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The Complete Portrait: Drawing and Anatomy (In-Person)
with Roberto Osti
Tuesdays, 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Many artists consider the head and face to be the most challenging yet rewarding parts of the human form to draw or paint. Gain confidence in your ability to render the portrait by drawing from both PAFA’s historic casts and models with noted artist and author Roberto Osti. Learn the fundamental structural, anatomical, and proportional elements necessary to create structurally-correct, accurate, and life-like portraits. Practice a variety of time-honored drawing techniques, including graphite and charcoal on white paper, charcoal and chalk on toned paper, reduction techniques, and more. Topics will include the basic proportions and volumes of head and neck, the muscles, correct positioning of the facial features, the planes of the head, the skull structure, measuring techniques, line drawing, and tonal rendering.
This intensive morning and afternoon course will start each session with a one-hour demonstration, covering the structure anatomy and physiognomic aspects of the head and neck. Students will then apply this anatomy knowledge toward drawing the portrait – first from renowned portrait busts in PAFA’s beautiful, natural-light-filled Historic Cast Hall, then from life, from a diverse array of models. Instruction will include homework exercises for further practice, using photographic references and Master drawings to study the theoretical and practical aspects of the subject and a variety of techniques. This course is perfect for artists of all levels interested in mastering this fascinating subject. Note: Course tuition includes a $50 models fee.
Optional: This course is available for 1.0 undergraduate credit for $745 (including model fee). Select credit option when registering.
Image: Roberto Osti, Portrait of Megan, colored pencil on toned paper.
Register by: May 9
Digital Drawing and Painting (In-Person)
with Deon Robinson
Thursdays, 1 - 4 p.m.
Explore drawing and painting beyond paper and canvas! Learn to create artworks on the computer using Adobe Photoshop and digital pen tablets. Apply drawing and painting concepts such as line quality, color, value, and mark-making techniques as you use your stylus like a brush or pencil withthe computer screen or tablet as your digital canvas. Generate portfolios that focus on extending fine art principles into the virtual realm in the development of character designs, concept art, game art, or other pre-visual development. This course is also appropriate to anyone interested in translating their drawing/painting skills to another medium for their personal art-making practice. Students will utilize programs and equipment through PAFA’s illustration department – an excellent way to learn to work with digital art-making products without, or prior to, purchasing.
Image: Deon Robinson.
Register by: May 12
In-Depth Watercolor, Summer 1 (In-Person)
with James Toogood
Fridays, 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, Bermuda.
Register by: May 12
Figure Painting: Alla Prima and the Limited Palette (In-Person)
with David Wilson
Saturdays, 10 a.m. - 1 p.m.*
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.
* No class on May 27 for Memorial Day Weekend.
Image: David Wilson, 2016.
Register by: May 12
Figure Drawing in Charcoal and Pastel (In-Person)
with Deon Robinson
Thursdays, 9 a.m. - 12 p.m.
A cornerstone of PAFA’s studio instruction, figure drawing is a challenging, engaging practice that benefits artists for portfolio building or in developing skills for figure-based work in any media. Working in charcoal and colored soft pastel, students will work from a variety of models in short and extended poses to explore human anatomy and proportions, value drawing with chiaroscuro, and the application of elementary color theory to produce achromatic and color drawings from observation. Open to all levels. Tuition includes a $35 models fee.
Image: Deon Robinson.
Register by: May 12
Screenprinting and Beyond (In-Person)
with Tony Rosati
Fridays, 9 a.m. - 12 p.m.*
The versatile nature of screenprinting lends itself to printing on paper, fabric and other surfaces. For the beginner, this course will cover all aspects of the process including screen preparation, image development, and printing techniques. Printmakers with experience may propose independent projects. Note: Tuition includes $20 lab fee.
Learning Objectives:
- Students will gain a basic understanding of the screenprinting process.
- Students will acquire technical experience with screens, squeegees, ink, tools, and equipment.
- Students will learn basic screenprinting techniques including image development, coating and processing screens, mixing ink, and printing.
- Students will acquire technical expertise by way of printing various stencils from fine detail images to flat broad areas.
- Students will learn printmaking professionalism including printing editions on clean registered printmaking paper, signing and numbering editions appropriately.
- Students will learn the importance of image development through individual reviews and by exploring various possibilities with the process.
- Students will develop critical visual and verbal skills by way of individual discussions with the instructor and with their peers.
* Note: No class on July 21.
Optional: This course is available for 1.0 undergraduate credit for $615 (including lab fee). Select credit option when registering.
Image: Nancy B. Campbell, Okura, ca. 2000, Screenprint, ed. 8/9, 14 x 11 1/8 in. Courtesy of the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts, Philadelphia, Gift of Ofelia Garcia, 2017.56.3
Register by: May 19
Foundry: An Introduction (In-Person)
with Morgan Dummitt
Tuesdays, 1 - 5 p.m.
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 $65 lab fee.
Optional: This course is available for 1.0 undergraduate credit for $840 (including lab fee). Select credit option when registering.
Image: Morgan Dummitt, Wayfarers (detail), 2015, bronze, 17 x 19 x 41 in.
Register by: May 19
Stone Carving (In-Person)
with Steve Nocella
Saturdays, 9 a.m. - 1 p.m.
Explore the possibilities of stone carving by using traditional and nontraditional methods. All processes from rough carving to polishing will be covered, and various tools and techniques will be demonstrated. Open to all levels. Note: Tuition includes $20 lab fee.
Learning Objectives
- Procure proficiency in basic tool use including manual carving, pneumatic carving, sawing, grinding, and sanding
- Learn the methods of stone carving beginning with "roughing out" a form and finishing with sanding and polishing
- Develop a perceptual ability for spatial relationships of the elements that constitute a sculpture or a three-dimensional image
- Learn to use creative and critical thinking in the process of carving sculpture
- Gain an appreciation for the influence and informing effect that medium and process have on image making
- Acquire an introductory understanding of the history of stone carving as well as the capacity to conceptualize context for the student's own sculpture
Optional: This course is available for 1.0 undergraduate credits for $795 (including lab fee). Select credit option when registering.
Image: John W. Rhoden, Reclining Figure, 1947, French limestone, 20 1/2 x 28 x 11 1/2 in. (52.07 x 71.12 x 29.21 cm.) Courtesy of the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts, Accession #2018.13.7, The John Walter Rhoden and Richanda Phillips Rhoden Collection.
Register by: Registration Still Open!