Level: all

Nov 8 - Dec 13 (no class 11/22), 2023

Wednesdays

6-9pm

5 weeks

Instructor: John Grieco

Fee: $160

Each week before class begins, students will be emailed an iconic photograph that will be used as the week’s reference material.  For those more interested in drawing from their own photos, they are welcome to do so. The lessons John teaches will be applicable to all.

John will start each class with a demonstration and discussion on how to approach the specific portrait.  He’ll share his approach to creating a portrait which is a combination of using mass and line.  He stresses expressive strokes with an emphasis on understanding the importance of the fundamentals of drawing.  This class is geared toward drawing and working with a photograph to create a realistic portrait rendering.  Be aware that this is typically a small class populated with students who have been drawing together for a few years.  John offers instruction and feedback in this class, but most students work independently with casual and familiar chatter between them as they work.  This class is best suited for people with prior drawing experience.

Note: above drawing created by John Grieco

Note: this class will be taught online using Zoom.  Please download and become familiar with the app prior to the start of class.  A zoom invite and a photo  from which to work will be emailed each week. 

Supply List:

  • Medium vine charcoal
  • White conte drawing pencil
  • General charcoal pencil (HB or 2b)
  • Kneaded eraser
  • Sharpening blade
  • Blending stump (used for smoothing and blending)
  • Paper towels
  • Drawing board (at least 18×24)
  • Fixative spray for charcoal
  • A piece of Stonehenge Hot Press paper (18X24″) or a 11″X14″ tablet of it (if you have a tablet of other good paper you can bring that to work on.

John Grieco is a portrait painter located in White Plains, NY. Grieco is a recipient of the Elizabeth Greenshields Foundation Grant.  He won “Best in Show” at a 2010 Exhibition at the Salmagundi Art Club in New York City and received the Randolph Chitwood Award in the 2010 Greenwich Art Society Members Exhibition.  John’s been teaching at RAC for over 10 years and has a loyal following.