Painting the Portrait From Life with Aidan Barker-Hill
June 10–14, 2026 | 10AM–4PM daily | 3126 Shattuck Ave., Berkeley
About the Workshop
Painting from the live model was the cornerstone of the historical art training that birthed every old master we still revere today. In a world saturated with photography, learning to paint from life is more important than ever — and this workshop will teach you all the skills and techniques you need to make a beautiful portrait from direct observation.
We’ll cover drawing basics, comparative measuring, transferring a drawing to canvas, values and value compression, color mixing, direct painting/window shading, and how to use oil painting materials.
Each day (10AM to 4PM) will begin with a lecture and demonstration, after which Aidan will work alongside the students for the remainder of the morning. During the afternoon session there will be in-depth one-on-one feedback with each student.
What You’ll Learn
- Head structure and linear drawing
- Comparative measuring techniques
- How to transfer a drawing to canvas
- Light mass vs. shadow mass, value compression, and light logic
- Color mixing using the Munsell color system
- Direct painting and window shading technique
- Rendering individual features — eyes, nose, mouth, and hair
- How to use oil painting materials effectively
Course Structure
Day 1: Drawing
Head structure, linear drawing, comparative measuring techniques, and how to transfer a drawing to canvas.
Day 2: Value
An alla prima value study using only black and white paints. We’ll cover light mass vs. shadow mass, value compression, false accents, simultaneous contrast, and light logic.
Day 3: Color and Rendering the Eyes/Forehead
The Munsell color system and how to window shade a painting, working through the head slowly in individual parts. We’ll also cover common issues with painting eyes and how to fix them.
Day 4: Rendering the Nose and Mouth
The rendering process continues with the nose and mouth, discussing common mistakes and what to focus on.
Day 5: Finishing the Painting
Completing the larger forms of the face — chin, neck, and cheeks — and how to treat the hair and background differently from the face.
About the Artist
Aidan Barker-Hill (@aidanbarkerhill) was born in 1994 in Reno, Nevada. He has a BFA from Laguna College of Art and Design (2016) and an MFA from New York Academy of Art (2018), where he currently teaches portrait painting. He lives and works in Brooklyn, New York. His studio practice focuses on representational multifigure narrative paintings, often dealing with themes of masculinity in contemporary culture.
Needs-based scholarships are available, contact us!
Questions? Email us at info@underpainting.org.