Drawing from the portrait and life model is one of the most time-honored methods of art training at PAFA. Improve your observation-based drawing skills as you work in charcoal and graphite directly from life models in short and long poses, exploring gesture, proportions, anatomy and expression. All levels welcome. Note: Tuition includes a $65models fee.
 
Location: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Instructor: Phyllis Laver
Cost: $515
Sponsor: Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts
Website, email, 215-972-7632

Learn about color theory and mixing colors. Instruction will include still life, figurative and purely imaginative work. Discover ways to loosen up your brushwork through impressionistic techniques. Demos and individual assistance at each easel provided throughout the two-day workshop. Both a portrait painter and a painter of creative works, Linda Ellen was a student of Russian artist Max Heldman, her travels to Russia and the Hermitage in St. Petersburg were inspirational to her painting. She is a member of several art organizations including Oil Painters of America and Portrait Society of America. Her works are part of both private and public collections throughout the United States, Canada, South America and Europe. For more information, visit lindaellenprice.com.
 
Location: Huntsville, Alabama
Instructor: Linda Ellen Price
Cost: $400 Museum members/ $450 non-members
Sponsor: Huntsville Museum of Art
Website, email, 256-535-6372

Using inexpensive materials, this hands-on workshop will introduce the concepts and methods needed to create a strong sense of dimension and likeness in your portrait drawings. Explore the proportions and planes of the head, neck and shoulders. Learn how to create a structural foundation and how to easily manage anatomy by breaking down forms into simple geometric shapes. Instruction will address different strategies for creating a finished tonal portrait as well as tips and tricks that will help you draw like a pro! Note: Tuition includes a $10 models fee.
 
Location: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Instructor: RA Friedman
Cost: $205
Sponsor: Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts
Website, email, 215-972-7632

In this 1-Day workshop, Karen will lead students through her process of drawing the portrait from the initial measurements to the final stages of refining. Using a photo reference, she will begin with teaching strategies to accurately draw the head, place the features and indicate the major light and shadow shapes. Karen will demonstrate how to define the shadow and light regions which give the illusion of form. She will show how she compresses values for a strong design and how she makes corrections throughout, achieving an unmistakable likeness of her subject. Students also have the option to sign up for Karen’s 3-Day follow-up workshop, Painting the Portrait in Pastel.
 
Location: Hilton Head Island, South Carolina
Instructor: Karen Wilharm
Cost: $175
Sponsor: Art League of Hilton Head
Website, email, (843) 842-5738

Karen will lead students through her process of painting the pastel portrait. She will begin with teaching strategies to accurately draw the head, place the features and indicate the major light and shadow shapes. Karen will then demonstrate how to identify and lay in "average colors" of the shadow and light regions. She will show how she adjusts her general color notes by mixing and layering to "turn the color dials" on hue, value, temperature and chroma to achieve the desired relationships. During the final phase of the portrait, she will introduce techniques such as scumbling, glazing and hatching as she carefully makes corrections, refines edges and creates subtle nuances to bring the portrait to a polished finish.
 
Location: Hilton Head Island, South Carolina
Instructor: Karen Wilharm
Cost: $480
Sponsor: Art League of Hilton Head
Website, email, (843) 842-5738

This exciting and active workshop will focus on interpreting the head and figure in a spontaneous and intuitive manner. We will focus on translucent flesh tones, features, values, etc. Unexpected application of pigments will flow on the page, proceeding beautiful and glowing flesh tones. Exercises, demonstrations, lessons will all combine to give the student a natural feel for the head and figure. For all levels., this workshop is exceptional. Janet has been an award-winning painter for over 40 years and shares easily with all. She enjoys teaching across the United States and in Europe.
 
Location: Jupiter, Florida
Instructor: Janet Rogers, AWS
Cost: $475.00
Sponsor: The New Studio for The Visual Arts
Website, email, 386-451-8441

This dynamic workshop is designed for participants of all levels to quickly gain confidence in approaching the head and figure in a spontaneous, intuitive, and expressive way. The class will include demonstrations, instruction, individual assistance, "show and tell" sessions, and a series of enjoyable exercises, all integrated into the painting time. Topics covered will include unique color application, translucent flesh tones, features, the essence of children, and figures. This workshop is beneficial for all skill levels, and special support is available for those new to portrait and figure painting—no fear!
 
Location: Jupiter, Florida
Instructor: Janet Rogers
Cost: $475
Sponsor: The New Studio for the Visual Arts
Website, email, 561-295-5712

Life Drawing, also known as Figure Drawing, is the practice of drawing in order to study the human figure. If you look at historic artwork, you'll find many nude drawings and paintings. These are considered life drawings. Many artists perceive figure drawing as an endless effort with limitless possibility for improvement, learning, and diversity. The range of detail in a life drawing can vary immensely. They can range from highly detailed and anatomically proportional drawings to loose and expressive sketches to gesture drawings, which show the simple form, action and pose. Some popular mediums used during life drawings are charcoal, graphite, pen, ink and pastels. For the longer poses, some may use painting mediums like acrylics or oil.
 
Location: Hilton Head Island, South Carolina
Cost: $30 for Members / $60 for Non-members
Sponsor: Art League of Hilton Head
Website, email, (843) 842-5738

This course will focus on issues of composition, color, texture, measure, likeness, proportion, with special attention given to technical painting issues, like, how to translate skin’s complex surface characteristics in paint. Demonstrations of a layered painting technique to bring out the full depth and richness of color in our portraits will be presented and discussed. Portraits often reveal a variety of qualities of the sitter, like social class, age, beauty, occupation, etc. The class will include demonstrations, discussions of masterworks, both traditional and contemporary, and thoughtful feedback on work. This course is open to all skill levels, from beginners to advanced, encouraging all participants to deepen their knowledge of portraiture through the process of painting.
 
Location: Wayne, Pennsylvania
Instructor: Ernie Norcia
Cost: $335
Sponsor: Wayne Art Center
Website, email, 610-688-3553

In this class, our main focus will be on the study of form in a spatial context. We will begin by drawing the figure on toned paper. Our drawing tools will be charcoal and white chalk. We will explore physical viewpoint, effective composition and effective rendering of light and shadow to shape our expression and create a unified pictorial image. The goal is to encourage a sensitive approach to handling a wide range of values, in tandem with a variety of lines and edges to build a drawing vocabulary. The class will include demonstrations, discussions of masterworks, both traditional and contemporary, and thoughtful feedback. This drawing course will be a valuable resource for students of any age and skill level.
 
Location: Wayne, Pennsylvania
Instructor: Ernie Norcia
Cost: $335
Sponsor: Wayne Art Center
Website, email, 610-688-3553

The convincing depiction of form in three-dimensional space is particularly important to portrait drawing. The main focus will be on issues of composition, texture, measure, likeness, proportion, and the study of form in a spatial context. We will be drawing from models using toned paper, white chalk and charcoal. Class members will learn how to render the effects of light and shadow to create a sense of volume. The goal is to encourage a sensitive approach to handling a wide range of values, in tandem with a variety of lines and edges. The class will include demonstrations, discussions of masterworks, both traditional and contemporary, and thoughtful feedback. This drawing course is for participants of any age and skill level.
 
Location: Wayne, Pennsylvania
Instructor: Ernie Norcia
Cost: $335
Sponsor: Wayne Art Center
Website, email, 610-688-3553

Life Drawing, also known as Figure Drawing, is the practice of drawing in order to study the human figure. If you look at historic artwork, you'll find many nude drawings and paintings. These are considered life drawings. Many artists perceive figure drawing as an endless effort with limitless possibility for improvement, learning, and diversity. The range of detail in a life drawing can vary immensely. They can range from highly detailed and anatomically proportional drawings to loose and expressive sketches to gesture drawings, which show the simple form, action and pose. Some popular mediums used during life drawings are charcoal, graphite, pen, ink and pastels. For the longer poses, some may use painting mediums like acrylics or oil.
 
Location: Hilton Head Island, South Carolina
Cost: $20 for Members / $40 for Non-members
Sponsor: Art League of Hilton Head
Website, email, (843) 842-5738

Paint from a life model in poses of varying lengths to develop and refine your figure painting compositions. Extended poses will allow students to adjust and resolve issues of surface, color, and composition. Instruction will cover a variety of topics including glazing, broken color, surface texture, composition and design, the relationship of the figure to the environment, the creation of atmosphere and color harmony, disrupted realism, and open- versus closed-form painting. All levels welcome. Instruction will be geared toward oil, but students are welcome to draw-only, or use other appropriate media, if they wish. Note: Tuition includes a $35 models fee.
 
Location: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Instructor: David Wilson
Cost: $330
Sponsor: Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts
Website, email, 215-972-7632

This workshop is designed for the painter who has at least a basic command of the watercolor medium, the serious beginner to the advanced student. After Tony's demo, he will work with students individually and can adjust based upon each students' individual needs. Students will have the opportunity to work from supplied photos, or their own if they wish, during the workshop.
 
Location: Hilton Head Island, South Carolina
Instructor: Tony Armendariz
Cost: $450
Sponsor: Art League of Hilton Head
Website, email, (843) 842-5738

Life Drawing, also known as Figure Drawing, is the practice of drawing in order to study the human figure. If you look at historic artwork, you'll find many nude drawings and paintings. These are considered life drawings. Many artists perceive figure drawing as an endless effort with limitless possibility for improvement, learning, and diversity. The range of detail in a life drawing can vary immensely. They can range from highly detailed and anatomically proportional drawings to loose and expressive sketches to gesture drawings, which show the simple form, action and pose. Some popular mediums used during life drawings are charcoal, graphite, pen, ink and pastels. For the longer poses, some may use painting mediums like acrylics or oil.
 
Location: Hilton Head Island, South Carolina
Cost: $20 for Members / $40 for Non-members
Sponsor: Art League of Hilton Head
Website, email, (843) 842-5738

This intensive workshop is designed for those looking to push their portrait drawing abilities toward the professional level. Demonstrations and in-class exercises will open up how you see, think, and approach the creation of a likeness, avoiding common pitfalls. Explore subtleties of form and the relationships of lines, planes and tones, capturing the character and energy of the subject. Additionally, instruction will cover facial expressions and deep anatomy of the face, neck, and upper body. Drawing will be primarily in graphite pencil and stick. Introductory portrait drawing or equivalent recommended.Note: Tuition includes a $10 models fee.
 
Location: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Instructor: RA Friedman
Cost: $205
Sponsor: Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts
Website, email, 215-972-7632

Learn the techniques and tools of figure sculpture through demonstration and hands-on sculpting from the model. Explore anatomy, proportion, gesture, and design through the versatility of clay. Personal expression will be emphasized though representational and abstract approaches. Open to all levels and perfect for beginners. Note: Tuition includes a $40 models fee.
 
Location: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Instructor: Colleen O'Donnell
Cost: $235
Sponsor: Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts
Website, email, 215-972-7632

Learn to paint the portrait in watercolor! Instruction will cover drawing the head structure and features, mixing flesh tones, various application techniques will be discussed. Materials and techniques will be discussed, including the selection of papers, brushes, and pigments, as well as transparent and opaque painting methods. Students will have the option to work from portrait models or their own photo source material. All levels welcome. Tuition includes a $35 models fee. All levels welcome.
 
Location: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Instructor: James Toogood
Cost: $260
Sponsor: Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts
Website, email, 215-972-7632

Life Drawing, also known as Figure Drawing, is the practice of drawing in order to study the human figure. If you look at historic artwork, you'll find many nude drawings and paintings. These are considered life drawings. Many artists perceive figure drawing as an endless effort with limitless possibility for improvement, learning, and diversity. The range of detail in a life drawing can vary immensely. They can range from highly detailed and anatomically proportional drawings to loose and expressive sketches to gesture drawings, which show the simple form, action and pose. Some popular mediums used during life drawings are charcoal, graphite, pen, ink and pastels. For the longer poses, some may use painting mediums like acrylics or oil.
 
Location: Hilton Head Island, South Carolina
Cost: $20 for Members / $40 for Non-members
Sponsor: Art League of Hilton Head
Website, email, (843) 842-5738

Fresh, beautiful flowers in the studio will be the inspiration for the beginning of this dynamic workshop — progressing to the head and figure. Through a series of quick and fun drawing and painting exercises, students will develop a more loose and natural approach, giving all an opportunity to be more spontaneous and expressive in their paintings. In our approach to the head and figure, we will learn to express translucent flesh tones, while focusing on the gesture of the person. Painting children will also be covered. We will work primarily from photos (you can work from mine — ones I will demo, plus extra that may interest you). Please feel free to bring your own photos also — ones that inspire you!
 
Location: Glastonbury, Connecticut
Instructor: Janet Rogers
Cost: $1144 + Materials fee
Sponsor: Artists Rising Creativity Retreats
Website, email, 860-781-4389

Life Drawing, also known as Figure Drawing, is the practice of drawing in order to study the human figure. If you look at historic artwork, you'll find many nude drawings and paintings. These are considered life drawings. Many artists perceive figure drawing as an endless effort with limitless possibility for improvement, learning, and diversity. The range of detail in a life drawing can vary immensely. They can range from highly detailed and anatomically proportional drawings to loose and expressive sketches to gesture drawings, which show the simple form, action and pose. Some popular mediums used during life drawings are charcoal, graphite, pen, ink and pastels. For the longer poses, some may use painting mediums like acrylics or oil.
 
Location: Hilton Head Island, South Carolina
Cost: $20 for Members / $40 for Non-members
Sponsor: Art League of Hilton Head
Website, email, (843) 842-5738

Students will develop sculptural skills, learn how to work with different sculptural materials, learn about the history of sculptural arts, and learn to incorporate basic principles of aesthetics into sculpture. All levels welcome. All materials included. Classes are offered on Saturdays.
 
Location: Bryan, Texas
Cost: $35 per class or $140/month
Sponsor: Degallery
Website, email, +1(979)704-3090

Join Alison for a week of joyful exploration of Place, in the beautiful city of Cortona in the heart of Tuscany. In ancient squares, by fountains or in cafes, Alison will show you simple ways to capture buildings and include figures in your sketches. Overlooking vineyards and far off hills, we’ll explore how to simplify the scene to focus on important elements and create depth. Drawing and painting on loose pages rather than in a watercolour journal, allows us to loosen up and have fun with experimental techniques and a variety of media. We’ll work with watercolour, pen, ink, marker, on different papers, to create images, which we will curate into your personal concertina art book of your Cortona experience.
 
Location: Cortona, Italy
Instructor: Alison Watt
Cost: From US$3,850.00 All-inclusive except airfare
Sponsor: Toscana Americana Workshops
Website, email, 978-407-7127

Join international artist and art educator Wendy Artin at Atelier Clos Mirabel in South West France for a week-long painting workshop. Enjoy painting instruction exploring the finer details of nature through wet washes and colour, light and form. All levels are welcome from complete beginners to professionals. We will spend 5 mornings painting the live model for 2 hours, with poses ranging from 30 seconds to 20 minutes. After personally picking a still life subject from the gardens of Atelier Clos Mirabel, we will paint preparatory sketches and work on longer paintings, experimenting with wet on wet, edge control, composition, shadows, and colour. There will be one free day mid-week for visiting the surrounding area or painting on one’s own.
 
Location: Pau, France
Instructor: Wendy Artin
Cost: 1595€ to 2895€ for accommodation + tuition fee & model fee
Sponsor: Atelier Clos Mirabel
Website, email, +33.6.79.59.04.91

This three-day workshop will focus on painting “alla prima” (all at once) as well as developing greater skills of observation, simplification and quickly painting “wet on wet”. Most importantly, we will discuss how thoughtfully and purposely “suggesting” and editing the elements of a composition – rather than simply “rendering” every detail of your reference – will create a stronger, more compelling and “painterly” painting. Graziano is an award winning, nationally exhibited artist whose paintings capture the hidden beauty found in the ordinary and unexpected fleeting moments of everyday life. His work has been featured in numerous publications and is in the collections of private and corporate collectors throughout the world. For more information, visit dangrazianofineart.com.
 
Location: Huntsville, Alabama
Instructor: Dan Graziano
Cost: $650 Museum members/ $700 non-members
Sponsor: Huntsville Museum of Art
Website, email, 256-535-6372

Students will explore charcoal as the perfect drawing medium for expressive mark making and develop a personal approach to loose, aggressive mark making with a combination of additive and subtractive techniques using charcoal and erasers for mark making and developing grounds. While charcoal will be the primary medium, eventually students will be encouraged to combine other media such as conte crayon and spray paint. Gary Chapman is a Professor of Art – Drawing and Painting at the University of Alabama at Birmingham and has had over 60 solo exhibitions with institutions such as The Arts Center of St. Petersburg, Florida and the Indianapolis Art Center. For more information, visit garychapmanart.com.
 
Location: Huntsville, Alabama
Instructor: Gary Chapman
Cost: $525 Museum members/ $575 non-members
Sponsor: Huntsville Museum of Art
Website, email, 256-535-6372

Join us on this fantastic Art & Wellness retreat at the beautiful sea-side at Italy’s Riviera delle Palme. We will spend six days painting, learning about the best ways to increase our creative brain and physical energy through the mediterranean diet brain-health focused exercises practicing beach Qui-Gong and Tai Chi. No Wellness retreat would be complete without a spa visit with reflexology of course. Deliciously healthy, fresh food is key to maintaining and improving creativity in all stages of live.We will get inspired by the infinite beauty of the classic Italian scenes that surround us from vineyards surrounded by ancient hill-top towns and panoramic coastal scenes. Here is all of Italy in magnificent panoramic views.
 
Location: Riviera delle Palme, San Benedetto del Tronto, Italy
Instructor: John Skelcher
Cost: From €2.400
Sponsor: Painting Holiday Italy
Website, email, +39-334-903-4401

Fresh flowers for each student at beautiful Dillman's Resort will be provided to inspire all for this energetic and enlightening workshop, in which we will explore watercolor in a spontaneous and intuitive way. Learning how to interpret Flowers - then the Head and Figure will be featured as Janet provides pathways to learning for all levels. The studio will be available 24/7 for students. Janet will also provide photos and drawings of her demonstrations of the head - students are welcome to paint what she paints or paint from their own photos. The goal of this workshop is to discover the magic and intuition of capturing life in our paintings!!! - and having fun all the way!!!
 
Location: Lac du Flambeau, Wisconsin
Instructor: Janet Rogers, AWS
Sponsor: Dillman's Bay Resort
Website, email, 715-588-3143

Sicily – It's on everyone's bucket list, with colorful sunsets, olive groves, vineyards, and picturesque villages with narrow streets, a never ending range of restaurants and cafés, blue skies and beautiful nature, it’s a painters paradise… And it will be our home for 7 days. The workshop is hosted by the retreat center Salinara. Our daily watercolor routine will include daily demonstrations by Gary, along with time for individual instruction. Afternoons will vary between painting time, exploring the region on your own, or possible one of the many activities offered through Salinara – on designated days Gary will conduct group critique over cocktails before the evening meal. Limited single rooms for a supplement.
 
Location: Marsala, Sicily, Italy
Instructor: Gary Tucker
Cost: From $2300
Sponsor: Salinara - Art Farm | Retreat Centre
Website, email

This course will focus on using colour in figurative painting to create atmospheric and expressive paintings. You will work from a life model, participating in exercises based in colour theory. You will try out techniques such as painting on a coloured ground and making colour paintings from black and white drawings. This foundational work will sharpen your observational skills and deepen your technical understanding of colour. Beyond these technical elements, we will explore how to use colour to express something of our inner lives. We will take inspiration from art history by studying artists such as Gwen John, Lynette Yiadom-Boakye, Sargy Mann, Pierre Bonnard, and Milton Avery. Throughout the course, you will benefit from personalized feedback and group discussions.
 
Location: Pau, France
Instructor: Katy Papineau
Cost: 1595€ to 2895€ for accommodation + £350 tuition fee
Sponsor: Atelier Clos Mirabel
Website, email, +33.6.79.59.04.91

Join international artist and art educator Wendy Artin at Atelier Clos Mirabel in South West France for a week-long painting workshop. Enjoy painting instruction exploring the finer details of nature through wet washes and colour, light and form. All levels are welcome from complete beginners to professionals. We will spend 5 mornings painting the live model for 2 hours, with poses ranging from 30 seconds to 20 minutes. After personally picking a still life subject from the gardens of Atelier Clos Mirabel, we will paint preparatory sketches and work on longer paintings, experimenting with wet on wet, edge control, composition, shadows, and colour. There will be one free day mid-week for visiting the surrounding area or painting on one’s own.
 
Location: Pau, France
Instructor: Wendy Artin
Cost: 1595€ to 2895€ for accommodation + tuition fee
Sponsor: Atelier Clos Mirabel
Website, email, +33.6.79.59.04.91

Join Celia Liberace for an immersive week focusing on portraiture and figure drawing. Create your own totally original artwork and discover a beautiful area of South West France. For the first half of the curriculum, we will focus on the portrait, weaving together classical and contemporary techniques to observe and represent form. The second half will focus on the figure, during which students will learn how to capture the gesture of a pose and build upon this impression while considering anatomical structures. Instruction involves the intersection between academic fundamentals – including perspective, light, shadow, volume, and geometry – and Celia’s own methods of loosening and guiding both the mind and hand.
 
Location: Pau, France
Instructor: Celia Liberace
Cost: 1595€ to 2895€ for accommodation + tuition fee
Sponsor: Atelier Clos Mirabel
Website, email, +33.6.79.59.04.91

Storytelling versus Story Painting? Or maybe not versus? Let’s tell your story in a painting. In this class, we will learn how to tell your story, convey atmosphere, and feel, and understand colors, lines, focal-point, framing, and depth. You can add (or deduct) from the painting that will tell your story! Let us hear your tale! an ongoing class and instructions. From the prehistoric images in the caves to Edward Hopper... from the bible in pictures to the most modern painters of our times... We will set our subjects in 4 meetings. If you miss a class there will be a recording available.
 
Location: Web-delivered (Online)
Instructor: Tali Farchi
Cost: $125 for 4 meetings
Sponsor: Artist Table
Website, email, 0031624903316

An international group meets online via Zoom every Wednesday (check your time zone). Short and long poses, from 5-10 minutes and 20-30 minutes. Each week I invite a new model to pose. There is always some music in the background that I'm sharing too. 2 hours session. No instruction. At the end of the session, we show each other the work. Friendly atmosphere, everyone is welcome!
 
Location: Web-delivered (Online)
Instructor: Open session hosted by Tali Farchi
Cost: $15 per session
Sponsor: Artist Table
Website, email, 0031624903316