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Tuesdays, March 10 - April 14, 2026
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 from Antique and Classical 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 course includes the use of nude models.
Location: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Instructor: Phyllis Laver
Cost: $330
Sponsor: Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts
Website, email, 215-972-7632

March 12, 2026
At the end of the 16th century, seven Netherlandish provinces joined together to form the Dutch Republic and throughout the 17th century ushered in an era of economic prosperity and military prowess. Known as the Dutch Golden Age it also produced some of the finest paintings of the time from artists such as Frans Hals, Jan van Goyen, Salomon and Jacob van Ruysdael, and Johannes Vermeer. This talk will explore the history surrounding the formation of the Dutch Republic and look closely at works by some of its most prominent painters. The talk can be enjoyed on its own or in preparation for the upcoming talk The Art of Rembrandt on April 23rd. William Perthes is an educator, author, and curator.
Location: Wayne, Pennsylvania
Instructor: William Perthes
Sponsor: Wayne Art Center
Website, email, 610-688-3553

Saturdays, March 14 - April 18, 2026
Paint from a life model in a multi-week-pose format 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

Sundays, March 15 - April 26, 2026
William Rush was the first major American sculptor, a master of woodcarving as well as terracotta and bronze. The Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts’ cast collection houses several of Rush’s portraits and figures, and this class offers the rare opportunity to closely study these masterpieces. Students will copy a sculpture by Rush, learning both the particularities of the master’s technique and the basic principles of terracotta figure modeling. All levels are welcome for this exciting opportunity to closely study Rush’s sculpture in anticipation of the PAFA Museum's landmark exhibition, A Nation of Artists.
Location: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Instructor: Morgan Dummitt
Cost: $345
Sponsor: Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts
Website, email, 215-972-7632

March 28-29, 2026
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. For more introductory instruction, see the instructor's Portrait in Pencil Workshop (not required for enrollment in the Advanced workshop).
Location: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Instructor: RA Friedman
Cost: $205
Sponsor: Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts
Website, email, 215-972-7632

April 13-16, 2026
Fresh flowers in the studio will greet artists for the beginning of this dynamic and energetic workshop to focus on creating in a fun, intuitive and spontaneous way. After painting flowers, we will focus on an inspirational demo of “head construction” that will help students as they learn to paint people. We will continue with learning flesh tones, features, hair and background. We will also experience the joy of producing unexpected color movement. Some of our goals – capturing the gesture of the figure, discovering design, exciting flesh tones, avoiding mud, and keeping the white of the paper in our paintings. Artists can bring their own photos to work from or work from ones I provide!
Location: Ocean City, Maryland
Instructor: Janet Rogers
Cost: $618 ($515 for members)
Sponsor: Art League of Ocean City
Website, email, (410) 524-9433

April 18-19, 2026
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. Tuition includes a $35 models fee.
Location: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Instructor: Colleen O'Donnell
Cost: $230
Sponsor: Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts
Website, email, 215-972-7632

April 18-19, 2026
Painting a face can be complex, maybe even overwhelming. Knowing where to start can be the key to a meaningful painting process and the success of your work. This workshop is devoted to the crucial first step in developing a portrait – doing a tonal study of the values or “grisaille”. Relative values and creating a sense of light will be explained and demonstrated. We will be concentrating on the proportions of the face and features, and getting a “likeness,” while painting from a live model. Students will be using a single color (or color mix) of paint during this workshop. Demos, handouts, and lots of one-on-one feedback at your easel. The workshop is geared toward oil painting but other mediums are welcome.
Location: Wayne, Pennsylvania
Instructor: Ellen Cooper
Sponsor: Wayne Art Center
Website, email, 610-688-3553

April 23, 2026
Few artists are as universally admired as Rembrandt van Rijn (1606–1669). With a career spanning the 17th century Dutch Golden Age, Rembrandt created intimate and probing self portraits and monumental civic works like 1642s The Night Watch. In his lifetime Rembrandt experienced both great success and devastating failures. This talk will consider the breath of Rembrandt’s work from brash early pictures to contemplative late ones. We’ll also explore the evolution of his painting technique which has been described as a kind of alchemy. The Art of Rembrandt builds on the groundwork of the talk Dutch Golden Age Painting presented on March 12th. William Perthes is an educator, author, and curator.
Location: Wayne, Pennsylvania
Instructor: William Perthes
Sponsor: Wayne Art Center
Website, email, 610-688-3553

May 12-15, 2026
Learn to paint Loose Watercolor Florals, Landscapes, Figures and Portraits from internationally known artist, Janet Rogers, AWS. Workshop located at the historical La Fonda Hotel on the Santa Fe Plaza, close to restaurants, shopping and many hotels. Janet Rogers has been a working professional artist for over 34 years, and has achieved Signature Status in The American Watercolor Society, The Florida Watercolor Society, South Carolina Watercolor Society and others. She has garnered many awards over the years for her sensitive paintings of people which are spontaneous, direct, and expressive. Her workshops featuring impressions of people and also flowers are very popular across the United States, Canada, and in Europe. You can view her work at www.watercolorsbyrogers.com
Location: Santa Fe, New Mexico
Instructor: Janet Rogers, AWS, Instructor –
Cost: $600.00
Sponsor: Miriam Joseph
Website, email, 505-263-9137

May 12-15, 2026
The Charming and historic LaFonda Hotel in Santa Fe, New Mexico will be the setting for this exciting watercolor workshop. Fresh flowers will greet students for the beginning of this adventure into loose and flowing watercolors. We will progress to painting some landscape elements and move to interpreting faces and figures. Janet Rogers has been a National Instructor and award-winning Artist for over 30 years. Her workshops are extremely popular throughout the United States and Europe. This is a unique opportunity to improve your skills - bringing life into your painting, and discovering design and color. Janet will also have class "show and tell"- in addition to painting demonstrations and working individually with each student.
Location: Santa Fe, New Mexico
Instructor: Janet Rogers, AWS, TWSA, FWS-D
Cost: $600.00
Sponsor: Miriam Joseph
Website, email, 505-890-5000

May 14, 2026
Come join us for an enjoyable watercolor journey! At the beginning of the class, I’ll begin with a demonstration that showcases the various techniques used in watercolor painting. Don't worry if you're new to this, as I’ll provide personalized lessons on different tips and techniques to enhance your painting skills. Not only will you learn and improve your artistic abilities, but you'll also have the chance to meet new people and create lasting memories. So come and join us for a delightful and enriching experience in the world of watercolor! All levels are welcome. Bring your own supplies or rent a Lender's Kit ($15 payable to the instructor).
Location: Ocean City, Maryland
Instructor: Gerilyn Gaskill
Cost: $42 ($35 for members)
Sponsor: Art League of Ocean City
Website, email, (410) 524-9433

