{"id":47306,"date":"2026-06-22T14:38:23","date_gmt":"2026-06-22T14:38:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/members\/?page_id=47306"},"modified":"2026-06-22T14:43:52","modified_gmt":"2026-06-22T14:43:52","slug":"members-minute-6-22-26","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/members\/members-minute-6-22-26","title":{"rendered":"Members Minute 6\/22\/26"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"coursetitlecontainer\">\n<div class=\"coursetitle\">\n<h1><span>The Member's Minute:<\/span> Episode 579<\/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-6-22-26\" \/>\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>Art Critique: Thom\u2019s Mixed Media Piece, \u201cDuality\u201d<\/h2>\n<p>\nIn this Members Minute critique, Matt reviews a creative mixed media artwork submitted by artist Thom. The piece, titled <em>Duality<\/em>, combines charcoal drawing with pastel on Pastelmat paper. Thom\u2019s goal is to merge two realities through the use of two different mediums, presenting part of the image in black and white and part of it in color. Matt immediately praises the originality of the concept, the strong technical control, and the thoughtful way the two media are combined within a single composition. :contentReference[oaicite:0]{index=0}\n<\/p>\n<h2>Composition and Focal Points<\/h2>\n<p>\nMatt begins by analyzing the composition, identifying the apple as the clear primary focal point. Because the apple is rendered in color while the surrounding bottles and glasses are handled in charcoal, it naturally stands out as the most unusual element in the picture plane. Matt explains that anything visually different from the rest of the composition will command attention, and in this case, the apple\u2019s color makes it immediately dominant.\n<\/p>\n<p>\nA secondary focal point appears in the background among the glasses and wine bottles. Matt notes that repetition, overlapping forms, and strong value contrast pull the viewer\u2019s eye into this area after first noticing the apple. He also observes a triangular flow between the apple, the glass and bottle area, and the shadow, which helps keep the viewer\u2019s eye moving through the artwork. This movement strengthens the overall composition and prevents the eye from becoming stuck in one place.\n<\/p>\n<h2>Rule of Thirds and Visual Structure<\/h2>\n<p>\nMatt also evaluates the composition using the rule of thirds. The apple overlaps one of the lower intersecting points, while the glasses and bottles align closely with other key horizontal and vertical divisions. These placements help reinforce the strength of the composition. Matt describes the overall arrangement as successful, with a clear primary focal point, a useful secondary area of focus, and an effective triangular path of movement.\n<\/p>\n<h2>Contrast Between the Two Realities<\/h2>\n<p>\nA major feature of Thom\u2019s artwork is the dramatic contrast between the black-and-white charcoal background and the colorful pastel apple in the foreground. Matt praises this contrast as central to the idea of duality. However, he also notes that the white foreground area is extremely stark and creates a very strong contrast against both the apple and the charcoal background. He suggests that adding a slight touch of warm, earthy yellow or cream to the white area could soften the transition and help the color relationships feel more complete.\n<\/p>\n<h2>Value and Light Source<\/h2>\n<p>\nMatt then discusses value, emphasizing its importance in describing form, texture, and light. He notes that Thom has achieved a full range of values, from the darkest darks to the lightest lights. When the color is removed digitally, the piece still functions as a strong black-and-white drawing, demonstrating the solidity of the value structure.\n<\/p>\n<p>\nThe main area for improvement involves consistency of the light source. On the apple, the highlight and cast shadow suggest that the light is coming from the right. However, some highlights on the bottles and glasses appear to suggest light coming from the left. Matt explains that while glass can create complex reflections, a more consistent light direction would help unify the two realities and make the overall scene feel more cohesive.\n<\/p>\n<h2>Color and Mixed Media Handling<\/h2>\n<p>\nMatt strongly praises Thom\u2019s use of color in the apple and shadow. The warm reds of the apple contrast beautifully with the cool blue shadow, creating a natural yet visually striking relationship. He also points out the thoughtful pastel marks, small color accents, purples in the core shadow, and painterly surface quality of the apple. These touches give the colored portion of the work both realism and expressive energy.\n<\/p>\n<p>\nThe handling of materials is described as excellent. Matt notes that Pastelmat is an ideal surface for combining charcoal and pastel because of its fine, sanded texture. He compliments the careful details in the leaf and stem, the deliberate pastel strokes, and the strong contrast between the organic apple and the glass objects behind it.\n<\/p>\n<h2>Final Assessment<\/h2>\n<p>\nOverall, Matt describes Thom\u2019s artwork as exceptional, creative, and very well executed. The composition is strong, the concept of duality is successful, and the combination of charcoal and pastel is handled with skill. His main suggestions are to watch the consistency of the light source and consider adding a subtle tone to the white foreground. With those refinements, an already powerful mixed media piece could become even more unified and visually complete.\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\/the-charcoal-drawing-course\" class=\"sidebarbottom-curriculum\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"leftlean\"><i class=\"far fa-play-circle\" style=\"margin-right:5px;\"><\/i>The Charcoal Drawing Course<\/div>\n<div class=\"rightlean\" style=\"background-image: url('https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/members\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Charcoal-Drawing-Course.jpg');\"><\/div>\n<div style=\"clear:both;\"><\/div>\n<p><\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/members\/dog-portrait-with-pastels\" class=\"sidebarbottom-curriculum\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"leftlean\"><i class=\"far fa-play-circle\" style=\"margin-right:5px;\"><\/i>White Dog with Pastels<\/div>\n<div class=\"rightlean\" style=\"background-image: url('https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/members\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/White-Dog-with-Pastels-Class-400.jpg');\"><\/div>\n<div style=\"clear:both;\"><\/div>\n<p><\/a><\/p>\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>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div style=\"clear:both;\"><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The Member&#8217;s Minute: Episode 579 Art Critique: Thom\u2019s Mixed Media Piece, \u201cDuality\u201d In this Members Minute critique, Matt reviews a creative mixed media artwork submitted by artist Thom. The piece, titled Duality, combines charcoal drawing with pastel on Pastelmat paper. Thom\u2019s goal is to merge two realities through the use of two different mediums, presenting [&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-47306","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/members\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/47306","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=47306"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/members\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/47306\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":47310,"href":"https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/members\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/47306\/revisions\/47310"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/members\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=47306"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/members\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=47306"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}