The Absorbing, Atmospheric Chic of Johan Barrios

Johan Barrios is a Colombian mixed-media artist based in Houston, Texas, known for his unique use of graphite, oils, watercolor, and other materials in his figurative pieces. His moody atmospheres and abstractions spark emotional mystery and quiet drama. His canvases evoke a cool mix of tension and texture through interesting poses, surrealist elements, and absurdity in the way he stages his subjects and reflects emotion in his figurative paintings. His work in portraiture features exquisite visual appeal in the way he renders the detail of beautiful fabrics, juxtaposed with an abstracted minimal background. Johan is truly a romantic and talented artist who exudes charisma and passion on the canvas.

Johan will join us for a unique and engaging 4-day oil painting workshop on May 9- 12, 2026, where we dive into his creative process and learn how to use objects in surprising ways to add tension and depth to your narratives. He’ll guide 14 participants through everything from using reference photos to drawing and layering oils, all while focusing on creating mood and telling stories through your artwork.

Over four days, this workshop will cover everything from setting up a scene, posing a model, lighting, photography, to key elements of depth, composition, exploring the palette, and reviewing the purpose of using specific mediums.