Hi AlanMattinson -
So glad to see you here at The Virtual Instructor, and participating in the Forum. I’ve taken some of Phil’s classes too, before he reformatted his site. I’m like you and have been selecting specific pieces of art, rather than working through an entire course.
Since you’re new here, and based on your introduction, I wanted to highly suggest that you click on the “community tab” which is how you got to this forum, and than select “Critique”. That will take you to a weekly feature called “The Members Minute”. In these Matt will critique pieces of original artwork sent in by members. They are about 1/2 hour long, so easy to fit into your own schedule. Even if it is someone else’s art, I guarantee that you will learn a lot by watching these. It is something I make a point of doing EVERY week. If you have time, work your way thru the previous Member’s Minutes episodes also.
So WELCOME and keep posting. Your colored pencil dog was extremely good.
Gday from Rockhampton, Queensland, Australia. My name is Maurice and I am nudging 85 years old.
I decided to try “pencil drawing” about 5 years ago just for something to do in my quieter years. After a year or so away from the pencils undertaking some community duties, I thought I would try again. I found Matt’s courses online and here I am.
I just finished the sports car (reflections etc). Not great but I learnt so much. My principal takeaway was “softly, softly, slowly, slowly, be patient and see what I did not see before.”
Every day now starts with the anticipation that I will learn something new today.
Welcome to the VI. I to learned so much from Matts courses, live lessons, and especially the weekly critiques. If you have not checked them out I think you will find them fun and educational.
I have looked at the drawing of the car in graphite but have not stepped up to the challenge. I would enjoy seeing your rendering of it, or any artwork you would want to share.
You will find that this is a very friendly and supportive place, and I am sure you have much wisdom to share with us.
Again, welcome and now at this time (EST time zone) it would be good morning to you!!
Gday from Rockhampton, Queensland, Australia. My name is Maurice and I am nudging 85 years old.
I decided to try “pencil drawing” about 5 years ago just for something to do in my quieter years. After a year or so away from the pencils undertaking some community duties, I thought I would try again. I found Matt’s courses online and here I am.
I just finished the sports car (reflections etc). Not great but I learnt so much. My principal takeaway was “softly, softly, slowly, slowly, be patient and see what I did not see before.”
Every day now starts with the anticipation that I will learn something new today.
Welcome to the Community at The Virtual Instructor. You’re never to old to learn, and I actually think learning will keep you young. And when you get comfortable with drawing, you can always give another media a try. The variety of things available here is overwhelming and you will never run out of things to do.
Hi Maurice! Glad you could join our wonderful community. Yes, I also have to repeat that mantra and, it’s a fight for me because I also feel that there is so much to learn and so and so very little time! Enjoy yourself.
Patricia.
Cats are great… I have 2: one lovely 11-year old shorthair female and an enormous 9-year old Maine Coon (male). Cats rule! (Look at Maki’s art in the forum and in the Member’s Minute. You will see her beautiful art that always includes cats.
Hello Everyone!
My name is DONNA & I’m a wannabe artist.
I’m a grandmother of two beautiful girls & I live in South Dakota.
I started my journey with wanting to learn how to paint with watercolors.
But since I discovered Matt, I have ventured into learning more about watercolor pencils, graphite pencil drawings, oil pastels, & pastels.
I love watching the live lessons & I think I’m learning a lot.
Matt, may we send you photos to use in live lessons?
The Virtual Instructor changed my wannabe an artist journey too.
I started with colored pencils and acrylics and did not have any idea what I was doing, just did it. Following Matts courses and live lessons I have learned so much.
I think where I have learned the most is the critiques. There you find repetition and suggestions on artwork that we can apply to our own pieces.
I do believe you can submit as a suggestion to Matt on where you submit artwork for a critique but the picture cannot have a copywrite, if it is your own it is okay with your permission, and if the picture is from someone else, a friend or family member for example, then you will need to have permission from the person.
Again, welcome to the Virtual Instructor and hope to see you at the live lessons. It is fun to chat with others and ask questions to Matt and Ashley,
Hello Everyone!
My name is DONNA & I’m a wannabe artist.
I’m a grandmother of two beautiful girls & I live in South Dakota.
I started my journey with wanting to learn how to paint with watercolors.
But since I discovered Matt, I have ventured into learning more about watercolor pencils, graphite pencil drawings, oil pastels, & pastels.
I love watching the live lessons & I think I’m learning a lot.
Matt, may we send you photos to use in live lessons?
Thank you TLP for the advice.
I too started watching Matt’s live lessons & learn a lot, especially how to draw.
I started with watercolors not knowing anything but an interest.
I submitted a picture that I had taken when my sister & I were visiting Custer State Park this summer.
I have been trying to draw this picture, but I can’t seem to get the perspective right.
So I hoped that Matt & Ashley might consider using it for a live lesson on 2 & 3 point perspective.
Hi there, my name Silvia and I’m from The Netherlands. I have always been a creative and artistic being ( writing, knitting, drawing, painting, crocheting), and since the last couple of years my focus is on drawing and painting. In all of these areas I’m self taught with no formal education, so the internet was a great help. And there is were I’ve found Matt and learned a lot from his video lessons. And here I am today joining the forums to learn from you all and be with like minded people who share a passion for art.
Hey there, my name is Esteban (Stephen) and I am a recent member of the Virtual Instructor. Being a fan of origami (Japanese paper folding), which I consider art, I first decided to enroll in the Colored Pencil Course to try new forms of art. Since I enjoyed that course so much, I decided to become a member; I have enjoyed the two Virtual Instructor´s courses that I have done since the start of my membership, the Pen and Ink Experience and 25 Days to Better Drawings, and plan to complete most of them before my membership expires.
I am like you, self-taught in crochet, needle point, ribbon art, and drawing and painting. I also found Matt and the Virtual Instructor watching tutorials for these different types of expression on YouTube tutorials and joined the Virtual Instructor. The best decision I have made.
So many ways to learn, courses, live lessons, critiques, etc. I think where I have learned the most is the critiques. It does not matter whose artwork Matt critiques, there is always something to learn. This I do not miss.
The live lessons are so much fun. There is a chat when watching live and it is a small group of like-minded students who share the learning experience. It is also an opportunity to ask Matt, and his friend Ashley, questions about anything art related. I know the time change makes it difficult, but I hope to see you there sometime.
You will find that the forum is an encouraging and friendly group of people. I too look forward to seeing your artwork here on the forum.
!Bienvenidos! My computer does not speak Spanish or relative languages.
Welcome to the Virtual Instructor. For me, this was the best decision I made. Depending where you are from you may want to check out the live lessons. they are so much fun, have a chat and it is a small community. It is a place that you can chat with Matt and his friend Ashley about art questions. We just started a new series in watercolor.
Also I highly recommend the weekly critiques. They run about half-hour and I believe this is where I have learned the most about composition, value, light source, use of materials, etc. there are hundreds of critiques to go back and watch. I have watched almost all of them and some more than once.
I hope to see you in the chat sometime and wish you best on your art journey. BTW…I think origami is a wonderful form of art, takes technique and patience. I would enjoy seeing a post of your origami artwork.
@Quatre_Bougie , hello (bonjour) ! So glad you’ve found your way to drawing! Yes, you CAN draw, and this is a very encouraging community. Welcome to the forums! Jesus loves you!!!
if you can attend one of the live lessons you can also ask them in person. They will answer the best they can. You can ask them anything else art related.
The next live lesson is tonight at 8pm EST, in 2 1/2 hours from when I post this. They are every Wednesday night.
Thank you Miss Terri.
I will be joining the next live lesson.
One of Santa’s elves told me that I’m getting my art lessons for Christmas.
I can’t wait to join my new friends during the live lessons & on getting sketchy.
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