About Underpainting Collective
Our History
Underpainting Collective carries the legacy of David Hardy’s Oakland Atelier of Classical Realism, founded in 1969. After David retired, members came together to shepherd the school into a new era as a cooperative, ensuring its continuation and aligning it with our shared values.
The school’s roots trace back through a lineage of master artists including William Merritt Chase and connect to significant Bay Area cultural history, founded the same year the Black Panther Party began the first free breakfast program for children and when Oakland Museum of California first opened its doors.
Our Collective
For 55 years, this school has served as a vital center for learning classical realism drawing and painting techniques, a living tradition passed down through dedicated teachers and the students who carried their lessons forward. Today, we have transformed ourselves into a volunteer cooperative, a structure that reflects our deepest belief that art thrives in community.
We are artists who show up for each other: sharing knowledge, sharing space, and sharing the work of keeping this place alive.