The beginning Painting program at UT Arlington focuses on competencies in drawing/rendering, use of traditional painting materials and techniques, and sound painting processes and safety concerns with references and acknowledgements to art history. There is an emphasis placed on the student's ability to evaluate the formal aspects of a painting during studio working time and in critique where students are encouraged to actively participate in articulating their thoughts and ideas.

As the student progresses through the levels of the curriculum, there are more opportunities and expectations of personal expression and exploration of materials and ideas. Painting students are strongly encouraged to approach painting in an exploratory manner using a variety of painting techniques and mixed media while stressing process as a way to develop ideas. Students are exposed to the work of contemporary painters through informal class discussions, group visits to the local museums where they can view international and regional artists, and required student presentations.

Some assignments on the advanced painting level require students to use alternative materials or formats in conjunction with painting to explore a more contemporary approach to the medium. Advanced students are also required to develop a cohesive body of work that reflects a professional presentation and an artist statement that articulates that work. In conjunction with their major assignments, advanced students produce small paintings that explore and generate ideas, materials and or techniques in a more spontaneous and less formal presentation in lieu of a painting sketchbook.

There is an active group of painting students enrolled in the program who participate in exhibitions in the student gallery and exhibition spaces in the region and beyond. Current and recent former students have exhibited at Gallery West at UTA, Main Contemporary Gallery, Dallas, Texas, The Fort Worth Public Library, Fort Worth, Texas, The Arlington Museum of Art, Arlington, Texas,The Latino Cultural Center, Dallas, Texas, Hue Gallery, Mansfield, Texas, Fort Worth Community Art Center, Fort Worth, Texas, Gallery 414, Fort Worth, Texas, Metrognome Gallery, Fort Worth, Texas, Weyland Baptist University, Plainview, Texas, Little Tree Gallery, San Francisco California and with the American Nepalese Association in San Francisco, California and Atlanta, Georgia and a one-person exhibition in Katmandu, Nepal.

UTA Painting students have recently been accepted to graduate programs at Pratt, San Francisco Art Institute, University of the Arts in Philadelphia, The Art Institute of Boston, Kendall College of Art and Design, Florida International University, Southwestern Medical School of Medical Illustration, New Mexico State in Las Cruces and the University of Texas at San Antonio.