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Continuing Education at PAFA



Portrait

in CE Courses by Subject

Portrait Drawing: Cast and Life (In-Person)

$500

with Phyllis Laver

Calendar Current session started Oct 7, 2025 at 12:30 pm, runs for 10 weeks

Tuesdays, 12:30 – 3:30 p.m.
Instructor: Phyllis Laver 
Ten-Week Course (30 Hours) 

Develop your ability to render the portrait through the time-honored methods of drawing from both the cast and life. Learn techniques of observational drawing such as measuring, recognizing proportions and anatomical landmarks, and establishing the effects of light and shadowwhile working in a variety of dry drawing media. Part of the portrait study will be devoted to working from selections from PAFA’s historic cast collection of Antique and Renaissance sculpture to master sighting techniques and tonal gradations. The rest of the class will focus on drawing from the model, both clothed and unclothed, to capture the subtleties and vitality of the head and figure, for both traditional and extended portrait representations.Throughout the semester, the work of varied artists will be introduced and discussed.  Note: This portrait course includes the use of nude models. Course tuition includes a $50 model fee.

Image: Phyllis Laver

Late registration available through October 20 
Materials List
Fall 2025 CE Policy Guide, including withdrawal/refund policies 

Advanced Portrait Drawing Workshop (In-Person)

$205

with RA Friedman

Calendar Next available session starts Dec 6, 2025 at 9 am

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

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.

Image: RA Friedman

Register by: December 1
Materials List
Fall 2025 CE Policy Guide, including withdrawal/refund policies  





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