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Watercolor, Gouache & Tempera
in CE Courses by Medium/Discipline
Watercolor Workshop (In-Person)
with James Toogood
Saturday and Sunday, 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Instructor: James Toogood
Credit: Non-Credit Only
Interested in learning or improving your watercolor skills? All materials and techniques will be discussed, including the selection of papers, brushes, and pigments, as well as transparent and opaque painting methods. Students will work from still-life, and/or their own source material. All levels welcome.
Image: James Toogood.
Register by: April 26
Materials List
Winter/Spring 2024 CE Policy Guide, including withdrawal/refund policies
In-Depth Watercolor, Session 1 (In-Person)
with James Toogood
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)
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, Bermuda.
Register by: May 10
Materials List
Summer 2024 CE Policy Guide including withdrawal/refund policies
Narrative Painting for Fine Art and Illustration (Water-Media) (Online)
with Kate Samworth
Thursdays, 3 - 5 p.m. (Zoom with posted Canvas content)
Instructor: Kate Samworth
Six-Week Short Course (18 hours)
Credit: Non-Credit Only
Develop your artistic voice through a series of drawing and painting projects with artist and award-winning illustrator, Kate Samworth. Work from observation, memory, and imagination to learn to clearly communicate your ideas through pictures. Content includes demonstrations in perspective drawing, working from reference materials, and developing the palette best suited to the intention of each work of art. Weekly feedback from instructor and group conversations/critiques will cultivate new ideas and promote understanding of course concepts. Students will work in drawing materials and the water-based color media of their choice. Learning Objectives:
- Use new approaches to conveying ideas and emotions
- Deepen your understanding of perspective to create a convincing sense of space and atmosphere
- Develop a personal sense of color harmony through color mixing exercises
- Learn the most effective ways to work from reference materials and avoid the pitfalls of using photographic references
- Examine historical and contemporary narrative works as a means of developing your voice
Image: Kate Samworth, Pollinators.
Register by: May 17
Summer 2024 CE Policy Guide, including withdrawal/refund policies
Watercolor Plunge (Online)
with Tony Rosati
Tuesdays, 1 – 4 p.m. (Zoom with posted Canvas content)
Instructor: Tony Rosati
Six-Week Short Course (18 hours)
Credit: Non-Credit Only
Join Tony Rosati, PAFA BFA faculty and accomplished watercolorist, in this live Zoom class designed for those with little or no experience in watercolor. Acquire a thorough grounding in basic watercolor materials and techniques, including papers, brushes and pigments, as well as transparent and opaque painting methods. Gain the confidence to progress in your skills and enjoyment in the medium, in future studies or personal expression.
Image: Tony Rosati.
Register by: May 17
Summer 2024 CE Policy Guide, including withdrawal/refund policies
Plein Air Painting in Gouache (Outdoor)
with Michelle Oosterbaan
Saturdays, 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.
Instructor: Michelle Oosterbaan
Five-Week Short Course (20 Hours)
Credit: Non-Credit Only
Gouache (opaque watercolor paint) is the perfect medium for landscape painting in the open air! Painters of all levels will fall in love with it as a portable, fast-drying, and easy-to-clean-up alternative to oils. Explore gouache’s subtle but vibrant color and versatile application methods as you portray the beauty of Philadelphia’s parks in your own personal style. Learn techniques for choosing a composition, mixing color, and working efficiently outdoors as you complete a series of rapid sketches and at least one sustained painting. Open to all levels. Painting locations featuring shade, restrooms, and other amenities may include Wissahickon Park in Mt. Airy, Washington Square Park near Independence Hall, and Bartram's Garden in Southwest Philadelphia. Note: Students are responsible for their own transportation to painting locations.
Image: Michelle Oosterbann.
Register by: May 24
Summer 2024 CE Policy Guide, including withdrawal/refund policies
Botanical Drawing and Painting Intensive (In-Person)
with Linda Gist
Monday - Friday, 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Instructor: Linda Gist
One-Week Intensive (30 Hours)
Credit: Non-Credit or 1.0 Undergraduate Credit (See Below)
Explore flowers and other natural forms, beginning with line and value drawing and progressing to full-color rendering in watercolor and mixed media. Topics will include sighting techniques, line quality, tone and value, creation of depth, composition, texture, and basic color. All levels welcome. Tuition includes a $15 materials fee for floral subjects, provided.
Optional: This course is available for 1.0 undergraduate credit for $610 (including materials fee). Select credit option with price adjustment when registering.
Image: Linda Gist.
Register by: June 14
Summer 2024 CE Policy Guide, including withdrawal/refund policies
Watercolor Workshop (In-Person)
with James Toogood
Saturday and Sunday, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Instructor: James Toogood
Weekend Workshop
Credit: Non-Credit Only
Interested in learning or improving your watercolor skills? All materials and techniques will be discussed, including the selection of papers, brushes, and pigments, as well as transparent and opaque painting methods. Students will work from still-life, and/or their own source material. All levels welcome.
Images: James Toogood.
Register by: June 21
Summer 2024 CE Policy Guide, including withdrawal/refund policies
Abstract Drawing/Mixed-Media: 10 Rules for Art Students (In-Person)
with Keith Leitner
Tuesdays, 1 - 4 p.m.
Instructor: Keith Leitner
Six-Week Short Course (18 Hours)
Credit: Non-Credit Only
Artist, philosopher, and influential 20th-century composer John Cage, along with artist and educator Sister Corita Kent, developed a set of 10 Rules for Students and Teachers to encourage artistic production. Learn to apply these valuable guidelines to your own creative processes to find useful and meaningful ways of generating ideas, moving past ruts or stumbling blocks, and maintaining a steady and productive studio practice. This hands-on drawing/mixed-media class will utilize engaging exercises to challenge you to go beyond your comfort zone and find inspiration in chance, impediments, and simply your coffee cup. Work on paper in your choice of media from imagination or prompts to explore means of building abstract imagery through personal means of mark-making and layering. Instruction will be supplemented by discussions of the artists who encouraged Cage and those who were influenced by him. This class is geared toward students with some prior art-making experience but is perfect for those who are launching their artistic career/studies, artists returning to the studio after an absence, and anyone seeking inspiration and stimulation for their art-making practice.
Image: Keith Leitner.
Register by: June 24
Materials List
Summer 2024 CE Policy Guide, including withdrawal/refund policies