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Human Figure/Anatomy
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Oil/Acrylic Painting: Abstracting the Real (In-Person)
with Frederic Kaplan
Fridays, 9 a.m. - 12 p.m.
Instructor: Frederic Kaplan
Credit: Non-credit or 1.0 undergraduate credit (see description)
Using oil or acrylic paints, exploit a wide range of techniques and artistic languages to transform everyday reality into expressive, symbolic, or personal statements. Base your paintings on unique studio still-life arrangements or use your own photographs as a starting point, and progress to working from a life model during the final weeks of the course. Topics discussed and demonstrated include using color as an emotive element, designing compositions to convey mood and movement, and employing energetic mark-making. For less experienced students, materials, color mixing, and basic techniques are also reviewed.
Course Objectives
The student will learn…
- Selection and use basic materials, including the characteristics of various commonly used colors, solvents, and mediums
- Execution of a variety of direct and indirect painting methods.
- Approaches to interpreting and modifying observed reality to achieve emotive, symbolic, and compositional goals
- Descriptive, emotive, and symbolic use of color, shape, and mark
- Basic color theory and color mixing
This course does not meet during Thanksgiving Break, November 23 - 26.
Optional: This course is available for 1.0 undergraduate credit for $695. Select credit option when registering.
Image: Fred Kaplan, A Curious Place, 2001, Oil on canvas, 32 x 48 in.
Register by: September 8
Fall 2023 CE Policy Guide, including updated Withdrawal/Refund Policies
Figure Painting: Alla Prima and the Limited Palette (In-Person)
with David Wilson
Saturdays, 10 a.m. - 1 p.m.
Instructor: David Wilson
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, in this class, if they wish. Note: Tuition includes a $35 models fee.
Image: David Wilson, 2016.
Register by: September 8
Fall 2023 CE Policy Guide, including updated Withdrawal/Refund Policies
Drawing Fundamentals (In-Person)
with Phyllis Laver
Tuesdays, 9 a.m. - 12 p.m.
Instructor: Phyllis Laver
Credit: Non-credit or 1.0 undergraduate credits (see description)
If you’ve never drawn before, or your skills are a little rusty, then this class is for you. Learn to draw what you see with confidence. Work from still life arrangements, PAFA’s renowned cast collection, interior spaces, and the human figure to master the drawing elements: shape, contour line, composition, light and shadow, texture and perspective. Instruction will guide students through sight-drawing and measuring techniques, use of materials, shading methods, and ways of defining form and space. This course is also excellent as a foundation for future study, including for painting and other disciplines.
Optional: This course is available for 1.0 undergraduate credit for $695. Select credit option when registering.
Image: Phyllis Laver.
Register by: September 8
Fall 2023 CE Policy Guide, including updated Withdrawal/Refund Policies
The PAFA Atelier (In-Person)
with Peter Van Dyck
Wednesdays, 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Instructor: Peter Van Dyck
Credit: Non-credit or 1.0 undergraduate credit (see description)
This combination of instructed class and open studio is designed for students interested in advancing their representational drawing and painting. Design and work on your own personal projects utilizing the cast collection, figure/portrait models, and still life or interior spaces, assisted by individual critiques and group instruction on topics of broad concern or interest. This course features intermediate-level instruction for students with prior drawing/painting experience. Note: Tuition includes a $80 model fee.
Optional: This course is available for 1.0 undergraduate credit for $1,180 (including model fee). Select credit option when registering.
Register by: September 8
Fall 2023 CE Policy Guide, including updated Withdrawal/Refund Policies
Foundations of Art 101 (Online)
with Al Gury
Sundays, 3 – 4 p.m. (Interactive asynchronous Canvas content supported by weekly Zoom meetings)
Instructor: Al Gury
Credit: Non-credit or 1.0 undergraduate credit (see description)
Al Gury, Professor of Painting and Drawing at PAFA, and noted author of Alla Prima, Color for Painters, and Foundations of Drawing, presents the foundational basics of art making.
This course is designed for individuals who are new to or just beginning to study art, or for those desiring a refresher in the basic elements, with a goal of imparting a solid and practical understanding of essential topics and practices. As a survey course, each week will focus on a specific topic and a project assignment. Topics will include the materials of drawing and painting, drawing shapes, measuring, forms, perspective, depth, use of line, understanding light and shade, and composition. Exercises will include the basics of charcoal and pencil drawing, use of pastel, color concepts, and how oil paints work. Subjects will include still lifes, interior spaces, portraits, and life drawing through the use of masterworks. Course content and assignments will be posted on Canvas, PAFA’s online learning platform. Weekly Zoom meetings will provide opportunities for Q&A, art history discussion and references, illustrations of key concepts, and explanations of the weekly project by the instructor.
This course does not meet during Thanksgiving Break, November 23 - 26.
Optional: This is a Condensed Course, available for 1.0 undergraduate credit for $595. Select credit option when registering.
Image: Al Gury, Sunflowers, Oil on panel, 10 x 8 in.
Register by: September 22
Fall 2023 CE Policy Guide, including updated Withdrawal/Refund Policies
Anatomical Drawing (In-Person)
with Roberto Osti
Fridays, 9 a.m. - 12 p.m.
Instructor: Roberto Osti
Credit: Non-credit only
The human body is one of the most fascinating subjects an artist can depict, but its anatomical complexity can make it intimidating. Join Roberto Osti, artist, teacher and author of Basic Human Anatomy: An Essential Visual Guide and Dynamic Figure Drawing, for an approachable and enjoyable exploration into anatomical study. Through the instructor’s in-depth drawing demonstrations and work from the life model, learn the structural aspects of the human form: basic landmarks, essential volumes, and proportional relationships. Progress to the main muscle groups to identify their surface effects and aesthetic characteristics, and how they influence mass and movement. This course is ideal for anyone interested in strengthening their figure drawing, painting, or sculpture skills, as well as for those interested in future medical illustration. Note: Tuition includes a $35 models fee.
This course does not meet during Thanksgiving Break, November 23 - 26.
Image: Roberto Osti, Rebecca.
Register by: October 20
Fall 2023 CE Policy Guide, including updated Withdrawal/Refund Policies
Figure Painting: Developing Form and Finish (In-Person)
with David Wilson
Saturdays, 10 a.m. - 1 p.m.
Instructor: David Wilson
Credit: Non-Credit Only
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. 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 20
Fall 2023 CE Policy Guide, including updated Withdrawal/Refund Policies
Fast and Unfussed: Painting Loosely in Oils (In-Person)
with Roger Chavez
Mondays, 12:30 – 3:30 p.m.
Instructor: Roger Chavez
Credit: Non-credit only
Cultivate fluid mark-making and bold approaches to subject matter through rapid and loose painting studies. Tight and precise painting, especially in the early stages of an artwork, can sometimes lead to work that appears stiff and over-labored, or to locked-in compositions that are difficult to change or correct. Working from the still life, cityscapes, and the life model, utilize short, small painting exercises to learn new ways of starting paintings, keeping compositions open to adjustment, and both initiating and retaining a sense of freshness in your forms and brushstrokes. Instruction will address color mixing, making a practical setting for painting, and investigating new methodologies to apply to your paintings. Discover the beauty and freedom of loosening up your painting!
Learning Objectives:
- Learn how to effectively make use of short, fast, and small painting exercises
- Learn the importance and the effectiveness of setting a viable learning environment for painting
- Learn effective color mixing along with use of materials and techniques
Image: Roger Chavez
Register by: October 20
Fall 2023 CE Policy Guide, including updated Withdrawal/Refund Policies