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Continuing Education at PAFA

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CE Six-Week and Other Short Courses

in CE Courses by Format/Length

The Portrait in Charcoal (Online)

$265

with Deon Robinson

Calendar Next available session starts Jul 9, 2025 at 6 pm, runs for 6 weeks

Tuesdays, 6 – 8 p.m. (Zoom with Posted Canvas Content)
Instructor: Deon Robinson
Six-Week Short Course (18-Hour Equivalent)
Credit: Non-Credit Only

Register by April 21 for a 10% Early Bird Discount! Enter promo code EARLYBIRDSUMMER2025 at checkout (and click “+” to add the discount). PAFA members at the Friend level and above receive an additional 10% off. (Discount applies to CE regular adult Summer Session 1 and 2 classes and workshops only. Summer Studio/Critique Program or other studio rental programs, certificate registration, gift certificates, membership purchases, and lockers are ineligible.)

Charcoal is one of the most common yet versatile drawing mediums, used to create both delicate and dramatic effects – perfect for portraiture. Work from photo sources, family/friends, or yourself as self-portrait subject to learn fine art principles and methodology to gain a comprehensive understanding of the head structure, proportions, and features toward achieving both a likeness and aesthetic effect. Explore additive and subtractive techniques for different types of charcoal implements to promote its malleability and capacity for rich value and contrast. All levels welcome. 

Register by: July 2
Materials List - Coming Soon!
Summer 2025 CE Policy Guide,
including withdrawal/refund policies 
Information for PAFA CE Online Courses

Bookbinding and Book Arts (Online)

$265

with Rosae Reeder

Calendar Next available session starts Jul 10, 2025 at 10 am, runs for 6 weeks

Thursdays, 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. 
Instructor: Rosae Reeder
Six-Week Short Course (18 Hours) 
Credit: Non-Credit Only

Register by April 21 for a 10% Early Bird Discount! Enter promo code EARLYBIRDSUMMER2025 at checkout (and click “+” to add the discount). PAFA members at the Friend level and above receive an additional 10% off. (Discount applies to CE regular adult Summer Session 1 and 2 classes and workshops only. Summer Studio/Critique Program or other studio rental programs, certificate registration, gift certificates, membership purchases, and lockers are ineligible.)

Bookbinding requires simple tools, is easily portable, and does not require a shop or studio, making it ideal for any artist working from home or in a personal studio space. This six-week course will explore how to make beautiful and durable bound artist books through a variety of techniques. No matter what your skill level, this live Zoom course will introduce students to basic and intermediate book structures which include pamphlet, expandable album, and single-, double-, and triple-section sewn books as well as codex structures. Discussion of the elements of artist books and detailed weekly instruction will enable participants to make their own artist books outside of class time and beyond the course.

Register by: July 3
Materials List
Summer 2025 CE Policy Guide, including withdrawal/refund policies 
Information for PAFA CE Online Courses

Collage and Mixed Media (In-Person)

$295

with Anthony Ciambella

Calendar Next available session starts Jul 10, 2025 at 10 am, runs for 6 weeks

Thursdays, 10 a.m. - 1 p.m. 
Instructor: Anthony Ciambella 
Six-Week Short Course (18 Hours) 
Credit: Non-Credit Only

Register by April 21 for a 10% Early Bird Discount! Enter promo code EARLYBIRDSUMMER2025 at checkout (and click “+” to add the discount). PAFA members at the Friend level and above receive an additional 10% off. (Discount applies to CE regular adult Summer Session 1 and 2 classes and workshops only. Summer Studio/Critique Program or other studio rental programs, certificate registration, gift certificates, membership purchases, and lockers are ineligible.)

Mixed media art and collage offer a myriad of possibilities to combine papers, photographs, and 3D elements to make a statement, convey something personal, or create something textural, colorful, and beautiful. Develop rich and complex imagery finding inspiration from memory, literature, films, and other sources, while working in a wide variety of traditional and non-traditional materials. Sessions will discuss the characteristics of adhesives, paper and fabric cut-outs, wood, and plastics. Students will receive one-on-one instruction and participate in open discussions about their ideas and work. Topics include construction, storage and presentation strategies. Open to all levels.

Register by: July 3
Materials List
Summer 2025 CE Policy Guide, including withdrawal/refund policies

Paint the Evening City (Outdoor)

$175

with Frederic Kaplan

Calendar Next available session starts Jul 10, 2025 at 6 pm, runs for 4 weeks

Thursdays, 6 – 8:30 p.m. 
Instructor: Frederic Kaplan 
Four-Week Short Course (10Hours) 
Credit: Non-Credit Only 
Includes Rain Date: August 7

Register by April 21 for a 10% Early Bird Discount! Enter promo code EARLYBIRDSUMMER2025 at checkout (and click “+” to add the discount). PAFA members at the Friend level and above receive an additional 10% off. (Discount applies to CE regular adult Summer Session 1 and 2 classes and workshops only. Summer Studio/Critique Program or other studio rental programs, certificate registration, gift certificates, membership purchases, and lockers are ineligible.)

Learn to paint the unique effects of evening light and activity of Center City and University City, Philadelphia. Discover techniques for managing the shifting light and shadows of the setting sun as it plays across the city’s historic architecture. This plein air option is perfect for summer painting, allowing artists to take advantage of cooling evening temperatures and the subtle or dramatic palette of sunset and dusk. Previous painting experience required. Restrooms near all locations. Note: Students are responsible for their own transportation to painting locations.

Register by: July 3
Materials List
Summer 2025 CE Policy Guide, including withdrawal/refund policies

Portrait Drawing: Expression and Likeness (In-Person)

$320

with RA Friedman

Calendar Next available session starts Jul 10, 2025 at 6 pm, runs for 6 weeks

Thursdays, 6 – 9 p.m. 
Instructor: RA Friedman 
Six-Week Short Course (18 Hours) 
Credit: Non-Credit Only

Register by April 21 for a 10% Early Bird Discount! Enter promo code EARLYBIRDSUMMER2025 at checkout (and click “+” to add the discount). PAFA members at the Friend level and above receive an additional 10% off. (Discount applies to CE regular adult Summer Session 1 and 2 classes and workshops only. Summer Studio/Critique Program or other studio rental programs, certificate registration, gift certificates, membership purchases, and lockers are ineligible.)

For anyone seeking to advance their portrait drawing skills to the next level, this course takes a deep look at the functional and expressive anatomy of the human head including the face, neck, and shoulders. Explore head variations and how the face changes over time. Experiment with creative questions such as handling light and composition. Content includes drawing from life and working in larger formats with a wider range of media. Instruction will lay the groundwork for creative explorations that lead to professional quality work.

Note: This course is Part 2 of an optional two-part course.See Portrait Drawing: Structure and Features for foundational or alternative study. Students need not enroll in both sections, and Structure and Features is not required for Expression and Likeness.

Register by: July 3
Materials List
Summer 2025 CE Policy Guide, including withdrawal/refund policies

Figure Painting: The Extended Pose (In-Person)

$330

with David Wilson

Calendar Next available session starts Jul 12, 2025 at 10 am, runs for 6 weeks

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

Register by April 21 for a 10% Early Bird Discount! Enter promo code EARLYBIRDSUMMER2025 at checkout (and click “+” to add the discount). PAFA members at the Friend level and above receive an additional 10% off. (Discount applies to CE regular adult Summer Session 1 and 2 classes and workshops only. Summer Studio/Critique Program or other studio rental programs, certificate registration, gift certificates, membership purchases, and lockers are ineligible.)

Paint from a life model in poses of varying lengths 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.

Register by: July 3
Materials List
Summer 2025 CE Policy Guide, including withdrawal/refund policies





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