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

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

Learn the fundamentals of drawing with the vibrancy of colored pencil! Work from still life objects and arrangements, natural and urban landscape window views, and clothed portrait/figure models to explore descriptive and expressive line quality, light/shadow, composition, color relationships, cross-hatching and layering methods, as ways to render scenic form and space. Instruction will guide students through observational sighting and measuring techniques and color theory essentials to achieve a sense of realism and to serve as a solid foundation for future study. Tuition includes a $25 models fee.
 
Location: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Instructor: Michelle Oosterbaan
Cost: $475
Sponsor: Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts
Website, email, 215-972-7632

This 8-week course is for beginners who want to explore drawing and oil painting, and for more experienced artists who want to improve their artistic skills. Using still-life compositions, students will learn about form, space, design, value, and color through working observationally. In addition, the instructor will introduce a variety of artists who are representative of the lessons provided, and conduct in-process and final critiques for a helpful synopsis of the student’s progress and ideas. The class will be broken up into four weeks of drawing and four weeks of painting, but the student is open to work in any medium if they prefer.
 
Location: Wayne, Pennsylvania
Instructor: Annie Thompson
Cost: $280
Sponsor: Wayne Art Center
Website, email, 610-688-3553

Learn how to draw fantastical beasts, wizards, and Wookies in this workshop inspired by Harry Potter, Star Wars and more. Enter the imaginative world of fantasy drawing in fun and creative two-hour workshop.
 
Location: Wayne, Pennsylvania
Instructor: Tony Squadroni
Cost: $50
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

This class is for high school students looking to deepen their skills in 2D composition and life drawing and painting. Working from a still life arrangement, students will create detailed 18" x 24" realistic compositions from life using chalk pastels and acrylic paint. Students will benefit from highly individualized instruction in a small class setting. As many college art programs and art schools require observational work in portfolio submissions, this class will also provide the opportunity to create a strong and essential portfolio piece. This is a 5-week, 2.5-hour class.
 
Location: Wayne, Pennsylvania
Instructor: Sarah Colby
Cost: $225
Sponsor: Wayne Art Center
Website, email, 610-688-3553

Whether it's Superman, Wonder Woman or the Hulk, learn how to draw your favorite comic book hero and discover the tips and tricks that will make your Superheroes come alive!
 
Location: Wayne, Pennsylvania
Instructor: Tony Squadroni
Cost: $50
Sponsor: Wayne Art Center
Website, email, 610-688-3553

For students seeking to expand their beginning drawing skills or those new to working from the figure, this class will focus on applying drawing’s basic elements to the human form. Starting with sculpture from PAFA’s cast collection and progressing to work from the life model in short and long poses, work in charcoal and graphite to explore figure-based concepts of gesture, proportions, anatomy, and expression. Instruction will cover sight-drawing and measuring techniques, use of materials, gauging value, and ways of defining form and space. This course is excellent as a foundation for future study in any discipline or for more advanced figure-based work. Note: This part 2 course includes the use of nude models. Tuition includes a $35 models fee.
 
Location: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Instructor: Phyllis Laver
Cost: $330
Sponsor: Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts
Website, email, 215-972-7632

Perspective is at the heart of good drawing. It allows us to transform the 3D world into a believable 2D image, and it need not be difficult to understand. With still life and interiors as subject matter, learn basic principles and simple methods presented in clear language and without the need for special tools or complex geometry. This workshop serves as a good foundation for further study in drawing. A modest amount of previous drawing experience is recommended.
 
Location: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Instructor: Frederic Kaplan
Cost: $195
Sponsor: Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts
Website, email, 215-972-7632

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

Whether it is fire-breathing dragons, magical unicorns, or grotesque griffins, we will learn how to draw mystical creatures of all kinds. Explore the world of fantastic mythical creatures while discovering different techniques and drawing mediums.
 
Location: Wayne, Pennsylvania
Instructor: Tony Squadroni
Cost: $50
Sponsor: Wayne Art Center
Website, email, 610-688-3553

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

Discover the popular Manga style of cartooning or improve your skills if you are already a Manga artist! You will learn the background of Manga, a popular style of drawing created in Japan, learn how to construct characters in the Manga style, and learn to draw your favorite Manga characters!
 
Location: Wayne, Pennsylvania
Instructor: Tony Squadroni
Cost: $50
Sponsor: Wayne Art Center
Website, email, 610-688-3553

Capture the small-town beauty Manayunk's hilly streets, rowhomes, and storefronts. Learn to create a convincing sense of space, light and time of day while depicting streetscapes, trees, water and sky. Color mixing and painting techniques for oils will be demonstrated, but all drawing/painting media are welcome. Located just 15 minutes outside of Philadelphia, Manayunk offers engaging urban and riverside neighborhood subjects with parking, shade, provisions and facilities available. Note: Students are responsible for their own transportation to painting locations.
 
Location: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Instructor: Larry Francis
Cost: $295
Sponsor: Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts
Website, email, 215-972-7632

Capture the active life of the city and its rich architecture. This is an excellent workshop for anyone who wants to learn to sketch on the bus or train, in cafés and public parks, or while traveling abroad. Topics include perspective, gauging proportions by eye, gesture figure drawing, and methods for simplifying form. All levels welcome.
 
Location: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Instructor: Frederic Kaplan
Cost: $115
Sponsor: Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts
Website, email, 215-972-7632