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Portrait Drawing and Anatomy
with Roberto Osti
Thursdays, 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Instructor: Roberto Osti
Six-Week Condensed Course (36 Hours)
No class on June 11
Register by April 27 for a 10% Early Bird Discount! Enter promo code EARLYBIRDSUMMER2026 at checkout (and click “+” to add the discount). PAFA members at the Dual Plus or Friend level and above receive an additional 10% off. Discount applies to CE regular adult Summer Session 1 and 2 classes and workshops only. Spring 2026 courses, Summer Studio-Critique/studio rental programs, gift certificates, membership purchases, and lockers are ineligible.
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 course is perfect for artists of all levels interested in mastering this fascinating subject. Note: Course tuition includes a $75 models fee.
Image: Roberto Osti, Portrait of Megan, colored pencil on toned paper.
Register by: May 7
Materials List
Please review CE's Summer 2026 Policy Guide, including withdrawal/refund policies, prior to registering.
Figure and Portrait Drawing: Foundational Techniques (ONLINE)
with Roberto Osti
Mondays, 5 - 8 p.m. (Primarily Zoom, with supplemental Canvas content)
Instructor: Roberto Osti
Six-Week Short Course (18-Hour Equivalent)
No class on May 25
Register by April 27 for a 10% Early Bird Discount! Enter promo code EARLYBIRDSUMMER2026 at checkout (and click “+” to add the discount). PAFA members at the Dual Plus or Friend level and above receive an additional 10% off. Discount applies to CE regular adult Summer Session 1 and 2 classes and workshops only. Spring 2026 courses, Summer Studio-Critique/studio rental programs, gift certificates, membership purchases, and lockers are ineligible.
Practice a variety of fundamental figure drawing approaches while working from photographic references. Media and techniques include graphite on white paper, charcoal on white paper, charcoal and chalk on toned paper, reduction methods, and the trois crayons technique. Proportions and methods of measuring will be emphasized. Students will gain confidence in their representation of the human form and handling of materials as they draw alongside the instructor during live Zoom sessions. The online structure allows for an optimal overhead view of the instructor’s demonstration drawings and a focused but conversational community environment as students engage with the instructor and complete in-class work together.
Image: Roberto Osti
Register by: May 11
Materials List
Please review CE's Summer 2026 Policy Guide, including withdrawal/refund policies, prior to registering.
Information for PAFA CE Online Courses
Portrait Drawing: An Introduction
with RA Friedman
Thursdays, 6 - 9 p.m.
Instructor: RA Friedman
Six-Week Short Course
Register by April 27 for a 10% Early Bird Discount! Enter promo code EARLYBIRDSUMMER2026 at checkout (and click “+” to add the discount). PAFA members at the Dual Plus or Friend level and above receive an additional 10% off. Discount applies to CE regular adult Summer Session 1 and 2 classes and workshops only. Spring 2026 courses, Summer Studio-Critique/studio rental programs, gift certificates, membership purchases, and lockers are ineligible.
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 focus largely on structure and form as you understand 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 three sessions with a live model. Tuition includes a $20 models fee.
Image: RA Friedman
Register by: May 14
Materials List
Please review CE's Summer 2026 Policy Guide, including withdrawal/refund policies, prior to registering.
The Complete Terracotta Portrait
with Morgan Dummitt
Tuesdays, 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Instructor: Morgan Dummitt
Six-Week Condensed Course (36 Hours)
Register by April 27 for a 10% Early Bird Discount! Enter promo code EARLYBIRDSUMMER2026 at checkout (and click “+” to add the discount). PAFA members at the Dual Plus or Friend level and above receive an additional 10% off. Discount applies to CE regular adult Summer Session 1 and 2 classes and workshops only. Spring 2026 courses, Summer Studio-Critique/studio rental programs, gift certificates, membership purchases, and lockers are ineligible.
Modeling the portrait in clay is a foundational skill of traditional sculpture. Working from a model, learn to create a portrait from composition to completed sculpture. Focus will include simple structural forms, proportion, anatomy, and technical best practices for clay sculpture. Work will be fired at the end of class. All levels welcome. Tuition includes a $75 models fee.
Student Learning Outcomes
- Gain a basic understanding of the osteology, myology, and morphology of the head
- Analyze and organize the various forms of the head and neck into simplified sculptural forms
- Understand various techniques for creating a “likeness” of the sitter
- Carry out best practices for modeling and maintaining water-based clay sculpture.
Image: Morgan Dummitt
Register by: May 19
Materials List
Please review CE's Summer 2026 Policy Guide, including withdrawal/refund policies, prior to registering.
The Portrait in Oil
with Roberto Osti
Thursdays, 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Instructor: Roberto Osti
Five-Week Condensed Course (30 Hours)
No class on August 8
Register by April 27 for a 10% Early Bird Discount! Enter promo code EARLYBIRDSUMMER2026 at checkout (and click “+” to add the discount). PAFA members at the Dual Plus or Friend level and above receive an additional 10% off. Discount applies to CE regular adult Summer Session 1 and 2 classes and workshops only. Spring 2026 courses, Summer Studio-Critique/studio rental programs, gift certificates, membership purchases, and lockers are ineligible.
Paint portraits from a variety of models using the direct painting method. Examine the proportions and volumes of the head, as well as the placement, structure, and characteristics of the facial features, through preliminary drawings and demonstrations. Develop color using a limited palette to understand how to use chroma, temperature, value, tint, and tone. Instruction will address materials, composition, paint handling, and color mixing, blending, and theory. Content includes at least one cast study from PAFA's historic collection to improve understanding of modeling form through value. Homework assignments working from photos, Masterworks, or oneself/others will encourage students to learn to make personal aesthetic and technical choices and to practice concepts addressed in class. Open to all levels, this course is excellent for beginners as well as experienced students who want to review fundamental techniques or who simply enjoy painting portraits from life. Note: Course tuition includes a $75 model fee.
Image: Roberto Osti
Register by: July 2
Materials List
Please review CE's Summer 2026 Policy Guide, including withdrawal/refund policies, prior to registering.
Portrait Drawing: The Half-Length Portrait
with RA Friedman
Thursdays, 6 - 9 p.m.
Instructor: RA Friedman
Six-Week Short Course
Register by April 27 for a 10% Early Bird Discount! Enter promo code EARLYBIRDSUMMER2026 at checkout (and click “+” to add the discount). PAFA members at the Dual Plus or Friend level and above receive an additional 10% off. Discount applies to CE regular adult Summer Session 1 and 2 classes and workshops only. Spring 2026 courses, Summer Studio-Critique/studio rental programs, gift certificates, membership purchases, and lockers are ineligible.
The portrait can extend beyond the head and shoulders as a depiction of the likeness, mood, or character of the individual subject. Learn to capture the fascinating possibilities of the half-length portrait, examining not only the functional and expressive anatomy of the human head but also the gesture and structure of the torso, arms, and hands. Experiment with creative questions such as handling light and composition. Content includes study from anatomy references, drawing clothed models, and working in a range of media. Instruction will lay the groundwork for creative explorations that lead to professional quality work. Tuition includes a $20 models fee.
Image: RA Friedman
Register by: July 2
Materials List
Please review CE's Summer 2026 Policy Guide, including withdrawal/refund policies, prior to registering.