What we’re about
We welcome serious artists of all levels to join the Society of Figurative Arts. Our studio holds uninstructed open sessions, masterclasses, and workshops.
Studio website: https://tsofa.com/
Studio location: 3306 Wiley Post, Studio 104, Carrollton, TX
Discord: https://discord.gg/ghDjAV2C
The facility is built with artists in mind. We have ample room with a large stage for the model. All of the equipment such as easels, benches, drawing boards, lighting, chairs, and tables are provided for in-studio use. The sink in the inner studio is specifically meant for washing hands after a drawing or painting session. No solvents may be disposed of in this facility.
Join us for uninstructed life drawing sessions to sharpen your skills! On Fridays, we offer nude figure drawing sessions. We invite various models for short poses which are building up to a final longer pose. The fee is $25 per open session to cover the cost of the studio, equipment, and pay our models. Please bring your own art supplies such as paint, brushes, charcoal, drawing paper, canvas etc. to these open sessions. Only odorless paint thinner is allowed at the studio. Please keep in mind, these open sessions are uninstructed.
Our masterclasses and workshops are taught by Michael Mentler. They’re usually held on weekends and consist of lectures, demonstration, and practice session from life model. Check our website for upcoming classes, they fill up fast and not always announced on Meetup. Sign up for our newsletter at https://michaelmentler.guru/ to stay in the loop.
Upcoming events (4+)
See all- Friday Figure Drawing Session - Short and Long Pose - UninstructedThe Society of Figurative Arts, Carrollton, TX$30.00
Join TSOFA for our weekly Friday uninstructed life drawing session. Space is limited, please pay ahead on our website (https://michaelmentler.com/drawing-sessions/) to reserve your spot.
We welcome all levels of serious artists to attend our uninstructed life drawing figure sessions. You must bring your own supplies – charcoal, chalks, drawing paper, etc., and whatever you may need to work from an easel or drawing bench. We will provide drawing boards to work from as well. Session length is three hours. Please come on time as door closes at 10:30 and you’ll be allowed to come in only during model’s break.
We’ll be working from a well-lit live nude model that will do a series of short poses building up to a final long pose. We will have short breaks in between poses; you are welcome to bring a snack or beverage. We have coffee, sodas, and water available.
The fee for this session will cover the cost of the studio equipment and model. Please be respectful of your fellow artists and keep your phone on silent; you may not under any circumstances take photos of the model. We have various drawing reference books and some supplies for sale. Hope to see you soon!
- The Shoulder Girdle I - One Day Mentler LabThe Society of Figurative Arts, Carrollton, TX$85.00
Space is limited, please pay ahead on our website to reserve your spot.
#### A Mentler Methode Saturday Lab - The Shoulder Girdle I
Instructor: Michael Mentler
Date: Saturday, November 16
Demonstrations: 10:30am to 12:30pm
Mentored Life Drawing: 1:15pm to 4:15pm
Location: The Society of Figurative Arts
Address: 3306 Wiley Post, Studio 104, Carrollton, Texas, 75006. (View on Google Maps)
Fee: $85
View more information on studio website >>The world’s great masters all had one thing in common: they combined what they saw with what they knew. They first learned from studying the masters that came before them. Secondly, they observed the nature of things and acquired a useful knowledge base. Thirdly, they observed the particulars of the things themselves. They took nothing at face value without judging it based on what was known.
Before one can truly master the art of drawing, painting, or sculpting the human head, a thorough investigation of the bony structure of the skull is a must. It’s not enough to just know the basics, further study of the muscles of mastication and expression is required to truly begin the journey of mastery.
Many mistakenly believe that drawing purely from observation reveals what lies beneath the surface. However, no master draughtsman has ever worked solely from observation.
What one draws directly relates to what one knows; drawing is an intellectual business that incorporates the brain. The Master draughtsman views the world through their mind, not their eyes.• The Maester will demonstrate and pontificate from 10:30 To 12:30
• 12:30 to 1:45 Lunch break
• 1:15 to 4:15 Attendees work from a live model or plaster casts.The Mentler Methode utilizes incorporates the principles of Architecture, Mechanics, and Motion. The structure of the skull determines outward appearances (Architecture), the muscles of mastication modify that appearance (Mechanics), and the muscles of expression give the face character (Persona).
This Lab prioritizes function and form over Latin names. It builds from the inside out, discarding the envelopes and contours used by observation-oriented practitioners.
“You Can’t Paint A House Until It is Built.” – George Brandt Bridgman –Lab attendees will receive discounts on Michael’s DVD, Books, and Drawings. Please bring a notebook and a writing instrument to take notes during the demonstrations.
We have a fridge and microwave in case you bring your lunch, or we pick up food from La Spiga.
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.
A long 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.“Michael’s sketchbooks are masterpieces, he is a modern-day Leonardo.” – Richard Schmid –
“Richard’s Right.” – Dan McCaw –
“Michael’s intense study of the teachings and works of Bridgman and Robert Beverly Hale make him a natural progression of that linage with the added twist of his own dynamic personal style.” – David Kassan – - Saturday Figure Drawing Session - Short Pose - UninstructedThe Society of Figurative Arts, Carrollton, TX$30.00
Join TSOFA for our Saturday uninstructed life drawing session. Space is limited, please pay ahead on our website (https://michaelmentler.com/education/saturday-figure-drawing-session-pass-uninstructed-2024/) to reserve your spot.
We welcome all levels of serious artists to attend our uninstructed life drawing figure sessions. You must bring your own supplies – charcoal, chalks, drawing paper, etc., and whatever you may need to work from an easel or drawing bench. We will provide drawing boards to work from as well. Session length is three hours. Please come on time as door closes at 1:15pm and you’ll be allowed to come in only during model’s break.
We’ll be working from a well-lit live model that will do a series of short poses building up to a final long pose. We will have short breaks; you are welcome to bring a snack or beverage. We have coffee, sodas, and water available.
The fee for this session will cover the cost of the studio equipment and model. Please be respectful of your fellow artists and keep your phone on silent; you may ask the model for permission to take reference photographs. Hope to see you soon!
- Friday Figure Drawing Session - Short and Long Pose - UninstructedThe Society of Figurative Arts, Carrollton, TX$30.00
Join TSOFA for our weekly Friday uninstructed life drawing session. Space is limited, please pay ahead on our website (https://michaelmentler.com/drawing-sessions/) to reserve your spot.
We welcome all levels of serious artists to attend our uninstructed life drawing figure sessions. You must bring your own supplies – charcoal, chalks, drawing paper, etc., and whatever you may need to work from an easel or drawing bench. We will provide drawing boards to work from as well. Session length is three hours. Please come on time as door closes at 10:30 and you’ll be allowed to come in only during model’s break.
We’ll be working from a well-lit live nude model that will do a series of short poses building up to a final long pose. We will have short breaks in between poses; you are welcome to bring a snack or beverage. We have coffee, sodas, and water available.
The fee for this session will cover the cost of the studio equipment and model. Please be respectful of your fellow artists and keep your phone on silent; you may not under any circumstances take photos of the model. We have various drawing reference books and some supplies for sale. Hope to see you soon!
