The Reilly League of Artists is a cooperative studio of artists who are interested in developing their knowledge and skills in drawing and painting. The style of painting is Realism, learned from an emphasis of work from the life model. Since there are many available studios that offer the field of non-representational or abstract painting, this is not covered here.

The League is named for the late Frank Reilly, a prominent teacher of realism at the Art Students League for over twenty years. In his life, Mr. Reilly helped de-mystify a great deal of the myth surrounding learning to paint and draw. Taking the basic principles of drawing and painting, Mr. Reilly organized them (with several of his own innovations and aids) into a tangible studio approach. The instruction at the Reilly League is based on his approach. Mr. Reilly produced an array of proficient artists. Mr. Cesare Borgia, a student of Reilly for seven years, is the League's principal instructor.

The Reilly League is a non-profit organization run and operated by a Board of Directors who are members and artists of the League. It is organized exclusively for educational purposes and to promote the study and improvement of the arts.

Painters of all levels of ability-beginners and professionals-are eligible to become members of the League. There are no admission requirements except an interest in painting and drawing and the desire to learn.

Instruction at the Reilly League is based on the philosophy that anyone willing to work under progressive guidance will become a competent artist. As the League offers no diplomas or grades, the development of a member's artistic skills relies heavily on his or her self-motivation and initiative. Frank Reilly once said he could teach a wooden indian to paint, provided he wanted to bad enough. Learning to paint and draw is fun but also hard work, and good daily work habits are essential. In this sense, the learning process for a painter has been compared to the training of an athlete: practicing and mastering fundamentals daily.

As the members of the League come from diverse backgrounds of experience and varied artistic goals, the instruction wanted or needed must be sought out and arranged by the member through consultation with the instructor. Each member is not taught the same way since each has different artistic aims. Some, eventually to earn a living in art; some, enjoying it as an avocation. Whatever the aim, the member is encouraged to gain a solid foundation in the principles of drawing and painting working from the life model. Methods of approach are shown by Messrs. Borgia and DeLuca or other instructors, which include advanced members. in addition to life class, a member may work on assignments or projects in the studio. Guidance and instruction can be gained from the instructors and advanced members who are proficient in the following areas.

Members work in a variety of mediums from oil to pastel, and study techniques used by such masters as Rembrandt, Ingres, and Sargent. These include glazing, scumbling, and various methods of handling thick and thin paint, under and overpainting. Those members wishing to develop a career in illustration examine the methods of the great illustrators such as Howard Pyle, N.C. Wyeth, Dean Cornwell and Norman Rockwell, to evolve their own style. Those wishing no instruction but wish to use the model are welcome.

Likewise, those wishing to work on projects alone and not use the model are also welcome.