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Figure Drawing
with Frederic Kaplan
Tuesdays, 9 am - 5 pm
This course is for those who are new to figure drawing or who haven’t done it in a while. Methods will be introduced for gauging proportions and shapes along with study of basic anatomic structure and figure dynamics. Students will execute short, gestural drawings, as well as more developed extended studies, in order to build skills and knowledge.
NOTE: This course is available for 1.5 undergraduate credits for $775.
Important: All students enrolling in on-campus courses must submit proof of full COVID-19 vaccination and booster (or documentation for a medical/religious exemption request) upon registration. Open the Agreement form during checkout to upload an image of your vaccination card or exemption documentation, or submit vaccine and booster documentation below.Onsite card display and card images emailed to the CE office cannot be accepted. Registration for any on-campus course is pending without vaccination documentation or exemption approval. See the CE Policy Guide below for complete COVID-19 safety requirements.
Register by: June 24
Pre-College: Illustration: The Art of the Concert Poster, DR 710MI
with James Heimer
Explore illustration as a counterpart to music through the art of the concert poster. Students will experiment with a variety of hands-on methods to develop imagery that interprets the lyrical content of their favorite artists. Spontaneous and stream of consciousness drawing and lettering exercises will be employed to invent narratives from instrumental music. The history of the concert poster will provide context and serve as inspiration for the students own projects.
Please review the required materials list and be prepared to bring these materials to class.
This course cannot be taken for college credit.
Pre-College programs will be in-person to safely support young artists. All participants are required to be vaccinated and boosted (if eligible). PAFA will be limiting classroom density and deep cleaning all areas. We're excited to be a space of creative expression for teens!
Scholarships are available with application. Please apply for scholarship and get decision BEFORE registering. Scholarship policies here: https://www.pafa.org/school/academics/pre-college/policies
Drawing the Urban Environment (Outdoor)
with Frederic Kaplan
Wednesdays, 10 am - 1 pm
Draw Philadelphia’s picturesque historic and commercial architecture, using fundamental observational drawing techniques to capture the world around you. Learn simple methods for applying the principles of linear and atmospheric perspective to your drawings, giving them dimension and depth. Students at all experience levels are welcome, with instruction designed to appeal both to those who enjoy portraying landscape subjects in the open air and to students seeking to hone their basic drawing skills. This course takes place in easy-to-access Central Philadelphia and University City locations. Restrooms are available near all sites. Note: Students are responsible for their own transportation.
Important: All students enrolling in on-campus courses must submit proof of full COVID-19 vaccination and booster (or documentation for a medical/religious exemption request) upon registration. Open the Agreement form during checkout to upload an image of your vaccination card or exemption documentation, or submit vaccine and booster documentation below.Onsite card display and card images emailed to the CE office cannot be accepted. Registration for any on-campus course is pending without vaccination documentation or exemption approval. See the CE Policy Guide below for complete COVID-19 safety requirements.
Register by: June 24
Plein Air in the Park (Outdoor)
with Keith Leitner
Sundays, 9 am - 12 pm
Capture the colors of summer en plein air through vibrant watercolor and pastel. Become comfortable and confident with the practice of working outdoors, using either or both mediums, at picturesque Lemon Hill and other select locations around the Philadelphia Museum of Art and Fairmount Park. Instruction will cover means of accurately and expressively depicting outdoor sites, pastel drawing and layering methods, watercolor painting techniques, mixed media applications, color mixing, and the history and capabilities of each medium. All levels welcome.
Learning Objectives:
- Learn to observe and depict landscape and cityscape en plein air with attendant materials and set up
- Learn color mixing and application of each medium
- Study of pigment history and development
- Learn about watercolor/pastel history via short discussions of painters and their motifs.
Register by: June 24
Portrait Painting and Drawing (Online)
with Al Gury
Sundays, 4:30 - 5:30 pm
An in-depth approach to portrait painting from noted author of Color for Painters: A Guide to Traditions and Practice. Investigate the structure of the human head through drawings and painted studies. Progress to finished paintings and address issues of likeness, composition, space and texture. Learn to better see and understand color to mix it more successfully – a useful skill for painting any subject matter. Includes weekly step-by-step painting demonstrations, assignments that target each important issue of painting a portrait, critiques and weekly Zoom meetings. All levels welcome.
Learning Objectives
This dynamic online course will address all aspects of portrait painting and drawing, including:
• Students will learn the traditions and history of portraiture
• Students will learn portrait structure and anatomy
• Students will learn how to achieve a good likeness
• Students will learn alla prima (direct) painting techniques
• Students will learn to use the materials and color palettes for effective portrait painting
• Students will learn to use the materials for effective portrait drawing inlcuding pastel
• Students will learn to paint portraits from both life and from photo reference
Note: This is a Condensed Course, available for 1.0 undergraduate credit for $525.
Register by: June 24
Botanical Drawing & Painting Intensive
with Linda Gist
Monday - Friday, 9 am - 4 pm
Explore flowers and other natural forms, beginning with line and value drawing and progressing to full-color rendering in watercolor and mixed media. Topics will include sighting techniques, line quality, tone and value, creation of depth, composition, texture, and basic color. All levels welcome. Tuition includes a $10 materials fee for floral subjects, provided.
NOTE: This course is available for 1.0 undergraduate credit for $535, including materials fee.
Important: All students enrolling in on-campus courses must submit proof of full COVID-19 vaccination and booster (or documentation for a medical/religious exemption request) upon registration. Open the Agreement form during checkout to upload an image of your vaccination card or exemption documentation, or submit vaccine and booster documentation below.Onsite card display and card images emailed to the CE office cannot be accepted. Registration for any on-campus course is pending without vaccination documentation or exemption approval. See the CE Policy Guide below for complete COVID-19 safety requirements.
Register by: June 24
Advanced Illustration in Mixed Media (Online)
with Kate Samworth
Mondays, 3 - 5 pm
Examine historical and contemporary illustrated books for audiences of all ages. Develop a series of related images or picture book ideas through a series of class exercises in composition, perspective, and working in limited palettes. Demonstrations address perspective drawing challenges, working in mixed media, enhancing the written word, and working with photographic resources while avoiding the pitfalls of working associated with using photographic references. Note: No class on July 18.
Register by: June 24
Drawing with Charcoal and Graphite Pencil (Online)
with Alicia Mino
Mondays, 6 - 8 pm
Gain a firm foundation in classical drawing instruction using charcoal and graphite pencil. Working from still life subjects and natural forms through photo references, learn how to render texture, light, and contrast to create a sense of realism. Instruction will address not only line quality and shading, but also expressive addition and subtraction methods with brushes and kneaded erasers and techniques for mixing charcoal and graphite together for varied effects. Improve your drawing skills to encapsulate the world around you or to establish a firm grounding for further artistic study.
Learning Objectives:
- Students will learn about graphite pencil and charcoal pencil techniques
- Students will learn how these two techniques can be mixed for a more interesting effect
- Students will learn how to render realism though the study of texture, light and contrast with graphite pencils and charcoal
- Students will learn how to utilize the addition and subtraction technique with brushes and kneaded eraser
Image: Mary Kollock, House on Water with Dock and Boat, n.d., charcoal on rough-textured heavy-weight watercolor paper. Collection of PAFA.
Register by: June 24