Princeton Academy of Art in Contemporary rEalism EXCELLENCE IN CONTEMPORARY REALISM 

PAA contemporary realism 

INTRODUCTION PAA 

• Combining tactile and optical methods of drawing PAA 

  Princeton Academy of Art (PAA) presents a unique educational experience for artists focusing on contemporary realism through the European Classical traditions of academic drawing, painting, and sculpture. Our curriculum merges the methods of classical atelier education and the Russian academic approach. Following these traditions, instruction is a focused immersion into human anatomy, perspective, and tactile approaches to analyzing form. By rigorously studying these methods alongside concrete principles of value, color, and composition, students traverse various media and techniques to interpret the world around them in a way that suits their temperament and vision.

• Focus on each individual student PAA

  At Princeton Academy of Art, we believe art education must allow for flexibility and conversation. We work to provide a context for information that seems abstract and unconnected, but with time and study, it will enable students to make parallels within their interests and experiences. Each student is encouraged to deeply assess their goals as an artist and identify their reason for pursuing the study of academic drawing, painting, and sculpture.

• Emphasis on networking

  Our guiding principle is the belief that the study of visual art is a practice of communication and support. In the face of the infinite number of pitfalls and discoveries that artists will encounter in their careers, this foundation ensures that they will learn to create connections with their peers and the broader artistic community. PAA instructors are highly-trained exhibiting artists who aim to structure the curriculum to enhance and encourage the artistic growth of our students. They are not only instructors but also mentors and professional connections for our students.

• In-depth study of art history

  Our goal is to show students that artists develop their creative absolutes only by internalizing the broadest possible collection of examples from art history. We adapt to the individual student’s needs while structuring the assignments based on examples from the dense history of figurative art. There is constant review and discussion of historical and contemporary works of art to expand students’ knowledge and visual vocabulary.