Hi Patty, welcome! I am retired as well, and started to draw and paint again after some 20 years. I really like this community, and Matt’s lessons and videos are helping to shake off some of the rust. Looking forward to seeing your work!
Hello @Patygail Welcome to the forum. Can’t wait to get to know you and your artwork!
Sonia
Hi I am re-learning to draw again after 30 years, animal portraits using CP and pastels is my goal to achieve by joining. Based in rural Victoria, Australia.
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Hello Patty, my name is Jim & welcome to the community. I am looking forward to seeing your art.
Hi Patty! I am 65 and started with VI when I retired 7 years ago. I haven’t made a ton of progress because, just like you, I had an elderly parent (mother-in-law) to take care of. She passed away in 2022 so I am now spending more time on art.
Welcome aboard! Can’t wait to see you share your art.
Patricia.
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Welcome Patygail. I hope you enjoy your time at The Virtual Instructor as much as I have enjoyed mine. I started in June of 2022 and haven’t looked back. 
Brenda
Hello I’m Lesley from Cardiff in South Wales, UK
I’m a sketchbook doodler! I started learning to draw January 2021 with Gettin’ Sketchy; Draw With Me with drawing lessons from Michael Markowsky. I’ve been a member here for about a year or so and enjoy drawing along with Gettin’ Sketchy and the live lessons exercises. Also slowly going through the Secrects of Drawing and 25 days to better drawing courses
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Welcome Lesley! Looking forward to seeing your art work.
Jim
Hi Lesley -
Welcome to the Community. You’ll find it is a very positive and welcoming place. If you visit often, post your work (either in process or completed), and comment on the posts of other people you will be surprised at the friendships you will make with like minded people. If you want advise or constructive criticism on something you need to ask, because otherwise most of us will just focus on what you did right and the progress you’re making. It doesn’t matter what your skill level is, you are WELCOME here. Hope to see more of you, just hanging out with us. It’s a whole other benefit of being a member of The Virtual Instructor.
Terri Robichon
Hello @Lesley and welcome. I hope you will find this forum enjoyable and informative. I know I have. I look forward to seeing some of your artwork.
Lenet
Hello Leslie,
Welcome to the Virtual Instructor Forum. We look forward to getting to know you here and see some of your artwork.
I started out as a doodler many years ago, and now my art journey has become an important part of my life. The encouragement here, and positive critiques when requested have helped me to see no matter the level we are at we can learn from each other in a positive way.
Also, the 25 days to better drawing is a great course. When I first joined, I went through all of the graphite courses, and it has really helped me understand the relationships of the elements of art and the tools we have to create art.
Many post their progress as they work through lessons. It is helpful to know there are people here who understand the art journey and appreciate all the levels of creating art. Some are very experienced, and have so much to offer, and others help us realize that we are not alone in our learning,
Again Welcome!
Teri
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Hello,
I enjoyed art when I was growing up, but when I started having kids I spent less and less time on it. Now the kids are all grown, I am looking at how I want to spend this next chapter of my life. I am hoping art will be a part of it.
I have started working on my drawing and shading skills. I am also very interested in watercolor. I am trying to make it a part of my every day routine. The classes are a big help.
~Lea (like tea)
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Lea (like tea) Welcome to the friendliest group of like minded people you will meet. You fit right in as I believe a majority of those that participate in this community are of retired age (not old) & have time to devote to their art. I am looking forward to seeing yours.
Jim
Hi Lea @mom2gaggle. Welcome to the Forum. I think you will find this is a very positive and supportive place, for those with all levels of experience. Watercolor is the media I have used the longest and I guess I would say it is still my favorite. I also really like artwork with ink washes, either monochromatic or in color. They are a lot like using watercolors.
I look forward to seeing you post some of your work here and responding to posts from other members too.
Terri Robichon
Hello @mom2gaggle . Welcome to the forum. I sure hope you can make your drawing routine part of your lifestyle. All of us here enjoy producing drawing in various mediums, sharing and commenting on others works. Looking forward to seeing yours.
Lenet
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Hi, everybody.
My name is Antonio and I am from Spain.
I am completely new, here and to drawing. I always wished to be able to draw with graphite and have tried several times during the years, with no result. I lacked perseverance as well, probably.
But recently I have learnt to sing, which seemed more than impossible beforehand, so now I am changing my mind to accept that maybe I just need to give it another try… and try, and keep trying… 
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Welcome Antonio, this is a great community to be a part of. Just ask for help & it will be there.
Jim
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Thank you so much!
Antonio
Hi Antonio - We all had to start to learn at some time, so we’ve all been in your shoes. Welcome to The Virtual Instructor and more specifically to the Forum.
You will find that this is a very positive and supportive place to hang out and make friends from all over the world. You should feel comfortable posting the things you are working on that are partially done, whether it is from a lesson or an original work of art. Completed artwork is perfect too. This is where we share our work and ask questions. If you want feedback on how to improve your work, you need to ask, because usually we will reserve most comments to the positive things that you’ve done well.
I also hope that you will comment on work that others have posted.
Since you are new and getting to know your way around, there are two things I’d like to recommend. First is the Members Minute which is under the “community” tab. Once a week (for about a half hour) Matt will critique an original piece of work that a member has submitted. Whether this is your own work, or was created by someone else, I suggest you watch these every week (or even watch some of the older ones). No matter what media was used or the experience level of the artist, I guarantee you will learn a lot by watching these.
Secondly, I wanted to make you aware of the Live Lessons. You can always watch the recorded versions, but they are Live on Wednesday nite. If you are awake in your part of the world when they are live, it’s fun to join in. There is a chat box and you can ask Matt or Ashley questions about anything art related.
Above all else, don’t be too critical of yourself and have fun!!!
Terri Robichon
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Hello Antonio.
First welcome to the Virtual Instructor Form and Website if you are also a member.
There are many graphite courses as well as live lessons in the membership program. The courses go step by step. I did all of them and my ability to draw improved dramatically.
Also, the critiques are a great place to learn about so many important elements of art. I watched all of them when I first joined. If you do join a live lesson, you can ask questions real time in the chat to Matt and his friend Ashley, as well as see other mediums in action.
Also, if you are a member there are some really great graphite live lessons. If you watch Getting Sketchy on YouTube you will see some quick sketches in action.
Like James, said this forum is friendly and there are many very helpful people who will answer questions and encourage you to keep practicing, practicing, practicing, as Matt says.
Congratulations on learning to sing, another form of art expression.
Again, welcome and we look forward to seeing some of your artwork.
Bienvenida!
Teri
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