Members of TheVirtualInstructor.com are able to vote on what courses are developed as part of the membership program. Voting takes place as the development and production of current courses conclude, the last being “The Watercolor Workshop”. At the date of this writing, the membership program currently offers 5 complete courses and one mini-course.
As new courses are developed, they are added to the library of courses, recorded Live Lessons, lesson plans, and Member’s Minute episodes that are already available to members. So, the library of educational content continues to grow over time.
Voting for the next member’s course concluded on June 20, 2015 with some very interesting results. Here’s a breakdown…
566 people took part in the voting. Participants were given the following choices:
- Portrait Drawing
- Figure Drawing
- Acrylic Painting
- Digital Drawing and Painting
- Photoshop Crash Course
- Art Marketing
- Other (Participants were able to write in votes)
Here’s a graphical breakdown how the voting went…
As you can see, the voting was very tight, with “Portrait Drawing” squeaking by “Acrylic Painting” by one single vote.
So, what does this mean?
Well, in considering how close the voting was, I don’t think it’s fair to just create the course for “Portrait Drawing” and completely ignore the acrylic painters out there that have been waiting on a course. So, I have made the decision to create BOTH courses. But wait there’s more…(Always wanted to say that.)
Not only will I be releasing both of these new courses, but I will also be releasing a third!
I have been working behind the scenes to create a course on pen and ink drawing as well. So, starting mid-July, I will begin releasing course modules for all three courses as they are created.
A new course module (video and ebook) will be released every week or two for each course until all of the new courses are complete.
Here’s an overview of what will be covered in each of the new courses…
“Portrait Drawing The Smart Way”
This course will be focused on drawing representational portraits with graphite. The goal of this course is to provide the learner with a practical approach to drawing portraits that accurately depict the subject.
Concepts covered include:
- Facial proportions
- Understanding the planes of the face
- Drawing the head from multiple angles
- Using triangulation and the grid technique for accuracy
- Drawing the eye
- Drawing the nose
- Drawing the mouth
- Drawing ears
- Drawing hair
“The Acrylic Painting Academy”
This course will be focused on acrylic painting techniques. The goal of this course is to provide the learner with a comprehensive learning experience in acrylic painting.
Concepts covered include:
- Materials and foundations
- Surfaces and tools
- Stretching and preparing canvas
- Color theory and mixing
- Using mediums
- Underpainting
- Glazing
- Knife painting and Impasto
- Scumbling
- Composition
- Still life painting
- Landscape painting
- Abstract painting
- Varnishing and finishing techniques
“The Pen and Ink Experience”
This course will be focused on drawing with pen and ink, but will also include ink wash techniques. The goal of this course is to provide the learner with a comprehensive learning experience in drawing with pen and ink.
Concepts covered include:
- Materials, tools, and surfaces
- Using line and value
- Shading techniques
- Creating textures
- Landscape drawing
- Portrait drawing
- Still Life drawing
- Ink wash techniques
I expect to start releasing course modules for each of the new courses mid-July. Each module will be released as they are developed (every week or two). Of course, as each module is released, I’ll be sure to let you know through the weekly newsletter. If you do not currently receive the newsletter, you can sign up here. (It’s free.)
I am excited about the new additions to the library and I can’t wait to get these new courses to you. As always, I’d love to hear what you think and what you’d like to see in each of the new courses. Just leave your comment below…
If so, join over 30,0000 others that receive our newsletter with new drawing and painting lessons. Plus, check out three of our course videos and ebooks for free.
These courses look great! Can’t wait for the painting and the pen and ink!
Thanks Nickle!
Thanks Nickle!
Hi Matt wow great course additions.I voted for portraits so I’m.pleased to see it 🙂
I’m fascinated with realistic pencil portraits and this is my goal to create realistic portraits of animals and people so this will be a great course for me, I’m currently on your secrets to drawing course and it’s brilliant I am learning lots, I also am interested in the colour pencils course and pastel landscapes as I also love landscapes as I love nature and anything natural.
I also have a passion for fantasy art so I have a lot of interest and passion for art but I love pencil drawing and also charcoal and pastels but I’ve never had any interest in painting at school I did great sketches that were in my mind ruined by my art teacher making me paint them which never turned out right :-/.
But not just that I just love pencil drawings and I always have.
I’ve actually just about finished a graphite pencil portrait of my best friends 2 collie dogs, I did a sketch of one of her dogs which was my first practice at drawing a dog and she liked it so asked me if I would do one of both her dogs and I said I would try but it will only be as good as the level I am at present as I’m only a student,I said that I want to become much better but it’s a progressive thing!!!
Anyway it’s turned out not too bad I think, all my family think it’s brilliant so I’ve had positive encouragement but now you are doing a critique I’m going to send a photo of it as I would love to know what you think, but I must say I’m a bit nervous as it’s my first critique but I read up in it and I understand how it works and I know that whatever you think of it I know you will give me encouragement but tell me where I need to improve and I would like to know which level you think I’m at and what I can do to improve.
It should be posted soon thanks for everything Matt, you are a great teacher and your courses are great, the secrets to drawing is exactly what I needed to start progressing.
All the best to.you and your family 🙂
Thank you so much Christine!!!
Your very welcome Matt x
Hi, I’m just now noticing these great courses! But, it looks like I’m too late? How can I get started? Thank you for letting me know… Nancy
Hi Nancy,
You’re definitely not too late. All courses are added to the membership program to access whenever you like. I release course modules for new courses as they are developed instead of creating an entire course and then releasing the whole thing. 3 new courses are being developed and released but all of the older courses will always be available.
Thank you for answering so quickly, Matt, but just found your message as it went to my junk folder.
I’m assuming your courses are “videos” and if so, then I have a problem for another year… let me explain: I used to have a little USB Modem for my internet and all was fine for 8 years! I was then talked into an “upgrade” by the same internet company which was a “wi-fi” modem and an 18 month contract and OMG, what a nightmare! I’ve tried watching just a couple of art videos and in just one hour, it used up 1/4 of my entire GBs allowed for the month! And, if I go over the allotted amount, they charge me 4 times what I pay, so it would be €100 for only 15GB! This never, ever happened in 8 years with the little usb modem!! So, I either have to pay the extra €100/month or not join your classes for a year … unless someone out there understands how these systems work and could figure out a way??
I barely know how to turn on a computer, but I so desperately want to take these courses… HELP anyone?!