Learning figure or portrait drawing with guidance from a seasoned instructor can greatly improve your artistic skills. Seeing someone draw is not quite like being able to draw yourself, as it is hard to see one’s own mistakes. This is where mentored drawing sessions with Michael Mentler come in. Here, you will receive guidance and critique of your work while practicing drawing from live models.
We offer figure drawing sessions on Fridays and portrait drawing sessions on Wednesdays.
Join us at the Society of Figurative Arts in Carrollton, Texas for uninstructed or mentored in-person figure drawing sessions every Friday 10:30am – 1:30pm. Space is limited, reserve your spot by prepaying below.
Mentored Session Information
Cost: $50 per 3-hour for mentored session.
Cash preferred, Venmo, PayPal, and CC accepted. Prepaying below guarantees you a spot.
Course length: every Friday and Wednesday (except when studio hosts a workshop or due to a holiday).
Time: 10:30am – 1:30pm.
Studio Address (view on Google Maps):
3306 Wiley Post, Studio 104, Carrollton, Texas, 75006
Phone: 972-679-1625
E-mail: contact@tsofa.com
Purchase Mentored Session Pass
Single Drawing Session Pass
Mentored $50
Valid through 12/31/2025
3306 Wiley Post, Studio 104, Carrollton, TX
Serious Artist Pass:
5 Drawing Sessions
Save 25$!
Mentored $225
Valid through 12/31/2025
3306 Wiley Post, Studio 104, Carrollton, TX
Virtuoso Artist Pass:
10 Drawing Sessions
Save 100$!
Mentored $400
Valid through 12/31/2025
3306 Wiley Post, Studio 104, Carrollton, TX
Mentored Sessions
If you choose to join a mentored session, you will receive guidance and critique from Michael Mentler. Please let one of the apprentices know at the beginning of the session that you have prepaid a mentored session. They will introduce you to your instructor and help with any questions.
About Mentored Drawing Sessions
We welcome all levels of serious artists to attend our uninstructed or mentored open portrait sessions. You must bring your own supplies – charcoal, chalks, drawing paper, paint etc., and whatever you may need to work from an easel or drawing bench. If you’re painting, please bring only odorless solvents. We will provide drawing boards to work on as well.
During a mentored drawing session, you are welcome to ask for critique and advice. If you are looking to improve a certain area of anatomy, for example feet, please let the instructor know. Similarly, If you are struggling with a starting point in your drawing, or your figures turn out too stiff, just let the instructor know and he will do his best to help you out. Mentored sessions are great for asking questions and to get critique of your work, so please do so!
The session length is three hours. Please come on time as the door closes at 10:30 and you’ll be allowed to come in only during model’s break. During the sessions we will take short breaks; you are welcome to bring a snack or beverage. We have coffee, sodas, and water available.
Current Schedule
Holiday Break
December 23, 2025 – January 1, 2026
The studio is closed for the holiday break. Next drawing session is on January 2, 2026!
Every Wednesday
Drawing from model, long pose
10:30am – 1:30pm
Every Friday
Drawing from nude model, short and/or long pose
10:30am – 1:30pm
February 20-22, 2026
3-day Figure Drawing Master Lab
9:00am – 4:00pm
Location: San Antonio, TX
Long Pose Portrait Sessions
On Wednesdays, we’ll be working from a well-lit costumed model that will do a single long pose for the entire session. The model will take short breaks.
Short Pose Figure Session
On Fridays, we’ll be working from a well-lit live nude model that will do a series of short under 10-minute poses building up to a final longer 20-40-minute pose.
About Instructor
Michael Mentler
Artist and TSOFA Studio Owner
As a master painter, sculptor, draughtsman, designer, photographer, and author Michael Mentler’s creative journey has covered a polymathic array of artistic endeavors.
Born in the small mid-western town of Jacksonville, Illinois Michael’s visual sensibilities were observed and nurtured at an early age. Later, he was mentored by Howard Sidman, which led to his first solo show at the age of fourteen. Michael continued his formal education at Layton School of Art in Milwaukee and Washington University in Saint Louis, where he became a protégé of Barry Schactman and Werner Drewes.
Along with winning over a hundred awards, including ‘Best of Show’ and ‘Gold Medals’ from some of the most distinguished juried venues, Michael’s works are included in many private collections, including the Pulitzer, the Mead Library, and the Dallas Museum of Art.
He is Founder and Director of The Society of Figurative Arts, where he mentors select Apprentices. His work has appeared in publications such as; American Artist, American Artist Drawing, American Artist Workshop, Graphis, Communication Arts, and numerous others. He is also featured in Juliette Aristides books on drawing. The Book of Bones, which he authored, is in art school libraries throughout the world.
Session Guidelines
The fee for this session will cover the cost of the studio equipment and model, as well as the instructor’s time. Please be respectful of your fellow artists and keep your phone on silent; you may not under any circumstances take photos of the model during figure drawing sessions with a nude model. For portrait sessions, you may ask the model for permission to take reference photographs. We have various drawing reference books and some supplies for sale. Hope to see you soon!
Our Studio
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