{"id":46832,"date":"2026-04-21T10:34:21","date_gmt":"2026-04-21T10:34:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/members\/?page_id=46832"},"modified":"2026-04-28T11:46:17","modified_gmt":"2026-04-28T11:46:17","slug":"members-minute-4-20-26","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/members\/members-minute-4-20-26","title":{"rendered":"Members Minute 4\/20\/26"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"coursetitlecontainer\">\n<div class=\"coursetitle\">\n<h1><span>The Member's Minute:<\/span> Episode 570<\/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-4-20-26\" \/>\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>A Thoughtful Pastel Critique of a Chimpanzee Portrait<\/h2>\n<p>\nIn this edition of <em>The Members\u2019 Minute<\/em>, Matt offers an in-depth critique of a beautiful pastel drawing of a chimpanzee created by member Mary. Working on a fine-grit sanded surface with pastel pencils and soft pastels, Mary has created a compelling wildlife portrait that demonstrates both confidence and sensitivity with the medium. Throughout the lesson, Matt carefully analyzes the artwork while highlighting the strengths of the piece and identifying opportunities for growth that can help elevate future pastel drawings.\n<\/p>\n<h2>Understanding Composition and Focal Point<\/h2>\n<p>\nThe lesson begins with a close look at the composition of the artwork. Matt explains how the eyes of the chimpanzee naturally become the focal point because viewers are instinctively drawn to the eyes of living subjects. The placement of the chimp\u2019s face near the center of the picture plane helps strengthen this focal area, while the positioning of the fingers subtly directs the viewer\u2019s gaze back toward the face.\n<\/p>\n<p>\nHowever, Matt also discusses how the composition could become even stronger by considering the empty space in front of the chimpanzee\u2019s gaze. Because the animal appears to be looking toward an open area of the composition, adding a subtle object in that space could create a stronger visual story while improving the balance of the overall design. This discussion demonstrates how thoughtful composition can transform a technically strong drawing into a more emotionally engaging artwork.\n<\/p>\n<h2>The Importance of Value Relationships<\/h2>\n<p>\nOne of the most valuable parts of this lesson focuses on value. Matt explains how value\u2014the lightness or darkness of color\u2014is essential for creating form, depth, and realism. By temporarily removing the color from the image digitally, he reveals how the contrast between light and dark areas affects the illusion of three-dimensional form.\n<\/p>\n<p>\nMatt points out that some transitions between light and shadow appear too abrupt, causing portions of the chimpanzee\u2019s body to feel slightly flat. He demonstrates how smoother gradations of value can help create a more convincing sense of volume. This section reinforces how careful observation of value relationships can dramatically improve any pastel drawing.\n<\/p>\n<h2>Using Color More Effectively<\/h2>\n<p>\nBeyond value, Matt explores the use of color in the portrait. While Mary has captured the local colors of the chimpanzee successfully, he explains how introducing subtle complementary colors into the highlights and shadows could make the drawing feel even richer. Slight warm tones in the light areas and cooler tones in the shadows can create more visual interest while maintaining realism.\n<\/p>\n<p>\nThis portion of the lesson helps artists understand that realistic color often involves more than simply matching what is seen. Strategic color choices can enhance the mood, strengthen contrast, and create a more vibrant final image.\n<\/p>\n<h2>Encouragement for Growing with Pastels<\/h2>\n<p>\nThroughout the critique, Matt emphasizes the importance of continued practice with pastels. He praises Mary\u2019s directional strokes, layered applications, and texture handling while encouraging her to keep refining her control of the medium. The lesson serves as both a technical critique and a source of encouragement for artists exploring pastel for the first time.\n<\/p>\n<p>\nBy studying composition, value, color, and mark-making, viewers gain a deeper understanding of what makes a successful pastel portrait. This lesson offers valuable insight not only for Mary, but for any artist looking to improve their skills with pastel drawing.\n<\/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\/animals-with-pastels\" class=\"sidebarbottom-curriculum\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"leftlean\"><i class=\"far fa-play-circle\" style=\"margin-right:5px;\"><\/i>Animals with Pastels<\/div>\n<div class=\"rightlean\" style=\"background-image: url('https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/members\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Animals-with-Pastels-Course.jpg');\"><\/div>\n<div style=\"clear:both;\"><\/div>\n<p><\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/members\/the-oil-pastel-course\" class=\"sidebarbottom-curriculum\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"leftlean\"><i class=\"far fa-play-circle\" style=\"margin-right:5px;\"><\/i>The Oil Pastel Course<\/div>\n<div class=\"rightlean\" style=\"background-image: url('https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/members\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Oil-Pastel-course.jpg');\"><\/div>\n<div style=\"clear:both;\"><\/div>\n<p><\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/members\/pastel-landscape-mastery\" class=\"sidebarbottom-curriculum\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"leftlean\"><i class=\"far fa-play-circle\" style=\"margin-right:5px;\"><\/i>Pastel Landscape Mastery<\/div>\n<div class=\"rightlean\" style=\"background-image: url('https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/members\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Pastel-Landscape-Mastery-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 570 A Thoughtful Pastel Critique of a Chimpanzee Portrait In this edition of The Members\u2019 Minute, Matt offers an in-depth critique of a beautiful pastel drawing of a chimpanzee created by member Mary. Working on a fine-grit sanded surface with pastel pencils and soft pastels, Mary has created a compelling wildlife [&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-46832","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/members\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/46832","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=46832"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/members\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/46832\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":46965,"href":"https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/members\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/46832\/revisions\/46965"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/members\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=46832"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/members\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=46832"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}