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Creating With Complete Immersion | Liron Yanconsky’s Podcast – Episode 17

In this episode we’ll talk about immersion, and being immersed while you are creating. We will see how this can actually help you make better art!

I got this idea while working out…

So a few weeks ago I was working out, and I noticed I wasn’t really into it.

I noticed my thoughts go somewhere else, and I’m not really focused on the exercise I was doing.

And then I suddenly though – why?

I mean, this is so stupid! I already scheduled the workout session, and I’m already working out.

So why am I so unfocused?

Painting and art making is the same

From there, it was an inevitable connection.

I immediately realized this was also (occasionally) happening to me with painting.

I would sometimes feel unfocused. Like i just want to get it done. Kind of like washing the dishes or brushing your teeth.

And the difference in results shows.

Working while in that headspace leads (at least for me) to mediocre art.

Why do we loose immersion?

I think this can happen for multiple reasons.

For me, this mainly happened as I was detached from the overarching goal. I wasn’t seeing how what I’m doing RIGHT NOW, helps me attain my goals.

This is lack of clarity, and from my experience it isn’t ideal.

So I worked on building up my clarity, writing and figuring out the exact connection between what I’m doing and the end result.

And lo and behold, it worked!

(how I built my clarity is a topic for a future podcast, but brainstorming, writing, asking the right questions and visualizing were a major part of it)

As soon as my clarity increased, I was able to understand why a single rep of a single set of a weight lifting exercise – produces strong ripples into my future.

I was also able to understand how with every brush stroke I improve a certain technique.

Artist Corner

In this episode we talked about Eudes Correia, a Portuguese watercolor artist and instructor.

His work consists of people and figures for the most part. He has an incredible sense of light, shadow and movement.

You can check out his website here: Eudes Correia

And his Instagram account @Eudes_Watercolor

Conclusion

And this is it for today’s episode. I hope you enjoyed it!

Here’s where to find me:

Support me on Patreon

Check out my YouTube Channel – Liron Yanconsky

Or ask me questions on Instagram – @LironYanIL or Snapchat – @LironYan3.

Artistic Project Management | Liron Yanconsky’s Podcast – Episode 16

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In this episode we’ll talk about artistic project management, and how to efficiently manage your time as an artist!

My “History” of Productivity

In this episode I explain how I got started with my art business.

In the beginning I didn’t have a clear vision of what I want to do and achieve. Ands so, I was working on specific projects.

The first projects I worked on were my early books. I had a one track mind back then, and would often work on that project for 12+ hours a day.

Later on I started developing a clearer vision of my mission, and the type of work I want to do in this world. This inevitably created a multitude of tasks, goals, projects and products I had to tackle.

Merging Similar Tasks

One of the most efficient “tricks” I found was to merge similar tasks together.

I discovered this by accident. While I was working on writing and illustrating one of my books, I realized it takes some time to “warm-up” to the task at hand.

So I discovered it would take me around 15 minutes to really get in the groove of writing. I also found out that the more I stick with it, the faster I become and the more coherent my ideas become as well.

This led to an important understanding. When you are already immersed in a task – BETTER KEEP AT IT for as long as possible.

This also needs to be put in the context of your entire work day as well. How much time CAN YOU afford to spend on this particular task? How important is it? How urgent?

My Productivity So Far in 2018

I also briefly discuss wrapping-up 2017 and my productivity up to the point of recording the episode – for 2018.

2017 was great for me. It was a year of clarity. A year of defining my mission and sticking to it.

I can honestly say I have no regrets for 2017. This is a huge source of motivation for me in general – having no regrets.

Artist Corner

In this episode we talked about Piet Mondrian. He was a very well known Dutch painter and theoretician.

He is most famous for his works revolving squares in different colors and compositions.

He is regarded as one of the greatest artists of the 20th century.

What I love about artists like him is that they HAVE THE ABILITY to paint realistically, if they choose to. But they deliberately choose their impressionistic, figurative or abstract style.

They don’t go for abstract due to lack of ability (not to say artist who do abstract have no abilities, but it seems like the skill set of painting realistically requires SO MANY additional skills).

They go for abstract because they are genuinely exploring different territories, and expressing complex ideas and thoughts using their art.

Here’s a great place to start reading more about Piet Mondrian.

Conclusion

And this is it for today’s episode. I hope you enjoyed it!

Here’s where to find me:

Support me on Patreon

Check out my YouTube Channel – Liron Yanconsky

Or ask me questions on Instagram – @LironYanIL or Snapchat – @LironYan3.

Don’t Worry About Inconsistent Artistic Results | Liron Yanconsky’s Podcast – Episode 15

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Episode Summary

In this episode I want to share with you an epiphany I’ve had following a conversation with a friend of mine.

I bumped into her as I was painting, and we talked for a while. I shared how I recently feel like my results are inconsistent.

Here response really surprised me. She simply said that OF COURSE it’s going to be inconsistent. It’s art!

This really got me thinking.

I finally came to realize after a while – OF COURSE she’s right. Art and creativity are BY DEFINITION inconsistent.

That’s their magic! If they were consistent, they’d also be boring!

Artist Corner

In this episode we talked about the artist Lora Zombie. She’s an extremely talented Russian painter.

She often expresses different ideas and messages through here work. Her style has this unique POP to it (she refers to it as grunge art), and her favorite color seems to be blue.

She does exhibitions and galleries all around the world, and also makes and sells clothing items featuring her art.

Be sure to check out her work on her website (http://lorazombie.com/), or on Instagram HERE, or @LoraZombie.

Conclusion

And this is it for today’s episode. I hope you enjoyed it!

Here’s where to find me:

Support me on Patreon

Check out my YouTube Channel – Liron Yanconsky

Or ask me questions on Instagram – @LironYanIL or Snapchat – @LironYan3.

Getting Punched in The Face by Watercolor | Liron Yanconsky’s Podcast – Episode 14

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Episode Summary

Recently I find myself being “punched in the face” by watercolor. What I mean by that is that just when I think I “got it”, I create a few terrible paintings with completely unexpected results.

I experience this most significantly with landscape painting, or with scenes that require a lot of “interpretational” work, and simplification.

The Solution

I find an interesting way of dealing with this issue – I sidestep it.

Instead of smacking my had against the wall, I simply focus for a while on different things. These things are mainly composition and portrait painting.

These are two different areas where I feel more comfortable, or that I have more to learn.

Sometimes you can’t force your way to success. You have to allow yourself to take some distance from the obstacle, and then, without even noticing, you’ll find you were able to get past it.

I hope this helps and encourages you!

Let me know what you think by leaving a comment below (:

Artist Corner

In this episode I mention talked about Eudes Correia. Eudes is a fantastic Portuguese watercolor artist.

I love how he merges realism and a great sense of light and shadow, with some impressionism and looseness. He work in a style I find very unique, and I recommend you check out his work.

You can see his work on his website: https://correiawatercolor.carbonmade.com

Also, I discovered him via Instagram: @eudes_watercolor

Patreon

I recently got started with Patreon. My goal is to use the income from there to finally rent a studio close to my apartment.

This will make me x10 times more productive, and I’ll be able to immediately go up to 5 videos per week on YouTube.

Support me on Patreon

YouTube

Most of my online presence is on YouTube, so if you haven’t I highly recommend you check out my channel.

YouTube – Liron Yanconsky

Instagram & Snapchat

Lastly, if you want to see some of my works in progress, as well as final pieces, Instagram’s where it’s at. This is also a great place to DM me with questions you may have.

I hope to see you there!

Instagram – @LironYanIL

Snapchat – @LironYan3

Creating Art Outdoors VS Indoors | Liron Yanconsky’s Podcast – Episode 13

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Episode Summary

In this episode of my podcast I’m talking about creating indoors VS outdoors. I elaborate on how these are different, and what the benefits are of doing both.

I focus mainly on the implications for visual artists – painters, sketchers, sculptors and so on.

Working outdoors is messier, more dynamic, full of changes, distractions and so on. However, it’s much more immersive, and sucks you into the scene.

Working indoors is cleaner, more well-organised. But it does take you out of the environment to some extent, and “weaken” some of your senses and perception.

I believe you can get the most benefit by practicing to alternate between the two. This means working outdoors, and then indoors.

I also aspire to do both. That way my skills in one are will flow to the other.

Artist Corner

In this episode I mention James Gurney. He is an amazing artist and creator, most well know for creating the Dinotopia book series.

But the reason I personally love him is his tutorials on YouTube, where he paints mostly with gouache paint. This actually got me really interested in gouache myself, and I’ll probably give it a try in the future!

Be sure to check out his YouTube channel here: James Gurney

And you can also find me here (:

Support me on Patreon

YouTube – Liron Yanconsky

Instagram – @LironYanIL

Snapchat – @LironYan3