Filter by Category
Portrait
in Subject
Portrait Drawing from 2D and Life
with Alicia Mino
Wednesdays, 9 am - 5 pm
Draw one of art’s most compelling and moving subjects: the portrait. Learn to create realistic and expressive renderings from both photographs and live models, in order to explore a range of approaches for your personal practice. Use charcoal and graphite drawing techniques to suggest light and volume, and discover how to incorporate contrast and detail to create interest. Instruction will cover basic anatomy, including skull bone structure and musculature, as well as how to determine the movement and direction of the head. Useful information for all levels.
Learning Objectives:
- Students will learn notions of basic anatomy, including skull bone structure and muscle structure
- Students will learn how to settle movement and direction of the head
- Students will learn how to create volume with charcoal and graphite techniques
- Students will learn how to make their portraits interesting by adding details and contrast to their pieces.
NOTE: This course is available for 1.5 undergraduate credits for $750.
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.
Register by: May 13
In-Depth Watercolor (Summer Session 1)
with James Toogood
Fridays, 9 am - 5 pm
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.
NOTE: This course is available for 1.5 undergraduate credit for $750.
Half-Day Option: For greater flexibility, this course is available for half-days (non-credit only), 9 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. or 1:30 - 5 p.m., for $325. Note that courses are designed for full-day attendance: information and demonstrations presented in one portion of the day may not be repeated in the other half. Students wishing to add the remaining portion can pay the balance by calling the CE office at 215-972-2029.
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.
Register by: May 13
Portrait in the Park (Outdoor)
with RA Friedman
Sundays, 9 am - 12 pm
Enjoy plein air drawing of the clothed/costumed model in summer light and greenery. The class will center around line, light and form using monochromatic media. Experiment with a number of strategies for conceptualizing and building the drawing in order to capture what you see. Essential anatomy, drapery, and working with the features of the face will be covered. Drawing experience is helpful, but not required. Easy-to-access Philadelphia locations with restrooms and other amenities may include the Rose Garden, areas around the Philadelphia Art Museum, Lloyd Hall on Boathouse Row, and Fairmount Park. Note: Students are responsible for their own transportation. Tuition includes a $25 model fee.
Image: George Hitchcock by John McLure Hamilton, 1890-1900, watercolor, gouache and pencil on fine linen. Collection of PAFA.
Register by: May 27
Figure Painting (Summer Session 2)
with David Wilson
Fridays, 9 am - 12 pm
Painting the human form from observation is one of the cornerstones of PAFA's long tradition of rigorous instruction. Working from the nude model, investigate color mixing, proportion, and composition using oil paint as a medium. Intended for all skill levels, this course offers foundational instruction on building form and mixing flesh tones for beginning-level students, as well as the the valuable opportunity for more advanced students to continue to hone their skills to deepen their understanding of the language of painting.
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
Portrait Painting Basics Workshop
with Theodore Xaras
Saturday & Sunday, 9 am - 5 pm
This comprehensive workshop covers all aspects of painting a traditional portrait. Topics include achieving a likeness, modeling light and shade, mixing flesh tones and applying paint through various techniques. All participants will produce at least one finished portrait. Includes demonstrations and portrait history. Valuable information for all levels.
Learning Objectives
- Students will learn to analyze and construct a portrait using clearly defined steps.
- Students will be able to achieve a likeness through the careful observation of shapes and their color/value equivalent, which together, form the “topography” of the face.
- Students will learn how to mix and adjust colors to produce accurate flesh tones.
- Students will be able to produce one completed portrait, either a head and shoulders or the entire torso and hands.
- Students will be able to paint a recognizable portrait from life.
- Students will gain an appreciation for the art of portraiture from their own work as well as becoming acquainted with historical and contemporary examples as a basis for further study.
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.
Register by: July 1
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