A comprehensive structured self-study course in painting for all media: Oil Painting, Acrylic Painting, Watercolor Painting, Pastel Painting and Plein Air Painting - by artist Barry John Raybould, M.A. Cantab.
Art instruction DVDs featuring well known international artists, Robert Wade, David Taylor, Joseph Zbukvic, Ron Ranson, Ann Blockley, Alvaro Castagnet, David Curtis, David Bellamy, John Yardley, Hazel Soan, John Hoar, John Tookey, Steve Hal...
By adriennePC.
September 20, 2011 at 07:56PM (PST)
Virtual Academy is to my opinion the most exhaustive, efficient and fastest way to learn how to paint I have found on the web thus far.
Barry has developed a well-designed series of courses on the web about fundamental principles in painting, and how to apply these principles.
The well-structured design courses is giving me the discipline I am looking for in my everyday practice in the studio.
I have been fortunate to benefit directly from Barry’s teaching during his workshop in Tuscany. He does share generously his knowledge developed through his personal trials and errors. His approach is unique in terms of analytic understanding; as an intuitive in my way of painting I have found Barry's approach extremely helpful and his workshop invaluable.
I do highly recommend Barry's virtual academy course as the fastest way to learn the principles of painting, and how to paint well.
I am a beginner , and I looked for a course where I could start from scratch and build up. I am still going through the material and don't have much time to put into it but so far it has been very good material to understand and follow. My local instructor told my I was going on the right path with Barry's course. Thanks a lot for sharing all your knowledge with us. Have a wonderful year.
Adriana
By DanPeters123.
January 08, 2011 at 08:43PM (PST)
3
of 3 people
found this review helpful.
Hello,
I would like to recommend the Virtual Art Academy - and tell you about my experience with them.
I have been going to local painting classes for four years and since I have been involved with VAA people have commented how much my painting has improved. As a result their stimulating instruction, I managed, after several years, to develop my own distinctive style.
My involvement started in February 2010 and I am delighted with the material I have received since then. Having studied with the UK's Open University (distance learning university) it all compares very favourably for legibility, accessibility and content. This course answered all the questions I could not find in the vast library of books I purchased (at great expense) and is easy to understand because of the systematic instructions and inspiring approach. Incidentally, there is no time limit or exams - you download the material and study at your own pace. There is forum on the web for extra advice, information and comment.
This is how I got on to the course......
1)A friend suggested I look at the VAA webs site.
2)I did – and enrolled for their free guest news letter. Regular news and details of the course.
3)Liked the newsletter - so I enrolled in the web chat forum and was impressed with the wealth of information and the quality of the other student's work
4)So pleased with the forum, that I bought two of the course units - 'Brushwork' and 'Form'.
5)Benefited greatly from the two units - so I enrolled as a 'Beginner'.
When I have completed the 'Beginners' - I will upgrade to the 'Full Course'.
For those who want to improve, there is much more in this course than I have seen anywhere else. For those who are just starting out - the basic instruction is clear, concise - and more importantly, inspiring.
I recommend anybody signing up for the free newsletter - and taking it from there. I am really glad that is how I started.
I enrolled for the full course - beginners to the 3-year course, mid Dec 2010 and I have nothing but praise for what it offers. I have learnt so much and it has all been exciting and challenging. In addition to this, the Virtual Campus has been the most wonderful find - like-minded people who are at various stages of their expertise and genuine and positive chats with these people have meant this course has an added component ensuring that one does not feel at all isolated in the learning process. What a pleasure!!!
I like the way Barry paints and what he says. Through his course and news letter not only am I painting better but I'm understanding more. My appreciation of art and the great masters has vastly increased since I had the good fortune to find The Virual Art Academy. Michael Daly.
I am an intermediate to advanced painter and have found information at Virtual Art Academy that is not available any where else. The Notan and Tonal composition clicked with me and added that final benefit my work needed.
I am a complete beginner having the urge to learn to paint in oil. I came across Barry's course by chance and after checking out and comparing it with other courses I decided that his style and techniques suit me best. The course has been laid out in a very methodical way and all levels from beginners to advanced painters gain from each step. I am really glad that I gave myself this course as a Christmas present.
This course is for beginners to advanced and worth a fine art degree! Comprehensive, indepth, yet easy to follow, you are able to study in your own time. The on-line forum helps with questions and answers if you get stuck. If you seriously want to be a good artist in any medium, there is no better course on the market. Try it, you can only improve!
I was painting from Jerry Yarnell books and they were turning out very nicely. but every time I tried to paint my own painting, they looked like garbage. I started reading book after book, but then I found the Virtual Art Academy. I bought the full course and it has helped with my transition from being a copier, to an artist. I can design, and paint beautiful paintings now. I find the course very logic, well thought out, the exercises help to teach the lessons, so make sure you do the lessons. Reading the lessons, then painting the exercises help to transition the knowledge learned by reading into instinct. The next time you need a technique, it's there automatically because the lesson was internalized. If you're wanting to become a better artist, this course, and signing up for the online workshop will help to make you a much better artist. Haveing input from the other students makes it more like taking an acredited course. You get the same great eduction, at a fraction of the cost. I can't say enough great things about Virtual Art Academy. Thanks BARRY! Your course has certainly change my life as an artist. Donald Smith
Although I'm in the beginning of the course I feel that this is the right place to study and be a decent painter. That was a life-time dream and seams that following the Full course will be come true!
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