Hi everyone, I am thinking of learning to draw in my late 30s. I’ve never drawn before, or ever been in any way creative. I would initially like to be able to draw a realistic portrait of my new nephew in coloured pencil (although I am not really familiar with art forms so I could definitely become interested in other media), but would also like to learn non-portrait coloured drawings, as well as graphite. I had a few questions as I am considering joining the annual membership but am unsure:
Do you think it’s possible for someone like me, who has never been creative and is very logical in the way I think, to learn how to draw? Do you think the membership would be worthwhile?
I was browsing some of the curricula and noticed that the lessons seem to be quite short (e.g. Shape is 8m 19s, Value 11m 59s, Graphite 9m, Composition 12m 20s, Reflection & Transparency 15m 56s, etc.). Are the lessons designed for beginners and students will actually learn to draw things in them? I ask as the lessons seem like quite a short period of time to learn so just wanted to make sure I understand correctly.
There are some longer videos of “Lessons” which are accessible on the site currently (e.g. How to Draw a Doughnut with Colored Pencils, 16m 15s, or How to Draw a Realistic Cupcake, 18m 51s). Are these the full lessons or do members get access to more tuition for these “Lesson” videos?
Welcome to the Forum. A welcoming place where we are here to support those with all levels of experience. I’m hopeful you also decide to join The Virtual Instructor. You will never be sorry. It is also worth noting that anyone can go thru the sign-up process which starts with a FREE TRIAL. You don’t pay until the end of the trial. You have nothing to lose.
Now I will respond to your questions. I am both creative and logical. And the logical part of me says YES, it’s time to join. I’ve tried out memberships on other on-line sites, but the thing that really stands out is how many different media are taught here, whereas other instructors just specialize in a couple of media. I have also found that many on-line sites are run by those who are self-taught artists. Matt who created this site years ago, and his artist friend Ashley, who helps out with some of the lessons, both have college degrees in art education, and they have (or in Ashely’s case still do) work as Art Instructors in the school system. So, they know how to teach and are very open to answering your questions in any of the live chats (either during the recording of the weekly live lessons, or on YouTube during Gettin Sketchy.
Regarding how long the lessons are and if they are in depth enough to actually learn: There are lessons of various lengths. Some may be a part of a class, which is cut down into manageable bite size pieces to walk you thru the process without overwhelming you. And yes, there are classes designed for Beginners, and others better suited to those with some experience. In other words, there is something for everyone and so much content you will never run out of things to learn. And when you see lessons here, they are in “real time” and don’t just fast forward thru the content. Some of them even have ebooks with written instructions that follow the video lessons. It sounds like the Course called . . . 25 days to Better Drawings . . . and the one called . . . The Secrets to Drawing . . . may be a good ones for you to check out.
Another member benefit that I suggest to one and all, is to set aside a half hour every week to watch the MEMBERS MINUTE. It can be found under the community tab. You will learn a lot there as Matt critiques original artwork that has been submitted by a member. And if you have time, go back and watch some of the older episodes as well.
I’m not sure I can answer your last question. I just don’t have the time right now to search out the lessons you are asking about. But I hope what I did tell you will be helpful.
OH, one more thing. I just noticed that the 30% Summer Sale is still available. You’d be crazy not to sign up now when you can get a whole year for just $67.90 - but who knows how long that opportunity will last.
A quick answer - As a beginner/intermediate artist it is the best decision I ever made. There is always something new to learn and Matt and his friend Ashley are both excellent teachers.
It is worth every penny.
I highly recommend the membership. you won’t find a better price anywhere else either.
Thanks Terri! Which would you recommend doing first, “The Secrets to Drawing”, “25 Days to Better Drawing”, “Pencil Drawing - The Guide to Graphite”, or just go straight to “The Colored Pencil Course”?
In addition what Terri & Teri already have written, here are some “quotes” from Matt that really changed my life:
You don’t know what you don’t know.
Take your time.
There is no such thing than talent, or talent is the result of practice.
When I started my artistic journey on TVI a few years back, I first followed “25 days of better drawing”, moved on to “The secrets to drawing” and dived into “Subjects with pen and ink” afterwards. As portraits are the most difficult subjects for me, these lessons are still waiting.
TVI is a wonderful place to grow and meet others, to learn and have fun, to get motivated and explore your own creativity.
You can definently start drawing at your age. I’m 54 and only picked it up again last year. Yes, some of the videos are short some are long, and sometimes a piece is diveded into many videos of about an hour in length. Like I have been working on the landscape in graphite - and I don’t exactly remeber how long it is, but well over 8 hours, possible 10 hours. But it is divede into sevral shorter videos, so it may appear as if it is a short video, but it is really 8-10 videos on this one image. You will see as you dive into the platform. I oftyen watch the video first and then draw afterwards. And I am WAY slower than Matt - there is no keeping up with him, so an 8 min. video may easily take me 30 min. to draw because I am not that skilled.
Thanks for sharing your experience! Do you watch a video all the way through and then go back and rewatch it as you draw? Or do you watch it once and then draw without re-watching it?
It depends. Sometimes it doesn’t make much sense to rewatch - I rather download the ebook and look at that while working, so that I can work in my own pace, and sometimes I draw along, but then I usually have to pause the video often, and I find that breaks my concentration a bit. Also the videos are edited. If you work in a medium where theres drying time, obviously the drying time is edited out of the video. For instance in the class called Colour Pencil Plus, you use colour pencils in combination with some other media such as Posca pens, markers or water colour. Especially with watercolour there is a lot of drying time which is edited out of the videos.
Sorry, I joined as a more experienced artist, so I’ve never done any of those myself. Instead, I like the live lessons which I try to watch live. Or I pick a specific media I’m trying to learn, or a specific drawing that appeals to me. No rhyme or reason. I just jump all over the place.
I started as an unexperienced and started with all of the drawing courses with graphite. I think that after going through the graphite courses you will get a feel of what you want to go to next.
The best thing of going through all the graphite courses is that you can use different concepts and practice with different ways to reinforce your skills.
I would start with 25 days to better drawing as Buddy suggested. I would also look at some of the graphite live classes where it is real time and you can follow along. There are multiple classes at different skill levels.
I generally watch first then go back and do the course, but that’s just my method. I can get a feel for where I am going before starting myself. Kind of like looking at a map and mapping out a trip before going on it.
I do hope you join the Virtual Instructor and move forward developing skills like the rest of us.
