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Ashley Hold
I’m a representational painter and all my teaching is oriented for those who want to make representational painting, whether landscape, or figure-based. Most of my teaching has focused on the individual students’ needs, identifying strengths and weaknesses, and offering strategies to develop the latter. Generally, the things that people struggle with in their work are counter intuitive
Ashley’s own work has a strong interest in the human figure and he has completed many portrait commissions for clients including the Freemasons and Marjon College, Plymouth. Influences include Dutch and Flemish painting, Caspar David Friedrich, Christian Kobke, Garcia Lopez, Lucien Freud and the writings of Alan Watts.
He has exhibited in the BP Portrait Award at the National Portrait Gallery, The Hunting Arts Prizes at the RCA, The Discerning Eye, and The Royal Society of Portrait Painters at the Mall Galleries. Accolades include prizes from the Mall Gallery and The Hunting Art Prize.
Ashley graduated with a BA Hons in Fine Art from Falmouth School of Art in 1989. In 1998 he founded and co-organised of Open Studios (SW) until 2003. In 2008 he completed a Masters Degree in Twentieth Century Art and Design: Histories and Theories at University College Falmouth where he is currently a part-time lecturer.
‘Most of my work is the result of working directly from observation, continually revising and re-working the image in attempting to resolve the tension between my commitment to visual fact and my concern for pictorial structure.’
What our students say
I found Ashley very patient and understanding as a tutor. He was able to take our individual experiences and adapt to each of us. I haven’t painted sea or rocks before so it was a new subject and I’m very pleased with the outcome.
I learnt a huge amount in three days. The studio was a fantastic physical environment Excellent teaching and support.
Courses with Ashley Hold
Figure - Finding Form Through Abstraction (rec)
Online Pre-recorded - Drawing - Figure
Active sort order:
Course ID: a004J00000QpaQD
Active Instance: a024J00000Ar6j0QAB, 01-Sep-2026
Create accurate, gestural figures through abstract forms in this new online webinar led by artist Ashley Hold.
| £30 | Book |
Figure - Light + Atmosphere
Online Pre-recorded - Drawing - Figure
Active sort order:
Course ID: a004J00000NUc5w
Active Instance: a024J00000CzucmQAB, 01-Sep-2026
Join us for this two hour online figure class focusing on light, shade, and the qualities of tone to create atmosphere. Recorded from our studio in St Ives with a clothed model, join in at home with guided exercises and watch live or later.
| £30 | Book |