Welcome to the Virtual Instructor forum and hopefully to the VI membership.
I find taking one step at a time, one medium at a time, one project at a time and practice practice practice that I have seen great improvement.
I to came to the VI by watching Getting Sketchy and other tutorials on YouTube.
In every lesson and tutorial there is so much to learn, but what has helped me the most (if you are a member) is the Critiques. You can watch them any time, they come out once a week, and there is a certain repetition that helps to instill basic elements of art into, what I call, my mental toolbox.
At the live lessons, if you are up for them, you can ask questions about art, we are a tight nit friendly group and can work along side Matt and Ashley in a variety of mediums. Some to just watch and learn and others to participate in. It is really fun and educational.
So again, welcome to the forum. I don’t get on as much as I like but when I do I hope to see some of your artwork.
Hello everyone! I’ve been following virtual instructor’s free things for a while and I’m so excited to finally be able to fully dive in to all the lessons. I’ve been doing art for as long as I can remember. I took in-person art lessons when I was younger, but stopped after my teacher passed away. Since then, I’ve mostly practiced on my own, and I’m so excited to be able to do more in-depth, structured practice again and to get outside critique on my work.
Graphite is definitely my favorite medium, but I also do pastels, charcoal, and watercolor, and I want to try pen and ink very soon.
Welcome to The Virtual Instructor and more specifically, the Forum. We are a very positive and supportive group of friends. Please share your work here, feel free to ask questions, and comment on other members posts too.
I suggest to everyone that they set aside a half hour each week to watch the members minute/critique. You will see a wide variety of skill levels , media and different styles. But above all, there will always e something that you learn.
Happy New Year. Hope to see some of your art, whether from a lesson or an original.
Hello, I am Jerry, 82 years young and just starting back drawing after many years. I live near Dallas, Texas, and yes, I have a horse.
I really like Matt’s teaching method. I just started the 25 days course. I think that I will be here a long time. Thank you Matt.
Welcome to the Virtual Instructor forum and community.
I too really enjoy Matt’s style of teaching.
If you get a chance we would welcome you to join the live lesson’s on Wednesday night’s at 8pm. You can ask questions live to Matt and also Ashley who helps him. Also you can ask fellow students. art related questions. If you do visit let everyone know it’s your first time and ask questions to Matt in all capital letters.
The other opportunity we have to learn from is the weekly Critique, also known as the members minute. I went back and watched all of them the first year of my membership, three years ago.
You can submit artwork and possibly Matt will choose it to critique.
I don’t get on the forum often but do hope you will share your art with us. I’ll keep an eye out for your handle. when I do.
Again, welcome and I hope to see you and your artwork around here.
So nice to have you join us here on the forum. We’re a supportive group of artists with a variety of skill levels and look forward to you sharing some of your drawings, either from the lessons or your own originals.
welcome , great that you started drawing again ! I hope you enjoy this group , it has very supportive and encouraging members and I am sure in combination with following the courses , which can seem a solitary way to learn , seeing what others are doing will help you along so you can teach us a thing or two
Hi All
My name is sue. I’m from the uk. I recently semi-retired as a nurse. Hooray … more time to pursue hobbies such as drawing, which unfortunately has been sat on the back burner for years. I am super excited to join you all on this wonderful website …which appears to have just about everything I am looking for. In my younger years I loved drawing and creating pictures/stories for my kids. Im really looking forward to getting out the colouring pencils again and attempting a painting or two …but for now I intend to start slowly with the beginners drawing courses …making use of my new sketch pad, pencils and ink pens that my son gave me at Christmas.
Happy new year to you all.
I look forward to joining in on this wonderful site and being inspired by the fantastic methods of teaching and other members art work.
you’ll like it here , lots of support also knowledge ability of all sorts all without judgement , we’ll look forward to you sharing your lovely art. I haven’t yet retired as a UK GP goodness knows why not , you must tell me how it feels and encourage me !
It’s great to have you joining us at the Virtual Instructor and on the Forum. The positive environment and support you get here is unlike any other social media platform. Feel free to ask questions, share your own art (either from one of the lessons, or original creations). It’s all good here. Matt is a wonderful teacher, and you are sure to grow your art in unimagined ways.
The thing I suggest to all new folks is that you set aside a half hour a week to check out the Members Minute (found under the Community tab, just like the Forum). Many of us have even gone back and watched them from past months and past years. You’ll see lots of different media, styles and experience levels. You’re sure to learn something with every critique you watch. And some day, you’ll create something yourself that you’ll want to submit for a possible critique on the member’s minute.
Feel free to jump in and comment on posts by others too. That’s the kind of interaction that helps grow some incredible friendships.
I know when I joined three years ago I felt the same way. I did not know where to start and wanted to do everything at once.
As you see Matt is a fantastic teacher as is his friend Ashley who helps him out on getting Sketchy and the live classes on Wednesday night. I know there is a time change but many from around the world watch them live and we enjoy interacting with others, especially on the live class which is like a family.
My recommendation for repetition on the elements of art is to watch the weekly critiques. I have learned so much from these 30 minute segments, one a week. I went back and watched all of them. This was so helpful.
I don’t get on the forum much but will keep an eye out for any artwork you post. We are at all levels of artistic abilities and a positive group encouraging and willing to give advise if you ask for it.
Hello Everyone!
Tyler, from Columbus Ohio, here.
I’m not a very good artist. I’m better than some people I know, but honestly that’s not saying much.
I decided late last year that I was going to learn how to paint acrylics with my girlfriend and we’ve had a lot of fun going down that path, but I started feeling like maybe I wanted to get better at sketching and using that as a base for painting.
Now I’ve found myself wanting to get better at drawing AND painting…
I use an iPad for a lot of sketching and “painting” when I’m not using the paints, but I think I’m going to pick up a new sketchbook and some pencils and work on that route again, too.
Anyway, didn’t really mean to ramble but hey, that’s me. Hope to post some art soon and I’m looking forward to following along in these courses really soon.
Hi Tyler
I joined only 4 days ago. I stopped drawing many years ago… busy life not enough spare time. I thought I wasn’t bad at sketching at the time, but I’m in awe at the amount of knowledge and teaching this site has to offer…basically already I realise I know very little about art! I hope you find it as intriguing and exciting as I have in just 4 days.
Thanks, Sue! I’m just scratching the surface and already enjoying it. I have two young kids that I get every other week and so I’m hoping once they go back to their moms, I can really dive in and spend some more time on it.
I just edited a previous post (by adding your name) that I made a few days ago for Sue @snookypooky.
Hope you don’t mind, but with both of you being new to the forum my opening words apply to both of you. So scroll up and see the longer “welcome to the Forum” post from me to both of you.
good to meet you and hey we are all our greatest and least objective critics , and need to hear other encouraging voices. TVI is a excellent place to learn with lots of other improvers. I mainly draw/sketch , and am here to try other media so would love to see some of your acrylics !
Hi,
I’m Carrie. I live in Washington DC. I’m originally from San Diego. I lived in London for a year.
I’m a beginner and took up art this year. I’m excited to learn. Love this space. Everyone is friendly and supportive. Can’t wait to see how I progress.
Hi Carrie. You are going to do great. I can feel your excitement when I read your words.
One thing I strongly recommend to all new members no matter how much experience they have, is to devote a half hour each week to watching the Members Minute. You will learn a lot. And if you have the time, watch some of the older ones too. There are a LOT of them.
more time to pursue hobbies such as drawing, which unfortunately has been sat on the back burner for years. I am super excited to join you all on this wonderful website …which appears to have just about everything I am looking for. In my younger years I loved drawing and creating pictures/stories for my kids. Im really looking forward to getting out the colouring pencils again and attempting a painting or two …but for now I intend to start slowly with the beginners drawing courses …making use of my new sketch pad, pencils and ink pens that my son gave me at Christmas.