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Portrait
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Portrait Painting and Drawing (Online)
with Al Gury

Sundays, 3 – 4 p.m.
Register by 5 p.m. on August 22 for a 10% Early Bird Discount! Enter promo code EARLYBIRDFALL2022 at checkout. PAFA members at the Friend level and above receive an additional 10% off. (Discount applies to CE adult Fall classes and workshops only. Pre-College Programs, Open Academy Courses, and Master Classes are ineligible.)
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
- 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 including pastel
- Students will learn to paint portraits from both life and from photo reference
Optional: This course is available for 1.0 undergraduate credit for $575. Select credit option when registering.
Image: Al Gury.
Register by: September 2
The PAFA Atelier (In-Person)
with Peter Van Dyck

Wednesdays, 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Register by 5 p.m. on August 22 for a 10% Early Bird Discount! Enter promo code EARLYBIRDFALL2022 at checkout. PAFA members at the Friend level and above receive an additional 10% off. (Discount applies to CE adult Fall classes and workshops only. Pre-College Programs, Open Academy Courses, and Master Classes are ineligible.)
This combination of instructed class and open studio is designed for students interested in advancing their representational drawing and painting. Design and work on your own personal projects utilizing the cast collection, figure/portrait models, and still life or interior spaces, assisted by individual critiques and group instruction on topics of broad concern or interest. This course features intermediate-level instruction for students with prior drawing/painting experience. Note: Tuition includes a $50 model fee.
Optional: This course is available for 1.0 undergraduate credit for $1,150 (including model fee). Select credit option when registering.
Please note: All students enrolling in on-campus courses must submit proof of full COVID-19 vaccination and booster upon registration. Requests for medical or religious exemptions must be approved by PAFA’s head of security. PAFA reserves the right to refuse entry and withdraw enrollment for students who have not provided proof of vaccination and have not been approved for exemption. Withdrawals for noncompliance will result in fees. See CE Policy Guide for complete COVID safety requirements and policies.
Image: Peter Van Dyck, Couple Manayunk
Register by: September 2
The Portrait Medallion: Introduction to Relief Sculpture (In-Person)
with Morgan Dummitt

Wednesdays, 9 a.m. - 12 p.m.
Register by 5 p.m. on August 22 for a 10% Early Bird Discount! Enter promo code EARLYBIRDFALL2022 at checkout. PAFA members at the Friend level and above receive an additional 10% off. (Discount applies to CE adult Fall classes and workshops only. Pre-College Programs, Open Academy Courses, and Master Classes are ineligible.)
Relief is an excellent bridge to sculpture for painters and a refreshing variation for sculptors working in-the-round. Learn all aspects of modeling the portrait in relief, including drawing, modeling high relief and bas-relief. Work from Greco-Roman and Renaissance sculpture in PAFA’s historic Cast Hall to gain greater insight into sculptural masterpieces from the past. All levels are welcome. For more information about PAFA’s Cast Collection, check out https://www.pafa.org/news/history-pafas-cast-hall-faculty-member-al-gury
Optional: This course is available for 1.0 undergraduate credit for $575. Select credit option when registering.
Please note: All students enrolling in on-campus courses must submit proof of full COVID-19 vaccination and booster upon registration. Requests for medical or religious exemptions must be approved by PAFA’s head of security. PAFA reserves the right to refuse entry and withdraw enrollment for students who have not provided proof of vaccination and have not been approved for exemption. Withdrawals for noncompliance will result in fees. See CE Policy Guide for complete COVID safety requirements and policies.
Image: Morgan Dummitt, Wordsworth Relief, 2017, Tinted GFRC, 25 x 35 in.
Register by: September 2
The Portrait in Pastel Workshop (In-Person)
with Theodore Xaras

Saturday & Sunday, 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Register by 5 p.m. on August 22 for a 10% Early Bird Discount! Enter promo code EARLYBIRDFALL2022 at checkout. PAFA members at the Friend level and above receive an additional 10% off. (Discount applies to CE adult Fall classes and workshops only. Pre-College Programs, Open Academy Courses, and Master Classes are ineligible.)
The immediate subtlety that can be achieved through soft and hard pastel is particularly suited for the portrait study. Learn historical and contemporary techniques of hatching, blending, layering and color mixing to render convincing portraits. Discussion and demonstration of various surfaces, pastels and mixed media techniques included. Drawing experience recommended. Note: Tuition includes a $25 models fee.
Please note: All students enrolling in on-campus courses must submit proof of full COVID-19 vaccination and booster upon registration. Requests for medical or religious exemptions must be approved by PAFA’s head of security. PAFA reserves the right to refuse entry and withdraw enrollment for students who have not provided proof of vaccination and have not been approved for exemption. Withdrawals for noncompliance will result in fees. See CE Policy Guide for complete COVID safety requirements and policies.
Image: Theodore Xaras.
Register by: October 7