Intro to Drawing prepares students for future academic work through structured and sustained practice with drawing materials. Observational practices while reflecting on the relationships between shape, proportion, line quality, light, perspective, and value. Students will strengthen their abilities to observe, interpret, and reflect visual media within the academic studio sphere through close investigations of various still-life and portrait subjects. Single-session charcoal and pencil sketches, multi-session still life projects, and weekly critiques will train students in formal drawing techniques while being able to engage confidently in art-centric dialogs. Through active participation and inquiry, students will enhance their ability to comprehend subject matter, translate observations in dry mediums, and communicate their visual ideas.

The Youth Council is a free after-school program that offers interested teens a chance to create a prominent place for young audiences in the daily life of the museum.

Open to students in grades 9-12, the Youth Council offers opportunities for paraprofessional experiences within PAFA’s museum, including organizing events and programs for the museum’s expanding teen audience. Participants meet every week from October through May to explore the relationship between their peer group and art museums. They will have privileged access to PAFA’s art collection, staff and resources. In addition to creating, discussing and exploring art, they assist with planning and hosting events geared towards teens and other diverse audiences.

This class presents a comprehensive introduction to painting from life with oil colors. Students will learn color, brushwork and composition while painting from still-life objects, self-portraits, and the Academy’s historic collection of Greco-Roman and Renaissance plaster casts. Starting with a limited palette and small paintings, students will be guided to more complex full color paintings in larger formats. Instruction will emphasize composition & design, values, textures, and color. 

Learning Objectives:

A confident understanding of basic painting materials and techniques Good color mixing & value structures

Strong designs and compositions

Dynamic surfaces and paint textures

All necessary art supplies will be provided to students by the program. This program is designed for students who are excited to develop their artistic skills. All students in this program will be offered guidance in applying to art school and developing a portfolio.

Students should register for this course if they are committed to developing their art. Consistent attendance is required and will be rewarded with opportunities for scholarships and discounts for future courses (details specified in attendance agreement with completed registration).

Introduction to Drawing prepares students for future academic work through structured and sustained practice with drawing materials. observational practices while reflecting on the relationships between shape, proportion, line quality, light, perspective, and value. Students will strengthen their abilities to observe, interpret, and reflect visual media within the academic studio sphere through close investigations of various still-life and portrait subjects.

Single-session charcoal and pencil sketches, multi-session still life projects, and weekly critiques will train students in formal drawing techniques while being able to engage confidently in art-centric dialogs. Through active participation and inquiry, students will enhance their ability to comprehend subject matter, translate observations in dry mediums, and communicate their visual ideas.

Summer Academy is an intense college-level art program. This rigorous experience is modeled after PAFA's own world renowned, undergraduate first-year arts curriculum.  

Students will master essential drawing and oil painting skills and build on this foundation by choosing to explore a range of other skills, including sculpture, printmaking, illustration and animation.  

Students will gain additional artistic and professional development experience with weekly critique sessions (affectionately known as ‘crit’) and behind the scenes tours of PAFA and other Philadelphia art spaces.  

Finally, students will have the opportunity to exhibit their work at PAFA’s world-class museum and receive an in-depth portfolio review with PAFA Admissions staff, giving students the experience to reach the next level of their artistic journey.  

Full program cost includes: 

Four college level studio art courses, providing pre-college visual arts certificate 

All art supplies 

Studio space and facilities 

Field trips