This comprehensive figure-focused class offers an open atelier structure in which students of all levels may pursue personal work from models in their choice of drawing or painting media. Concepts of proportion, anatomy, gesture, and light and shade will be discussed and critiqued individually, depending on the student’s experience. Model set-ups will range from croquis (short poses) to extended poses. All media are welcome for students with prior experience; drawing recommended for beginners. Note: Tuition includes a $35 models fee.
 
Location: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Instructor: John Horn
Cost: $330
Sponsor: Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts
Website, email, 215-972-7632

Painting the human form from observation is one of the cornerstones of PAFA's long tradition of rigorous instruction. Working from the nude model, investigate color mixing, proportion, and composition using oil paint as a medium. Focusing on alla prima painting techniques and a limited flesh-tone palette, learn to model the human form through gesture, shape, volume, and temperature – excellent for painted sketches and preparatory studies, foundations for extended work, or an introduction/refresher to figure painting. Intended for all skill levels, this course also offers the valuable opportunity for more advanced students to continue to hone their skills to deepen their understanding of the language of painting. Instruction will be geared toward oil, but students may draw-only, or use other appropriate media.
 
Location: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Instructor: David Wilson
Cost: $330
Sponsor: Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts
Website, email, 215-972-7632

Don’t miss this opportunity to work with renowned artist, educator and author Roberto Osti! Gain confidence in your ability to render the human form and handling of materials. Proportions, anatomy and methods of measuring will be emphasized as you draw with the instructor from a live model. Media and techniques include graphite on white paper, charcoal on white paper, charcoal and chalk on toned paper.
 
Location: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Instructor: Roberto Osti
Cost: $215
Sponsor: Cerulean Arts Gallery and Studio
Website, email, 1-267-514-8647

Modeling the portrait in clay is a foundational skill of traditional sculpture. Working from a model, learn to create a portrait from composition to completed sculpture. Instruction for this uniquely comprehensive course will encompass learning to build an armature, modeling the form in clay, and casting in plaster to preserve the finished artwork. Topics of study will include proportion, composition, structure, and simplified sculptural form.
 
Location: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Instructor: Morgan Dummitt
Cost: $590
Sponsor: Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts
Website, email, 215-972-7632

Capturing figures in real-life settings can be quite challenging, especially when dealing with changing outdoor light conditions. See how Barbara skillfully integrates the figure with the garden, while paying close attention to how the atmosphere influences the colors of the model’s skin and clothing.
 
Location: Wayne, Pennsylvania
Instructor: Barbara Berry
Cost: $20 members | $25 non-members
Sponsor: Wayne Art Center
Website, email, 610-688-3553

Don't miss this opportunity to paint the life model in oil with guidance from noted figure painter Carolyn Pyfrom in this all-day intensive workshop! Learn to simplify complex figurative forms and carefully observe value and color. Use a limited palette to tackle the basic formal elements of painting with an emphasis on accurate tonal structures and the creation of a convincing sense of light and atmosphere. Suitable for students with basic painting experience.
 
Location: Philadelphia, PA, Pennsylvania
Instructor: Carolyn Pyfrom
Cost: $150
Sponsor: Cerulean Arts Gallery and Studio
Website, email, 2675148647

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: $470
Sponsor: Wayne Art Center
Website, email, 610-688-3553

Work independently in the drawing medium of your choice! This monitored studio is designed to give students the opportunity to work from live nude models without instruction, allowing you time to explore and experiment. Just as any life drawing session the poses will range from short gestures gradually building to longer poses at the end. This is an extraordinary opportunity for you to develop and extend your drawing skills.
 
Location: Wayne, Pennsylvania
Instructor: Leslie Bowen, Monitor
Cost: $335
Sponsor: Wayne Art Center
Website, email, 610-688-3553

Imagine making a one-of-a-kind piece of sculpture for your home or garden. With guidance from professional sculptor, you can make a variety of sculptures from animals to a decorative relief sculpture or a figurative piece. Learn sculpting techniques while creating something special. Books and pictures will be supplied for inspiration or bring your own. Class tuition includes your first bag of stoneware clay as well as glazes and firing fees for coursework completed in class. Clay is available at Wayne Art Center. All skill levels welcome.
 
Location: Wayne, Pennsylvania
Instructor: Jennifer Frudakis
Cost: $350
Sponsor: Wayne Art Center
Website, email, 610-688-3553

"Pot Heads" and "Greenman" a fun take on portrait sculpture. In this class we will make whimsical and decorative portraits with the guidance from an experienced portrait sculptor and learn the structural basics in the process and create a functional pot for plants for your home or garden. Class tuition includes your first bag of clay as well as glazes and firing fees for coursework completed in class.
 
Location: Wayne, Pennsylvania
Instructor: Jennifer Frudakis
Cost: $350
Sponsor: Wayne Art Center
Website, email, 610-688-3553

The convincing depiction of form in three-dimensional space is one of the great conceptual breakthroughs in Western art. This applies particularly to portrait drawing where the volume of a head is such an important vehicle of communication. 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. Students 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 to build a drawing vocabulary.
 
Location: Wayne, Pennsylvania
Instructor: Ernie Norcia
Cost: $425
Sponsor: Wayne Art Center
Website, email, 610-688-3553

Develop your ability to render the human form through the time-honored combination of anatomical study and life drawing with noted artist and author Roberto Osti.  Learn the methods and technical skills traditionally associated with beautiful figure drawing, such as measuring, tonal rendering, anatomical structuring, and establishing the effects of light on the figure, using graphite on white paper, charcoal and chalk on toned paper, reduction techniques, and the trois crayons technique. Through the instructor’s in-depth anatomical drawing demonstrations and work from the life model, learn the structural aspects of the human form: basic landmarks, essential volumes, and proportional relationships. Progress to the main muscle groups to identify their surface effects and aesthetic characteristics, and how they influence mass and movement.
 
Location: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Instructor: Roberto Osti
Cost: $590
Sponsor: Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts
Website, email, 215-972-7632

Paint portraits from a variety of models using the direct painting method. Examine the proportions and volumes of the head, as well as the placement, structure, and characteristics of the facial features, through preliminary drawings and demonstrations. Develop color using a limited palette to understand how to use chroma, temperature, value, tint, and tone. Instruction will address materials, composition, paint handling, and color mixing, blending, and theory. Homework assignments working from photos, Masterworks, or oneself/others will encourage students to learn to make personal aesthetic and technical choices and to practice concepts addressed in class. Open to all levels, this course is excellent for beginners as well as experienced students who want to review fundamental techniques or who simply enjoy painting portraits from life.
 
Location: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Instructor: Roberto Osti
Cost: $590
Sponsor: Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts
Website, email, 215-972-7632

Paint from a life model in a single pose for the entire course. Extended time with a single subject allows students to work with the instructor to tailor exercises that address their individual interests, including the development of one large image or several smaller studies. The first session will include time for gestural and thumbnail drawings in preparation for the model’s final placement. 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. Students are welcome to draw-only, or use other appropriate media, if they wish.
 
Location: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Instructor: David Wilson
Cost: $330
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

If you’ve never drawn before, or your skills are a little rusty, then this class is for you. Learn to draw what you see with confidence. Work from still life arrangements, interior spaces, and the human figure to master the drawing elements: shape, contour line, composition, light and shadow, texture and perspective. Instruction will guide students through sight-drawing and measuring techniques, use of materials, shading methods, and ways of defining form and space. This course is excellent as a foundation for future study, including for painting and other disciplines. Note: Tuition includes a $35 models fee.
 
Location: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Instructor: Phyllis Laver
Cost: $485
Sponsor: Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts
Website, email, 215-972-7632

Learn how to draw figures, and how to make expressive drawings by participating in this 2-day intense workshop with Mashiul. Students will have the opportunity to learn from short dynamic gestural poses to long poses of a life model.
 
Location: Marietta, Pennsylvania
Instructor: Mashiul Chowdhury
Cost: $275
Sponsor: Susquehanna Art Workshops
Website, email, 717-314-9551