Wednesdays, 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. 

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. 

This course does not meet on March 22 & 29 but runs through PAFA’s Spring Break. 

Please note:  All students enrolling in on-campus courses must submit proof of full COVID-19 vaccination and at least one additional booster upon registration. Registrations lacking vaccine documentation or approved medical exemption one week after submission are subject to withdrawal. Requests for medical or religious exemptions must be approved by PAFA’s head of security. 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: January 6 

Materials List 

CE Policy Guide Winter/Spring 2023 

CE Proof of Vaccination/Booster Form - SUBMISSION REQUIRED AT TIME OF REGISTRATION 

Thursdays, 9 a.m. - 12 p.m.

Learn to sculpt a life-size portrait in clay on an armature from direct observation.  Working from models, sculpt the head and neck structure with accuracy based on volume, proportion, and anatomy, developing the portrait from deep geometric structure to surface form. Capture likeness and expression through measuring practices and study of the facial features. Instruction will cover armature construction, clay modeling, and tool usage. This sensitive and immersive practice is excellent for both sculptors and drawing/painting portraitists seeking to inform their work through the exploration of three-dimensional form.  All levels welcome. Note: Course tuition includes a $25 model fee. 

Optional: This course is available for 1.0 undergraduate credit for $600 (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 at least one additional booster upon registration. Registrations lacking vaccine documentation or approved medical exemption one week after submission are subject to withdrawal. Requests for medical or religious exemptions must be approved by PAFA’s head of security. Withdrawals for noncompliance will result in fees. See CE Policy Guide for complete COVID safety requirements and policies.  

Image: Morgan Dummitt, Cooper Portrait. 

Register by: January 20

Materials List 

CE Policy Guide Winter/Spring 2023 

CE Proof of Vaccination/Booster Form - SUBMISSION REQUIRED AT TIME OF REGISTRATION 

Fridays, 9 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.

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. 

Optional: This course is available for 1.5 undergraduate credits for $995. Select credit option when registering. 

Please note:  All students enrolling in on-campus courses must submit proof of full COVID-19 vaccination and at least one additional booster upon registration. Registrations lacking vaccine documentation or approved medical exemption one week after submission are subject to withdrawal. Requests for medical or religious exemptions must be approved by PAFA’s head of security. Withdrawals for noncompliance will result in fees. See CE Policy Guide for complete COVID safety requirements and policies.  

Image:  James Toogood

Register by: January 20

Materials List 

CE Policy Guide Winter/Spring 2023 

CE Proof of Vaccination/Booster Form - SUBMISSION REQUIRED AT TIME OF REGISTRATION 

Wednesdays, 9 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.

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. 

Optional: This course is available for 1.5 undergraduate credits for $995. Select credit option when registering. 

Please note:  All students enrolling in on-campus courses must submit proof of full COVID-19 vaccination and at least one additional booster upon registration. Registrations lacking vaccine documentation or approved medical exemption one week after submission are subject to withdrawal. Requests for medical or religious exemptions must be approved by PAFA’s head of security. Withdrawals for noncompliance will result in fees. See CE Policy Guide for complete COVID safety requirements and policies.  

Image:  James Toogood

Register by: January 20

Materials List 

CE Policy Guide Winter/Spring 2023 

CE Proof of Vaccination/Booster Form - SUBMISSION REQUIRED AT TIME OF REGISTRATION 

Saturday and Sunday, 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.

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. Tuition includes a $25 model fee.

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.

Please note:  All students enrolling in on-campus courses must submit proof of full COVID-19 vaccination and at least one additional booster upon registration. Registrations lacking vaccine documentation or approved medical exemption one week after submission are subject to withdrawal.Requests for medical or religious exemptions must be approved by PAFA’s head of security.Withdrawals for noncompliance will result in fees. See CE Policy Guide for complete COVID safety requirements and policies.

Image: Theodore Xaras, Amanda.

Register by: February 10

Materials List

CE Policy Guide Winter/Spring 2023

CE Proof of Vaccination/Booster Form - SUBMISSION REQUIRED AT TIME OF REGISTRATION