Robert Liberace is a contemporary classicist, equally accomplished in drawing, painting, and sculpture. His work is inspired by the centuries of knowledge, skill, and elegance of the old masters. He works in a variety of mediums including pencil, chalk, pen and ink, watercolor, and oil. In the February 2006 issue of The Artist's Magazine, Rob received the honor of being selected as one of the top twenty realist artists under the age of forty.

Drawing  Rob is perhaps best known for his classic and distinctive style of figure drawing. American Artist magazine highlighted Rob's drawing techniques as the cover feature in their May 2002 annual drawing issue. Currently, Rob is working on a book for Watson-Guptill Publishing, in which he will explain and demonstrate his contemporary approach for creating "old master" style drawings. Three of Rob's drawings were selected to be displayed in New York's prestigious Arnot Museum of Art.

Portraits Rob is an internationally acclaimed portrait artist. In April of 2003 he received the Grand Prize Award in the International Portrait Competition from the Portrait Society of America. In 2002 he won the Best of Show Award. Rob has been commissioned to do portraits for clients such as Marc Pachter, Director of the National Portrait Gallery, George H. Bush, Senior, and Ambassador Sol Linowitz. Rob's portrait demonstrations have become a favorite for students attending the Portrait Societies' Portrait Academies; most recently in Dallas, May 2006 and in San Francisco, October 2005. For more information go to:http://www.portraitsociety.org

Sculpture Rob has been selected as a professional member of the National Sculpture Society. He has created a series of carved marble reliefs which are now permanently located in the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, DC. Rob also completed a sculpture of a fourteen foot crucifix which has been placed above the alter in “Our Lady of Mercy” church in Potomac, Maryland. He has been recently commissioned to sculpt a life-sized statue of Mother Teresa for the National Shrine in Washington DC.

Rob teaches painting, drawing, and anatomy at The Art League of Virginia. He also teaches workshops throughout the United States and abroad. (See info below.) Rob is represented by the Arcadia Gallery in New York City, the John Pence Gallery in San Francisco, and the M Gallery in Sarasota Florida. Rob lives in Virginia with his wife, illustrator Lina Liberace, and their two daughters.

The Artist magazine, August 2007
"Artists of the World: Lessons Learned from the Masters"
We just received a copy of the United Kingdom's The Artist magazine, which contains a beautifully written article by Sandra Carpenter, former editor of The Artist's Magazine. Yes, it is a bit confusing with the names being so somilar! This publication is distributed in bookstores in the U.S. For more information/subscriptions visit http://www.theartistmagazine.co.uk.
Read the complete text.

Painting of the Director of the National Portrait Gallery Presented at Conference, May 2007
Rob was recently commissioned to do a portrait of Marc Pachter, the Director of the National Portrait Gallery in Washington, DC, who is due to retire in October. The painting was unveiled Saturday, May 5th at the Portrait Society of America's annual "Art of the Portrait" conference, where Marc gave a lively keynote speech and recieved the "Leadership in the Fine Arts" award. This year's event took place in Reston, Virginia.

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Photos courtesy of Kerry Vosler, Florida embassador for the Portrait Society of America

The Artist's Magazine, April 2007
Thanks to The Artist's Magazine and writer Christine Proskow for writing such a lovely article about Rob's work. And thanks to the editors for choosing to put Lina's portrait on the cover!
Read the complete text.



"Top Twenty Artists under the age of Forty" February 2006
The Artist's Magazine
Congratulations to Rob for being selected by The Artist's Magazine as one of their choices for the top twenty realist artists under the age of forty. It was a nice surprise. There are certainly a lot of talented artists out there. It shows that realist art is truly alive and well today!

American Artist Workshop Magazine, Spring 2006
American Artist editor Stephen Doherty wrote a wonderful and informative article about the September workshop in Ireland entitled "Rob Liberace: Learning from the Masters." The story contains three demos and a lot of information within its eighteen pages! For photos and additional info about the Ireland trip see below.

International Artist Magazine Interview, April/May 2006
In an article entitled "Words from the Wise," Rob was interviewed about important issues impacting artists today. Part two of the series. The other artists interviewed were Burt Silverman, Chris Saper, John Howard Sanden, Tony Rider, David Leffel, Wende Caporale, Judith Carducci, Jacob Collins, Daniel E. Greene, Edward Jonas, Everett Raymond Kinstler, Sherrie McGraw and Timothy Thies.

Fall City Fine Art Studio
in Washington State
July 21-25, 2008

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Join Rob for this five day workshop to be held at the Fall City Fine Art Studio in the beautiful rural valley on the Snoqualmie River, 30 minutes from Seattle. The class will be limited to just sixteen students and will be held in a renovated barn, so it should be quite a special workshop!

In this 5-day comprehensive workshop we will explore the beauty of the human figure with an emphasis on drawing and painting. We will focus on the fundamentals of the human form and the dynamics of movement and color. The class will study various approaches in which artists of the past used to infuse their work with movement and energy, and then execute our own artwork with the help of live models. Students will create several figure paintings or drawings in a variety of conditions both indoors and plein air. Demos will be given focusing on the arrangement of the models and painting, and drawing techniques with different environments. Registration will be through Fall City Fine Art Studio. Visit their website at www.fallcityfineart.org/

"Drawing the Human Figure in Silverpoint"
Nelson Shanks' Studio Incamminati
August 15, 16, 17, 2008


Silverpoint is one of the oldest, most noble drawing techniques. Great masters such as Pisanello, Raphael and DaVinci were enchanted by this precious metal and they revealed the graphic beauty and artistic power of silverpoint in their art. This class examines the traditions and techniques of silverpoint by creating drawings made with silver.
Using a simple stylus made of silver wire and wood, students practice this ancient craft through the exploration of the human figure. Various methods of hatching,crosshatching and linear glazing will be studied through drawing demonstrations and analysis of past masters. Silverpoint stylus and prepared paper are required. Many art stores carry a silverpoint stylus. A resource for materials is silverpointweb.com/catalog.html. Sign up through Studio Incamminati. Click here for a Summer Workshops 2008 registration form or email Studio Incamminati. Tuition $350




"The Figure in Action," Marshfield Hills, Massachusetts, at the North River Art Society, August 27, 28, 29, 2008
The expressive movement and energetic form of classical figure painting has influenced artists for centuries. This workshop will explore the dynamic potential of the human form and introduce these concepts into drawings and paintings. Students will study the various approaches and techniques intended to infuse their work with movement and energy. With the help of live models, students will then execute their own pictures. Demonstrations will be given focusing on painting and drawing technique and the arrangement of models. For information go to http://northriverarts.org/index.html

Raleigh, North Carolina, November 1, 2, 3
This three day workshop will focus on drawing the human figure. Register through ArtSpace (but, please, not yet as they are not opening registraton until July 15). Further information will be posted.

Ireland, June 13-27, 2009
Yes, we plan on returning to Northern Ireland again! (No, not next June, but the one after that!) John and Melanie of Limepark Arts Centre have been very busy. They have rennovated more cottages and now have room for 20. In addition they now have a tennis court and a workout room on the premises. And of course Rob's cousins Maureen and Gerard are still running Collier's Hall B&B for those of you who love a good Irish breakfast and don't mind driving to class. We will not be signing people up or taking deposits till a later date (so watch your email) but you may want to mark your calendar!

Previous Workshop Highlights...

(some held yearly)

VENICE
Art History/Sketching Workshop, March 16-24, 2008

VIEW THE VENICE PHOTO PAGE


An inking from Rob's sketchbook from the Venice trip.


The group at the Accadamia art museum.

The view outide the back of our hotel.

Thanks to the wonderful group who participated in the Venice trip! We all had a blast and saw more Tiepolos, Titians and Tintorettos than you could shake a stick at! Above shows the group at the Accadamia Gallery of Art. Below is a view from just outside our hotel facing the Grande Canal. Special thanks to Margaret Cerruti from the Art League of Virginia for her hard work in arranging the trip. Also see images from the Florence workshop 2006.

Florida Portrait workshops February 2008
The two January 2008 workshops near Sarasota Florida were a great success. Rob also did a demo at the "Southern Atlier," a new classical academy run by artist Charlie Miano along with a show at the "M" Gallery in Sarasota. It was a busy week! Stay tuned for the 2009 Florida schedule. The two workshop locations are: Longboat Key Center for the Arts and ArtCenter Manatee in Bradenton. You can view photos from the April 2005 portrait workshop or the February 2006 figure workshop at Art Center Manatee. For supply lists for both workshops click here and scroll down to Florida workshops.

Chalk demo of Mime at the Southern Atlier near Sarasota, February 2008

Demo of Gloria at the Longboat Key Center for the Arts, January 2007

Puerto Rico, January 14 - 18, 2008


Photo courtesy of Gerry Bloomberg
The students enjoyed a five day painting class in the mountain rain forest of Puerto Rico. And only 20 minutes from the beach! This trip was coordinated by Monica Laird, an artist/teacher who happens to have a lovely mountaintop studio in which to hold the workshop. To see some images of her studio and the surrounding vista, click on www.treehousestudio.com.


Figure Painting Workshop and Demo at Zoll Studio


The Zoll Studio of Fine Art (just outside the Baltimore beltway) hosted Rob in October for a full day figure painting demo. Rob painted Wayne, one of his favorite models. In June Rob taught a three day figure workshop with an emphasis on the techniques and materials of the Flemish Masters. Learn more about Zoll Studio.

Ecorche (sculpture anatomy) Workshop
at Neslon Shanks' Studio Incamminati July 2007
Rob has been a frequent guest teacher at the Incamminati school in Philadelphia teaching figure painting and drawing, and ecorche. He recently taught a five day course from July 30th through August 3rd. The school's concentration is on classical realism. Learn more about Studio Incamminati.

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Last Summer's Ecorche workshop at Studio Incamminati. Photos by Adam Kirkpatrick


Wye River Figure Painting Workshop


We had a great three days and used a lot of sunscreen! View more photos of this three day workshop. We plan on another workshop here but have not set the date as of yet.

Rob teaching for the American Portrait Society Academies
In addition to teaching at the last three Portrait Society Conferences (most recently in Dallas, Texas in May), Rob did a demo and taught a workshop at the Academy of Art University, San Francisco on October 28th and 29th (www.portraitsociety.org/academies/sanfrancisco.htm).
For further info, go to www.portraitsociety.org. Their toll free number is 877-772-4321.


American Portrait Society Academy demo in San Francisco, October 2005.
Photo courtesy Chuck Pyle of the Academy of Art University, San Francisco.

If you are interested in taking classes or local workshops from Rob through the Art League of Northern Virginia, or if you have specific questions about classes or workshops, please contact the school directly at 703.683.2323 or go to www.theartleague.org. (Rob is not involved in the sign-up process and does not know if a class or workshop is filled until the first day of class.)

Workshops are not always listed in the catalog, so be sure to ask what is currently scheduled. They fill up quickly, so don't delay in signing up.

Friday class schedule for the Art League School, 2007-2008

The last couple of years students signing up for Rob's Friday classes have been camping out to be sure to get a spot in the class. Now, two of Rob's classes (the morning and afternoon figure and portrait classes) have been opened up to two classrooms each to allow a few more students to enroll. It seems to be working out well, so enrollment should be easier. Contact the Art League for details.

Friday class schedule
(9 weeks each: Fall, Winter, Spring and Summer sessions. Sign up through The Art League):

Portrait and figure explored (drawing), Fridays, 10am - 2pm. Learn the drawing techniques of the Masters, featuring trios crayon, watercolor, metal point, pen and ink, and ink wash drawing. Use various styles of defining form: linear modeling (cross hatching) and broad tonal modeling (ink wash). Prerequisites: Drawing and Beginning Figure, or equivalent. Model fees are extra. Supply list in store.

Portrait and figure in oil, Fridays, 2:30 - 5:30pm. Intermediate/Advanced This class focuses on a variety of oil painting techniques including alla prima and glazing. Students are instructed on identifying color and form and transcribing them to canvas. The semester includes three poses and each class features discussions and demonstrations

Approaching the Portrait and Figure in Oil, Fridays 6:45 - 9:45 Intermediate/Advanced This class focuses on a variety of oil painting techniques including alla prima and glazing. Students are instructed on identifying color and form and transcribing them to canvas. The semester includes three poses and each class features discussions and demonstrations.

Workshop Schedule for the Art League School 2007-2008:
(registration opens August 6, 2007 for workshops)

The Painted Portrait, Dec 7, 8, 9, 2007, 10am - 4pm
This workshop provides an in-depth analysis of the portrait with an emphasis on both specific anatomy and technique. Students study the overall structure of the face with exercises intended to sharpen our understanding of planes and how features relate to one another. Then each feature is explored independently focusing on their specific anatomy and character. Both drawing, grisaille, and full color painting are demonstrated and discussed.

The Venetian Experience through The Eyes Of The Artist, Venice, Italy
March 16 - 24th, 2008
Join Robert Liberace for a history/sketching workshop in one of the most captivatingly romantic cities of the world, Venice, Italy, a city caught between dream and reality, past and present. From the Grand Canal to the glass furnaces of Murano, Venicethe floating cityoffers a unique venue, which must bee seen to be believed.Experience the Venetian masterpieces through the eyes of this master draftsman, painter, and sculptor. The agenda includes visits to the Doges Palace, St Marks Square, the Galleria Dell Accademia (classic painters who introduced new ideas of color and light), Gallerie DArte Moderna (great 19th Century art, full of surprises), the works of Tiepolo (the last great Venetian painter), with visits to the Ca-Rezzonico, Scuola di Santa dei Carmini and the church of the Gesuati. Exploration of several great churches of Venice as well as visits to the island of Murano (glass making) and Burano (lace making) are also planned. Details being finalized, please call 703-683-1780 x13 or email margaretc@theartleague.org for questions/information

Artistic Anatomy - Upper Body, April 4, 5, 6, 2008
This workshop is devoted to the intensive study of skeletal and muscular structures. Using a variety of media, students complete exercises to help them understand where form begins and where it ends. Previous figure drawing is recommended. April workshop will focus on the upper body and June workshop will focus on the lower body.

Artistic Anatomy - Lower Body, June 13, 14, 15, 2008
This workshop is devoted to the intensive study of skeletal and muscular structures. Using a variety of media, students complete exercises to help them understand where form begins and where it ends. Previous figure drawing is recommended. April workshop will focus on the upper body and June workshop will focus on the lower body.

this section updated August 16, 2007