# Welcome! **URL:** https://community.thevirtualinstructor.com/c/welcome/5.md [Latest](https://community.thevirtualinstructor.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://community.thevirtualinstructor.com/categories.md) --- ## [Introduce Yourself Here!](https://community.thevirtualinstructor.com/t/introduce-yourself-here/16)
**Author:** [@thevirtualinstructor](https://community.thevirtualinstructor.com/u/thevirtualinstructor)\ **Replies:** 988\ **Last updated:** [September 26, 2026, 9:21pm UTC](https://community.thevirtualinstructor.com/t/introduce-yourself-here/16 "2026-09-26T21:21:11Z")
Hello Everyone! I’m Matt, the owner, operator, and artist behind TheVirtualInstructor.com. Welcome to the forum! This new forum replaces the old one we had in place and it’s back because so many of you requested it and … --- ## [Welcome to our forums! Please introduce yourself! :)](https://community.thevirtualinstructor.com/t/welcome-to-our-forums-please-introduce-yourself/12)
**Author:** [@thevirtualinstructor](https://community.thevirtualinstructor.com/u/thevirtualinstructor)\ **Replies:** 87\ **Last updated:** [May 15, 2026, 1:01am UTC](https://community.thevirtualinstructor.com/t/welcome-to-our-forums-please-introduce-yourself/12 "2026-05-15T01:01:49Z")
Welcome to our NEW community forums! We are a community of artists, makers, creators, teachers, and lovers of all things creative - just like you. To get started… Go ahead and introduce yourself here. Please read and… --- ## [New Member Time!](https://community.thevirtualinstructor.com/t/new-member-time/4871)
**Author:** [@Shbixn](https://community.thevirtualinstructor.com/u/Shbixn)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [September 1, 2026, 12:47am UTC](https://community.thevirtualinstructor.com/t/new-member-time/4871 "2026-09-01T00:47:15Z")
Pam B- (60 something) neophyte. Teaching myself online for about 5 months. It got me started. Loved Getting Sketchy and I was hooked. I’m so happy to see a supportive group. I have a lot of questions……… --- ## [Un saludo desde Colombia](https://community.thevirtualinstructor.com/t/un-saludo-desde-colombia/4610)
**Author:** [@yeye](https://community.thevirtualinstructor.com/u/yeye)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [August 31, 2026, 8:04pm UTC](https://community.thevirtualinstructor.com/t/un-saludo-desde-colombia/4610 "2026-08-31T20:04:45Z")
Hola querido foro, Mi nombre es Jennifer soy de Cali-Colombia, me he unido a esta comunidad porque el arte siempre ha sido mi pasión, quiero retomar muchas cosas que dejé pausadas pero que me hacen mucha falta, admiro m… --- ## [New Member - Jim Zimmerman](https://community.thevirtualinstructor.com/t/new-member-jim-zimmerman/4859)
**Author:** [@Zman](https://community.thevirtualinstructor.com/u/Zman)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [August 19, 2026, 8:10pm UTC](https://community.thevirtualinstructor.com/t/new-member-jim-zimmerman/4859 "2026-08-19T20:10:03Z")
Hello, I am new to the community, having taken up art in retirement. Currently working through the Acrylic Live Stream. --- ## [New to this community](https://community.thevirtualinstructor.com/t/new-to-this-community/4789)
**Author:** [@haywoo85](https://community.thevirtualinstructor.com/u/haywoo85)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [May 19, 2026, 2:54am UTC](https://community.thevirtualinstructor.com/t/new-to-this-community/4789 "2026-05-19T02:54:23Z")
Hello All I love to paint in oils . I joined the virtual instructor to improve my drawing skills. ATM I am on lesson 7 drawing the spheres!!! --- ## [My latest in pastel](https://community.thevirtualinstructor.com/t/my-latest-in-pastel/4776)
**Author:** [@lisag](https://community.thevirtualinstructor.com/u/lisag)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [May 14, 2026, 12:17am UTC](https://community.thevirtualinstructor.com/t/my-latest-in-pastel/4776 "2026-05-14T00:17:36Z")
--- ## [Hello from the UK - Having searched far and wide I am delighted to have found Matt!](https://community.thevirtualinstructor.com/t/hello-from-the-uk-having-searched-far-and-wide-i-am-delighted-to-have-found-matt/4764)
**Author:** [@soozern](https://community.thevirtualinstructor.com/u/soozern)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [May 13, 2026, 9:00pm UTC](https://community.thevirtualinstructor.com/t/hello-from-the-uk-having-searched-far-and-wide-i-am-delighted-to-have-found-matt/4764 "2026-05-13T21:00:53Z")
I found Matt and this Forum through a YouTube search. I have always enjoyed being creative (sewing, making clothes, knitting, spinning wool, baking, bread making… ) but had never considered art. I have a dog who is 17 … --- ## [Hi there! My name is Kent](https://community.thevirtualinstructor.com/t/hi-there-my-name-is-kent/4649)
**Author:** [@Kent](https://community.thevirtualinstructor.com/u/Kent)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [December 17, 2025, 8:57pm UTC](https://community.thevirtualinstructor.com/t/hi-there-my-name-is-kent/4649 "2025-12-17T20:57:54Z")
I’m a self taught digital artist who creates lifelike portraits of birds using Procreate on an iPad Air, with an Apple Pencil. I keep my toolkit simple—palette, brushes, smudge, and eraser—so the work feels as close to t… --- ## [Introduction to me!](https://community.thevirtualinstructor.com/t/introduction-to-me/4589)
**Author:** [@BrookeF2016](https://community.thevirtualinstructor.com/u/BrookeF2016)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [September 23, 2025, 10:07pm UTC](https://community.thevirtualinstructor.com/t/introduction-to-me/4589 "2025-09-23T22:07:38Z")
Hello, My name is Brooke. I am a 28yr old mom of 2. I have always had a passion for art and recently had more time to get back into it. I have also decided to go back to school and get my art teaching degree. I have alw… --- ## [New member with a question](https://community.thevirtualinstructor.com/t/new-member-with-a-question/4337)
**Author:** [@ALOHA](https://community.thevirtualinstructor.com/u/ALOHA)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [March 31, 2025, 5:29pm UTC](https://community.thevirtualinstructor.com/t/new-member-with-a-question/4337 "2025-03-31T17:29:09Z")
My artmaking skills are rusty and I find myself making the same mistakes over and over again. Lots of frustration. So, I’m backing up. I finished the 25 days to better drawing course and learned and relearned a lot. Then… --- ## [Hang on to Your Hats; it's Me!](https://community.thevirtualinstructor.com/t/hang-on-to-your-hats-its-me/4314)
**Author:** [@Michael](https://community.thevirtualinstructor.com/u/Michael)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [March 19, 2025, 10:50am UTC](https://community.thevirtualinstructor.com/t/hang-on-to-your-hats-its-me/4314 "2025-03-19T10:50:21Z")
It’s me! Hang on to your hats! I won’t say I’m old, but I’ve been around the block more than once. That does not mean I’ve knocked on every door, just that I’ve been there and done some of that. In southern Summit Count… --- ## [Improving in 2025](https://community.thevirtualinstructor.com/t/improving-in-2025/4201)
**Author:** [@Abracapocus](https://community.thevirtualinstructor.com/u/Abracapocus)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [February 5, 2025, 2:31am UTC](https://community.thevirtualinstructor.com/t/improving-in-2025/4201 "2025-02-05T02:31:22Z")
Hello. My name is Carol. I’m sort of new here. I was a member long ago. I’ve made myself a challenging goal for 2025, creating at least something everyday. I’ve just started to learn pastels and really love it, and … --- ## [Hello from New Jersey!](https://community.thevirtualinstructor.com/t/hello-from-new-jersey/4234)
**Author:** [@jenine](https://community.thevirtualinstructor.com/u/jenine)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [February 4, 2025, 2:02am UTC](https://community.thevirtualinstructor.com/t/hello-from-new-jersey/4234 "2025-02-04T02:02:22Z")
Hi, I’m Jenine, and I’m thrilled to be back with my pastels! I’m using this time to refresh and improve my drawing and painting skills, especially when it comes to my favorite subjects: plants and animals. I’ve had some… --- ## [Hello From the OBX](https://community.thevirtualinstructor.com/t/hello-from-the-obx/4172)
**Author:** [@NeverMore](https://community.thevirtualinstructor.com/u/NeverMore)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [January 5, 2025, 1:30pm UTC](https://community.thevirtualinstructor.com/t/hello-from-the-obx/4172 "2025-01-05T13:30:59Z")
Hello from North Carolina’s Outer Banks–The OBX. I’ve been a TVI for a few years; but I just started reading/using the forums. I work in most of the mediums–acrylic, oil, charcoal, colored pencils, pastels (hard and soft… --- ## [So excited to be here!](https://community.thevirtualinstructor.com/t/so-excited-to-be-here/4148)
**Author:** [@Tgad1](https://community.thevirtualinstructor.com/u/Tgad1)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [December 22, 2024, 3:20pm UTC](https://community.thevirtualinstructor.com/t/so-excited-to-be-here/4148 "2024-12-22T15:20:36Z")
Hi!! I’m looking forward to learning. I have been painting about 7 years on and off, not too much the last couple of years. The last 3 months I gotten more into it again. I really want to get good at graphite and ink dra… --- ## [Hello Art World!](https://community.thevirtualinstructor.com/t/hello-art-world/4119)
**Author:** [@Zunzez](https://community.thevirtualinstructor.com/u/Zunzez)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [December 16, 2024, 3:40pm UTC](https://community.thevirtualinstructor.com/t/hello-art-world/4119 "2024-12-16T15:40:51Z")
I joined today after watching Matt between adds. I have invested in tools and supplies but not yet in me. I need a mentor without the interruptions. I think this is going to be great. Matt has been very helpful but I hav… --- ## [My second month](https://community.thevirtualinstructor.com/t/my-second-month/4046)
**Author:** [@diana2014](https://community.thevirtualinstructor.com/u/diana2014)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [October 9, 2024, 6:24pm UTC](https://community.thevirtualinstructor.com/t/my-second-month/4046 "2024-10-09T18:24:16Z")
It took me more than a month to finally put something new … after obviously following some of the drawing courses… --- ## [Spraying graphite](https://community.thevirtualinstructor.com/t/spraying-graphite/4040)
**Author:** [@mand](https://community.thevirtualinstructor.com/u/mand)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [September 23, 2024, 11:14pm UTC](https://community.thevirtualinstructor.com/t/spraying-graphite/4040 "2024-09-23T23:14:51Z")
Hi i just wondered about whether to spray my grahite pencil drawing. Im not sure if it will change the appearance. Thank you for your thoughts :pray: --- ## [Newbie from Canada](https://community.thevirtualinstructor.com/t/newbie-from-canada/3313)
**Author:** [@guypeterson](https://community.thevirtualinstructor.com/u/guypeterson)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [October 6, 2023, 6:39pm UTC](https://community.thevirtualinstructor.com/t/newbie-from-canada/3313 "2023-10-06T18:39:52Z")
Retired from the military after 36 years of service. Suffer from PTSD, Fibromyalgia, Arthritis and a severe case of too much time on my hands. For several years I have been needle felting but had to stop recently becaus… --- ## [Pacing myself...?](https://community.thevirtualinstructor.com/t/pacing-myself/3209)
**Author:** [@juxtaposed](https://community.thevirtualinstructor.com/u/juxtaposed)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [September 15, 2023, 6:51pm UTC](https://community.thevirtualinstructor.com/t/pacing-myself/3209 "2023-09-15T18:51:07Z")
Hi all…reintroducing myself to the community and to my creative self he he. I joined 2019 with VI Forum but found my day job and day responsibilities were just too much competition. So being 1 of the 9 billion I’ve decid… --- ## [Drawing newbie here](https://community.thevirtualinstructor.com/t/drawing-newbie-here/2635)
**Author:** [@Sketchlines](https://community.thevirtualinstructor.com/u/Sketchlines)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [September 14, 2023, 11:35pm UTC](https://community.thevirtualinstructor.com/t/drawing-newbie-here/2635 "2023-09-14T23:35:42Z")
Late start to drawing here. I’m using graphite pencils but even though I’m colorblind, protan, I hope to eventually give color pencils a try and see how funny that looks. Thanks, Jeff --- ## [Hi everyone from Spain. New here](https://community.thevirtualinstructor.com/t/hi-everyone-from-spain-new-here/2618)
**Author:** [@Wingman](https://community.thevirtualinstructor.com/u/Wingman)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [September 14, 2023, 11:03pm UTC](https://community.thevirtualinstructor.com/t/hi-everyone-from-spain-new-here/2618 "2023-09-14T23:03:27Z")
Hi mates, I have just joined this comunity one month ago. Love all these courses. I hope to learn a lot in here. --- ## [Hello from Belgium](https://community.thevirtualinstructor.com/t/hello-from-belgium/3270)
**Author:** [@anory](https://community.thevirtualinstructor.com/u/anory)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [September 7, 2023, 5:47am UTC](https://community.thevirtualinstructor.com/t/hello-from-belgium/3270 "2023-09-07T05:47:26Z")
Hello, i am anory and i am very now to the world of art My journey has been rather special at the start if this year i have started the hobby of 3d printing, i like to make figurines and many other things. Because figu… --- ## [Hi from western North Carolina](https://community.thevirtualinstructor.com/t/hi-from-western-north-carolina/2864)
**Author:** [@Rhondasmythe](https://community.thevirtualinstructor.com/u/Rhondasmythe)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [May 20, 2023, 9:02pm UTC](https://community.thevirtualinstructor.com/t/hi-from-western-north-carolina/2864 "2023-05-20T21:02:39Z")
I’m Rhonda and I’ve been messing about with drawing and painting most of my life. I’m ready to get serious! --- ## [Hello from Ontario](https://community.thevirtualinstructor.com/t/hello-from-ontario/2958)
**Author:** [@pslinn](https://community.thevirtualinstructor.com/u/pslinn)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [April 18, 2023, 6:25am UTC](https://community.thevirtualinstructor.com/t/hello-from-ontario/2958 "2023-04-18T06:25:03Z")
I am a beginner “artist”. I am Peter. I have had a long and varied working life. Now it is time to try something new and challenging. I look forward to talking to you as we go through this experience. --- ## [Hello . Joined today . . Beginner](https://community.thevirtualinstructor.com/t/hello-joined-today-beginner/2724)
**Author:** [@waynep](https://community.thevirtualinstructor.com/u/waynep)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [January 28, 2023, 9:58pm UTC](https://community.thevirtualinstructor.com/t/hello-joined-today-beginner/2724 "2023-01-28T21:58:56Z")
Hello, I joined today . . I have always wanted to learn to draw. I turned 60 and decided to quit “always wanting” and just try to get after it. In high school and college I took a ton of drafting courses, was good at it.… --- ## [Color pencil new artist](https://community.thevirtualinstructor.com/t/color-pencil-new-artist/2631)
**Author:** [@Madrianart](https://community.thevirtualinstructor.com/u/Madrianart)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [January 22, 2023, 12:37am UTC](https://community.thevirtualinstructor.com/t/color-pencil-new-artist/2631 "2023-01-22T00:37:04Z")
Took a chance at drawing a horse. Since I’m new to color pencil art wanted to get some feedback/ pointers from more seasoned artists. Thanks --- ## [New to site as of 12/28/22](https://community.thevirtualinstructor.com/t/new-to-site-as-of-12-28-22/2677)
**Author:** [@CBS](https://community.thevirtualinstructor.com/u/CBS)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [January 15, 2023, 6:59am UTC](https://community.thevirtualinstructor.com/t/new-to-site-as-of-12-28-22/2677 "2023-01-15T06:59:04Z")
Hello my name and s Brian. I am new to course. Though I have some art experience, I am by no means good at it. I joined course so i can be. I love the satisfaction that comes with practicing art . Completing a piece peop… --- ## [Where do I see announcements about live lessons?](https://community.thevirtualinstructor.com/t/where-do-i-see-announcements-about-live-lessons/2174)
**Author:** [@finleyj](https://community.thevirtualinstructor.com/u/finleyj)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [November 28, 2022, 5:03am UTC](https://community.thevirtualinstructor.com/t/where-do-i-see-announcements-about-live-lessons/2174 "2022-11-28T05:03:09Z")
I thought I missed the live lesson for this week, but the new lesson isn’t posting, so I’m guessing either they are behind on posting it or the lesson was cancelled. If it was cancelled, where would I find that informat… [Next page](https://community.thevirtualinstructor.com/c/welcome/5.md?page=1)