Your browser is not optimized for viewing this website.

More information »

Continuing Education at PAFA



Still Life

in CE Courses by Subject

Essential Drawing Techniques (In-Person)

$305

with Roger Chavez

Calendar Next available session starts Jul 3, 2024 at 1 pm, runs for 6 weeks

Wednesdays, 1 – 4 p.m.* 
Instructor: Roger Chavez 
Six-Week Short Course (18 Hours)
Credit: Non-Credit Only

Draw what you see competently and with confidence. Drawing is not only the basis for other creative endeavors like painting and sculpting, but also a powerful means of describing the world around you and expressing yourself. Instruction will address fundamental concepts including line, shape, perspective, value, and composition. Draw from still life objects, the life model, and more while learning the proper use of drawing materials, sight-measuring methods to accurately gauge proportions and space, shading techniques to develop three-dimensional form and contrast, and means of developing personal expression. Ideal for beginners and those in need of a refresher. Tuition includes a $10 models fee. 

*Note: No class on August 7. 

Image: Roger Chavez. 

Register by: June 24
Materials List  
Summer 2024 CE Policy Guide, including withdrawal/refund policies

Fundamentals of Oil Painting (Online)

$250

with Susan Sullivan

Calendar Next available session starts Jul 11, 2024 at 6 pm, runs for 6 weeks

Thursdays, 6 – 9 p.m. (Zoom with posted Canvas content)
Instructor: Susan Sullivan 
Six-Week Short Course (18 Hours)
Credit: Non-Credit Only

Are you intimidated by the idea of oil painting? This course will help the beginning painter gain confidence in a variety of techniques including direct and indirect painting; color mixing; using mediums, solvents and additives; and painting with a brush and palette knife. Subject matter will include still life, portrait, interior spaces, landscape, and a master copy. Zoom class times will be comprised of group lectures and demonstrations, as well as studio painting time where the instructor will work one-on-one to guide students toward successful compositions. Drawing experience required. 

Image: Susan Sullivan, Malibu, Oil on panel, 16 x 16 in.

Register by: July 5

Materials List  

Summer 2024 CE Policy Guide, including withdrawal/refund policies 

Information for PAFA CE Online Courses 

Watercolor: The Color-Focused Still Life (In-Person)

$295

with Keith Leitner

Calendar Next available session starts Jul 11, 2024 at 6 pm, runs for 6 weeks

Thursdays, 6 – 9 p.m. 
Instructor: Keith Leitner 
Six-Week Short Course (18 Hours)
Credit: Non-Credit Only

Explore both the versatility of watercolor and the exciting possibilities of color through still life painting. Learn to capture form with the freshness and fluidity of all prima techniques.  Promote color in your work through instruction on color properties, mixing, and basic theory, as well as how to use hues in combination to create impactful compositions.  Discussions and in-depth demonstrations will enforce all content so that students gain the facility and freedom to use color and painting techniques as means of personal expression. 

Image: Keith Leitner.

Register by: July 5
Materials List  
Summer 2024 CE Policy Guide, including withdrawal/refund policies 

All About Acrylics (In-Person)

$295

with Frederic Kaplan

Calendar Next available session starts Jul 12, 2024 at 9 am, runs for 6 weeks

Fridays, 9 a.m - 12 p.m. 
Instructor: Frederic Kaplan 
Six-Week Short Course (18 Hours)
Credit: Non-Credit Only

This complete acrylic painting course covers basics to advanced methods. Learn to use quick-drying acrylics expertly in thin, transparent layers as well as thicker, more opaque applications that produce textural and impasto effects. Materials like fluid mediums, gels, and pastes will be demonstrated, along with both brush and palette knife techniques. Several different color palettes will be introduced as students work from still life subjects. This course is ideal for students looking for a non-toxic, flexible painting medium, as well as anyone seeking to explore acrylics’ excellent potential for representational and abstract work. Drawing experience is recommended.   

Image: Fred Kaplan. 

Register by: July 5
Materials List  
Summer 2024 CE Policy Guide, including withdrawal/refund policies 

In-Depth Watercolor, Session 2 (In-Person)

$675

with James Toogood

Calendar Next available session starts Jul 19, 2024 at 9 am, runs for 6 weeks

Fridays, 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. 
Instructor: James Toogood 
Six-Week Condensed Course (42 Hours)
Credit: Non-Credit or 1.5 Undergraduate Credits (See Below)

*This course was originally scheduled to take place July 12 - August 16.  Please note revised dates (delayed by one week).

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 Condensed Course is available for 1.5 undergraduate credits for $995. Select credit option with price adjustment when registering. 

Image: James Toogood, Venice

Register by: July 12
Materials List
Summer 2024 CE Policy Guide, including withdrawal/refund policies

The Art of Watercolor Workshop (In-Person)

$195

with Keith Leitner

Calendar Next available session starts Aug 3, 2024 at 9 am

Saturday and Sunday, 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. 
Instructor: Keith Leitner 
Weekend Workshop
Credit: Non-Credit Only

Discover the beauty and versatility of watercolor through colorful and thoughtful still life arrangements. Discussions and in-depth demonstrations will acquaint beginners and those with limited experience with basic watercolor painting materials and techniques. A variety of approaches will be explored, and students will be encouraged to engage with the medium to find their own personal means of expression.  

Image: Keith Leitner. 

Register by: July 26
Materials List  
Summer 2024 CE Policy Guide, including withdrawal/refund policies

Drawing Fundamentals Intensive (In-Person)

$485

with Phyllis Laver

Calendar Next available session starts Aug 12, 2024 at 9 am, runs for 1 week

Monday - Friday, 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. 
Instructor: Phyllis Laver 
One-Week Intensive (30 Hours)
Credit: Non-Credit or 1.0 Undergraduate Credit (See Below)

If you’ve never drawn before, or your skills are a little rusty, then this class is for you. Learn to draw what you see with confidence. Work from still life arrangements, interior spaces, and the human figure to master the drawing elements: shape, contour line, composition, light and shadow, texture and perspective. Instruction will guide students through sight-drawing and measuring techniques, use of materials, shading methods, and ways of defining form and space. This course is excellent as a foundation for future study, including for painting and other disciplines.  Note: Tuition includes a $35 models fee. 

Optional: This course is available for 1.0 undergraduate credit for $630 (including models fee). Select credit option with price adjustment when registering. 

Image: Phyllis Laver.

Register by: August 2
Materials List 
Summer 2024 CE Policy Guide, including withdrawal/refund policies 





Forgot password?
Staff Log In