Stephen Early

Stephen Early began his formal art education at the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts in Philadelphia. He later earned an Associate of Science degree in Commercial Art from the Art Institute of Philadelphia and continued his training at the Art Students League of New York.

Early has taught extensively, serving as a teaching fellow at Studio Incamminati since its founding in 2002. He was a principal instructor in Nelson Shanks’ Intensive and Advanced Painting Workshops and has led workshops at institutions such as the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts and the New York Academy of Art. He also served as Shanks’ teaching assistant at the Art Students League of New York, further refining his approach to classical realism.

Before dedicating himself fully to fine art, Early worked professionally as an illustrator. His transition into fine art has been marked by national recognition, including receiving Certificates of Excellence at the Portrait Society of America’s Portrait Competitions in both 2008 and 2010.

Today, Early continues to paint and teach, committed to both advancing his own practice and fostering the next generation of artists. His work reflects a deep reverence for the traditions of figurative art while embracing the vitality of contemporary expression.