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Painting the Portrait From Life A 3-day Intensive Workshop with Aidan Baker-Hill

Type: Residencies, Workshops, Exchanges [View all]
Posted by: Manifest Drawing Center
Deadline: Mon, December 7th, 2026

Painting the Portrait From Life
A 3-day Intensive Workshop with Aidan Baker-Hill


December 11 - 13, 2026 (Friday - Sunday)

Early Registration Deadline (discounted): October 16, 2026

Final Registration Deadline (regular price): December 7, 2026 

Tuition

Discounted price for early registration: $340
(Student Rate: $289 with valid student ID*)

Description

Painting from the live model was a cornerstone of historical art training and remains a powerful way to develop the skills of observation, drawing, color, and painting. In a world saturated with photography, learning to paint directly from life offers an opportunity to slow down, look closely, and build a portrait through sustained observation.

In this three-day workshop, Aidan will guide students through the development of an oil portrait from the live model, beginning with head structure, linear drawing, and comparative measuring techniques before transferring the drawing to canvas. From there, students will work through the portrait piece by piece, learning to mix color, distinguish light and shadow masses, compress values, and build a painting directly without an underpainting.

As the portrait develops, students will explore light logic, false accents, simultaneous contrast, and the different approaches required when painting hair and skin. Particular attention will be given to connecting one area of the painting to the next while maintaining a unified sense of light, color, and form. The workshop will also cover the use and handling of oil painting materials throughout the process.

Each day will begin with a lecture and demonstration, followed by focused studio time. Aidan will provide in-depth, one-on-one feedback as students develop their paintings, offering individualized guidance throughout each stage of the process.

About the Instructor

Aidan Baker-Hill was born 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.

 

Posted on Fri, October 16th, 2026
Expires on Mon, December 7th, 2026

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