ENGLAND!!!
Intensive Figure and Portrait with Rob Liberace
Beautiful Dedham Vale in Essex, August 4-15, 2025

The class if full but if you would like to be placed on the waitlist please email rob@robertliberace.com


Liberace Studio is thrilled to announce the return of our summer workshop for 2025, set against the breathtaking backdrop of Dedham Vale, one of the UK’s official Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Just a short trip from London, this inspiring region has drawn painters like Gainsborough, Constable, and Munnings. Our classes will be held in the historic Assembly Rooms of Dedham, an elegant eighteenth-century venue that once hosted gatherings reminiscent of the Jane Austen era. Dedham village itself offers a variety of pubs, restaurants, cafes, and accommodations, all within walking distance of the studio.

The Class:

The workshop will cover a range of drawing and painting techniques focused on the human figure and portrait, emphasizing clarity, craftsmanship, and personal expression.

Week One will center on classical drawing techniques using chalks and pencils. We’ll begin with a disciplined, detail-oriented approach to capture the intricacies of the human form. Then, we’ll explore mass-oriented sketching with chalks and pastels, focusing on white highlighting for modeling and form enhancement.

Week Two shifts to oil painting, where students will experiment with both indirect methods (using grisaille and glazing) and direct alla prima techniques to bring figures and portraits to life. Each week includes demonstrations and discussions on technique, structural anatomy, and expressive handling, emphasizing careful observation and the precise execution characteristic of historical masterpieces.

As in our 2023 workshop, the class will be assisted by three talented young artists: Celia and Ava Liberace along with Leo Bignell. Their valuable expertise and infectious energy will greatly enhance the experience for all.

Optional Excursions:

Participants can choose a weekend trip to nearby “Constable Country” to paint and draw en plein air in the picturesque hamlet of Flatford or explore Dedham’s Munnings Museum the former home of Sir Alfred Munnings which offers opportunities to sketch in the beautiful and extensive house gardens and grounds.

Workshop details:
Tuition is $1995 which includes ten days of studio instruction in the vast Assembly Rooms ballroom studio. A deposit of $500 will secure a spot in the workshop. The balance of fees will be due by June 1st. Workshop registration begins on December 2nd at 12:00 PM noon (ET) and the deposit can be paid online through PayPal/credit card using the button below (please review the workshop terms listed at the end of this page). Travel, lodging, meals and museum entrance are not included but we are happy to provide helpful information regarding hotels, airbnbs, restaurants, and the abundant local attractions in the area. A Facebook group page will be set up for participants to “meet” and find housemates, rideshares, etc., for those looking to share lodging (great options are in walking distance from the workshop). We can assist those who are not on Facebook. We have compiled some nearby ACCOMMODATION options as well as other logistical info and have info on traveling with art materials on our Supply List Page  including a supply list for this workshop. All levels welcome.

We are organizing this adventure with our dear friends and workshop associates Merlyn and Andrew Bignell who live locally. Their thorough knowledge and familiarity with the area will be indispensable to us all. If you have any questions about logistics or the area feel free to contact them at merlyn.b.bignell@gmail.com. Class questions can be directed to us at rob@robertliberace.com.

Workshop Deposit ($500)
You may use this link below to pay via credit card or PayPal. If you prefer to send a check please let us know at rob@robertliberace.com in order to secure your spot.

The class if full but if you would like to be placed on the waitlist please email rob@robertliberace.com

SEE TERMS BELOW

Nearby Flatford – Constable’s painting ground
Dedham’s High Street
The young artist Calypso modeling for the class.
The beautiful lowlands of the area are ideal for plein air. This is a photo we took in Flatford.
The Alfred Munnings Museum and home from the back
One of Rob’s class demo
One of Constable’s favorite haunts is just down the road.
Dedham Vale is designated as one of the UKs Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
Dedham
The large 18th century studio space was built as a dancehall/meeting house.
Painting near Flatford
The surrounding area looks largely untouched from Constable’s time.
Some colorful equestrian studies at the Munnings Museum on the edge of town.
The Dedham Boathouse for those in an artistic or nautical mood!
One of the beautiful pieces by English painter Anna Airy in the nearby Ipswich Christchurch Mansion museum – another outing opportunity!
Ipswich’s Tudor Christchurch Mansion nearby has a great art collection.
Another historical Flatford view
After a long day of painting!
The old hall makes a great studio!
The Dedham Vale Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty is located about an hour North-East of London.

Studio cancellation terms
Liberace Studio reserves the right to cancel/change a workshop due to unforeseen circumstances (illness, death, etc.). In the unlikely event cancellation occurs, participants will be notified immediately and receive a full refund. Our financial liability will be limited to the amount paid to us for the workshop. 

Participant cancellation terms
If plans change due to issues beyond your control, please contact us as soon as possible so we can plan accordingly. Deposits are 80% refundable if cancelled by the participant before April 15th. 2025. After April 15th 2025, deposits are non-refundable. The remaining balance from participants is payable before June 1st, 2025. Remaining balances not received by this date will result in the participant’s place becoming available to others on the waiting list for the workshop. After June 1st 2025, fees are non-refundable.

Robert Liberace and his agents act only in the manner of providing services and cannot accept the responsibility in whole or in part for delayed departures or arrivals, missed carrier connections, accidents, loss, “acts of God”, or damage or injury to persons or property. We reserve the right to alter the itinerary or arrangements in the event it becomes necessary or advisable, or to substitute a teacher in the case of emergency. By attending this workshop, participants acknowledge and accept these conditions and agree to the Liberace Studio classroom rules.

LINKS
for exploring the area (We can add more so feel free to send any you’d like to share with the group)

A 9.5 mile scenic walking loop around Constable country.

Exploring Dedham Vale

Things to do in Dedham Vale