{"id":47345,"date":"2026-07-06T15:01:12","date_gmt":"2026-07-06T15:01:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/members\/?page_id=47345"},"modified":"2026-07-06T15:03:55","modified_gmt":"2026-07-06T15:03:55","slug":"members-minute-7-6-26","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/members\/members-minute-7-6-26","title":{"rendered":"Members Minute 7\/6\/26"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"coursetitlecontainer\">\n<div class=\"coursetitle\">\n<h1><span>The Member's Minute:<\/span> Episode 581<\/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-7-6-26\" \/>\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: Rich\u2019s Graphite Drawing<\/h2>\n<p>In this Members Minute critique, Matt reviews a meaningful graphite drawing submitted by Rich. The artwork was created as a wedding gift for Rich\u2019s youngest son and his new wife, making the piece especially personal. Matt notes that a handmade drawing like this would be a treasured gift and praises the care and thought behind it. The drawing was created on Stonehenge paper, a surface Matt recommends for graphite because of its soft, workable quality. :contentReference[oaicite:0]{index=0}<\/p>\n<h2>Composition and Focal Points<\/h2>\n<p>Matt begins by discussing the composition and points out that the drawing contains competing focal points. His eye is first drawn toward the distant center of the image, where the perspective lines converge. Because the benches, brick lines, vineyard rows, fence posts, and central path all lead back toward the same vanishing point, the viewer\u2019s eye is naturally pulled into the distance.<\/p>\n<p>A secondary focal point appears in the group of barrels near the middle of the composition. The two outer barrels are rendered with more detail and value, but they frame the center barrel, making it stand out. Matt explains that this creates some visual competition and adds to the symmetry of the piece. If Rich were to create the composition again, Matt suggests leaving out the middle barrel to make the design feel more dynamic.<\/p>\n<h2>Perspective and Symmetry<\/h2>\n<p>The drawing makes strong use of one-point perspective. The receding lines of the benches, bricks, path, and vineyard rows all help create a convincing illusion of depth. However, because so many elements lead directly to the center, the composition becomes very symmetrical. Matt explains that symmetrical compositions can work, but they often feel more static. Reducing some of that symmetry would allow the viewer\u2019s eye to move through the piece more naturally.<\/p>\n<h2>Sky and Cropping Suggestions<\/h2>\n<p>Matt also discusses the sky area. Since the horizon line sits in the upper third of the composition, the emphasis is correctly placed on the foreground and middle ground. However, the sky contains very little information. Matt suggests either adding clouds and subtle value changes to support the light source or cropping a small amount from the top to reduce unused space.<\/p>\n<h2>Value and Contrast<\/h2>\n<p>A major part of the critique focuses on value. Matt praises the drawing\u2019s structure but encourages Rich to push the darker values further. The drawing has light areas and some darker areas, but the darkest darks could be strengthened to create a fuller value range. By increasing contrast, the drawing would gain more depth, realism, and visual impact.<\/p>\n<p>Matt demonstrates how darker shadows and stronger contrast would make the light source feel more believable. He especially praises the consistency of the cast shadows and notes that the lighting suggests a bright morning or evening scene.<\/p>\n<h2>Texture and Graphite Handling<\/h2>\n<p>Matt compliments Rich\u2019s control of graphite and the variety of textures throughout the drawing. He especially likes the directional strokes used on the barrels. However, he suggests using less blending in the foreground. Sharper, more deliberate marks near the viewer would create stronger contrast and help separate foreground from background.<\/p>\n<h2>Final Thoughts<\/h2>\n<p>Overall, Matt praises Rich\u2019s drawing as a thoughtful, well-controlled, and meaningful piece. His main suggestions are to push the dark values further, reduce some of the central symmetry, add more texture variety in the foreground, and remove any unnecessary outline-like marks in the distant hills. With these refinements, the drawing would become even stronger while preserving the personal meaning that makes it special.<\/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\/drawing-bootcamp-2-0\" class=\"sidebarbottom-curriculum\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"leftlean\"><i class=\"far fa-play-circle\" style=\"margin-right:5px;\"><\/i>Drawing Bootcamp 2.0<\/div>\n<div class=\"rightlean\" style=\"background-image: url('https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/members\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Drawing-Bootcamp-500.jpg');\"><\/div>\n<div style=\"clear:both;\"><\/div>\n<p><\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/members\/pencil-drawing-the-guide-to-graphite\" class=\"sidebarbottom-curriculum\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"leftlean\"><i class=\"far fa-play-circle\" style=\"margin-right:5px;\"><\/i>The Guide to Graphite<\/div>\n<div class=\"rightlean\" style=\"background-image: url('https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/members\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Pencil-Drawing-The-Guide-To-Graphite-Course.jpg');\"><\/div>\n<div style=\"clear:both;\"><\/div>\n<p><\/a><\/p>\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>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div style=\"clear:both;\"><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The Member&#8217;s Minute: Episode 581 Art Critique: Rich\u2019s Graphite Drawing In this Members Minute critique, Matt reviews a meaningful graphite drawing submitted by Rich. The artwork was created as a wedding gift for Rich\u2019s youngest son and his new wife, making the piece especially personal. Matt notes that a handmade drawing like this would be [&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-47345","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/members\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/47345","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=47345"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/members\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/47345\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":47348,"href":"https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/members\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/47345\/revisions\/47348"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/members\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=47345"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/members\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=47345"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}