Thursdays, 1 – 4 p.m. 
Instructor: Roger Chavez 
Six-Week Short Course (18 Hours) 
Credit: Non-Credit Only
No class on June 19 (Juneteenth)

Draw what you see competently and with confidence. Drawing is not only the basis for other creative endeavors like painting and sculpting, but also a powerful means of describing the world around you and expressing yourself. Instruction will address fundamental concepts including line, shape, perspective, value, and composition. Draw from still life objects, the life model, and more while learning the proper use of drawing materials, sight-measuring methods to accurately gauge proportions and space, shading techniques to develop three-dimensional form and contrast, and means of developing personal expression. Ideal for beginners and those in need of a refresher. Tuition includes a $15 models fee.

Image: Roger Chavez.

Registration still open!
Materials List
Summer 2025 CE Policy Guide, including withdrawal/refund policies

Thursdays, 6 - 9 p.m.
Instructor: RA Friedman
Six-Week Short Course (18 Hours)
Credit: Non-Credit Only
No class on June 19 (Juneteenth)

Whether you are a fine artist, illustrator, comic book creator, or simply enjoy drawing people, this fascinating course will prompt you to expand how you envision the human head and face. Learn methods of working that lead to accuracy and animated likeness. Starting with geometric solids in space, instruction will focuslargely on structure and form as youunderstand volumes and ways of defining the foundation of the head. The course also examines the construction of facial features and how to handle light and shade. Students will work from a variety of references including two sessions with a live model.  Tuition includes a $15 models fee.

Note: For continued or alternative study, see Portrait Drawing: Expression and Likeness. Students need not enroll in both sections, and Structure and Features is not required for Expression and Likeness.

Image: RA Friedman

Registration still open!
Materials List 
Summer 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
No class on May 24 (Memorial Day Weekend)

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.

For continued or alternative study, see also Figure Painting: The Extended Pose with the same instructor.  Students enrolling in one class need not enroll in the other, and Alla Prima and the Limited Palette is not required for The Extended Pose.

Registration still open! 
Materials List 
Summer 2025 CE Policy Guide, including withdrawal/refund policies

Tuesdays, 9 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Instructor: John Horn
Six-Week Short Course
Credit: Non-Credit Only

This course will be dedicated to three- and six-hour poses focusing on the structural and aesthetic characteristics of drawing from the model. Classes will begin with brief lectures covering spatial organization, volume, proportional relationships, and anatomy. The rest of each session will focus on drawingthe life model in a variety of standing, seated, and reclining poses, with attention to measuring techniques and rendering the figure through light and shade. Examples of drawings from the Old Masters,and discussions about their approaches, will supplement instruction.Students of all levels are welcome; those with less experience can make several studies during a long pose while experienced students can develop a single drawing. Note: Tuition includes a $35 models fee.

Registration still open!
Materials List
Summer 2025 CE Policy Guide, including withdrawal/refund policies

Wednesdays, 9 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Instructor: Morgan Dummitt
Six-Week Condensed Course (30 Hours)
Credit: Non-Credit or 1.0 Undergraduate Credit (See Below)

Modeling the figure in clay is the foundational skill of traditional sculpture. Working from a model, learn to sculpt in clay from initial gesture to surface finishing techniques. Topics of study will include proportion, composition, structure, and simplified sculptural form. Students will complete two sculptures in the course of the class. All work will be fired after class. Beginners welcome. Note: Tuition includes a $65 models fee.

Student Learning Outcomes

• Gain a basic understanding of the osteology, myology, and anatomy of the figure

• Analyze and organize the various elements of the body into simplified sculptural forms

• Carry out best practices for modeling and maintaining water-based clay sculpture

• Understand best practices for creating ceramic sculpture

Optional: This course is available for 1.0 undergraduate credit for $660, including models fee. Select credit option with price adjustment when registering.

Register by:  May 20
Materials List
Summer 2025 CE Policy Guide, including withdrawal/refund policies

Thursdays, 9 a.m. - 12 p.m. 
Instructor: Tony Rosati
Ten-Week Course (30 Hours)
Credit: Non-Credit or 1.0 Undergraduate Credit (See Below)
No class on June 19 (Juneteenth)

Experience masterful instruction in PAFA’s spacious print facilities as you explore an array of 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. Note: Tuition includes $30 lab fee.

Optional: This course is available for 1.0 undergraduate credit for $625 (including lab fee). Select credit option with price adjustment when registering.

Register by: May 21
Materials List
Summer 2025 CE Policy Guide, including withdrawal/refund policies

Thursdays, 12:30 – 4 p.m.
Instructor: Pavel Efremoff
Ten-Week Condensed Course (35 Hours)
Credit: Non-Credit or 1.0 Undergraduate Credits (See Below)
No class on June 19 (Juneteenth)

This course will cover all aspects of the foundry process. Demonstrations and hands-on instruction will be given in wax modeling and casting, ceramic shell techniques, bronze pouring, metal chasing, TIG welding and patination. All levels welcome. Note: Tuition includes a $75 lab fee.

Optional: This course is available for 1.0 undergraduate credits for $770 (including lab fee). Select credit option with price adjustment when registering.

Image: Pavel Efremoff.

Register by: May 21
Materials List
Summer 2025 CE Policy Guide, including withdrawal/refund policies

Fridays, 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Instructor: James Toogood
Five-Week Condensed Course*
Credit: Non-Credit or 1.0 Undergraduate Credits (See Below)*

*This course was originally scheduled to start on May 16 as a six-week/1.5 credit course.  The dates/format have been adjusted to  five-weeks/1.0 credit starting May 23.  Online registration is temporarily unavailable for this class -- call 215-972-7632 to register.

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. The course is designed to equip each participant with the knowledge and skills necessary to make accomplished, personally rewarding watercolor paintings. 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, or from their own source material. 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.

Optional: This course is available for 1.0 undergraduate credit for $695. Select credit option with price adjustment when registering.

Register by: May 16
Materials List (pending revised schedule)
Summer 2025 CE Policy Guide, including withdrawal/refund policies