Podcast Archives - Page 4 of 24

Watercolor Portrait Painting & Importance of IMMERSION | Liron’s Podcast Episode 121

Today we’ll talk about the importance of IMMERSION when painting, and I’ll demonstrate this specifically in the context of portrait painting.

Watercolor & Drawing – Divide & Conquer

One of my main goals for June 2020 is to create immersive work days, where I allow myself to be immersed in one specific artist endeavor.

So instead of squeezing in painting time every day, I’ll have ONE consolidated day, devoted 100% to watercolor painting (Sunday). This may sound a little crazy, but I believe there are significant benefits to immersion, over “cheaper” and shallower artistic experience, where I have to “cut” the session in order to work on something else.

This also doesn’t mean I CAN’T paint in other days. I can – for the purpose of content production for example (aka YouTube videos and so on).

I’ll also have a dedicated day to work on my manga (Wednesdays).

Today’s Portrait Painting Experience

Today I started applying this new approach, and spent a lot of time on just watercolor painting. I allowed the natural flow pull me in. I started with some basic exercises, and gradually went for more detailed portraits.

The peak for me was when I FELT the desire to go more detailed with this one portrait.

I made this “average” version first:

I really felt like I failed in capturing the beauty of the original portrait. And so I made another slower, more patient and more ambitions version.

Here’s this one:

Hopefully the difference between the two versions can be perceived immediately.

It’s not that the 2nd one is perfect, but it’s darn close to my CURRENT perfect, if that makes sense (:

Better Artistic Experience

Doing this felt GOOD and RIGHT. I’m so happy I got to experience that, and I hope to continue this way in future sessions.

I hope you enjoyed listening to / reading this one! And if this speaks to you – trying allowing yourself some more freedom when it comes to painting time, immersion and patience.

And always, here’s where you can find me online – let me know your thoughts! (:

Instagram – @LironYanIL

TikTok – @Liron.Yan

YouTube – Liron Yanconsky Art

LinkedIn – Liron Yanconsky

Pinterest – Liron Yanconsky

Twitter – @LironYan

How to Simplify Your Paintings – Approach, Tips & Tricks | Liron’s Podcast Episode 120

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In today’s episode I’m going practical and talking about how to simplify your paintings, whether you work from a photo or reference or paint plein-air!

Before we get into it, here’s a quick link to my interview over at PencilKings.com – I hope you check it out 😊🙏🏼

And now – here’s the gist of the tips I share in the episode (:

1. Main Idea / Story / Message

Knowing this is the first step to simplifying the scene (and painting it in the first place!).

What attracted you to paint it? What story do you want to tell, or message you want to convey?

2. Large Shapes of Value

Focus on the LARGE shapes instead of getting lost in the details. There should be only about 5-7 of them (give or take – this isn’t perfect science 😉).

3. Seeing Simpler

Black & White – If you have trouble seeing the scene or subject in a simpler way – turn the photo black and white (to be more precise – greyscale).

This will help you see the essence of it, and the larger shapes of value. Often I’ll be surprised at just how much simpler a scene is, after it’s turned black & white.

Squinting / taking a few steps back – these can also really help. If working from a photo – take a few steps back. You’ll be left with a “simpler” version of the subject.

If working plein-air – squinting your eyes can achieve the same effect.

4. Be Confident, Bold & Have Fun!!

That’s the main thing for me, especially when working outside.

Let go! Use bold and fun brush marks! Confident really shows with watercolor. It’s sometimes better to have a bold “failure”, rather than timid “accuracy”.

At least try it – so you know how it feels (:

And this is it! I hope you enjoy this one.

And again – here’s a link to my interview over at PencilKings.com:
Liron’s Interview on PencilKings.com

Here’s where you can find me online:

Instagram – @LironYanIL

TikTok – @Liron.Yan

YouTube – Liron Yanconsky Art

LinkedIn – Liron Yanconsky

Pinterest – Liron Yanconsky

Twitter – @LironYan

Dealing With Artistic Frustration, The Artist Journey & More Questions | Liron’s Podcast Episode 119

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In today’s episode I want to address some of the questions I got in a recent Instagram live session I did – both SERIOUS and FUN ones!

Getting Over Frustration

The first question I address is regarding getting over feelings of frustration and lack of motivation / inspiration, specifically after returning to it following a break.

The question was phrased in a way that makes me see this in the MACRO – some stages in our lives will be less creative – and this is NORMAL. You may be preoccupied with important commitments, or go through a particular challenge.

It’s important to accept this and avoid judging yourself to harshly.

Additional solutions:

If you haven’t created in a while – set the goalpost to be creating something every day. The result DOES NOT MATTER. Paint / draw / use whatever medium you use every day, regardless of how you feel. Did you create? That’s a win.
Use a different medium / art supply
Create outside if possible
Take a break! If you’re on the other side of this – and you create consistently but don’t like / enjoy what you produce – a BREAK can help.

How to Start Your Art Journey?

This is another question I get often, phrased this way or similarly.

How do I get started as an artist?

How do I become an artist?

Well… Artists make art!

So if you’re making art, you are an artist.

Now comes the question – do you want to go full time? Are you striving to improve? Etc.

Listen to the audio for my full thoughts 😉

What Does Art Mean to Me?

Another interesting one I got.

To me – art is EXPRESSION.

It’s about expression yourself.

It doesn’t matter WHAT you create, your inner most authentic self will be embedded in it.

What If Watercolor Disappeared?

Here’s a VERY interesting “what if?” question I actually got on YouTube.

If watercolor & gouache disappeared from this world – what medium will I use?

My answer is either going ALL-IN on pencil and pen (including digital drawing for that matter), which I ALWAYS loved and enjoyed… OR acrylics! This is another medium I used several times and enjoyed quite a bit.

Conclusion

I hope you enjoyed hearing my takes on these questions.

I’ll do another Instagram live session next week, so make sure you follow here: @LironYanIL 😁

And here are the rest of the places where you can find me online:

TikTok – @Liron.Yan

YouTube – Liron Yanconsky Art

LinkedIn – Liron Yanconsky

Pinterest – Liron Yanconsky

Twitter – @LironYan

Common Artist Problems – Self-Discipline & Comparing Yourself to Others | Liron’s Podcast Episode 118

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In this episode I talk about 2 common artist problems: SELF-DISCIPLINE, and COMPARING yourself to others (and also how to get started in watercolor 😉).

Let’s break it down!

How to Develop Self-Discipline as an Artist

Here’s my take on it:

Understand what your vision / ambition is
Make a connection between the mundane daily tasks – and that larger vision. How does completing this seemingly mundane task (or simply a task that scares you and creates resistance) – helps in making your larger vision come true?
Schedule it! That’s the first step to getting things done
Monitor it – How did you do? What can be improved?
Don’t be too harsh with yourself. Are you consistently moving forward, and getting up after “losses”? You’re golden!

Comparing Yourself to Others

You’re not alone in this – we all do this.
You may not be able to get rid of this habit completely, but you can work towards making it affect you less.
You and every single person in the world are VASTLY different, and so you cannot create exactly like others – and THEY cannot create exactly like you!
Focus on yourself, compete with yourself and strive to improve yourself

How to Get Started in Watercolor

Lastly, I also provided some advice for getting started in watercolor.

This is divided into two main parts:

Learn the medium / techniques
Paint as much as you can – preferably from real life as often as possible

There’s no substitute for practicing (:

I hope you found this episode helpful and encouraging! Be sure to follow me on Instagram for the next live video I do.

Here’s where you can do that, as well as how to find me on other platforms:

Instagram – @LironYanIL

TikTok – @Liron.Yan

YouTube – Liron Yanconsky Art

LinkedIn – Liron Yanconsky

Pinterest – Liron Yanconsky

Twitter – @LironYan

Making More Time for Creation – April 2020 Recap | Liron’s Podcast Episode 117

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Hi there! In this episode I’m recapping my April 2020, and talking about taking more time to create “quietly” 😉

Let’s get to it!

Creating Over Sharing

I’m an artist who naturally gravitates towards sharing my art, processes tips and techniques. It’s very easy for me to fall into the “trap” of sharing at the detriment of creation (aka instead of focusing FULLY on the artwork, I’ll take breaks to take pics and share).

In addition, lately I’ve been feeling the potential and the long way I have to grow as an artist, compared to where I’m currently at.

This gap annoyed me and I decided to close it.

All of the above led to me taking more time for pure creation, drawing, painting, practicing etc. – As opposed to sharing.

This meant a slight decrease in posts in many channels.

I’m NOT Going Anywhere Though

Some channels I’m adamant about, and have kept very consistent on:

– YouTube
– IGTV
– Weekly Podcasts
– Weekly emails

And, I believe I will go back to the more regular consistency of content pretty soon, once I feel like I gained what I needed (:

What I’ve Been Creating

Here are some of the skills I’ve been practicing in quiet:

– Watercolor
– Anatomy
– Gesture drawing
– Manga
– Digital drawing &painting
– Storyboarding

Videos I Posted / Am Working On

I recently posted a video I think you’ll love, about 3 unique watercolor painting exercises.

You can check it out here:

In addition, I’ll post a vid on Saturday on DRAWING, showing a quicker VS slower approach.

PencilKings.com – Interview with Mitch Bowler

About a week ago I was interviewed by Mitch Bowler from PencilKings.com (which is an excellent resource for concept and drawing, I highly recommend you check them out). We talked about the artistic career, creative growth and much more.

The episode should be out in a few weeks, and I’ll keep you updated on that one. I had a fun time and Mitch is a great guy!

And this is it for today! If you want to reach out – you know where to find me 😉

Take care, and stay safe!

– Liron

TikTok – @Liron.Yan

YouTube – Liron Yanconsky Art

LinkedIn – Liron Yanconsky

Pinterest – Liron Yanconsky

Instagram – @LironYanIL

Twitter – @LironYan