Capture the vitality and gesture of the life model under the guidance of PAFA professor Bruce Samuelson, whose 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 demonstration, critique, and discussion of master drawings, past and present. Work in the media of your choice including graphite, charcoal, pastel, and paint.
 
Location: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Instructor: Bruce Samuelson
Cost: $395
Sponsor: Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts
Website, email, 215-972-7632

Learn the tactics the pros use in the studio to create compelling portrait photographs. Use lighting creatively in order to enhance professional quality, create mood or adjust composition. Camera functions and techniques will be demonstrated and discussed.
 
Location: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Instructor: Julia Staples, www.juliastaples.com
Cost: $95
Sponsor: Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts
Website, email, 215-972-7632

Explore clay modeling and expand your portfolio with three-dimensional work. Work from a life model to learn methods of terra cotta clay sculpture, focusing on anatomy, proportion, composition, and personal expression. Sculptures will be kiln-fired after the course ends. Note: This class will utilize nude models.
 
Location: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Instructor: Colleen O'Donnell
Cost: For Credit: $425, Non-Credit: $425, Lab Fee: $10
Sponsor: Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts
Website, email, 215-972-7632

Learn the techniques and tools of figure sculpture through demonstration and hands-on sculpting from the life model. Explore anatomy, proportion, design and personal expression through the versatility of terra cotta clay. Sculptures will be fired at the end of the workshop.
 
Location: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Instructor: Colleen O'Donnell
Cost: $195 + Lab Fee: $10
Sponsor: Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts
Website, email, 215-972-7632

Depicting the clothed and partially clothed model allows the opportunity to define character, imply a narrative, or just incorporate fabric and accessories. Explore gesture, structure and anatomy with graphite and charcoal, then progress to painting with limited and expanded palettes. Demonstration and references will address color mixing, rendering cloth, body language and the expressive inclusion of hands. Students may take Sessions 1 & 2 (10 weeks): $395 non-credit or $525 for 1.0 undergraduate credit.
 
Location: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Instructor: Meghan Cox, meghancox.net
Cost: $195
Sponsor: Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts
Website, email, 215-972-7632

This structured approach to drawing and painting the figure from life includes topics such as anatomy, drawing methods, gesture, figure structure, palettes, and basic figure painting methods. This class is excellent for those interested in developing their painting and drawing portfolio. Full- or half-day. Half-day registration is available for this course, 9 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. or 1:30 – 5 p.m., for $275 non-credit.
 
Location: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Instructor: Al Gury, www.algury.com
Cost: For Credit: $625; Non-Credit: $495
Sponsor: Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts
Website, email, 215-972-7632

The powerful work of the old masters remains relevant today. Learn how to incorporate their methods into your own figure painting. Instruction and demonstration will cover Goya’s powerful use of light and dark, the complex color of Titian, the dynamic compositions of Degas, the brilliant technique of Velazquez, and the expressive light of Leonardo and Vermeer. All levels are welcome. Drawing experience required. Full- or half-day. Half-day registration is available for this course, 9 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. or 1:30 – 5 p.m., for $275 non-credit.
 
Location: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Instructor: Ernie Norcia, norciaportraits.com
Cost: For Credit: $625; Non-Credit: $495
Sponsor: Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts
Website, email, 215-972-7632

Add color to your portfolio by developing your painting skills in oil or acrylic. Work from still life arrangements and portrait models to explore the fundamentals of painting including the selection and care of materials, painting techniques, and color mixing. Instruction will emphasize composition, value, and color relationships.
 
Location: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Instructor: David Wilson, www.davidcampbellwilson.com
Cost: For Credit: $425, Non-Credit: $425
Sponsor: Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts
Website, email, 215-972-7632

Working in the Academic tradition, students will study human anatomy, proportion and value with the goal of faithfully representing the figure. Students will work from PAFA’s collection of historic casts to build their foundational drawing skills and apply this information to observational study of the life model. All levels welcome. Students may take Sessions 1 & 2 (10 weeks): $395 non-credit or $525 for 1.0 undergraduate credit.
 
Location: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Instructor: Jill A. Rupinski
Cost: $195
Sponsor: Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts
Website, email, 215-972-7632

The artist’s self-portrait can chronicle a life, imply a narrative or serve as a study. Create your own head and full-length self-portraits in this tradition, drawing from direct observation in graphite, charcoal, pastel and ink. Instruction addresses structure, volume and proportion, as well as styling, costuming, and lighting. Includes a discussion of self-portraits throughout history.
 
Location: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Instructor: Phyllis Laver
Cost: $195
Sponsor: Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts
Website, email, 215-972-7632

Écorché is the three-dimensional study of human form by developing the bone and muscle structures beneath the skin. Working from the skeleton, students will model the underlying forms in clay on an armature. Excellent for both draftspersons and sculptors interested in a detailed study of human anatomy.
 
Location: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Instructor: John Horn, www.johnhornsculptor.com
Cost: For Credit: $625; Non-Credit: $495
Sponsor: Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts
Website, email, 215-972-7632

Explore the versatility of terra cotta clay, which requires neither an armature nor casting. Learn various techniques and tools through demonstration and hands-on sculpting from the life model or imagination. Anatomy, proportion, design, and personal growth will be emphasized, as well as both representational and abstract approaches. All levels welcome. Full- or half-day. Half-day registration is available for this course, 9 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. or 1:30 – 5 p.m., for $275 non-credit.
 
Location: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Instructor: Colleen O'Donnell
Cost: For Credit: $625; Non-Credit: $495; Lab Fee: $10
Sponsor: Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts
Website, email, 215-972-7632

Tired of getting lost in the details of traditional figure painting? Then this class is for you! Learn expressive painting techniques to render the life model in a looser and more contemporary manner, creating a lively surface while boosting your creativity, technique and skill. All levels welcome. Students may take Sessions 1 & 2 (10 weeks): $395 non-credit or $525 for 1.0 undergraduate credit.
 
Location: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Instructor: Kassem Amoudi, kassemamoudi.com
Cost: $195
Sponsor: Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts
Website, email, 215-972-7632

Investigate the structure of the human head through drawings and painted studies. Progress to finished paintings and address issues of likeness, composition, space and texture. Learn to better see and understand color to mix it more successfully – a useful skill for painting any subject matter. All levels welcome. Full- or half-day. Half-day registration is available for this course, 9 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. or 1:30 – 5 p.m., for $275 non-credit.
 
Location: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Instructor: Al Gury, www.algury.com
Cost: For Credit: $625; Non-Credit: $495
Sponsor: Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts
Website, email, 215-972-7632

Learn to draw or paint the portrait with confidence through time-honored methods. Drawing instruction will guide students through a comprehensive understanding of the head structure, proportions and features toward achieving both a likeness and aesthetic effect. Extended poses will allow thorough study of both drawing and oil painting processes. All levels welcome, but students registering for Session 2 only should have basic drawing/painting experience. Students may take Sessions 1 & 2 (10 weeks): $395 non-credit or $525 for 1.0 undergraduate credit.
 
Location: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Instructor: Jill A. Rupinski
Cost: $195
Sponsor: Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts
Website, email, 215-972-7632

Sculpture and drawing go hand-in-hand when describing the human form. Work from observation of the life model in a variety of media, including clay, plaster, charcoal, and ink. Explore how the materials influence your perception and of the human figure, and how you can translate form toward greater expressive effect. Students may take Sessions 1 & 2 (10 weeks): $395 non-credit or $525 for 1.0 undergraduate credit + $20 lab fee.
 
Location: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Instructor: Steven Nocella
Cost: $195 + Lab Fee: $10
Sponsor: Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts
Website, email, 215-972-7632

The immediate subtlety that can be achieved through soft and hard pastel is particularly suited for the portrait study. Learn historical and contemporary techniques of hatching, blending, layering and color mixing to rendering convincing portraits. Discussion and demonstration of various surfaces, pastels and mixed media techniques included. Drawing experience recommended. Full- or half-day. Half-day registration is available for this course, 9 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. or 1:30 – 5 p.m., for $275 non-credit.
 
Location: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Instructor: Ted Xaras
Cost: For Credit: $625; Non-Credit: $495
Sponsor: Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts
Website, email, 215-972-7632

Draw or paint the life model in single morning/afternoon poses for the entire course in order to develop accurate form, anatomy, value, color, creative composition and narrative. Lecture and discussion will address historical and contemporary methods/materials, supplemented by examples from the PAFA collection. All levels and all media welcome. Advanced students may work independently. Full- or half-day. Half-day registration is available for this course, 9 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. or 1:30 – 5 p.m., for $275 non-credit.
 
Location: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Instructor: Jill A. Rupinski
Cost: For Credit: $625; Non-Credit: $495
Sponsor: Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts
Website, email, 215-972-7632

Understand human anatomy through lecture and drawing from the model. Topics include proportion, skeletal framework, superficial muscles, and the movement of the figure. Basic figure drawing experience recommended. Full- or half-day. Half-day registration is available for this course, 9 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. or 1:30 – 5 p.m., for $275 non-credit.
 
Location: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Instructor: John Horn, www.johnhornsculptor.com
Cost: For Credit: $625; Non-Credit: $495
Sponsor: Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts
Website, email, 215-972-7632

Figure painting is one the most versatile and popular subjects taught at PAFA. Learn to paint the life model in oil/acrylic, focusing on human anatomy and proportions, paint handling, materials, and design. Prerequisite: Painting I: Still Life and Portrait (July 9-13) or prior basic painting experience. Note: This class will utilize nude models.
 
Location: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Instructor: David Wilson, www.davidcampbellwilson.com
Cost: For Credit: $425, Non-Credit: $425
Sponsor: Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts
Website, email, 215-972-7632

This comprehensive workshop covers all aspects of painting a traditional portrait in oil. 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.
 
Location: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Instructor: Ted Xaras
Cost: $195
Sponsor: Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts
Website, email, 215-972-7632

Figure drawing is one of the most time-honored methods of art training and a great way to rapidly produce valuable work for a portfolio. Work in charcoal and graphite directly from the life model in short and long poses, exploring gesture, proportion and anatomy. Prerequisite: Drawing - Section 1 (June 25-29) or Section 2 (July 23-27) or other basic drawing experience. Note: This class will utilize nude models.
 
Location: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Instructor: Deirdre Murphy, www.deirdremurphyart.com
Cost: For Credit: $425, Non-Credit: $425
Sponsor: Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts
Website, email, 215-972-7632