Demystifying Portrait Painting: In-Person Class

Demystifying Portrait Painting: In-Person

Aidan Barker-Hill | Spring I | Wednesdays: Jan 14 - Feb 18

Class Description:

Have you ever felt stuck or wondered "how should I start? How do I move forward on this painting?"

If you have, then this is the class for you! We will cover exactly how to progress from start to finish and answer any questions that arise. Following an organized and clear procedure is an essential part of painting. The objective of the course is to learn a logical, step-by-step process to painting, with emphasis on the portrait. Topics covered include the two-value statement, head construction/perspective, light logic, color theory, and materials for painting. This is a 6-week in-person class and students will work from a live model every week. The class consists of lectures, demonstrations, and one-on-one critiques.

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Spring I Session Dates:

Scheduled occurrences for the next semester of this class are as follows:

Week	Date	Time
Week 1:	1/14/2026	6:30 - 9:30 pm ET
Week 2:	1/21/2026	6:30 - 9:30 pm ET
Week 3:	1/28/2026	6:30 - 9:30 pm ET
Week 4:	2/04/2026	6:30 - 9:30 pm ET
Week 5:	2/11/2026	6:30 - 9:30 pm ET
Week 6:	2/18/2026	6:30 - 9:30 pm ET

Before Class - Welcome & How to Prepare for Class
Week 1 - Head Structure and Observing Shapes
Week 2 - How to Create Form: The Basics of Oil Painting
Week 3 - How to Refine a Painting
Week 4 - Painting With Temperature
Week 5 - Full Palette Painting
Week 6 - Finishing the Full Palette Painting

$360.00
In-Person
6 Weeks
Beginner to Advanced

Meet Your Instructor

Aidan Barker-Hill

Instructor

Aidan Barker-Hill is originally from Reno, Nevada. He received his BFA from Laguna College of Art and Design in California and his MFA from the New York Academy of Art. His studio practice is centered around portraiture and depictions of the human form. He currently resides in New York and teaches painting at the NYAA and is enormously thankful to have the opportunity to pass his knowledge onto students through painting classes. Barker-Hill is also a recipient of the Elizabeth Greenshields Grant, an Art Renewal Center Finalist, and is represented by Arcadia Contemporary in NYC.