Tuesdays, 1 – 4 p.m.
Instructor: Douglas Martenson
Twelve-Week Course (36 Hours)*
Credit: Non-Credit or 1.0 Undergraduate Credit (See Below)  

Explore the power and nuance of one of art’s most engaging subjects: the portrait. Investigate the structure, proportions, form, and anatomy of the human head through drawings and painted studies.  Progress to finished paintings and address issues of likeness, composition, space, texture, and aspects of the clothed figure. Learn to better see and understand color to mix it more successfully, a useful skill for painting all subject matter.  Designed students at all levels learning or pursuing work in oil, acrylic, or other media; students may draw-only if they wish. Note: Tuition includes $75 models fee.   

*Note: No Class on March 4. 

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

Register by: January 10
Materials List
Winter/Spring 2025 CE Policy Guide, including withdrawal/refund policies

Thursdays, 6 – 9 p.m.
Instructor: Phyllis Laver
Ten-Week Course (30 Hours)*
Credit: Non-Credit or 1.0 Undergraduate Credit (See Below)

Drawing from the portrait and life model is one of the most time-honored methods of art training at PAFA. Improve your observation-based drawing skills as you work in charcoal and graphite directly from life models in short and long poses, exploring gesture, proportions, anatomy and expression. All levels welcome. Note: Tuition includes a $65 models fee. 

Learning Objectives 

• Students will stretch the traditional definitions of portrait and life drawing to merge the two into personal statements. 

• Students will work with clothed and unclothed/life models who are diverse individuals. 

• Students will acquire a working knowledge of varied drawing materials, including charcoal, graphite and ink. 

• Students will acquire a working knowledge of form and structure in the body. 

• Students will develop the ability to better see the model rather than rely on schema. 

• Students will acquire knowledge of diverse artists and their ways of working. 

*Note: No class on March 6.

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

Image: Phyllis Laver.

Register by: January 30
Materials List
Winter/Spring 2025 CE Policy Guide, including withdrawal/refund policies

Saturday and Sunday, 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Instructor: RA Friedman
Weekend Workshop
Credit: Non-Credit Only

Using inexpensive materials, this hands-on workshop will introduce the concepts and methods needed to create a strong sense of dimension and likeness in your portrait drawings. Explore the proportions and planes of the head, neck and shoulders. Learn how to create a structural foundation and how to easily manage anatomy by breaking down forms into simple geometric shapes. Instruction will address different strategies for creating a finished tonal portrait as well as tips and tricks that will help you draw like a pro! Note: Tuition includes a $10 models fee.

For more advanced instruction or an optional follow-up to this course, see the instructor's Advanced Portrait Drawing Workshop.

Register by: January 31
Materials List
Winter/Spring 2025 CE Policy Guide, including withdrawal/refund policies

Saturday and Sunday, 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Instructor: RA Friedman
Weekend Workshop
Credit: Non-Credit Only

This intensive workshop is designed for those looking to push their portrait drawing abilities toward the professional level. Demonstrations and in-class exercises will open up how you see, think, and approach the creation of a likeness, avoiding common pitfalls. Explore subtleties of form and the relationships of lines, planes and tones, capturing the character and energy of the subject. Additionally, instruction will cover facial expressions and deep anatomy of the face, neck, and upper body. Drawing will be primarily in graphite pencil and stick. Introductory portrait drawing or equivalent recommended.Note: Tuition includes a $10 models fee.

For more introductory instruction or optional preparation for this course, see The Portrait in Pencil Workshop.

Register by: March 21
Materials List
Winter/Spring 2025 CE Policy Guide, including withdrawal/refund policies

Saturday and Sunday, 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Instructor: James Toogood
Weekend Workshop
Credit: Non-Credit Only

Learn to paint the portrait in watercolor!  Instruction will cover drawing the head structure and features, mixing flesh tones, various  application techniques will be discussed.  Materials and techniques will be discussed, including the selection of papers, brushes, and pigments, as well as transparent and opaque painting methods. Students will have the option to work from portrait models or their own photo source material.  All levels welcome. Tuition includes a $35 models fee. All levels welcome.

Register by: April 4
Materials List
Winter/Spring 2025 CE Policy Guide, including withdrawal/refund policies