Spring 2026 Studio Schedule
Class Policies
- Levels: Courses are designed for All Levels. Beginners receive foundational guidance; experienced artists receive advanced critique.
- Syllabus: Subject to adjustment based on class progress.
- Materials:Please check the specific course description.
- Intro Courses (Feb): Materials Included.
- Academy Courses (March-May): Supply list provided. Optional “Studio Kits” available for purchase.
💘 FEATURED EVENT
Paint Your Date: Valentine’s Studio Session
A semi-private, alcohol-free workshop where you and your partner paint each other’s portraits. No experience needed.
- Date: Saturday, Feb 14th
- Times: 1:00 PM | 4:00 PM | 6:30 PM (90 mins)
- Price: $120 per couple (Materials & Refreshments Included)
- Status: Booking Now (Limited Spots)
- [BUTTON: Book Date Night] (Link to /paint-your-date-valentines)
FEBRUARY 2026 (Current Term)
🎨 Intro to Acrylic Painting
- Status: 🚫 SOLD OUT
- Note: Please register for the March “Color & Light” session below.
✏️ Intro to Drawing: Learning to See
- Dates: Wednesdays: Feb 4, 11, 18, 25
- Time: 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM
- Materials: ✅ INCLUDED (We provide pencils, charcoal, paper, easels).
- Price: $200
- Status: ✅ Enrolling Now
- Register for Feb Drawing
MARCH 2026
Topic: Structure & Anatomy
🎨 Painting: Color & Light (Still Life)
An extended 5-week course on temperature, value, and mixing, using complex still life setups.
- Dates: Tuesdays: March 3, 10, 17, 24, 31 (5 Sessions)
- Time: 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM
- Materials: Supply list provided. (Studio Kit available).
- Price: $250
- Coming soon: Register for March Painting
✏️ Drawing: Portrait Foundation (The Skull)
- You cannot draw a face until you understand the bone. A classical study of the human skull.
- Dates: Wednesdays: March 4, 11, 18, 25 (4 Sessions)
- Time: 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM
- Materials: Supply list provided. (Studio Kit available).
- Price: $200
- Coming soon: Register for March Drawing
APRIL 2026
Topic: Space, Form & Atmosphere
🎨 Painting: Landscape & Atmosphere
Focus on painting depth and perspective using reference photos.
- Dates: Tuesdays: April 7, 14, 21, 28 (4 Sessions)
- Time: 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM
- Materials: Supply list provided.
- Price: $200
- Coming soon: Register for April Painting
✏️ Drawing: Figure Structure (The Skeleton)
- An extended 5-week course on gesture and proportion using a life-size skeleton.
- Dates: Wednesdays: April 1, 8, 15, 22, 29 (5 Sessions)
- Time: 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM
- Materials: Supply list provided.
- Price: $250
- Coming soon: Register for April Drawing
MAY 2026
Topic: Guided Personal Projects
A short, intensive 3-week “Open Studio” session before Summer break.
🎨 Painting: Guided Studio
- Dates: Tuesdays: May 5, 12, 19 (3 Sessions)
- Price: $150
- Coming soon: Register for May Painting
✏️ Drawing: Guided Studio
- Dates: Wednesdays: May 6, 13, 20 (3 Sessions)
- Price: $150
- Coming soon: Register for May Drawing
🎉 SAVE THE DATE
May 9th (Saturday): Open Studio & Mother’s Day Art Sale
Studio sale of prints and small works by Bartosz Beda.
- Time: TBD
- Admission: Free
Comprehensive Guide to Adult Art Education at Art Be You
Why Choose Academic Art Instruction in Richardson?
In a world dominated by digital screens and instant gratification, the act of painting and drawing offers a profound return to the physical world. At Art Be You, located in the heart of Richardson, Texas, we provide more than just a creative outlet; we provide a rigorous, supportive, and academic approach to fine art education for adults.
When looking for “painting lessons near me” or “art classes in Dallas,” you will often find two extremes: expensive university degree programs or casual “sip and paint” entertainment venues. Art Be You exists to fill the gap between these two worlds. We offer the technical depth and curriculum of an art academy, delivered in a welcoming, private studio environment accessible to everyone.
Our mission is to demystify the artistic process. Many adults believe that drawing is a “magical talent” that you are born with. We fundamentally disagree. Drawing and painting are cognitive skills. They are ways of seeing, measuring, and interpreting the world. Just like learning a new language or playing an instrument, art can be taught, practiced, and mastered.
Our Teaching Philosophy: Learning to See
The biggest difficulty for beginners is not a lack of hand-eye coordination, but a lack of “visual literacy.” When an untrained artist tries to draw an eye, they often draw a symbol of an eye, an almond shape with a dot. At Art Be You, we teach you to override these symbols and observe what is actually there: the interplay of light, shadow, edge, and negative space.
The Foundations of Drawing
Our Introduction to Drawing Course is the backbone of our curriculum. We use charcoal because it is a malleable, forgiving medium that allows students to focus on Value (light and dark) rather than just line.
- Structure: Understanding how to construct 3D forms (spheres, cubes, cylinders) on a 2D surface.
- Perspective: Learning the mathematical rules that govern how objects recede in space.
- Gesture: Capturing the energy and movement of a subject, rather than just its stiff outline.
- The “Eraser as a Tool”: We teach specific techniques where the eraser is used not to correct mistakes, but to “draw with light,” carving highlights out of a dark background.
The Logic of Painting
Our Acrylic Painting Courses move beyond the basics of “staying inside the lines.” We focus heavily on Color Theory because color is relative. A specific red looks different when placed next to a green than it does next to a blue.
- Mixing: How to mix the exact color you see, rather than relying on colors straight from the tube.
- Temperature: Understanding Warm vs. Cool colors to create depth (warm colors advance, cool colors recede).
- Brushwork: Developing a “calligraphy” of marks—learning when to be aggressive with the paint and when to be delicate.
The Curriculum: A Thematic Approach
Unlike drop-in classes where you paint a random object each week, our courses follow a structured, thematic progression. This mimics the semester structure of a fine art degree but is tailored for working professionals in the Dallas/Fort Worth area.
Spring Semester Focus
We divide our year into focused modules. This ensures that students are building a comprehensive skillset over time.
- Structure & Anatomy (March): We utilize classical tools, including medical-grade skeleton models and skull casts to teach anatomy. You cannot draw a convincing portrait until you understand the bone structure underneath the skin. This approach connects our students to the lineage of the Old Masters, who all studied anatomy rigorously.
- Space & Atmosphere (April): We shift focus to the environment. Whether painting a landscape or an interior, the challenge is “Atmospheric Perspective”, how to paint the air between the viewer and the horizon.
- Personal Voice (May): Once the technical skills are understood, we encourage students to apply them to personal projects. This is where the transition from “student” to “artist” begins.
Meet Your Instructor: Bartosz Beda
What sets Art Be You apart from other art studios in Richardson is the caliber of instruction. Your teacher is not a hobbyist; he is a career artist.
Bartosz Beda holds an MA in Fine Art from the Manchester School of Art (UK). He has an extensive exhibition history, with solo and group shows in the United States, United Kingdom, Poland, Colombia, and Italy. His work has been featured in international publications and held in private collections worldwide. View Bartosz Beda website here.
Why Does This Matter for a Beginner?
You might think, “I’m just a beginner, I don’t need a professional artist to teach me.” However, beginners actually need the most expert instruction. A professional artist understands the “Why” behind every technique.
- When you struggle with a shadow, Bartosz can explain the physics of light causing that struggle.
- When your color looks “muddy,” he can explain the chemical interaction of the pigments.
- He brings the experience of thousands of hours of studio practice to your easel, saving you years of trial and error.
The Studio Environment & Culture
Our studio in Richardson, TX is a sanctuary for creativity. We intentionally keep our class sizes small (limited to 6 students) to foster a “Master-Apprentice” environment. In a class of 20 people, you become a number. In a class of 6, you receive 1-on-1 mentorship every single session.
The Importance of Critique
A central part of our teaching method is the Group Critique. This is a safe, supportive space where we look at the work produced during the class.
- We analyze what is working and why.
- We discuss challenges and solutions.
- Students learn as much from seeing their classmates’ solutions as they do from their own work.
- This develops your “Critical Eye,” allowing you to self-correct your work when painting alone at home.
A Community for Creatives
Many of our students are professionals, engineers, regular who wants to learn new skills, or creatives from downtown Dallas, who spend their days in high-stress, analytical environments. Our studio offers a necessary counterbalance. It is a place to disconnect from technology, engage with tactile materials, and meet like-minded neighbors who value culture and self-improvement.
The Benefits of Art for Adults
Why should a busy adult take time out of their week for drawing lessons? The benefits extend far beyond the canvas.
1. Cognitive Health & Neuroplasticity
Learning a new motor skill like drawing physically changes the brain. It forces the brain to create new neural pathways. “Seeing” like an artist requires you to suppress the efficient, symbolic part of your brain and activate the observant, spatial part. This is a rigorous mental workout.
2. Stress Reduction & Flow State
Painting induces a state of “Flow”, a mental state of complete immersion in an activity. When you are trying to mix the perfect shade of olive green, you cannot worry about your email inbox or tomorrow’s meeting. It is a form of active meditation.
3. Visual Literacy in a Digital World
We live in an image-saturated culture. Learning how images are constructed, how composition guides the eye, how color manipulates emotion makes you a smarter consumer of visual media.
Service Area & Location Details
Art Be You is strategically located to serve the entire North Dallas region. We are not just a Richardson art studio; we are a creative hub for the metroplex.
- From North Dallas / Park Cities: We are a short drive up US-75.
- From Plano: Located just south of the George Bush Turnpike, we are easily accessible for residents of West and East Plano.
- From Garland / Lake Highlands: Our location provides a convenient option for East Dallas residents looking for high-quality art instruction without driving into the Design District.
Nearby Landmarks:
We are located near the vibrant Richardson Core District, close to local favorites like Communion Neighborhood Cooperative and Industrial Pizza + Brew, making it easy to grab a coffee or dinner before or after your class.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
I can’t draw a straight line. Is this really for me?
Yes. In fact, there are no straight lines in the human face or body! The idea that you need “steady hands” is a myth. Drawing is about observation. If you can sign your name, you have enough manual dexterity to learn to draw. Our Intro to Drawing course is built specifically to break down these fears.
What is the difference between the “Intro” and “Academy” courses?
- Intro Courses (February): These are 4-week crash courses designed to give you a broad overview. All materials are included to lower the barrier to entry.
- Academy Courses (March-May): These are thematic deep-dives (e.g., Anatomy, Landscape). They are longer (5 weeks) and require you to purchase your own supplies. This is for the student ready to build a personal toolkit and commit to a practice.
Do you offer drop-in classes?
Generally, no. We focus on Courses rather than drop-ins. Art is a cumulative skill. We find that students who commit to a 4-week or 5-week block see significantly more progress than those who drop in sporadically. However, we do occasionally host special one-day workshops (like our Valentine’s event or Open Studio days).
What happens if I miss a class?
We understand that life happens. While we cannot offer refunds for missed classes due to our very small class size, Bartosz is happy to provide a brief recap of the missed lesson during the next session so you don’t fall behind.
Is this suitable for children?
Our current curriculum is designed specifically for adults (18+). The teaching style is academic, involving lectures on art history, color theory, and extended periods of focus. We do occasionally offer workshops for teens or high schoolers preparing portfolios for art school—please contact us directly for those inquiries.
Ready to Start?
Whether you are looking to prepare a portfolio, find a new hobby, or return to a passion you left behind years ago, Art Be You is ready to welcome you.
Check the schedule above for our current Dallas painting lessons and Richardson drawing courses. If a class is marked “Sold Out,” we highly encourage you to join the waitlist, as spots often open up or new sections are added due to demand.
Invest in your creativity. Learn to see the world differently.