The Virtual Art Academy Reviews

(based on 12 reviews)

16 of 33 people found this review helpful

I have painted for many years as a hobby without any art education. I always felt that there was a lot of potential for me to improve my art but never had the time or resources to do anything about it till I discovered Virtual Art Academy. I am over joyed to realize that there is a science behind creating art. Barry Raybould has so wonderfully broken down the material into small lessons and assignments that can be done at your own pace. My only regret is that I wish I knew about Virtual Art Academy much sooner. This is a great opportunity for aspiring artists to learn and improve their art even if they cannot afford to commit full time

In summary, I would recommend The Virtual Art Academy to a friend.

260 of 509 people found this review helpful

I am an intermediate painter and had taught myself until two years ago, when I decided to obtain formal tuition part-time at a studio.

However as this was a group class (for life and still-life drawing and oil painting), the tuition was necessarily limited although of high quality.

I decided then that a home-study course would be useful in addition to the studio. I chose the Virtual Art Academy for several reasons: the quality of the lessons, the number of exercises (250 or so), the online campus and because I like the author's (Barry John Raybould) paintings.

Although I had read some 80 books on how-to topics, this course includes topics that I had not come across before.

I can say that I am enjoying the course very much indeed: learning the material, doing the assignments, as well as benefiting from the camaraderie and critiques of other students online.

The full course of 56 units including 250 assignments costs USD $499.95. This is a lot of money in absolute terms but I have no regrets of having spent the money! I realise too that it is difficult to make a comparison with other courses because of their differing content and material provided.

While any course will... (Read the full review)

In summary, I would recommend The Virtual Art Academy to a friend.

241 of 479 people found this review helpful

I couldn't have found a better course of online painting study, there just isn't one better. Barry John Raybould is a dedicated, teacher, and painter. His continuing research into theory and application promises even more revelations for me as a painter and artist. This isn't a "paint-along" course; Barry teaches the life blood of the subject. I purchased the full course from the get-go, it's worth many times the price, which is very affordable for most anyone. I couldn't be happier with Barry as a mentor, the Virtual Academy Online Campus, and administrative support ... the most caring, result-oriented program I've ever attended.

In summary, I would recommend The Virtual Art Academy to a friend.

278 of 534 people found this review helpful

The "Virtual Art Academy Academy" is the best I could find.
Highly recommended for those who want to learn painting!

In summary, I would recommend The Virtual Art Academy to a friend.

249 of 468 people found this review helpful

Being in an isolated location, and wanting to learn how to paint properly after I retired, I bought the VAA course and have been working on it on my own. It is very practical, easy, and complete, and includes lots and lots of assignments.
It is not a step-by step guide telling you e.g. to mix burnt sienna and cobalt blue to make a shadow, as some books do, but rather a very comprehensive and generous compendium of the knowledge collected by BRJ about composition, colour, technique, and all that goes on inside the brain in relation to painting.
Meanwhile I attended two workshops with Barry J. Raybould. I feel that in a short time I have made enormous progress, both in understanding about art and in actual painting.

In addition to the course, there is a VAA website, where several hundred members around the world share experiences, critiques, tips, advice and cheer.
I warmly recommend this course for anyone capable of the self-discipline needed to do the assignments and assimilate all the lessons.

In summary, I would recommend The Virtual Art Academy to a friend.

243 of 460 people found this review helpful

Hi Everyone

I am a current student of VAA & have been around for about 8 months. What i liked about VAA is the genuineness of their teaching approach. The entire study program has given me a complete insight into what is the science of art. I had been searching for a long time to get a complete foundation, which the art workshops i had been going to failed completely to deliver. Most of these workshops are just for earning money with no benefits for the students. You end up spending a lot for nothing.

After joining VAA I was surprised & happy to find that there are individuals who are selfless in their impart of knowledge & with genuine concern for spreading the knowledge they have. Barry John Raybould has given a gift to people such as me who do not have access to such exposure.

I liked watching the videos of demonstration for important topics that dissect Old Masters painting & defines why their art is great in a simple & easily understandable way. My hope that is that Barry John would provide further demos of actual painting so we could get... (Read the full review)

In summary, I would recommend The Virtual Art Academy to a friend.

237 of 444 people found this review helpful

I have been an artist all my life,struggling along by trial and error,a disorganized manner of frustrating results and a lot of let downs, led to the decision of purchasing the full course.

From the start till the end it has been a guiding hand, the techniques application and assignments are easy to follow and the results for me are of a revelation.

The learning prosess never ceases, and even though I have finished the course there are always reviews and follow ups.
I still have not reached my goal but certainly my creativity,my technique and my style has benefited by these wonderful instructions.
An improvement that would be essential is to have the assignments reviewd by instructors.

I certainly recomend these courses to as many artists profecional and amature, they are certainly a wake up call to how you see and apply.One highly recomended part of the course is the notan composition, and color theory.
Monthly Newsletters are informative and always welcomed monthly assignments, keep artist focused and on the right track.

In summary, I would recommend The Virtual Art Academy to a friend.

232 of 432 people found this review helpful

I enrolled in the full course for VAA nearly six months ago and have been working through it at a steady pace. I am a beginner painter (oils) and for some time had been looking for a course or teacher to show me how to paint competently (until now, in vain). I have been extremely happy with the calibre and quantity of material in this course and couldn't recommend it highly enough. As it is Internet-based, it requires quite a lot of discipline to persevere, so you need to be serious about painting. This is not a course for those who simply wish to dabble, but for those who really do want to become artists. The online forum has been a great help in keeping me motivated. The people are friendly and eager to learn. I was struck by how seriously they take the assignments and this has helped me 'pull up my socks', so to speak and give of my best in each exercise.
I have learnt more in the past six months than in the whole time I have been painting and it feels good knowing I have all the material I need at hand to achieve my goal... (Read the full review)

In summary, I would recommend The Virtual Art Academy to a friend.

248 of 466 people found this review helpful

I discovered The Virtual Art Academy by chance as, I believe, many others have done. It was made clear from the start that this was not a tutor-based method of learning but one in which learning materials were supplied on line, a structured course was mapped out and views and advice on one's work would be given by other members of the Academy, with occasional in-put from the principals.

I decided to take the Beginners' Course after following the advice of the Academy to visit for a while. There is, apart from a monthly Newsletter with advice and general news together with a monthly assignment to do if one wishes, an enormous volume of information, covering many areas of painting with a thoroughness I have met nowhere else. The course is arranged step by step and in areas of interest.

I have tried other, more expensive, distance-learning courses before and have met nowhere near such a student friendly and helpful way to learn. Theinteraction between students on line is both helpful and encouraging; it is not just a matter of saying 'Well done' whenever anyone's work is put for comment. At the same time the level of courtesy is maintained and,... (Read the full review)

In summary, I would recommend The Virtual Art Academy to a friend.

226 of 421 people found this review helpful

I have been very satisfied with my connection to Virtual Art Academy. Although there is no teacher critique the international artists contributing to the discussions teach each others a lot and make it interesting to do the monthly assignments.

In summary, I would recommend The Virtual Art Academy to a friend.