{"id":38417,"date":"2022-04-22T13:34:15","date_gmt":"2022-04-22T13:34:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/members\/?page_id=38417"},"modified":"2026-04-07T12:32:40","modified_gmt":"2026-04-07T12:32:40","slug":"jellyfish-with-graphite-pencils","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/members\/jellyfish-with-graphite-pencils","title":{"rendered":"Jellyfish with Graphite Pencils"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"coursetitlecontainer\">\n<div class=\"coursetitle\">\n<h1>Jellyfish with Graphite<\/h1>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"coursetitledes\"><span>CLASS<\/span><i class=\"far fa-chart-bar\" style=\"margin-left:10px; margin-right:5px;\"><\/i>Advanced<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/p>\n<div class=\"insertbackground\">\n<div class=\"removep\">\n<div class=\"videoflexwrapper\">\n<div class=\"videotop\">\n  <iframe loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/player.vimeo.com\/video\/714109481?h=429391b8bf\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"autoplay; fullscreen; picture-in-picture\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<div style=\"clear:both;\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"sidebartop\">\n<div class=\"vertalign\">\n<div class=\"logoimage\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/members\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/logosmall75.png\"><\/div>\n<p>\n    <div class=\"sidebarcarddescriptiondark\">\n<span>JOIN THE VIRTUAL INSTRUCTOR<\/span><br>\n    Get ALL of our courses, ebooks, live lessons, critiques, lesson plans and more today.\n<\/div>\n    <\/p>\n<div class=\"sidebarbuttonholder\"><a href=\"https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/members\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"sidebuttonsmem\">START FREE TRIAL<\/div>\n<p><\/a><\/p>\n<div class=\"separator\" style=\"margin-top:1em;\">or<\/div>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/members\/register-ll-jellyfish\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"sidebuttons\">BUY CLASS $57<\/div>\n<p><\/a>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div style=\"clear:both;\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"courseperkscontainer\">\n<div class=\"courseperks\"><span>This lesson series features:<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"courseperks\"><i class=\"far fa-clock\" style=\"margin-right:10px;\"><\/I>5 Hours of Instruction<\/div>\n<div class=\"courseperks\"><i class=\"fas fa-film\" style=\"margin-right:10px;\"><\/I>5 Videos<\/div>\n<div style=\"clear:both;\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div style=\"clear:both;\"><\/div>\n<p>\n\n<div class=\"contentfix\">\n<div class=\"favorites\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tabs\">\n<p> <input name=\"tabs\" type=\"radio\" id=\"tab-1\" class=\"input\"\/><br \/>\n  <label for=\"tab-1\" class=\"label\">Lessons <i class=\"fas fa-angle-down\" style=\"margin-left:2px;\"><\/i><\/label><\/p>\n<div class=\"panel\">\n<h2>Lessons<\/h2>\n\n<\/p>\n<p><div class=\"curriculumcontainer\">\n<a href=\"https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/members\" class=\"curriculum\"><i class=\"fas fa-lock\" style=\"margin-right:5px;\"><\/i>Lesson 1: (1:08:38)<\/a><br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/members\" class=\"curriculum\"><i class=\"fas fa-lock\" style=\"margin-right:5px;\"><\/i>Lesson 2: (1:12:43)<\/a><br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/members\" class=\"curriculum\"><i class=\"fas fa-lock\" style=\"margin-right:5px;\"><\/i>Lesson 3: (1:10:35)<\/a><br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/members\" class=\"curriculum\"><i class=\"fas fa-lock\" style=\"margin-right:5px;\"><\/i>Lesson 4: (1:02:43)<\/a><br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/members\" class=\"curriculum\"><i class=\"fas fa-lock\" style=\"margin-right:5px;\"><\/i>Lesson 5: (1:04:13)<\/a>\n<\/div>\n<\/p>\n<p><\/div>\n<p><input name=\"tabs\" type=\"radio\" id=\"tab-2\" checked=\"checked\" class=\"input\"\/><br \/>\n  <label for=\"tab-2\" class=\"label\">About <i class=\"fas fa-angle-down\" style=\"margin-left:2px;\"><\/i><\/label><\/p>\n<div class=\"panel\">\n<h2>About This Lesson Series...<\/h2>\n<p>\nThe <em>Jellyfish with Graphite Pencils<\/em> lesson series is an in-depth, multi-part drawing course dedicated to creating a detailed and expressive graphite illustration of a jellyfish. Taught through approximately five hours of instruction across five videos, this series guides students step-by-step through every stage of developing a compelling drawing using traditional graphite pencils, powdered graphite, and a variety of erasers on high-quality Stonehenge Polar White paper. :contentReference[oaicite:0]{index=0}\n<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/members\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/jelly-fish-drawing.jpg\" alt=\"Jellyfish drawing with graphite\"><\/p>\n<h2>Composition and Contour Drawing<\/h2>\n<p>\nThe series begins with a foundational discussion about composition and subject placement. In the first lesson, students lightly sketch the jellyfish\u2019s overall form and contours using a 2H graphite pencil. This stage emphasizes structure and proportion, ensuring the dynamic shape of the jellyfish \u2014 with its flowing bell and tentacles \u2014 is well established before value work begins.\n<\/p>\n<h2>Powdered Graphite and Erasing Techniques<\/h2>\n<p>\nIn lesson two, the focus shifts to applying powdered graphite across broader areas of the drawing. Powdered graphite allows for smooth value transitions and acts as a versatile underpainting that can be shaped and refined with erasers. Students learn how to use tools like vinyl, kneaded, and electric erasers to lift graphite and begin defining the jellyfish\u2019s soft body and delicate structures against the paper.\n<\/p>\n<h2>Increasing Contrast on the Jellyfish Head<\/h2>\n<p>\nThe third lesson dives deeper into value control. Here, students add and subtract graphite strategically to intensify the contrast on the jellyfish\u2019s head, carefully balancing light and dark areas to create form and dimension. This process involves layering graphite with pencils of varying grades and then sculpting the surface with erasers to enhance highlights and shadowed regions.\n<\/p>\n<h2>Developing Tentacles<\/h2>\n<p>\nIn lesson four, work continues on the jellyfish\u2019s head while beginning to develop the long, flowing tentacles. This lesson teaches how to suggest movement through subtle value gradations and controlled graphite application. Students refine edges and value transitions so the tentacles appear fluid and natural, helping reinforce both realism and artistic expression.\n<\/p>\n<h2>Final Details and Adjustments<\/h2>\n<p>\nThe final lesson focuses on completing the remaining tentacles, making final value adjustments, and refining details to unify the drawing. This stage often includes strengthening key contrasts, cleaning up edges, and ensuring the entire piece feels cohesive and balanced. By the end of the series, students walk away with a polished jellyfish drawing as well as a deeper understanding of how to use powdered graphite, traditional graphite pencils, and erasing techniques in concert.\n<\/p>\n<h2>Essential Materials and Skills<\/h2>\n<p>\nThroughout the series, students work with graphite pencils, powdered graphite, blending stumps, and various erasers on Stonehenge Polar White drawing paper. The lessons emphasize both additive and subtractive techniques \u2014 adding graphite to build value and using erasers to create highlights and refine form. This combination supports a dramatic range of values and helps artists develop confidence with graphite as a highly expressive medium.\n<\/p>\n<h2>Specific Lessons<\/h2>\n<h3>Lesson 1 (1:08:38) <\/h3>\n<p>In lesson one, we discuss the composition and draw the contours of the jellyfish with a 2H graphite pencil.<\/p>\n<h3>Lesson 2 (1:12:43) <\/h3>\n<p>In lesson two, we apply powdered graphite and begin erasing out the jellyfish.<\/p>\n<h3>Lesson 3 (1:10:35) <\/h3>\n<p>In lesson three, we increase the contrast on the head of the jellyfish by adding and subtracting graphite.<\/p>\n<h3>Lesson 4 (1:02:43) <\/h3>\n<p>In lesson four, we continue work on the head and begin developing some of the tentacles.<\/p>\n<h3>Lesson 5 (1:04:13) <\/h3>\n<p>In lesson five, we complete the remaining tentacles and make a few last adjustments to complete the drawing.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p>  <input name=\"tabs\" type=\"radio\" id=\"tab-3\" class=\"input\"\/><br \/>\n  <label for=\"tab-3\" class=\"label\">Resources <i class=\"fas fa-angle-down\" style=\"margin-left:2px;\"><\/i><\/label><\/p>\n<div class=\"panel\">\n<h2>Resources for this Lesson...<\/h2>\n<p><i class=\"fas fa-exclamation-triangle\" style=\"margin-right:10px;\"><\/I>Distributing any content downloaded from this site is strictly prohibited and against the terms and conditions of use.<\/p>\n\n<\/p>\n<h4>References<\/h4>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/members\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><i class=\"fas fa-lock\" style=\"margin-right:10px;\"><\/I>Photo Reference<\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/members\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><i class=\"fas fa-lock\" style=\"margin-right:10px;\"><\/I>Finished Result<\/a><\/p>\n<p><\/div>\n<p><input name=\"tabs\" type=\"radio\" id=\"tab-4\" class=\"input\"\/><br \/>\n  <label for=\"tab-4\" class=\"label\">Materials <i class=\"fas fa-angle-down\" style=\"margin-left:10px;\"><\/i><\/label><\/p>\n<div class=\"panel\">\n<h2>Here's what you'll need...<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li>Graphite Pencils<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3LN8Z2j\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Vinyl Eraser<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3aiqqLb\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Electric Eraser<\/a><\/li>\n<li>Kneaded Eraser<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3MUrnI4\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Blending Stumps<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3Goi5S1\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Stonehenge Polar White Drawing Paper<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3lJzP0G\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Powdered Graphite<\/a> (Optional)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>(Disclosure: Links to art materials are affiliate links which means we make a small commission if you purchase at no additional cost to you.)<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"sidebarbottom\">\n<div class=\"relatedcourse\">Your Instructor<\/div>\n<div class=\"instructor\">\n<div class=\"instructorimage\">\n<div class=\"instructorpic\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/images\/mattauthor.jpg\" alt=\"Matt Fussell - Instructor\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"instructorname\">Matt Fussell<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"instructordes\">\n<p>Founder of The Virtual Instructor, artist and teacher. Matt makes learning art easy to understand and enjoyable.<\/p>\n<p><div style=\"padding-top:10px;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/blog\/author\/admin\">Learn more about Matt<\/a><\/div>\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"relatedcoursescontainer\">\n<div class=\"relatedcourse\">Related Courses and Classes<\/div>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/members\/realistic-pencil-drawing\" class=\"sidebarbottom-curriculum\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"leftlean\"><i class=\"far fa-play-circle\" style=\"margin-right:5px;\"><\/i>Realistic Pencil Drawing<\/div>\n<div class=\"rightlean\" style=\"background-image: url('https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/members\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Realistic-Pencil-Drawing-Course.jpg');\"><\/div>\n<div style=\"clear:both;\"><\/div>\n<p><\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/members\/graphite-elephant-live-lesson-series\" class=\"sidebarbottom-curriculum\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"leftlean\"><i class=\"far fa-play-circle\" style=\"margin-right:5px;\"><\/i>Elephant with Graphite<\/div>\n<div class=\"rightlean\" style=\"background-image: url('https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/members\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/GraphiteElephantSmall.jpg');\"><\/div>\n<div style=\"clear:both;\"><\/div>\n<p><\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/members\/rhino-with-graphite-and-white-charcoal\" class=\"sidebarbottom-curriculum\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"leftlean\"><i class=\"far fa-play-circle\" style=\"margin-right:5px;\"><\/i>Rhino with Graphite and Charcoal<\/div>\n<div class=\"rightlean\" style=\"background-image: url('https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/members\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/rhino-7-square.jpg');\"><\/div>\n<div style=\"clear:both;\"><\/div>\n<p><\/a>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div style=\"clear:both;\"><\/div>\n<p><script>\nfunction myFunction(x) {\n  if (x.matches) { \/\/ If media query matches\n    radiobtn = document.getElementById(\"tab-1\");\nradiobtn.checked = true;\n  } else {\n   radiobtn = document.getElementById(\"tab-2\");\nradiobtn.checked = true;\n  }\n}<\/p>\n<p>var x = window.matchMedia(\"(max-width: 981px)\")\nmyFunction(x) \/\/ Call listener function at run time\nx.addListener(myFunction) \/\/ Attach listener function on state changes\n<\/script><br \/>\n<script>\n$(\".curriculumcontainermem a\").click(function(){\n    $('.curriculumcontainermem a.selected').not(this).removeClass('selected');\n    $(this).toggleClass('selected');\n })\n<\/script><br \/>\n<script>\n$(\".curriculumcontainer a\").click(function(){\n    $('.curriculumcontainer a.curriculumselected').not(this).removeClass('curriculumselected');\n    $(this).toggleClass('curriculumselected');\n })\n<\/script><br \/>\n<script>\n    var iframe = document.querySelector('iframe');\n    var player = new Vimeo.Player(iframe);<\/p>\n<p>    player.on('play', function() {\n        console.log('played the video!');\n    });<\/p>\n<p>    player.getVideoTitle().then(function(title) {\n        console.log('title:', title);\n    });\n<\/script><br \/>\n<script>\nfunction PlayVid1() {\nplayer.loadVideo(702015168).then(function() {\n    \/\/ the video successfully loaded\n}).catch(function(error) {\n    switch (error.name) {\n        case 'TypeError':\n            \/\/ the id was not a number\n            break;<\/p>\n<p>        case 'PasswordError':\n            \/\/ the video is password-protected and the viewer needs to enter the\n            \/\/ password first\n            break;<\/p>\n<p>        case 'PrivacyError':\n            \/\/ the video is password-protected or private\n            break;<\/p>\n<p>        default:\n            \/\/ some other error occurred\n            break;\n    }\n});\n}\n<\/script><br \/>\n<script>\nfunction PlayVid2() {\nplayer.loadVideo(704525342).then(function() {\n    \/\/ the video successfully loaded\n}).catch(function(error) {\n    switch (error.name) {\n        case 'TypeError':\n            \/\/ the id was not a number\n            break;<\/p>\n<p>        case 'PasswordError':\n            \/\/ the video is password-protected and the viewer needs to enter the\n            \/\/ password first\n            break;<\/p>\n<p>        case 'PrivacyError':\n            \/\/ the video is password-protected or private\n            break;<\/p>\n<p>        default:\n            \/\/ some other error occurred\n            break;\n    }\n});\n}\n<\/script><br \/>\n<script>\nfunction PlayVid3() {\nplayer.loadVideo(706964340).then(function() {\n    \/\/ the video successfully loaded\n}).catch(function(error) {\n    switch (error.name) {\n        case 'TypeError':\n            \/\/ the id was not a number\n            break;<\/p>\n<p>        case 'PasswordError':\n            \/\/ the video is password-protected and the viewer needs to enter the\n            \/\/ password first\n            break;<\/p>\n<p>        case 'PrivacyError':\n            \/\/ the video is password-protected or private\n            break;<\/p>\n<p>        default:\n            \/\/ some other error occurred\n            break;\n    }\n});\n}\n<\/script><br \/>\n<script>\nfunction PlayVid4() {\nplayer.loadVideo(709554740).then(function() {\n    \/\/ the video successfully loaded\n}).catch(function(error) {\n    switch (error.name) {\n        case 'TypeError':\n            \/\/ the id was not a number\n            break;<\/p>\n<p>        case 'PasswordError':\n            \/\/ the video is password-protected and the viewer needs to enter the\n            \/\/ password first\n            break;<\/p>\n<p>        case 'PrivacyError':\n            \/\/ the video is password-protected or private\n            break;<\/p>\n<p>        default:\n            \/\/ some other error occurred\n            break;\n    }\n});\n}\n<\/script><br \/>\n<script>\nfunction PlayVid5() {\nplayer.loadVideo(714063571).then(function() {\n    \/\/ the video successfully loaded\n}).catch(function(error) {\n    switch (error.name) {\n        case 'TypeError':\n            \/\/ the id was not a number\n            break;<\/p>\n<p>        case 'PasswordError':\n            \/\/ the video is password-protected and the viewer needs to enter the\n            \/\/ password first\n            break;<\/p>\n<p>        case 'PrivacyError':\n            \/\/ the video is password-protected or private\n            break;<\/p>\n<p>        default:\n            \/\/ some other error occurred\n            break;\n    }\n});\n}\n<\/script><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Jellyfish with Graphite CLASSAdvanced Lessons Lessons About About This Lesson Series&#8230; The Jellyfish with Graphite Pencils lesson series is an in-depth, multi-part drawing course dedicated to creating a detailed and expressive graphite illustration of a jellyfish. Taught through approximately five hours of instruction across five videos, this series guides students step-by-step through every stage of [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","template":"paget-iframe.php","meta":{"footnotes":""},"tags":[],"class_list":["post-38417","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/members\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/38417","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/members\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/members\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/members\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/members\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=38417"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/members\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/38417\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":46435,"href":"https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/members\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/38417\/revisions\/46435"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/members\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=38417"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/members\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=38417"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}