Drawing a Portrait

Artist/Instructor: Joe Radoccia

Sunday’s February 16, 23, March 2, 9, 2025

Time: 1:30-3:30 PM

Fee: $140 members/$180 not-yet-members (includes the workshop series)

Several supplies are included in the workshop.

ABOUT THE WORKSHOP

Select your inspirational photograph and bring it to life by exploring ways to engage the portrait. When rendering participants will discover ways of understanding that it is not so much a matter of learning how to draw as of learning how to see. Drawing portraits is a respective experience in observation. Participants will experience the process step by step to create artwork that reflects their unique style and voice. They will explore the elements of drawing to create an evocative portrait on paper using a technique of mixed pencil drawing and acrylic glazing. Along the way, participants will learn the art of manipulating pencils with the acrylic medium and using dry brush and transparent layers to add impact and depth to a two-dimensional surface.

ABOUT THE ARTIST

Joe Radoccia is best known as an artist who creates thematic bodies of work exploring various facets of intimacy.  The current series uses a combination of close observation from life and photo reference to create oversized yet intimate monochromatic portraits on paper.  His portraits have been included in regional and national exhibitions, earning him an NYSCA/NYFA Artists Fellowship in Printmaking/Drawing/Book Arts. https://www.joeradoccia.com/

A selection of recent exhibitions include:

Looking Back: Portraits by Joseph Radoccia, Garrison Art Center, NY.   LGBTQ ELDERS: The Paintings of Joseph Radoccia, Founders Hall Gallery, CT State-Northwestern, CT.   A FINE LINE: Graffiti and the Power of Dissent, Ethan Cohen Gallery At The KuBe Art Center, NY.   Contemporary Portraiture at the Burchfield Penney Art Center.  and Radius 50 at the Woodstock Museum in Woodstock, NY.

SUPPLIES FOR PARTICIPANTS TO BRING:

• Kneaded eraser
• Pencils: Ebony, #2 (a standard pencil), 2H (a hard pencil)
• Brushes: a few size brushes and one to do overall washes across the paper. High quality is not necessary. The brushes serve 3 specific purposes, and there is an ideal type for each to get the best results. Suggested: 1” large brush, several flats, and a fan blender brush.

SUPPLIES INCLUDED 

• Acrylic Matte medium
• Gesso
• Flat white latex paint
• Water-based brown pigment: Walnut Ink and acrylic paint in a brown hue, Raw Sienna, Burnt Sienna 
• Paper cup containers for mixing paint
• A couple sheets of heavy-weight paper, no smaller than 18x24, 140 lb. hot press watercolor and mixed media paper   
• Paper towels