# Introduce Yourself Here! **URL:** \ **Category:** Welcome!\ **Created:** [June 18, 2019, 9:47pm UTC](https://community.thevirtualinstructor.com/t/introduce-yourself-here/16 "2019-06-18T21:47:21Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 49
**Author:** ![tracidraws](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex030/user_avatar/community.thevirtualinstructor.com/tracidraws/32/8361_2.png) [@tracidraws](https://community.thevirtualinstructor.com/u/tracidraws)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2026, 11:21pm UTC](https://community.thevirtualinstructor.com/t/introduce-yourself-here/16/977 "2026-03-08T23:21:59Z")
Thank you, Lucy. On the second bird now and if it goes well I plan to post all three together. The first one went pretty fast but the second one is taking a while. Enjoying every minute! ---
**Author:** ![Freddy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/3d9bf3/32.png) [@Freddy](https://community.thevirtualinstructor.com/u/Freddy)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2026, 12:05am UTC](https://community.thevirtualinstructor.com/t/introduce-yourself-here/16/978 "2026-03-15T00:05:24Z")
Hey, I’m Freddy and I live in Van Nuys,Ca. I just joined the forum and am excited to connect with other artists. I paint with soft pastels with an impressionistic style and also enjoy abstract as well and am looking forward to some interesting discussions. Paint On!!! Art Rocks ---
**Author:** ![Lucy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/e47774/32.png) [@Lucy](https://community.thevirtualinstructor.com/u/Lucy)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2026, 9:30pm UTC](https://community.thevirtualinstructor.com/t/introduce-yourself-here/16/979 "2026-03-15T21:30:46Z")
Hello Freddy! Welcome to this forum! 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Freddy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/3d9bf3/32.png) [@Freddy](https://community.thevirtualinstructor.com/u/Freddy)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2026, 11:04pm UTC](https://community.thevirtualinstructor.com/t/introduce-yourself-here/16/980 "2026-03-15T23:04:54Z")
Hey Lucy, nice to meet you and thanks for the welcome ---
**Author:** ![robichon](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex030/user_avatar/community.thevirtualinstructor.com/robichon/32/4993_2.png) [@robichon](https://community.thevirtualinstructor.com/u/robichon)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2026, 5:25pm UTC](https://community.thevirtualinstructor.com/t/introduce-yourself-here/16/981 "2026-03-16T17:25:44Z")
Hi @Freddy Welcome to the forum and hope you’ll post some of your artwork here. We’re a very positive and supportive group for those of all levels of skill. Are you also a member of The Virtual Instructor? The lessons are incredible and the weekly member critique at the Members Minute are most helpful. Terri Robichon ---
**Author:** ![MTBartist](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex030/user_avatar/community.thevirtualinstructor.com/mtbartist/32/8582_2.png) [@MTBartist](https://community.thevirtualinstructor.com/u/MTBartist)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2026, 6:25pm UTC](https://community.thevirtualinstructor.com/t/introduce-yourself-here/16/982 "2026-04-20T18:25:45Z")
Hello my name is Lucas and I am a pretty new artist (maybe 4 months) and I have been learning a lot from TVI classes. I mostly draw but I’m also taking a local acrylics class. ---
**Author:** ![chellesky](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex030/user_avatar/community.thevirtualinstructor.com/chellesky/32/8602_2.png) [@chellesky](https://community.thevirtualinstructor.com/u/chellesky)\ **Post date:** [May 3, 2026, 1:58pm UTC](https://community.thevirtualinstructor.com/t/introduce-yourself-here/16/983 "2026-05-03T13:58:37Z")
Hi I am Michelle from Scotland and I love all mediums to draw and paint with. Currrently I’m working on a pet portrait sketch of my own dog Teddy a cavapoo. Ive still to work a bit more on this pencil sketch on the background . Any tips for improving are welcome when constructive.😀 ![IMG_1463](https://canada1.discourse-cdn.com/flex030/uploads/thevirtualinstructor/original/2X/e/e7c672908934741164c0f6e0ec96518203bd45d4.jpeg) ---
**Author:** ![chellesky](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex030/user_avatar/community.thevirtualinstructor.com/chellesky/32/8602_2.png) [@chellesky](https://community.thevirtualinstructor.com/u/chellesky)\ **Post date:** [May 3, 2026, 2:02pm UTC](https://community.thevirtualinstructor.com/t/introduce-yourself-here/16/984 "2026-05-03T14:02:53Z")
Welcome it’s nice to meet you Zeffie I love your drawings I just joined today and I’m looking forward to the courses too​❤ ---
**Author:** ![chellesky](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex030/user_avatar/community.thevirtualinstructor.com/chellesky/32/8602_2.png) [@chellesky](https://community.thevirtualinstructor.com/u/chellesky)\ **Post date:** [May 3, 2026, 2:06pm UTC](https://community.thevirtualinstructor.com/t/introduce-yourself-here/16/985 "2026-05-03T14:06:35Z")
I love puffins your drawing is very cool​😀 ---
**Author:** ![robichon](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex030/user_avatar/community.thevirtualinstructor.com/robichon/32/4993_2.png) [@robichon](https://community.thevirtualinstructor.com/u/robichon)\ **Post date:** [May 4, 2026, 1:44pm UTC](https://community.thevirtualinstructor.com/t/introduce-yourself-here/16/986 "2026-05-04T13:44:49Z")
Hi @chellesky You’re off to a great start. I think working on your range of values is where you should focus your attention. That means keeping the very lights light, making the darks even darker and where I think this drawing needs most is a full range of the mid tones. Use those values to make it clear where the light is coming from. Value is also the secret to give your subject a sense of form that is rounded at the sides versus being flat and without a clear shape. If you’re a member of The Virtual Instructor you could learn a lot by watching the Members Minute. Each episode is less than 1/2 hour long and Matt spends a LOT of time talking about light and value. Terri ---
**Author:** ![chellesky](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex030/user_avatar/community.thevirtualinstructor.com/chellesky/32/8602_2.png) [@chellesky](https://community.thevirtualinstructor.com/u/chellesky)\ **Post date:** [May 4, 2026, 5:39pm UTC](https://community.thevirtualinstructor.com/t/introduce-yourself-here/16/987 "2026-05-04T17:39:31Z")
Thank you so much for your advice Terri It’s so appreciated I’m working on my first course 25 days to better drawing Hopefully this will refresh my skills 😀 ---
**Author:** ![Buddy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e5b9ba/32.png) [@Buddy](https://community.thevirtualinstructor.com/u/Buddy)\ **Post date:** [May 7, 2026, 9:47pm UTC](https://community.thevirtualinstructor.com/t/introduce-yourself-here/16/988 "2026-05-07T21:47:58Z")
Welcome everybody, who did join TVI or this forum recently! I hope you’ll enjoy our artistic family at least as much as I do. Buddy ---
**Author:** ![Melanie\_B](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex030/user_avatar/community.thevirtualinstructor.com/melanie_b/32/8776_2.png) [@Melanie\_B](https://community.thevirtualinstructor.com/u/Melanie_B)\ **Post date:** [May 31, 2026, 7:49pm UTC](https://community.thevirtualinstructor.com/t/introduce-yourself-here/16/989 "2026-05-31T19:49:35Z")
Hi, I’m Melanie from Texas. I’ve been following Matt’s Wednesday night Getting Sketchy series since 2021, and taking classes from his member area ever since. I love learning new mediums so this has been a fun place to explore. My kids are grown and gone and I found my creativity going into lesson planning rather than something tangible, so I decided to learn to draw. I’ve expanded into just about everything Matt and Ashley have covered, and love every minute of all of it! I’m excited to finally join this community! ---
**Author:** ![chellesky](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex030/user_avatar/community.thevirtualinstructor.com/chellesky/32/8602_2.png) [@chellesky](https://community.thevirtualinstructor.com/u/chellesky)\ **Post date:** [May 31, 2026, 8:08pm UTC](https://community.thevirtualinstructor.com/t/introduce-yourself-here/16/990 "2026-05-31T20:08:18Z")
Welcome @Melanie_B have fun 😊 ---
**Author:** ![Lucy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/e47774/32.png) [@Lucy](https://community.thevirtualinstructor.com/u/Lucy)\ **Post date:** [May 31, 2026, 8:13pm UTC](https://community.thevirtualinstructor.com/t/introduce-yourself-here/16/991 "2026-05-31T20:13:48Z")
Welcome @Melanie_B🙂 ---
**Author:** ![robichon](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex030/user_avatar/community.thevirtualinstructor.com/robichon/32/4993_2.png) [@robichon](https://community.thevirtualinstructor.com/u/robichon)\ **Post date:** [May 31, 2026, 11:54pm UTC](https://community.thevirtualinstructor.com/t/introduce-yourself-here/16/992 "2026-05-31T23:54:17Z")
Hi @Melanie_B So nice to have you join the conversation in the forum. Would love to see some of your work. Most of us post on the topic . . . Most recent drawing or painting. A great place to get to know others on the forum. Terri Robichon ---
**Author:** ![Buddy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e5b9ba/32.png) [@Buddy](https://community.thevirtualinstructor.com/u/Buddy)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2026, 2:27am UTC](https://community.thevirtualinstructor.com/t/introduce-yourself-here/16/993 "2026-06-05T02:27:17Z")
Welcome Melanie - I had a very similar “carreer” with Matt & Ashley and it took me some time to enter the forum too. Just a bit shyness, but this is an always friendly familie of artists. Greetings, Buddy ---
**Author:** ![cmilledge3](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/5f8ce5/32.png) [@cmilledge3](https://community.thevirtualinstructor.com/u/cmilledge3)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2026, 9:36pm UTC](https://community.thevirtualinstructor.com/t/introduce-yourself-here/16/994 "2026-06-16T21:36:00Z")
Hi my name is Chuck. I’m a professional photographer. I always had the dream to be able to draw or paint using my photographs as a reference. Unfortunately, I was always that guy that said all my life, “I can’t even draw a stick figure.” About 7 months ago, I discovered an artist and instructor named Betty Edwards, and I took her course “Learning to Draw on the Right Side of the Brain”, and it literally changed my life. I’ve been watching many youtube instructors and trying to practice as much as possible. However, I really wanted to find something more structured. I came across Matt’s videos and found my way here. I think Matt’s teaching style and my learning style mesh well and look forward to growing on what I’ve already learned! ---
**Author:** ![robichon](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex030/user_avatar/community.thevirtualinstructor.com/robichon/32/4993_2.png) [@robichon](https://community.thevirtualinstructor.com/u/robichon)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2026, 12:32am UTC](https://community.thevirtualinstructor.com/t/introduce-yourself-here/16/995 "2026-06-17T00:32:49Z")
Hi Chuck @cmilledge3 and welcome to our artistic community here on the forum. So have you also signed up for being a member of The. Virtual Instructor? Matt (and Ashley) is an incredible teacher and people of all skill levels can learn much from him using any or all media. I am not a professional photographer but do find great joy in using many of my own photos as references. I almost always like the artwork better than the photo that provided the inspiration. Hope to see you posting some of your photography and artwork here. Terri Robichon ---
**Author:** ![Phoenix](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/0ea827/32.png) [@Phoenix](https://community.thevirtualinstructor.com/u/Phoenix)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2026, 12:20pm UTC](https://community.thevirtualinstructor.com/t/introduce-yourself-here/16/996 "2026-07-21T12:20:05Z")
Hello All, My friends call me jc but my real name is Julie. My passion is graphite and variations thereof. I enjoy creating portraits, landscapes, still life’s, etc. As a child, I always wanted to be “an artist” and sketched here and there in my teens and early 20’s.. After retiring recently and now almost 70, I have begun this pursuit much more earnestly. Since joining I have become more and more interested in colored pencil work also and hope to learn to create beautiful works in many different media. I am technically challenged so not sure how to do live sessions yet but I suppose I’ll get that one day too. Drawing is very spiritual to me and sometimes it really seems like I am just the vessel and I just have to step back and watch the God of my understanding do his thing. That’s the best feeling in the world. So hello folks, this is me! JC [Previous page](https://community.thevirtualinstructor.com/t/introduce-yourself-here/16.md?page=48) [Next page](https://community.thevirtualinstructor.com/t/introduce-yourself-here/16.md?page=50)