Art Workshops, Classes & Retreats

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"Figure Within an Interior Environment"
Tuesdays, September 16 - December 9, 2025
 

Led by master artist Michael Doyle, students consider the composition of a figure within an interior setting. Students may elect to draw or paint, using a variety of materials.
 
Location: Wayne, Pennsylvania
Instructor: Michael Doyle
Cost: $630
Sponsor: Wayne Art Center
Website, email, 610-688-3553


"Figure Sculpture from Casts"
Tuesdays, September 16 - December 9, 2025
 

A creative look at figure sculpture with the use of multiple plaster casts of the human body. Learn in detail from close-up plaster casts of Michael Angelo’s David and life casts of hands and feet. This is a unique experience to learn the nuance techniques of the great masters and a step by step understanding of modeling the human form and 3D design. All levels welcome.
 
Location: Wayne, Pennsylvania
Instructor: Jennifer Frudakis-Petry
Cost: $600
Sponsor: Wayne Art Center
Website, email, 610-688-3553


"Figure & Portrait Drawing for Beginners"
Wednesdays, September 17 - December 10, 2025
 

The convincing depiction of form in three-dimensional space is one of the great conceptual breakthroughs in Western art. In this class, our main focus will be on the study of form in a spatial context, and, we will use observational approaches in the construction of our images. We will begin by drawing the figure on toned paper with charcoal and white chalk, exploring physical viewpoint, effective composition and 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. The class will include demonstrations, discussions of masterworks, and thoughtful feedback on work.
 
Location: Wayne, Pennsylvania
Instructor: Ernie Norcia
Cost: $630
Sponsor: Wayne Art Center
Website, email, 610-688-3553


"Photo to Canvas"
Thursdays, September 18 - December 18, 2025
 

Working in oil or pastel from photographic reference, this class is about translating the photographic image onto either canvas or paper. Focusing on color, value and mark making as essential tools, students are encouraged to move a step beyond the restraints of a camera to create a successful and personal work. Discussion will include working with painting mediums and exploring different techniques.
 
Location: Wayne, Pennsylvania
Instructor: Anne Graham
Cost: $570
Sponsor: Wayne Art Center
Website, email, 610-688-3553


"The Torso in Clay Workshop"
September 19-21, 2025
 

Sculptors from Ancient Greece to Michelangelo have recognized the centrality of the torso for creating dynamic figure sculptures. This condensed class will focus intensely on the anatomy, structure, and proportions of the torso. Students will complete a half life-sized torso in clay. Perfect for beginners or for experienced students wishing to bring renewed vitality to their figurative work in any media. Work will be done in terracotta and fired after class. Tuition includes a $35 models fee.
 
Location: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Instructor: Morgan Dummitt
Cost: $330
Sponsor: Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts
Website, email, 215-972-7632


"Addressing the Figure"
Fridays, September 19 - November 14, 2025
 

This course is designed to help you develop the skills needed to paint a portrait and achieve a likeness of your subject, working either in a traditional or contemporary style. Focus will be on observation, composition, and color with an emphasis on skin tones as well as learning to translate the various planes of color and light that are so important in painting the figure. Students may work in Pastel or Oil. Tuition includes model fees.
 
Location: Wayne, Pennsylvania
Instructor: Anne Graham
Cost: $470
Sponsor: Wayne Art Center
Website, email, 610-688-3553


"Pop Art Pet Portraits"
September 20, 2025 | 11a-3p
 

Create a pop art painting of your pet using simple materials and painting techniques! Participants will learn the fun and creative process of transforming a pet photo into a unique work of art. This workshop will teach a brief history of pop art, basic color theory, and a variety of creative approaches.
 
Location: Prairie du Sac, Wisconsin
Instructor: Sandra Watson
Cost: $70 + $20 materials fee
Sponsor: River Arts Gallery
Website, email, 608-643-5215


"Figure Painting: Alla Prima and the Limited Palette"
Saturdays, September 20 - October 25, 2025
 

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. 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, if they wish.
 
Location: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Instructor: David Wilson
Cost: $330
Sponsor: Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts
Website, email, 215-972-7632


"Life Model Drawing"
September 21, 2025
 

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


"Expressive Loose Watercolors - Flowers to Figures"
September 21-26, 2025
 

Flowers in the studio at beautiful Dillman's Resort will be the inspiration for students to begin this energetic and enlightening workshop, in which we will explore watercolor in a spontaneous and intuitive way. Learning how to interpret flowers - leading to 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 demos 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, TWSA, FWS
Sponsor: Dillman's Bay Resort
Website, email, 715-588-3143


"Life Model Drawing"
October 5, 2025
 

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


"Portrait Drawing: Cast and Life"
Tuesdays, October 7 - December 9, 2025
 

Develop your ability to render the portrait through the time-honored methods of drawing from both the cast and life. Learn techniques of observational drawing such as measuring, recognizing proportions and anatomical landmarks, and establishing the effects of light and shadow while working in a variety of dry drawing media. Part of the portrait study will be devoted to working from selections from PAFA’s historic cast collection of Antique and Renaissance sculpture to master sighting techniques and tonal gradations. The rest of the class will focus on drawing from the model, both clothed and unclothed, to capture the subtleties and vitality of the head and figure, for both traditional and extended portrait representations. The work of varied artists will be introduced and discussed.
 
Location: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Instructor: Phyllis Laver
Cost: $500
Sponsor: Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts
Website, email, 215-972-7632


"Portrait in Pencil Workshop"
October 11-12, 2025
 

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


"Life Model Drawing"
October 19, 2025
 

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


"Contre -Jour Painting Workshop"
October 25-26, 2025
 

The two-day workshop will explore the problem of depicting the meeting of indoor and outdoor light. A figure will pose on successive days in one of the center’s classrooms framed by a window view. On the first day, we will do two (or more) small paintings to vigorously achieve the silhouette energy released in the meeting of two lights of different color and degree. On the second day, the workshop will stretch out on a slightly larger image for an all-day picture. Part of the interest of this day’s study is to develop the detail and incident within the governing fields of light and shadow. The hope is to gain insight into how all light-based images generate structures more suggestive of spaces than things.
 
Location: Wayne, Pennsylvania
Instructor: Scott Noel
Sponsor: Wayne Art Center
Website, email, 610-688-3553


"Maste Class with Bruce Samuelson: Expressive Figure Drawing"
October 25 & 26, 2025
 

Capture the vitality and gesture of the life model under the guidance of Bruce Samuelson, master draftsman and Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts (PAFA) professor. Samuelson's work combines a virtuosity of Old Masters-influenced draftsmanship with elegant abstraction. Hone your own approach to the figure, whether academic or expressive, through Samuelson's individually tailored instruction. Foundational principles of structure, anatomy, form and gesture will be presented through critique, and discussion of master drawings, past and present. Work in the media of your choice including graphite, charcoal, pastel and paint.
 
Location: Philadelphia, PA, Pennsylvania
Instructor: Bruce Samuelson
Cost: $395
Sponsor: Cerulean Arts Gallery and Studio
Website, email, 267-514-8647


"Alternatives In Figure Drawing and Sculpture"
Fridays, October 31 - December 12, 2025
 

Explore new ways of working from the human form that are alternatives to simulating volume in space with linear perspective and light and shadow. Draw and sculpt from the model with unconventional media and implements, such as acrylic applied with plastic knives, sticks, and sponges, and assemblages of wood, branches, and other natural or found objects. Experience how purposely cumbersome tools and fast poses combine to impede traditional rendering and thus generate a variety of shapes, patterns, textures, and lines that are rooted in, but independent of, the model. This immersive and playful process is an excellent introduction to working with abstract elements and learning how to form them into unified, compelling images. Open to all levels.
 
Location: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Instructor: Steve Nocella
Cost: $330
Sponsor: Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts
Website, email, 215-972-7632


"Figure Painting - What's That Color?"
November 1-2, 2025
 

This workshop will focus on “seeing” accurate color in the skin tones and color mixing, while painting from a live model. We will look at how “light on form” breaks down into simple relative values, how the values affect the color chroma and temperature, and how the color of the light source affects the local color. Instructor will demonstrate how to use a chromatic palette of colors to mix the right value as well as beautiful, luminous skin tones. We will use a grey toned surface so that we can paint directly with color after doing a simple block in. Students can choose whether they want to focus on the portrait or the figure. One-on-one feedback at your easels in a supportive, friendly atmosphere.
 
Location: Wayne, Pennsylvania
Instructor: Ellen Cooper
Sponsor: Wayne Art Center
Website, email, 610-688-3553


"Figure Painting: Developing Form and Finish"
Saturdays, November 1 - December 13, 2025
 

Paint from a life model in long, multi-class poses 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


"Life Model Drawing"
November 2, 2025
 

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


"The Figure in Clay Workshop"
November 8-9, 2025
 

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


"Life Model Drawing"
November 16, 2025
 

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


"Life Drawing with Pastel: 3 Part Workshop, 9 hours"
November 16, 23, 30
 

In this three day workshop various techniques for approaching drawing with pastels will be explored drawing with a live model, and instructed by award winning artist, Cliff Austin. For beginner to advanced artists; students with some figure drawing experience will benefit the most.
 
Location: Boulder, Colorado
Instructor: Cliff Austin
Cost: $267
Sponsor: Art of Modeling
Website, email, 831-421-2684


"Advanced Portrait Drawing Workshop"
December 6-7, 2025
 

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


"Life Model Drawing"
December 14, 2025
 

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


"Life Model Drawing"
December 21, 2025
 

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


"California Vibe Watercolor Portraiture™"
March 19-22, 2026
 

Absolutely no drawing experience necessary in David Lobenberg’s California Vibe Watercolor Portraiture™ workshop. He uses a reference photo and tracing technique that’s super simple to execute. The creativity and painting fun begins during the painting process! Through his step-by-step demonstrations and question-and-answer sessions, he leads artists down a path of expressive, energetic and evocative portrait painting. Lobenberg has over forty years of experience conducting both studio and plein air water media workshops across the United State, Canada as well as via zoom and his online California Vibe School of Watercolor™. David received his Master’s-in-Art degree from UCLA and has taught for seventeen years (now retired) as an adjunct art professor at Sacramento City College. For more information, visit lobenbergart.com
 
Location: Huntsville, Alabama
Instructor: David Lobenberg
Cost: $575 Museum members/ $625 non-members
Sponsor: Huntsville Museum of Art
Website, email, 256-535-6372


 

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