At the introduction of Wu Dongcai, Liao began extracurricular study with the venerable painter Li Shiqiao. Li empathized with his student's disillusionment, recounting how he himself had only gained admission to Tokyo School of Fine Arts (now Tokyo University of the Arts) after two initial failed efforts. He encouraged Liao, saying, "Don't worry what other people think, just keep painting!"
在吳棟材老師引介下，廖修平課餘到前輩畫家李石樵的畫室學習，李石樵或許看穿他的心情，便以自己當年投考日本東京美術學校（現東京藝術大學）第 3 年才如願考上的經驗鼓勵他：「不要管別人評價如何，認真畫下去就對了！」