{"id":46960,"date":"2026-04-28T11:42:00","date_gmt":"2026-04-28T11:42:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/members\/?page_id=46960"},"modified":"2026-04-28T11:45:52","modified_gmt":"2026-04-28T11:45:52","slug":"members-minute-4-27-26","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/members\/members-minute-4-27-26","title":{"rendered":"Members Minute 4\/27\/26"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"coursetitlecontainer\">\n<div class=\"coursetitle\">\n<h1><span>The Member's Minute:<\/span> Episode 571<\/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-4-27-26\" \/>\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>Critique of a Unique Mixed Media Artwork<\/h2>\n<p>In this episode of <em>The Members\u2019 Minute<\/em>, Matt takes a close look at a striking mixed media artwork created by Catherine. The piece combines two very different mediums\u2014colored pencil and pen and ink\u2014to create an underwater scene centered around a vividly rendered clownfish. From the beginning, Matt recognizes that Catherine has taken a bold creative risk by merging materials that are not often used together in such a visible way. The result is an artwork that immediately captures attention through its originality and strong visual contrast.<\/p>\n<h3>A Strong and Effective Focal Point<\/h3>\n<p>One of the first strengths Matt identifies is the placement of the focal point. The brightly colored fish stands out dramatically against the monochromatic stippled background, making it impossible for the viewer\u2019s eye to ignore. Because it is the only area containing vibrant color, the fish naturally becomes the center of interest. Matt notes that Catherine positioned the fish slightly below center, which creates a more dynamic composition than if it had been placed directly in the middle of the page.<\/p>\n<p>Using the principles of the rule of thirds, Matt explains that the fish is placed in a visually pleasing location that enhances the overall balance of the artwork. This thoughtful placement helps establish a strong composition while allowing the fish to command attention without overwhelming the rest of the piece.<\/p>\n<h3>Balancing the Composition<\/h3>\n<p>While the focal point is successful, Matt points out that the composition could become even stronger with a few adjustments. Much of the visual weight currently sits in the lower portion of the artwork, where the plants and underwater elements cluster around the fish. The upper section contains a large amount of empty space, which causes the piece to feel slightly bottom-heavy.<\/p>\n<p>To improve this, Matt suggests extending some of the underwater plant forms upward and toward the edges of the page. By carrying those textures higher into the composition, Catherine could better distribute the visual weight and create a stronger sense of movement throughout the entire piece. This would encourage the viewer\u2019s eye to travel around the artwork rather than remaining concentrated at the bottom.<\/p>\n<h3>Excellent Use of Texture and Contrast<\/h3>\n<p>Matt also praises Catherine\u2019s use of texture. The soft blended surfaces of the colored pencil fish contrast beautifully against the stippled pen-and-ink background. This difference in mark-making creates a compelling visual relationship between the smooth organic form of the fish and the textured environment surrounding it.<\/p>\n<p>The contrast between color and black-and-white is especially effective. The fish appears luminous against the darker surroundings, and the layered textures help create depth and atmosphere within the underwater scene. Matt emphasizes that this inventive use of mixed media is one of the artwork\u2019s most memorable qualities.<\/p>\n<h3>Encouraging Creative Experimentation<\/h3>\n<p>Perhaps most importantly, Matt encourages Catherine to continue exploring unconventional combinations of materials. While some artists might avoid mixing colored pencils with pen and ink in this way, Matt sees the experiment as a success. He reminds viewers that some of the most exciting developments in art happen when artists are willing to break traditional rules and trust their instincts.<\/p>\n<p>With a few compositional refinements and subtle value adjustments, Matt believes Catherine\u2019s artwork has the potential to become an even more powerful and unforgettable piece. Her willingness to experiment has already created something bold, imaginative, and full of artistic promise.<\/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 571 Critique of a Unique Mixed Media Artwork In this episode of The Members\u2019 Minute, Matt takes a close look at a striking mixed media artwork created by Catherine. The piece combines two very different mediums\u2014colored pencil and pen and ink\u2014to create an underwater scene centered around a vividly rendered clownfish. [&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-46960","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/members\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/46960","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=46960"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/members\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/46960\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":46964,"href":"https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/members\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/46960\/revisions\/46964"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/members\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=46960"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/members\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=46960"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}