Thursdays, 6 - 9 p.m.
Instructor: RA Friedman
Six-Week Short Course (18 Hours)
Credit: Non-Credit Only
No class on June 19 (Juneteenth)

Whether you are a fine artist, illustrator, comic book creator, or simply enjoy drawing people, this fascinating course will prompt you to expand how you envision the human head and face. Learn methods of working that lead to accuracy and animated likeness. Starting with geometric solids in space, instruction will focuslargely on structure and form as youunderstand volumes and ways of defining the foundation of the head. The course also examines the construction of facial features and how to handle light and shade. Students will work from a variety of references including two sessions with a live model.  Tuition includes a $15 models fee.

Note: For continued or alternative study, see Portrait Drawing: Expression and Likeness. Students need not enroll in both sections, and Structure and Features is not required for Expression and Likeness.

Image: RA Friedman

Register by: May 9
Materials List 
Summer 2025 CE Policy Guide, including withdrawal/refund policies

Mondays, 6 – 9 p.m. 
Instructor: Frederic Kaplan
Six-Week Short Course (18 Hours)
Credit: Non-Credit Only
No class on May 26 (Memorial Day)

This complete acrylic painting course covers basic to advanced methods. Learn to use quick-drying acrylics expertly in both thin transparent layers and 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: Frederic Kaplan

Register by: May 12 
Materials List  
Summer 2025 CE Policy Guide, including withdrawal/refund policies

Wednesdays, 6 - 8 p.m. (Zoom with posted Canvas Content)
Instructor: Deon Robinson
Six-Week Short Course (18 Hours)
Credit: Non-Credit Only

Explore drawing and painting beyond paper and canvas! Learn or hone your skills to create artworks on the computer using Adobe Photoshop and digital pen tablets. Apply drawing and painting concepts such as line quality, color, value, and mark-making techniques as you use your stylus like a brush or pencil with the computer screen or tablet as your digital canvas. Expand your traditional studio practice with digital portrait painting/drawing and silhouette painting techniques. Students interested in game design may focus instead on character or creature creation, environment design, concept art, or other pre-visual development. This course is appropriate for anyone interested in translating their drawing/painting skills to another medium for their personal art-making practice or for students pursuing professional goals.Note: Students will need access to a Wacom digital pen tablet (or similar) and one of the following software options: Photoshop (which the instructor will teach from), Procreate, or a free Photoshop-similar program such as Krita.

Image: Untitled digital portrait, student work courtesy of Deon Robinson.

Register by: May 14
Materials List
Summer 2025 CE Policy Guide, including withdrawal/refund policies
Information for PAFA CE Online Courses

Wednesdays, 5:30 – 8:30 p.m. 
Instructor: John Greig 
Six-Week Short Course (18 Hours) 
Credit: Non-Credit Only

This class will explore wood as a primary art-making medium, looking at its many types, techniques and uses. Students will develop a well-rounded foundation of wood-working skills including cutting, milling, laminating, joinery and safe use of wood-working tools. Contemporary, traditional and ancient art works made of wood will be presented for historical and contextual understanding. Students will be encouraged to find their own unique voice within the material while building skills. Tuition includes $30 materials fee.

Register by: June 18
Materials List - Coming Soon!
Summer 2025 CE Policy Guide, including withdrawal/refund policies

Tuesdays, 6 – 9 p.m. 
Instructor: Rosae Reeder 
Six-Week Short Course (18 Hours) 
Credit: Non-Credit Only

Letterpress, also known as moveable type, is the process of printing with moveable components of either wood or lead type. Today, letterpress printing has become fashionable, used to print wedding invitations, business cards, and anything with that traditional vintage look. In this six-week course, students will learn the process of setting both wood and lead type and printing on a Vandercook letterpress. Instruction will also explore letterpress as a wonderful tool for printing images in edition through the creation of pressure prints. Printing of relief blocks, registration, layout, paper size, and color will also be discussed. This class is open to beginners and advanced artists.Tuition includes a $30 lab fee.

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

Tuesdays, 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. This course is excellent for beginners or anyone who loves color and loose, painterly techniques in watercolor.

See work from instructor Keith Leitner's solo exhibition at Cerulean Arts Gallery, Philadelphia, April 9 - May 4, 2025!

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

Wednesdays, 6 – 8 p.m. (Zoom with Posted Canvas Content)
Instructor: Deon Robinson
Six-Week Short Course (18-Hour Equivalent)
Credit: Non-Credit Only

Charcoal is one of the most common yet versatile drawing mediums, used to create both delicate and dramatic effects – perfect for portraiture. Work from photo sources, family/friends, or yourself as self-portrait subject to learn fine art principles and methodology to gain a comprehensive understanding of the head structure, proportions, and features toward achieving both a likeness and aesthetic effect. Explore additive and subtractive techniques for different types of charcoal implements to promote its malleability and capacity for rich value and contrast. All levels welcome. 

Register by: July 2
Materials List
Summer 2025 CE Policy Guide, including withdrawal/refund policies 
Information for PAFA CE Online Courses

Thursdays, 6 – 8:30 p.m. 
Instructor: Frederic Kaplan 
Four-Week Short Course (10Hours) 
Credit: Non-Credit Only 
Includes Rain Date: August 7

Learn to paint the unique effects of evening light and activity of Center City and University City, Philadelphia. Discover techniques for managing the shifting light and shadows of the setting sun as it plays across the city’s historic architecture. This plein air option is perfect for summer painting, allowing artists to take advantage of cooling evening temperatures and the subtle or dramatic palette of sunset and dusk. Previous painting experience required. Restrooms near all locations. Note: Students are responsible for their own transportation to painting locations.

Register by: July 3
Materials List
Summer 2025 CE Policy Guide, including withdrawal/refund policies