Abstraction in art can look like a variety of different things, from the painterly glow of a Turner seascape to the flattened patterns of a Matisse interior to Pollock’s nonobjective drip technique. But how does one get from painting realistically what one can see to translating it into invented color and shape or to abandoning form altogether? Learn from master artists throughout modern art history by trying their techniques to find your own personal style! Explore different paint application methods, color interactions, and compositional tactics as you take on a variety of subjects. Each session will include lecture and artist examples, in-class painting time, and one-on-one feedback from the instructor. Open to all media and levels, but drawing experience recommended.
 
Location: Web-delivered (Online)
Instructor: Susan Sullivan
Cost: $395
Sponsor: Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts
Website, email, 215-972-7632

Many artists can feel frustrated in front of a blank canvas, unsure of how to start and what to paint. Paint with confidence by learning techniques to tap into your intuitive process and find inspiration more easily! Experienced instruction and advice will push students to take chances and explore unexpected directions and accidental marks to achieve artistic discoveries. Students will use line, color and space, and editing possibilities to create busy/calm areas and focal points in their paintings as they work from personal imagery, expression, and imagination. Instruction will take the form of PowerPoint presentation/examples, formal direction from modern and contemporary artists, and one-on-on critiques in Zoom sessions that are geared toward open painting time in a classroom-like setting. Painting experience recommended.
 
Location: Web-delivered (Online)
Instructor: Kassem Amoudi
Cost: $150
Sponsor: Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts
Website, email, 215-972-7632

Sketching is the foundation for any artist's practice. A few thumbnail sketches can be the start to a larger project by triggering an idea or capturing a place or object. Using your surroundings as well as arranged still lifes as your subject, learn to consider line, value, shape and light as means of efficiently encapsulating both places/objects and your emotional response. Topics of discussion and exploration will include how master artists have used the sketch in their own practice and each student’s goals for their current work. This engaging class is for both the beginner and the seasoned artist.
 
Location: Web-delivered (Online)
Instructor: Susan Sullivan
Cost: $175
Sponsor: Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts
Website, email, 215-972-7632

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

“Painting Music” is an intuitive painting and drawing, open session for everyone. No painting or drawing skills are needed. Move your paint as the music tells you... on a canvas or in your sketchbook. I create a one-hour playlist of the different subjects each week. You may paint one painting or 10 or as much as you want. No rules. You may interpret the music as figurative or abstract, anything goes! The camera of your device will be pointed to the working area, so we can also see the progress, and be inspired. After the session, we look at each other's artwork and talk about the process.
 
Location: Web-delivered (Online)
Instructor: Tali Farchi
Cost: $10 per session
Sponsor: Artist Table
Website, email, 0031624903316