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CE Summer Session 2: July 3 - August 15
in All CE Summer 2023 In-Person and Online Courses
Summer Studio/Critique Program
with Tom Csaszar
Open studio access, 8 a.m. - 10 p.m. daily; Friday critiques by timeslot sign-up
This six-week on-campus studio-rental program is designed for experienced visual artists and educators who desire constructive feedback on their artwork, as well as the support and interaction of an artistic community. Stimulate your personal artistic growth in your own private PAFA studio through individual weekly critiques from a stellar ensemble of nationally and internationally known artists, including members of PAFA’s acclaimed faculty, as well as discussion, group critiques, and artist studio visits.
Tuition covers a private studio in PAFA's Samuel M.V. Hamilton Building, weekly individual critiques, and additional group critiques/activities, as well as the option to earn 4.0 undergraduate credits or 3.0 graduate credits upon satisfactory completion of the program.
One-on-one critiques will be conducted in-person from a roster of artist-/curator-critics (one per week), scheduled each Friday by time-slot sign-up. Lead critic Tom Csaszar will host group critiques/discussions and artist studio visits or other outings. These will be scheduled to best accommodate the group's needs.
Note: This is an uninstructed program; as such, prior art-making experience and the ability to work independently are required. Beyond this understanding, there are no specific application requirements or prerequisites for this program.
Optional: This program is available for $2,300 for 4.0 undergraduate credits or 3.0 graduate credits (for K-12 educators). Select credit choice with tuition adjustment during checkout.
View the complete course description and list of critics here.
Additional Information and Deadlines:
- Registration Deadline: Rolling, on a space-available basis. Enrollment is limited to 12 participants.
- Withdrawal/Refund Deadline: June 20 (following Juneteenth holiday). A withdrawal fee of 10% tuition applies to all refund requests before this date; no refunds can be issued for withdrawals after June 20. Withdrawal requests must be issued in writing to continuinged@pafa.edu (dated by June 20 for refund eligibility).
- Academic Credit: This program is available for $1,800 for non-credit, or $2,300 for 4.0 undergraduate credits or 3.0 graduate credits (for K-12 educators). Changes in credit status must be made directly through the CE office prior to the second meeting (critique) of the program. No refunds can be issued for changes from credit to non-credit. See CE's Procedures and Policies to review academic credit policies and procedures for transcript requests.
- Additional Pricing Information: No scholarships or discounts are available for this program. Membership discounts apply to regular CE courses only; Special Programs are not eligible for tuition deductions.
- Materials: No materials list is provided for this program. Students may work in their media of choice within PAFA's safety/clean-air guidelines. Access to print and sculpture shop facilities is not included in tuition: Students must be enrolled in print or sculpture classes for access to these facilities and abide by shop rules and access hours.
- Housing: Students requiring housing are responsible for their own accommodation arrangements. PAFA does not provide a campus housing option for this program; however, students can find short-term rental options through Airbnb: https://www.airbnb.com/a/stays/Philadelphia--Pennsylvania--United-States.
- Additional Benefit: Studio/Critique registrants receive a 10% tuition discount on all subsequent PAFA CE Summer 2023 Session 2 Classes!
Review Studio Critique Program registration and policy information here, as well as the CE Policy Guide Summer 2023 prior to registering. By enrolling in the Summer Studio/Critique Program, you agree to abide by PAFA's Procedures and Policies.
Monoprint/Etching (In-Person)
with Tony Rosati
Mondays, 1 - 4 p.m.
This course presents basic intaglio and monotype printing techniques including monoprint, drypoint, etching, aquatint, collograph and polymer plate methods. Image embellishments will include embossing, chine collé, collage, paper plates and mixed media techniques. All levels welcome; experienced students may continue independent work. Tuition includes a $20 lab fee.
Image: Tony Rosati, monoprint.
Register by: June 23
In-Depth Watercolor, Summer 2 (In-Person)
with James Toogood
Wednesdays, 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Enrich your knowledge of painting with an in-depth look at watercolor. Thoroughly investigate a wide range of watercolor materials and techniques from your choice of landscape, still life, portrait, and figure subjects. Open to watercolorists of all levels and to acrylic/oil painters looking to broaden their skills.
Learning Objectives
- Students will learn about color theory as applied to watercolor.
- Students will receive a comprehensive explanation of watercolor materials and tools, with particular focus will be paid to the properties of paint and pigments as they interact with the paintbrushes and paper.
- Through both discussions and demonstrations, first time participants and beginners will learn a variety of techniques that are fundamental to watercolor, presented in a systematic step by step method. Participants can expect to have regular individual instruction, given at their current skill level.
- Focus also will be paid on acquiring the skills needed to achieve a richness of color and a feeling of light.
- Participants will work from direct observations from the still life and model, as well as from one’s own source materials.
- Those not taking the class for credit will have the option to work on landscape, still life, portrait and figure or abstraction, as they wish.
- Participants will be exposed to a variety of watercolor styles and encouraged to discover one’s own personal aesthetic.
- The course is ultimately designed to equip participants with the knowledge and skills necessary to make accomplished, personally rewarding watercolor paintings.
Optional: This course is available for 1.5 undergraduate credits for $995. Select credit option when registering.
Image: James Toogood, Venice.
Register by: June 23
Portrait Drawing in Charcoal (In-Person)
with Deon Robinson
Wednesdays, 9 a.m. - 12 p.m.
Charcoal is one of the most common yet versatile drawing mediums, used to create both delicate and dramatic effects – perfect for portraiture. Working from observation from a range of models, 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. Learn additive and subtractive techniques for different types of charcoal implements to promote its malleability and capacity for rich value and contrast. All levels welcome. Tuition includes a $35 models fee.
Image: Deon Robinson.
Register by: June 23
The Landscape Oil Sketch (Outdoor)
with Roger Chavez
Wednesdays, 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.
The oil sketch is a traditional way for painters to execute preparatory ideas and quickly capture initial impressions – perfect for plein air painting! Learn useful techniques for rapidly encapsulating color and form while working directly from observation. Select locations along the Schuylkill River will include beautiful Laurel Hill Cemetery and Bartram’s Garden.
Image: Roger Chavez, Sketches of Baile an Chasil #10, oil.
Register by: June 23
Painting over the Line, Summer 2 (Online)
with Kassem Amoudi
Wednesdays, 1 – 4 p.m.
Take your work to the next level under the guidance of artist/critic/mentor Kassem Amoudi in this live Zoom class. Expert instruction and advice will push you to explore new possibilities and work more intuitively, allowing unplanned marks and passages to become artistic breakthroughs. Paint from personal subject matter to find your own visual language, informed by examples from contemporary and modern art. Painting experience recommended. Kassem will begin each class with a slide presentation/lecture focusing on how master artists through history have addressed color, harmony, focal points, space, mark making, paint application, and more, and how to apply these concepts to your own work.
Image: Kassem Amoudi.
Register by: June 23
Humor in Art (Online)
with Susan Sullivan
Wednesdays, 6 - 8 p.m.
This mixed-media class is for the artist that needs a break from the serious. Art can not only be beautiful and profound, but also silly, absurd, ironic, and darkly comic. In fact, humor is an important part of Modern and Contemporary art, from Duchamp’s readymades and the DADA and Surrealist movements to the works of Andy Warhol, Claes Oldenberg, Leigh Bowery, Sarah Lucas, Richard Prince, and William Wegman. Based on weekly prompts, create your own compositions from things you find humorous -- that private joke you and your best friend keep going, something that you find absurd in the world around you, or just an idea to lighten your creative load. Whether your tastes tend toward edgy or whimsical, learn to use humor in your artwork as a way to connect with viewers, express an important part of your personality, or de-stress with a laugh. Students are welcome to paint with oil and acrylic, college with paper and found materials, or use their choice of other media.
Image: Susan Sullivan, Little Queen, oil on canvas, 12 x 12 in.
Register by: June 23
Comprehending Color for Oil Painters (In-Person)
with Roger Chavez
Thursdays, 9 a.m. - 12 p.m.
Without question, every oil painter benefits from color mixing instruction: Understanding how to accurately see, mix, and adjust color not only allows you to achieve the results you want in your work but also enables you to avoid the pitfalls of wasting paint though inaccurate and poorly understood pigment mixing. Explore key methods and principles for effective color mixing, using a limited palette to create prismatic hues and earth tone colors. Instruction will address the role of light in the visual perception of color, as well as subtractive and additive color systems. Work from varied still life arrangements to put your color comprehension into practice, and advance your painting skills for all subject matter.
Image: Roger Chavez.
Register by: June 23