Structured online oil & acrylic painting classes and courses, created by award winning artist, Barry John Raybould, M.A.
What We Do
We offer a self-study program of structured online oil painting classes and courses, that are equally suitable for painters using acrylics or watercolor.
Our 3 Differences
The Virtual Art Academy online oil painting classes have three key differences from other online painting classes and courses.
- STRUCTURE
If you are frustrated by your progress in learning how to paint, it is almost certainly because you have a gap in one or more foundational skills. The Virtual Art Academy online painting course is organized into a highly-structured and comprehensive four-year program. This painting course consists of 16 workshops that cover all the painting foundation skills you would learn at a top Art Academy. By filling in the gaps in your knowledge, your paintings will see a steady improvement over time. - CREATED BY AN AWARD WINNING PROFESSIONAL ARTIST
If you want to learn how to paint at the highest level, it is important to learn from a professional painter. Leonardo Da Vinci learned from the Verrocchio, Michelangelo from Ghirlandaio, and so on. They chose top professional artists to learn from so that they would get the best quality information. The Virtual Art Academy online painting course was designed and built by professional artist Barry John Raybould, M.A. Check out his list of awards and fine art website here. - ACTIVITY-BASED LEARNING
You cannot learn painting just by reading books and watching videos. The secret to learning how to paint well is to practice each skill systematically. A unique feature of the Virtual Art Academy is that you get a dedicated discussion forum for each of the 350 structured learning assignments in the program. Each assignment includes all the eBooks, streaming videos, and detailed instructions to help you perform the assignment. You get to interact with other students, in a vibrant and friendly community that will motivate you to master each skill, one-by-one. The secret to success is to build your skills over time. This way you will see steady progress in your painting.
An excellent foundation on so many aspects of painting
When I got word of the course available through Virtual Art Academy, I was very excited for the opportunity to learn what I never knew about painting. VAA has provided me an excellent foundation on so many aspects of painting. The course is organized very logically, provides great examples, diagrams, thorough explanations and worthwhile assignments. I highly recommend this course to anyone with a desire for an in-depth education of art.
Thank you again, Barry, I love this course Jeanne
Read more “An excellent foundation on so many aspects of painting”
Barry gave me a fishing rod so I can catch my own fish
Read more “Barry gave me a fishing rod so I can catch my own fish”
It is wild to see how much I am learning in this course!
I retired last year, and decided I wanted to spend my time in retirement learning how to oil paint. But having never painted before, I wasn’t even sure what to look for in an online painting course. However, I did some searches for “Best Online Oil Painting Courses,” and found several references to VAA.
I signed up for VAA’s ongoing Apprentice Program last October (2023), and I am incredibly glad I did! As a beginner, I didn’t know what I didn’t know, but I didn’t have to: VAA has already mapped it all out for me. It starts out with basic, fundamental stuff, but also teaches me the THINKING that goes in the painting: the composition, my color choices, how to consciously select which darks and lights need to be emphasized, etc.
Bottomline, I am learning how to create paintings that have both visual music and poetry, and it is super fun to see my growth! I cannot recommend this course enough!
Read more “It is wild to see how much I am learning in this course!”
The small steps are easy to do
A great learning platform
The equivalent of a 4 year art education at a fraction of the cost
Read more “The equivalent of a 4 year art education at a fraction of the cost”
Only online learning program I have ever discovered using a training industry best practice
VAA is the only online learning program I have ever discovered using a training industry best practice of incorporating Knowledge and Skills to support learning a new activity. Every building block (Drawing, Form, Observation, Concept, Notan, Composition, Colour, Brushwork) incorporates a “spiral learning” approach where you are introduced to the Knowledge/Skill at one level and then reintroduced to it again elsewhere in the curriculum. Sure genius.
I’ve attended workshops, read books, and watched YouTube videos — and none of them provide the scaffolded approach to learning the VAA offers. If you are just starting your painting journey, start here. If you are a mid level or advanced painter, start here. There is a sense of community with artists around the globe. You are part of a peer to peer learning process bigger than yourself.
As a result of the VAA, I have been juried into several shows, am represented by a local gallery and have been selling my paintings on a consistent basis. VAA curriculum’s approach will grow your ‘artist’s brush’ and aid you in finding your artistic voice. As your basics improve, your art improves. Henry Hensche said, “There is study and there is performance, and we should not confuse the two, study is done for perceptual development, our performances show us where we are in that development, and we must have both…”. VAA curriculum offers both.
I went through the entire curriculum, did every every exercise, and today review my printed books/exercises on an annual basis to keep myself fresh and ready for my next painting adventure.
Onwards/Sideways,
Jay “jbird” Holobach
https://www.jayholobach.com/
No need to buy expensive art books…. Just do the VAA 4 year course. I still refer to it
Read more “No need to buy expensive art books…. Just do the VAA 4 year course. I still refer to it”
comprehensive art education
Your Instructor's Artwork
Here are some examples of the work by your instructor, Barry John Raybould, MA.
How It Works
With its flexible self-study structure, you can systematically follow the program of workshops in your own time, and at your own pace. There are no fixed schedules to follow.
Instead of committing to US$20,000-US$30,000 per year to attend a traditional art school or art academy, you just pay a simple monthly fee to become part of our community. There are no commitments. You can cancel your membership at any time, and owe nothing more. You have absolutely nothing to lose by trying it for a month to see if you like it.
Build Your Own Art Library Of Books On How To Paint
Barry John Raybould is one of the few professional artists that has systematically documented everything he learned on how to paint, over a career spanning 40+ years. Over the duration of your learning program, you will receive his complete Art Reference Library, of 48 eBooks, containing over 1500 information-packed pages. You can download these eBooks and keep them forever. See our online painting classes curriculum.
For Both Absolute Beginners And Experienced Artists
If you are a Beginner Painter, you can take advantage of the highly structured Apprentice Program of Online Painting Classes to master one simple step at a time.
If you are a more Experienced Painter, by following our program you can fill in the gaps in your art education that are holding you back from improving your painting.
Make Art, Not Just Paintings
This online art school is not just about learning how to paint— it is about learning how to create art, using Barry's unique Visual Music & Poetry® approach. Unlike most other online painting courses that mostly focus on techniques, the Virtual Art Academy online art school focuses on the fundamental principles that underly master paintings.
Find And Express Your Own Style
Many courses focus on over simplified, step-by-step procedures, and watching instructor demos. The problem with learning this way is that you will only ever be able to make a copy of a particular instructor's painting and subject matter. You will never acquire the skills to tackle any subject you want.
Our online painting classes are principle-based. This means that you can express your own style and creativity—as you can see from the wide variety of styles painted by Virtual Art Academy Alumni below.
As a result, many of Barry's students have won awards, found galleries to represent their work, been elected as members of art societies, and become full time professional artists.
Testimonials
It is wild to see how much I am learning in this course!
I retired last year, and decided I wanted to spend my time in retirement learning how to oil paint. But having never painted before, I wasn’t even sure what to look for in an online painting course. However, I did some searches for “Best Online Oil Painting Courses,” and found several references to VAA.
I signed up for VAA’s ongoing Apprentice Program last October (2023), and I am incredibly glad I did! As a beginner, I didn’t know what I didn’t know, but I didn’t have to: VAA has already mapped it all out for me. It starts out with basic, fundamental stuff, but also teaches me the THINKING that goes in the painting: the composition, my color choices, how to consciously select which darks and lights need to be emphasized, etc.
Bottomline, I am learning how to create paintings that have both visual music and poetry, and it is super fun to see my growth! I cannot recommend this course enough!
Read more “It is wild to see how much I am learning in this course!”
Barry gave me a fishing rod so I can catch my own fish
Read more “Barry gave me a fishing rod so I can catch my own fish”
The equivalent of a 4 year art education at a fraction of the cost
Read more “The equivalent of a 4 year art education at a fraction of the cost”
The small steps are easy to do
A great learning platform
comprehensive art education
An excellent foundation on so many aspects of painting
When I got word of the course available through Virtual Art Academy, I was very excited for the opportunity to learn what I never knew about painting. VAA has provided me an excellent foundation on so many aspects of painting. The course is organized very logically, provides great examples, diagrams, thorough explanations and worthwhile assignments. I highly recommend this course to anyone with a desire for an in-depth education of art.
Thank you again, Barry, I love this course Jeanne
Read more “An excellent foundation on so many aspects of painting”
Only online learning program I have ever discovered using a training industry best practice
VAA is the only online learning program I have ever discovered using a training industry best practice of incorporating Knowledge and Skills to support learning a new activity. Every building block (Drawing, Form, Observation, Concept, Notan, Composition, Colour, Brushwork) incorporates a “spiral learning” approach where you are introduced to the Knowledge/Skill at one level and then reintroduced to it again elsewhere in the curriculum. Sure genius.
I’ve attended workshops, read books, and watched YouTube videos — and none of them provide the scaffolded approach to learning the VAA offers. If you are just starting your painting journey, start here. If you are a mid level or advanced painter, start here. There is a sense of community with artists around the globe. You are part of a peer to peer learning process bigger than yourself.
As a result of the VAA, I have been juried into several shows, am represented by a local gallery and have been selling my paintings on a consistent basis. VAA curriculum’s approach will grow your ‘artist’s brush’ and aid you in finding your artistic voice. As your basics improve, your art improves. Henry Hensche said, “There is study and there is performance, and we should not confuse the two, study is done for perceptual development, our performances show us where we are in that development, and we must have both…”. VAA curriculum offers both.
I went through the entire curriculum, did every every exercise, and today review my printed books/exercises on an annual basis to keep myself fresh and ready for my next painting adventure.
Onwards/Sideways,
Jay “jbird” Holobach
https://www.jayholobach.com/
No need to buy expensive art books…. Just do the VAA 4 year course. I still refer to it
Read more “No need to buy expensive art books…. Just do the VAA 4 year course. I still refer to it”
Motivation And Support From A Vibrant Worldwide Community
Many students live far away from other artists, and can feel isolated. A key element of the Virtual Art Academy experience is the interaction you get with a friendly and supportive group of students from all over the world.
Online Oil Painting Classes For Absolute Beginners
If you are an absolute beginner, and are interested in learning how to paint in oils, you will get all the basic painting and drawing skills you need to get you started. You can also use acrylic paints instead of oils, if you wish, or even watercolors.
After completing the lessons and assignments in these online painting classes, you will have the skills to create exciting compositions, incredibly beautiful color harmonies, and expressive brushwork that will bring your painting alive. In addition you will be able to give your painting a meaning, as well as a strong design, that will take it to professional and museum-level quality.
For Advanced Painters: Take Your Work As Far As You Want To Go
If you are a more experienced artist, since the Virtual Art Academy online painting course curriculum is authored by a top professional artist, you will be able to use this program to take your work to a very high level.
Many members have now been working with the Virtual Art Academy for over a decade. Over this time they have continually improved their work, and many have become professional painters and had exhibitions in major galleries.
After finishing the basic curriculum of online painting lessons, as a graduate student, you can take advantage of the Spiral of Learning℠ approach — a unique way of helping you continually strengthen your foundational skills, and improve the quality of your paintings.
As part of this unique Spiral of Learning℠ approach, you also get a series of monthly Master Class Lectures that will take you all the way to professional level. In these lectures you will get to hear Barry's personal analysis of master paintings, get insights into how he constructs his own paintings, and even learn the neuroscience of painting, that will give you a deeper understanding about how and why master paintings work.
Choose The Painting Medium You Prefer
Because our online painting classes are principle-based, they work equally well for all painting mediums. The Virtual Art Academy online art school is suitable for oil painting, acrylic painting, watercolor painting, and pastels. You can also use any other painting media such as gouache, water soluble oils, mixed media, as even digital painting tools.
Setting Expectations
This program is not for students looking for quick fixes. It is for painter who seriously want to improve their art. Barry's approach is to break learning down into small manageable chunks, that will let you build up your skill level, slowly, but surely. That is the true path to success. You will need to commit yourself to regular learning in order to improve. This does not mean that you need to spend a lot of time on the lessons. You will make progress, with just an hour or two a week, if you are organized in how you spend your time.
Many artists who have participated in this online painting course have said that they have seen significant improvements after just a few months. However, most of the students who have achieved a really high level of painting, have been studying with us for several years. Many of Barry's students have reached a professional level, and are now selling their work in commercial art galleries. Others have been happy to be accepted into various art associations and clubs, for the quality of their work. The beauty of this program is that:
(a) it is structured, so the longer you work on the curriculum, the better you will get, and
(b) it is probably the most comprehensive you will find anywhere, so you can go all the way from absolute beginner to top professional level in just one program.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are These Online Painting Classes Suitable For Beginners?
The Apprentice Program includes a special set of self-study virtual art classes that are designed just for absolute beginners who have never painted before. You will get all the basics of learning how to paint, including what materials and equipment to buy. Even more importantly, you also get a friendly community of other artists to give you the support and encouragement whenever you need it.
Are These Online Painting Classes Suitable For Someone Who Wants To Pursue Painting As Just A Hobby?
The Virtual Art Academy online painting classes are designed for adults who want to build a solid foundation for their art in a structured way. Even if art is just a hobby for you, by taking a structured approach to your learning, you will get much more out of your hobby. If you are retired, it is important you choose the right program, and do not waste years of effort on low quality instruction.
Are These Online Painting Classes Suitable For Experienced And Professional Painters?
These online painting classes contain comprehensive information for all levels. Experienced painters will be able to take their work to a higher or a professional level using the more advanced information in each Building Block.
Will I Have To Commit For The Entire Program?
Absolutely not. You can just join for a month and see how you like our online painting lessons. If it doesn’t work out for you you simply cancel your subscription and your monthly payments will stop.
How Much Time Commitment Is Required?
The program is very flexible, and you can go as fast or as slow as you like. See the online painting classes curriculum for more details.
What if I Do Not Have Much Time?
For those of you who are busy, and who do not have much time, the Virtual Art Academy has an app for your phone or tablet that you can use on-the-go. Using our app, you can learn something useful about painting whenever you have 10-minutes to spare. This is because our program is organized into lots of small easily managed chunks of information that you can digest very quickly. Download the app, to try it and see for yourself.
Will I Get Feedback On My Assignments?
If you actively participate in the community, you will get feedback from other students on your assignments. In order to make the instruction affordable to a large number of people, we do not include instructor feedback. This is because art programs that include high quality feedback from a professional instructor would cost you US$20,000-US$40,000 per year for instruction at a traditional art university. We designed the Virtual Art Academy online art schools so that everyone can afford a high quality art education. By creating a self-study program, with feedback from the more experienced students, we keep the monthly cost affordable for everyone.
Are Drawing Classes Included In This Program?
Yes they are. With the drawing classes included in this online art classes, you can learn how to draw well, in just about one week if you follow our method.
Drawing is important to learn because you can only paint as well as you can draw. In the Apprentice Program you will learn all the important drawing techniques including: angular transfer, triangulation, line and mass gesture drawing, contour drawing, measurement, and perspective.
Are These Online Painting Classes Suitable For Plein Air Painting?
All the online painting classes are perfect for plein air painters. In fact, much of Barry's own work is done plein air. Important topics in plein air painting are covered, including the Alla Prima painting process, how to match colors in nature, and how to give your paintings depth using atmospheric perspective.
How does the Virtual Art Academy online painting course compare with attending a one-week workshop with a professional artist?
Each of our 16 workshops contains the same amount of information that you would get at an intensive one-week oil painting workshop with a top professional artist. These one-week oil painting workshops will typically cost you around $3000, if the artist you choose is a top professional (including the cost of airfare, lodging, and tuition). Our workshops will cost you considerably less than this.
How do the Virtual Art Academy® online painting classes compare with attending a four-year program at prestigious art school?
The Virtual Art Academy provides a much broader curriculum than you would get at a traditional art school or classical realism atelier. You will learn not only the skills of the traditional classical realism curriculum, that were taught in the classical academies, but also modern impressionist color techniques, and the principles of modern art and design. This means you are not forced into painting in just one style. You will get the skills to follow your own creativity and path and paint in any style you prefer. (See: tips on choosing oil painting classes)
If you still have questions then feel free to Contact Me.
