Welcome to the Virtual Instructor and the forum. I would repeat everything Terri said. I will tell you that I also recommend the critique as well as the live lessons. You can chat in the live lessons and the critiques are a valuable way to remind yourself over and over of the things we need to focus on in our artwork.
When I first joined almost three years ago now, I went through and watched every critique starting with the way to the first one.
The live lesson is a good way to ask Matt and his friend Asley questions in regard to the mediums that you are interested in pursuing. We are starting a new series this Wednesday so you could see one from the beginning. If you cant watch live they are all recorded.
There are many oil painting live lessons and an oil painting course. the same with soft pastels and oil pastels.
You will be introduced to so many mediums for creating artwork that it gets to the point it is difficult to choose one. I enjoy them all but am leaning to oil painting, pen and ink and colored inks as well, and honestly, I enjoy all the mediums I have tried.
As Terri said, we look forward to interacting with you on the forum and seeing your artwork.
Hi all! I’m Maggie. Currently, I’m semi-retired. I Just started oil painting during COVID and seriously love it: especially portraits! This site offers so much!! I discovered the site a few years ago and somehow lost it Glad to be back!
Hi Maggie - Thrilled to have you here. There are a lot of us members that are retired, including me. I look forward to your comments in the forum. If you get a chance it would also be fun for you to post some of your artwork as you are working on it, or have it finished. It’s a great way to get to know the people at this site. It’s a very supportive environment, so feel free to ask questions.
Nice to have you join us. I think you will get a lot out of the Virtual Instructor course as well as this forum. Looking forward to seeing some of your work.
Thank you for the information. I did not know Facebook had groups that offered their works for others to use will check into that. I haven’t tried to use any online photos as was not sure if I could. I am really new to this. I have always loved to draw and paint but really needed direction in how to.
I signed up for VI in Jan. and have been very pleased with the information Matt and Ashley offer. I like to use pastels and charcoal the lighthouse was most interesting . I am also searching for how to use pastel colors together to enhance the painting. Again thank you for the information
Hello everyone. I love art and seeing others beautiful works and also learning. Practice, practice,and practice I’m finding out works. I want to learn and improve daily, try new mediums. Mainly pencil but expanding. Thank you
Hi Brian and welcome to the community here at The Virtual Instructor. We look forward to your participation, commenting on other’s posts and hopefully sharing some of your own. We’re a very friendly and supportive group. After hanging out here a while, you’re likely to consider several of us to be your friends.
Hi Everyone! I’m Tania from Mystic, CT USA. My main interest (at least for now ) is dip pen & ink. I enjoy the detail work and find the feel of the nib across the paper soothing. I started dabbling with watercolors, found I liked ink and wash and moved on to just ink. I’m just re-beginning on this artistic/creative journey. Retired October 2023 at 62 and now have time to explore new passions. I did some graphite drawing back… yikes!.. 42 years ago.
I wasn’t ready to join the with the full membership but just purchased the Subjects with Ink and 25 Days to Better Drawing. Thank you @lenetg137 for all your mentions of The Virtual Instructor on another group… I’m happy I checked it out.
Looking forward to seeing everyone’s art and conversations as well as developing new friendships.
Welcome, Tania. I think you will get a lot from the courses here. Glad you checked these courses out. Also, the Virtual Instructor has a live drawing session on Wednesday nights at 6:30 PM EST where Matt and Ashley take turns drawing a sketch in 45 minutes. Many people draw along with them. It is on YouTube and called Getting Sketchy. You can also chat live at that time.
Welcome to The Virtual Instructor, and thank you for introducing yourself here on the Forum/Community.
Don’t be surprised if you get hooked like the rest of us and sign up for an annual membership, year after year. The best spent money if you enjoy any kind of artwork. I also want to let you know that in this community we are very supportive and love it when people show their work either in progress or completed. If you want feedback or have a question, ask. Many of us will not make “suggestions” unless you request it, as a way of keeping our communications positive.
One strong suggestion now that you are a member is to check out the Critique/Members Minute. It is posted once a week, usually on Friday. It only takes a half hour to watch, and you will learn A LOT, no matter your level of experience. And if you’ve created original artwork, you should consider sending it in.
I started the same way as you did. I purchased the line and wash course and the pastel course. Then began to do all the free projects that Matt sent my way.
The best decision I made was to join the VI. I had looked at the cost of other artist on YouTube and the value here does ot compare. As Terri said, this a friendly supportive community.
I second what Terri said about the critiques. I have learned more there than I ever dreamed. It does not matter whose artwork is critiqued the elements of art are emphasized and can be applied to any medium you desire to use.
Also there are many recorded live lessons in pen and ink that you have access to when a member.
Agan welcome to the forum and hope to see you as a member too.
Lenet, thank you for referring Tania to the VI community,
Thank you for the warm welcomes! Yes, I do plan on joining with a membership… spring and summer typically involves a lot of yard work and with the 2 courses I purchases, I’ll be busy. I took advantage of the 7 day free trial so did take a good tour of the website. I watched a couple of the critiques and yes, they are very helpful even if in a different medium.
Hello to all! My name is Marina. I live in the Kern River Valley, near Bakersfield, CA, US. I retired here in 2017, and have been been a photographer. Lately, I had the desire to revive my drawing and painting skills. I found Matt and the website via YouTube, while searching for tutorials to refresh my skills. Looking forward to seeing everyone’s work and hopefully making some friends! I work in acrylic, oil, and would like to get better at graphite, charcoal and pastels. Thx for having me!
Welcome, @Marina16 , glas to have you here. I think you will find this forum interactive and helpful. You should find all of the courses, live lessons and members minute extremely beneficial for reviving your drawing skills.
Welcome to the VI forum and hopefully the VI. Matt as well as his friend Ashley are both great teachers. I have learned so much from them.
If you joined as a member then you have access to all the courses. live lessons, critiques, and more. The live lessons you can chat with Matt and Ashley, ask art related questions, and talk with the rest of us who participate. The critiques are a great place to receive advice on the elements of art and apply them to any medium. I went back and watched almost every critique since Matt started in 2013 I believe.
You mentioned graphite. There are many live lessons on graphite, I believe six graphite courses, and also many critiques on graphite. There are ten years of education on Matt’s site.
This is the best decision I have made, joining the membership, in regarding art and many friends that I have made, as well as improving my artist ability. You have found a friendly, supportive community.
Hi Marina16. It’s nice to have you joining us here on the forum. There is a live lesson every Wednesday evening. If you can fit it in your schedule you’ll find a lot of us in the “chat”. It’s also a great opportunity to ask Matt or Ashley any art related questions. Does not have to be only about the lesson. Right now we’re doing a scratchboard drawing of a bee. We’ve already had 6 lessons and will probably have 3 or 4 more. They always try to finish them in ten lessons or less. After that, Ashley has been talking about doing something with acrylic paint, so that should appeal to you.
I also suggest to new members that you set aside a half an hour every week to watch the members minute. It’s a favorite with most of us because of how much we learn.
We are a very friendly and positive group. Feel free to join in and maybe post what you’re working on. If you want suggestions just ask. We usually don’t give that kind of feedback unless you request it.
Hello, my Name is Patty. I have loved all forms of art all of my life. I am 66 years old and am anxious to learn new things everyday. I have become somewhat rusty due to caring for my elderly Mother full time. Since her passing I have begun to get back into the art forms I love.
Hi Patty. Sending you a warm welcome to the forum here at The Virtual Instructor. I’m retired also and am 68 years old. We probably have a lot in common. I hope that as you work thru the lessons that you will post some of your work here. We invite you to participate in our conversations and ask any questions you may have. This is a very kind and welcoming place. If you want feedback on anything you have created, just ask. We are all working on growing our skills, while having fun in the process.
) is dip pen & ink. I enjoy the detail work and find the feel of the nib across the paper soothing. I started dabbling with watercolors, found I liked ink and wash and moved on to just ink. I’m just re-beginning on this artistic/creative journey. Retired October 2023 at 62 and now have time to explore new passions. I did some graphite drawing back… yikes!.. 42 years ago.