com.