DRAWING CENTER STUDIO |
VISITING ARTIST
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Painting the Portrait From Life
Early Registration Deadline (discounted): October 16, 2026
[ REGISTER HERE ]
Tuition
Discounted price for early registration:
$340
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. This course will take place in Manifest's second floor Studio A (the large historic space), which will have some of its renovation finally complete.
Maximum: 12
Level of Study — Intermediate This workshop is best suited for artists with prior experience in observational drawing and/or painting who are seeking to strengthen their perceptual skills, technical clarity, and ability to solve complex visual problems, especially regarding the portrait, through paint.
*We have confirmed that the Clifton House will honor a special discounted rate for Manifest workshop participants when rooms are available.
Map to Manifest's M1 Studios | Studio Calendar | Darkroom Calendar
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Works by Aidan Baker-Hill
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.
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Manifest is supported by sustainability funding from the Ohio Arts Council, and through the generous direct contributions of hundreds of individual supporters and private foundations who care deeply about Manifest's mission for the visual arts.
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