{"id":46647,"date":"2026-04-13T20:21:36","date_gmt":"2026-04-13T20:21:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/members\/?page_id=46647"},"modified":"2026-04-21T10:28:36","modified_gmt":"2026-04-21T10:28:36","slug":"members-minute-4-13-26","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/members\/members-minute-4-13-26","title":{"rendered":"Members Minute 4\/13\/26"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"coursetitlecontainer\">\n<div class=\"coursetitle\">\n<h1><span>The Member's Minute:<\/span> Episode 569<\/h1>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"favorites\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/p>\n<div class=\"insertbackground\">\n<div class=\"removep\">\n<div class=\"videoflexwrapper\">\n<div class=\"videotop\">\n<div class=\"hero\">\n<div class=\"overlay\">\n<div class=\"logincenter\"><div class=\"ws-plugin--s2member-sc-login\"><div class=\"ws-plugin--s2member-pro-login-widget\">\n<form method=\"post\" action=\"https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/members\/wp-login.php\" class=\"ws-plugin--s2member-pro-login-widget-form\">\n<div class=\"ws-plugin--s2member-pro-login-widget-username\">\n<label for=\"ws-plugin--s2member-pro-login-widget-username\">Username or Email:<\/label><br \/>\n<input type=\"text\" name=\"log\" id=\"ws-plugin--s2member-pro-login-widget-username\" class=\"form-control\" title=\"Username\" \/>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"ws-plugin--s2member-pro-login-widget-password\">\n<label for=\"ws-plugin--s2member-pro-login-widget-password\">Password:<\/label><br \/>\n<input type=\"password\" name=\"pwd\" id=\"ws-plugin--s2member-pro-login-widget-password\" class=\"form-control\" title=\"Password\" \/>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"ws-plugin--s2member-pro-login-widget-lost-password\">\n<a href=\"https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/members\/wp-login.php?action=lostpassword\" tabindex=\"-1\">forgot password?<\/a>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"ws-plugin--s2member-pro-login-widget-remember-me\">\n<label><input type=\"checkbox\" name=\"rememberme\" value=\"forever\" \/>Remember Me<\/label>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"ws-plugin--s2member-pro-login-widget-submit\">\n<input type=\"hidden\" name=\"redirect_to\" value=\"https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/members\/members-minute-4-13-26\" \/>\n<input type=\"hidden\" name=\"redirect_to_automatic\" value=\"1\" \/>\n<input type=\"submit\" class=\"btn btn-primary\" value=\"Log Me In\" \/>\n<\/div>\n<\/form>\n<div class=\"ws-plugin--s2member-pro-login-widget-code\">\n<\/div>\n<div style=\"clear:both;\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<p><\/p>\n<div class=\"loginlogout\">You must be logged in to access this lesson.<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\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<div class=\"sidebarcarddescriptiondark\"><span>JOIN THE VIRTUAL INSTRUCTOR<\/span><br \/>\n    Get ALL of our courses, ebooks, live lessons, critiques, lesson plans and more today.<\/div>\n<div class=\"sidebarbuttonholder\"><a href=\"https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/members\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"sidebuttonsmem\">START FREE TRIAL<\/div>\n<p><\/a><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div style=\"clear:both;\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div style=\"margin-bottom:10px;\"><\/div>\n<p>\n\n<div class=\"contentfix\" style=\"padding-top:20px;\">\n<div class=\"tabs\">\n<div class=\"panel\">\n<h2>Exploring Composition and Impact in Terri\u2019s Watercolor<\/h2>\n<p>In this week\u2019s \u201cMembers\u2019 Minute,\u201d instructor Matt takes a close look at a stunning watercolor painting created by Terri. From the outset, Matt highlights Terri\u2019s dedication and growth as an artist, noting that her consistent practice is clearly reflected in the professional quality of her work. This particular piece, a 9\" x 12\" watercolor, showcases not only technical skill but also a strong understanding of visual composition.<\/p>\n<h2>A Strong and Intentional Composition<\/h2>\n<p>One of the most successful aspects of Terri\u2019s painting is its composition. Matt points out the effective placement of the horizon line low in the picture plane. This decision places greater emphasis on the expansive sky above, allowing the clouds to dominate the visual experience. By avoiding a centered horizon line, Terri creates a more dynamic and engaging composition that guides the viewer\u2019s eye with purpose.<\/p>\n<p>The focal point of the painting\u2014a solitary barn\u2014stands out clearly. Its uniqueness within the scene, as the only man-made structure, naturally draws attention. This is further enhanced by strong value contrast, with darker tones placed against lighter ones, making the barn visually compelling. Additionally, subtle compositional elements such as directional lines in the clouds, the road leading to the barn, and the upward movement of grass blades all guide the viewer\u2019s eye toward this focal point.<\/p>\n<h2>Creating Depth and Space<\/h2>\n<p>Terri\u2019s painting also excels in creating the illusion of depth. Matt explains how the variation in size\u2014larger cloud shapes in the foreground and smaller ones receding into the distance\u2014helps establish spatial relationships. Overlapping elements and the use of perspective in the barn further enhance this sense of depth, inviting viewers to visually step into the scene.<\/p>\n<p>The balance within the composition is also noteworthy. Despite having more visual weight near the bottom of the painting, the expansive sky above provides equilibrium. This thoughtful distribution of visual elements results in a composition that feels stable yet dynamic.<\/p>\n<h2>Effective Use of Value and Light<\/h2>\n<p>Value\u2014the lightness or darkness of color\u2014is handled exceptionally well in this piece. Matt demonstrates that even when the color is removed, the painting remains strong, indicating a full and effective range of values. The light source, though subtle due to the cloudy setting, is still clearly communicated through the careful placement of highlights and shadows, particularly on the barn.<\/p>\n<p>Matt does suggest a minor improvement in the foreground, where increasing the range of darker values in the grasses could enhance contrast and further strengthen the illusion of depth. This small adjustment could elevate an already strong composition.<\/p>\n<h2>Color Harmony and Final Thoughts<\/h2>\n<p>The painting utilizes a limited color palette, contributing to a harmonious and unified look. Natural hues of blues, greens, and earth tones work together effectively without overwhelming the viewer. While Matt notes that introducing complementary colors could add contrast, he emphasizes that the current palette is already highly successful.<\/p>\n<p>Overall, Terri\u2019s watercolor painting is a beautifully executed work that demonstrates strong compositional choices, effective value control, and a keen sense of color harmony. Matt commends her continued growth and encourages her to keep creating and sharing her artwork.<\/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\/old-barn-with-watercolor\" class=\"sidebarbottom-curriculum\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"leftlean\"><i class=\"far fa-play-circle\" style=\"margin-right:5px;\"><\/i>Old Barn with Watercolor<\/div>\n<div class=\"rightlean\" style=\"background-image: url('https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/members\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Watercolor-Barn-sq.jpg');\"><\/div>\n<div style=\"clear:both;\"><\/div>\n<p><\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/members\/the-watercolor-workshop\" class=\"sidebarbottom-curriculum\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"leftlean\"><i class=\"far fa-play-circle\" style=\"margin-right:5px;\"><\/i>The Watercolor Workshop<\/div>\n<div class=\"rightlean\" style=\"background-image: url('https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/members\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Watercolor-Workshop-Course.jpg');\"><\/div>\n<div style=\"clear:both;\"><\/div>\n<p><\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/members\/line-and-wash\" class=\"sidebarbottom-curriculum\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"leftlean\"><i class=\"far fa-play-circle\" style=\"margin-right:5px;\"><\/i>Line and Wash<\/div>\n<div class=\"rightlean\" style=\"background-image: url('https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/members\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Line-and-Wash-Course.jpg');\"><\/div>\n<div style=\"clear:both;\"><\/div>\n<p><\/a>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div style=\"clear:both;\"><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The Member&#8217;s Minute: Episode 569 Exploring Composition and Impact in Terri\u2019s Watercolor In this week\u2019s \u201cMembers\u2019 Minute,\u201d instructor Matt takes a close look at a stunning watercolor painting created by Terri. From the outset, Matt highlights Terri\u2019s dedication and growth as an artist, noting that her consistent practice is clearly reflected in the professional quality [&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-46647","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/members\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/46647","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=46647"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/members\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/46647\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":46649,"href":"https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/members\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/46647\/revisions\/46649"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/members\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=46647"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/members\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=46647"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}