Saturdays, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Instructor: Michelle Oosterbaan 
Five-Week Short Course (20 Hours)
Credit: Non-Credit Only

Water-based paints such as watercolor and gouache are the perfect mediums for landscape painting in the open air! Painters of all levels enjoy the ease of these portable, fast-drying, and easy-to-clean-up alternatives to oils. Explore the vibrant color and versatile application and layering methods in your choice of these media as you portray the beauty of autumn in Philadelphia’s parks in your own personal style. Learn techniques for choosing a composition, mixing color, and working efficiently outdoors as you complete a series of rapid sketches and at least one sustained painting. Open to all levels. Painting locations featuring shade, restrooms, and other amenities may include Wissahickon Park in Mt. Airy, Washington Square Park near Independence Hall, Glen Foerd overlooking the Delaware River, and Bartram's Garden in Southwest Philadelphia. Note: Students are responsible for their own transportation to painting locations. 

*Please reserve a rain date of October 25, should any session be postponed due to inclement weather. 

Image: Michelle Oosterbaan

Register by: September 4 
Materials List
Fall 2025 CE Policy Guide, including withdrawal/refund policies 

Saturdays, 10 a.m. - 1 p.m.
Instructor: David Wilson 
Six-Week Short Course (18 Hours)
Credit: Non-Credit Only

Painting the human form from observation is one of the cornerstones of PAFA's long tradition of rigorous instruction. Working from the nude model in poses of varying lengths, investigate color mixing, proportion, and composition using oil paint as a medium. Focusing on alla prima painting techniques and a limited flesh-tone palette, learn to model the human form through gesture, shape, volume, and temperature – excellent for painted sketches and preparatory studies, foundations for extended work, or an introduction/refresher to figure painting. Intended for all skill levels, this course also offers the valuable opportunity for more advanced students to continue to hone their skills to deepen their understanding of the language of painting.  Instruction will be geared toward oil, but students may draw-only, or use other appropriate media, if they wish. Note: Tuition includes a $35 models fee.

Image: David Wilson

Register by: September 12 
Materials List 
Fall 2025 CE Policy Guide, including withdrawal/refund policies

Fridays, 10 a.m. - 1 p.m.
Instructor: Kandice Fields Portalatin
Eight-Week Short Course (24 Hours)
Credit: Non-Credit Only

This accessible course introduces students to collagraph printmaking, a wonderfully inventive technique in which different materials are adhered to a rigid surface to create a textured, printable collage. Instruction will cover how to construct low-relief printing plates using recycled and found materials, means of textural experimentation, and inking and press-printing for both intaglio and relief techniques. Students will learn to:

• See the texture as an image-making tool

• Develop intuitive and experimental print methods

• Build confidence in printmaking processesusing low-cost, sustainable materials

• Create prints that emphasize touch, mood, and surface

Tuition includes a $20 lab fee.

Image: Kandice Fields Portalatin

Register by: September 26 
Materials List 
Fall 2025 CE Policy Guide, including withdrawal/refund policies

Wednesdays, 1 – 2 p.m. (Zoom) with Asynchronous Canvas Content
Instructor: Kate Samworth
Six-Week Course (18-Hour Equivalent)
Credit: Non-Credit Only

Understanding the principles of one- and two-point perspective is essential to drawing and painting convincing forms in space. Master the fundamentals of this geometric system that was developed during the Renaissance and is used to this day. Instruction will break down sometimes-intimidating principles into basic concepts to provide practical methods for creating interior spaces, landscapes, and cityscapes, including elements of repeated patterns, arches, stairways, and more. Limited class size will allow time for one-on-one assistance. Great for illustrators and artists of any media requiring a strong drawing framework. 

Image: Kate Samworth

Register by: October 8

Materials List 
Fall 2025 CE Policy Guide, including withdrawal/refund policies  
Information for PAFA CE Online Courses

Wednesdays, 5:30 – 8:30 p.m. 
Instructor: John Greig
Six-Week Short Course (18 Hours)
Credit: Non-Credit Only
Note: No class on November 26

This class will explore wood as a primary art-making medium, looking at its many types, techniques and uses. Students will develop a well-rounded foundation of wood-working skills including cutting, milling, laminating, joinery and safe use of wood-working tools. Contemporary, traditional and ancient art works made of wood will be presented for historical and contextual understanding. Students will be encouraged to find their own unique voice within the material while building skills. Tuition includes $30 materials fee.

Image: John Greig

Register by: October 22 
Materials List - Coming Soon! 
Fall 2025 CE Policy Guide, including withdrawal/refund policies 

Fridays, 9 a.m. - 12 p.m. 
Instructor: Steve Nocella 
Six-Week Short Course (18 Hours)
Credit: Non-Credit Only 
Note: No class on November 28

Explore new ways of working from the human form that are alternatives to simulating volume in space with linear perspective and light and shadow. Draw and sculpt from the model with unconventional media and implements, such as acrylic applied with plastic knives, sticks, and sponges, and assemblages of wood, branches, and other natural or found objects. Experience how purposely cumbersome tools and fast poses combine to impede traditional rendering and thus generate a variety of shapes, patterns, textures, and lines that are rooted in, but independent of, the model. This immersive and playful process is an excellent introduction to working with abstract elements and learning how to form them into unified, compelling images. Open to all levels; an excellent alternative to, or expansion of, traditional 2- and 3-D figurative work. Note: Tuition includes a $35 models fee.

Image: Mary Frank, Untitled #9, 1975, Inks (watercolor) on ivory wove paper, 20 5/8 x 26 3/16 in. Courtesy of the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts, Philadelphia, Gift of Jalane and Richard Daivdson, 1986.25

Register by: October 24 
Materials List 
Fall 2025 CE Policy Guide, including withdrawal/refund policies

Fridays, 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. (Zoom) with Posted Canvas Content
Instructor: Colleen O’Donnell 
Six-Week Course (18-Hour Equivalent)
Credit: Non-Credit Only
Note: No class on November 28

Explore alternative ways of conceptualizing and creating mixed-media art. 2D and 3D techniques have been an essential part of modern art history, as evinced in the poetic artworks of Joseph Cornell, politically charged assemblages of Betye Saar, revealing works of Eileen Agaar, and whimsy of Robert Rauschenberg. Push your art-making process to a new level by combining 2D and 3D art into a contemporary expression of your own. Intrinsically engage awareness while drawing on design elements to reflect a point of view and a moment in time. Each week discover your unique expression while bringing new work into existence.

Image: CE Student.

Register by: October 24 
Materials List 
Fall 2025 CE Policy Guide, including withdrawal/refund policies  
Information for PAFA CE Online Courses

Saturdays, 10 a.m. - 1 p.m.
Instructor: David Wilson 
Six-Week Short Course (18 Hours)
Credit: Non-Credit Only
Note: No class on November 29

Paint from a life model in long, multi-class poses to develop and refine your figure painting compositions. Extended poses will allow students to adjust and resolve issues of surface, color, and composition. Instruction will cover a variety of topics including glazing, broken color, surface texture, composition and design, the relationship of the figure to the environment, the creation of atmosphere and color harmony, disrupted realism, and open- versus closed-form painting. All levels welcome. Instruction will be geared toward oil, but students are welcome to draw-only, or use other appropriate media, if they wish. Note: Tuition includes a $35 models fee. 

Image: David Wilson

Register by: October 24 
Materials List 
Fall 2025 CE Policy Guide, including withdrawal/refund policies