Discover how great oil paintings are made in this fascinating examination of artists’ materials from the pre-Renaissance to the present day! Explore and sample traditional underpainting techniques, glazing and scumbling layering methods, and wet-into-wet alla prima painting in this combination seminar and hands-on class. Learn about artists’ palettes, the development of colors and mediums, and the mass production of art materials, as well as display, storage, and health issues. Includes behind-the-scenes visits to the PAFA painting vaults and works on paper archives. Open to artists and art appreciators alike.
 
Location: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Instructor: Anthony Ciambella
Cost: $425
Sponsor: Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts
Website, email, 215-972-7632

Geometry has been a source of interest, beauty and creative inspiration for the artist through the ages. Geometry and geometric forms are all around us: lines, forms, and shapes can be seen in everything from architecture to plant life to seashells. Artist and educator Michael Smith will guide you through several non-mathematical working methods inspired by geometry in this in-person class, designed to enhance your ongoing body of work or be the starting point for a new one. Create a painting in the medium of your choice: acrylic, gouache or watercolor while you work from your own reference photographs, magazines, books or digital imagery.
 
Location: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Instructor: Michael Smith
Cost: $125
Sponsor: Cerulean Arts Gallery and Studio
Website, email, 267-514-8647

Learn the fundamentals of painting with gouache, an opaque watercolor paint. Painters of all levels will fall in love with it as a portable, fast-drying, and easy-to-clean-up alternative to oils – great for travel or limited working time and space. Explore color and painting techniques through still life and outdoor views. Note: Tuition includes a $15 materials fee, which covers surfaces and paints for class-use.)
 
Location: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Instructor: Allison Syvertsen
Cost: $230
Sponsor: Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts
Website, email, 215-972-7632

Learn how to successfully imagine, develop, and execute an illustration! This course will help students gain effective illustration drawing techniques while encouraging their unique artistic visions. Students will learn the fundamental elements of illustration and design, including different applications of composition, line, character design, color, and storytelling. Students will learn individual elements of illustration art each week by completing exercises that strengthen those skills. Concurrently, students will work on a long-term illustration project. Students are encouraged to explore different materials and techniques while learning to realize their ideas.
 
Location: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Instructor: Callie Coccia
Cost: $250
Sponsor: Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts
Website, email, 215-972-7632

This comprehensive workshop covers all aspects of painting a traditional portrait. Topics include achieving a likeness, modeling light and shade, mixing flesh tones and applying paint through various techniques. All participants will produce at least one finished portrait. Includes demonstrations and portrait history. Valuable information for all levels. Tuition includes a $25 model fee.
 
Location: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Instructor: Theodore Xaras
Cost: $240
Sponsor: Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts
Website, email, 215-972-7632

The experience of viewing physical works on paper by master artists is a rare and wonderful pleasure: the freshness of the artist’s hand, the texture of the surface, and the subtle details in the subject are most touchingly apparent up-close and in-person. Add to that another artist’s observations to guide you through the work, and you will come away with a truly insightful experience into the mind and practice of the artist. Take advantage of this unique opportunity to see, appreciate, and be inspired by work rarely on display in the museum galleries.
 
Location: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Instructor: Phyllis Laver
Cost: $45
Sponsor: Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts
Website, email, 215-972-7632

Do you recall that wonderment and joy when you finger painted as a child; that awe of "I made that" when you looked at your painting afterward? As adults, we spend way too much time in our heads and not enough time engaged with our creative selves. Connecting to our creativity brings joy, pleasure, spark and vitality into every aspect of our lives. Sequencing ignites your creative spark. When you create with your fingers, you can engage directly with the paint, surface and tools in a very immediate and tactile way. This approach is a playful, satisfying, and visceral approach to art-making that is genuinely joyful. Join us!
 
Location: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Instructor: Damini Celebre
Cost: $85
Sponsor: Cerulean Arts Gallery and Studio
Website, email, 267-514-8647

Gouache is an opaque watercolor paint with a beautiful and unique look. It can be used on its own, or in combination with transparent watercolor. Learn the fundamentals of this portable, fast-drying and easy to clean-up medium in this one-day workshop. Explore color and painting techniques while working from an engaging still life.
 
Location: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Instructor: Larry Francis
Cost: $95
Sponsor: Cerulean Arts Gallery and Studio
Website, email, 267-514-8647