At Princeton Academy of Art, our full-time program is deeply rooted in the classical tradition, drawing inspiration from the Russian academic tradition and the influential curricula of the Italian and French Academies.
Students learn to begin working with an underpainting in earth tones to establish values and structure, followed by the gradual application of glazes to build depth and vibrancy, as well as direct painting methods. Inspired by the techniques of Rubens and Van Dyck, the curriculum teaches students to layer translucent and opaque pigments strategically, creating luminous effects that define form and atmosphere. Particular attention is given to the use of sfumato for soft transitions and chiaroscuro for dramatic contrasts, enabling students to achieve a compelling sense of realism and dynamic lighting.
These techniques are paired with the study of constructive drawing, a cornerstone of representational art. Students develop a strong foundation by deconstructing complex forms into simple geometric shapes and mastering proportion, perspective, and anatomical accuracy. This approach allows artists to create advanced compositions with precision and accuracy.
The full-time program integrates this rigorous technical training with a rich engagement in art history, mythology, and theory, offering a holistic approach to the study of art. Students not only refine their skills but also develop the critical understanding needed to create meaningful, contemporary work. Princeton Academy of Art serves as a bridge to classical knowledge, providing unparalleled resources to support students in their artistic pursuits.
Designed for those committed to intensive study, the full-time program attracts a diverse community of artists, including classical fine artists, architects, recent high school graduates, and more. These students share a dedication to advancing their craft and discovering new philosophies on art and the world around them, cultivating an environment of mutual growth and inspiration.
Princeton Academy of Art presents flexible part-time study options, catering to individuals with intricate weekly schedules. We acknowledge that students commence their journeys at various life stages, and not all can embrace our full-time study opportunity.
Our part-time alternatives enable students to concentrate on one or multiple areas of study throughout a semester or a year. Numerous combinations are available, tailored to accommodate busy schedules.
Please refer to the course descriptions tab to see the different course offerings.
Night classes offer a shorter time commitment while maintaining the profound curricula found in PAA’s day courses. All night classes commence at 7:00 pm.
This full-day studio course focuses on traditional portraiture as practiced in the academies and ateliers of the 17th to 19th centuries. Students work from historical master copies and live models to investigate proportion, planar structure, and the geometry of the head. Emphasis is placed on the use of oil paint in layered construction. Students will learn to use underpainting, selective opacity, and glazing to render the optical effects of flesh and form. Through exercises, extended poses, and professional critique, students learn to create with anatomical accuracy, eventually mastering character and expression.
This course is essential for those seeking classes in observational painting, with a focus on realism.
Students in this hybrid course develop the compositional and optical skills required to interpret both interior and exterior environments. The still life component builds technical control over form, edge, and spatial staging, while plein air and studio-based landscape sessions introduce atmospheric perspective, light falloff, and planar simplification. Drawing on 19th-century compositional theory, the course trains students to balance measured structure with painterly interpretation.
It is particularly suited for those seeking a deeper understanding of space, harmony, and the geometry of the natural world.
This drawing course is a 10-month-long masterclass in constructive drawing. The start of this course is a deep dive into perspective, form, and shading, with students moving forward to analyze the human form through simplified geometric masses. Students will develop an internal logic of planes that guides their understanding of proportion and the behavior of light on surfaces. Emphasis is placed on skeletal landmarks, muscle systems, and spatial foreshortening. Drawing from casts, diagrams, and live models, students will begin to create a mental database of the world around them with clarity and dimensional control.
Ideal for all artists, especially those preparing to work in figurative drawing, painting, or sculpture.
This course approaches the human figure through a structured, design-oriented methodology developed within the classical European academic tradition. Students are guided through a systematized progression—beginning with linear gesture and block-in, advancing through planar construction, and culminating in tonal modeling. Poses range in duration, allowing for both quick rhythmic notations and highly resolved studies. Emphasis is placed on the hierarchy of forms, anatomical logic, and compositional balance. Instruction encourages a sculptural understanding of the figure, wherein proportion, axis, and volume are resolved before refinement.
This course offers a disciplined foundation for those committed to working from life with precision and artistic clarity.
This course investigates the still life as a vehicle for compositional design, philosophical inquiry, and material experimentation. Students engage with complex arrangements, often incorporating reflective surfaces, transparent objects, textiles, and symbolic elements to explore concepts such as balance, hierarchy, and spatial rhythm. Instruction emphasizes a structured approach to block-in, value relationships, and edge control, while encouraging thoughtful consideration of visual metaphor, historical precedent, and the aesthetics of form. Non-traditional media are introduced to expand students’ material fluency, with select readings and lectures providing context from classical and modern art theory.
Ideal for students seeking to deepen their understanding of both formal composition and the conceptual dimension of image-making.
Please find our tuition guide attached here.