how to improve as an artist Archives

Interview with Tom Shepherd! MINDSET for Improving Your Art | Episode 137

Hey there, Liron here!

Today I have a treat for you! I want to share my interview with the Amazing Tom Shepherd.

We collaborated before on a YouTube vid, and he then invited me over on his podcast for an interview.

If you’re interested in a longer conversation, diving DEEP on the mindset for success in watercolor and art, as well as some practical tips – I think you’ll really enjoy this one!

Tom’s such a great guy, and I highly recommend you check out his content.

Here are the useful links I mention in the episode:

Tom’s Podcast – Creative Perspectives

Tom’s conclusion of this episode – Episode Conclusion (skip to 1:08:17)

Tom’s YouTube Channel & Our Collaboration Vid!

Enjoy 😊🙏🏼

P.S. I’ve been very inconsistent in my posts here. This will definitely change in the near future, as I’m implementing a new schedule format.

I’m dividing my weeks now into BIZ WEEK & ART WEEK. And during BIZ WEEKS I’ll spend a lot more time creating content for you!

— Liron

Being a Good Boss to Myself | Liron’s Podcast Episode 133

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In this episode I’m discussing what it means to be a good boss to yourself, and to work efficiently and effectively.

I’m also discussing my revolutionary task-setting plans for October 2020.

Here are the cliff notes:

Important & essential tasks VS “busy work” – the importance of doing meaningful work that helps build a SYSTEM of income and value delivery.
Balance between being overly “task-oriented” and being completely lazy – it’s important to remember the number of tasks checked is not always the end-all be-all, and happiness also plays a part.
Acknowledging and being grateful for what you already finished, rather than feeling down for all the things you haven’t gotten to yet.
My October 2020 plan – focusing on the main PILLARS of my work, rather than on a huge list of numbered tasks. I want to allow myself more depth and enjoyment of every individual task.

I hope you found this one enjoyable and perhaps even encouraging!

I’ll keep you updated on how I like the new method of task-management.

And we’ll talk again soon 😊🙏🏼

— Liron

Here’s how to reach out to me:

Instagram – @LironYanIL

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

You CAN Improve Your Art (more than you think is possible…) | Liron’s Podcast Episode 115

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In today’s podcast episode I want to demonstrate to you just HOW MUCH BETTER you can get in your art and craft – more than you even think is possible.

Pushing My Comfort Zone

Lately I’ve had multiple experiences that have led me to push my artistic comfort zone more and more. I’ve also been pushing my discipline further, and working really hard on my technical skills (mainly drawing people and faces).

This has led to exponential growth – and that surprised even myself!

In addition, I’ve gained some more nuanced watercolor insights, mostly in the context of wet-in-wet control.

The More You Learn…

The more you realize HOW MUCH MORE there is to learn. Every new thing opens up 3 new opportunities, and that’s how you continue growing exponentially.

When I Got Started…

Luckily for me and you, I’ve been documenting my artistic journey for many years now. You can actually go back, watch my old videos, look at old Instagram posts – and see for yourself…

When I got started – I sucked! In both drawing AND watercolor.

In fact, I can go even more back, and show you older drawings from over a decade ago to prove this. I wasn’t born with a specific talent. Perhaps I developed LOVE for drawing and sketching, meaning I naturally enjoyed it, was complemented for it and encouraged by some (but definitely NOT by many, haha!) to do it.

But it wasn’t like my first drawing was great. It wasn’t even good. They sucked!

But with time and effort, I improved.

And the good news is – you can too…

I hope you found this episode encouraging!

Below’s a list of ways to connect with me online.

TikTok – @Liron.Yan

YouTube – Liron Yanconsky Art

LinkedIn – Liron Yanconsky

Pinterest – Liron Yanconsky

Instagram – @LironYanIL

Twitter – @LironYan

I Want To Create Something Truly Great | Quality Over Quantity – Episode 114

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In this episode I want to share with you a new desire I feel to create something TRULY GREAT, and to focus more on QUALITY rather than QUANTITY.

* Quick links to previous episodes:
– Doing is better than thinking
– The Importance of patience & focus

Aspiring to be the BEST

One of my aspirations have always been to become one of the greatest watercolor painters on the planet.

This vision has become clearer and more detail in my eyes, as time went by.

I want to paint spectacular paintings that will completely AWE viewers. I want to achieve that 10/10 level.

Here are some examples of paintings I do think are close to that goal, if not hit it already!

This desire has gotten greater and greater lately. I think another manifestation of it was the desire to create my own manga / story. It’s also the reason I’m still in the writing stages, and haven’t even begun drawing – I want it to be REALLY good!

Quality Over Quantity

I generally believe in quantity over quality – especially when getting started.

I find that putting the emphasis on DOING, CREATING and moving forward fearlessly – to be very beneficial.

The same goes for growing an audience on social media. You have to let go of perfectionism and share more freely.

It IS a game of quantity too.

HOWEVER, lately I’ve been indeed feeling like I want to go more for quality. More for greatness. Even at the expense of communication and sharing.

Temporary Situation

It’s important for me to clarify that this is TEMPORARY. Once I feel like I gained the benefit of whatever it is I want right now – you’ll see much more of me.

And – it’s going to be BETTER quality.

And also – I’m far from quitting anything. I’m still planning on posting 3 vids / week on YouTube, emails, podcasts and posts.

It’s just a little less 😉

I hope you’ll accept this, and encourage me in this part of the journey.

I feel like it will be for the benefit of everyone. And some of you may not even notice a difference, so all good 😁

And with that, I’ll take my leave.

I hope you’re doing great and are feeling well!

I’ll talk to you again real soon.

P.S. my bad for confusing this for episode 113… 😂

P.S. 2 – Here’s where you can find me online:

TikTok – @Liron.Yan

YouTube – Liron Yanconsky Art

LinkedIn – Liron Yanconsky

Pinterest – Liron Yanconsky

Instagram – @LironYanIL

Twitter – @LironYan