Contrast Is KING – Using It For BETTER ART | Liron’s Podcast 124

In today’s episode we’ll deeply discuss the concept of CONTRAST, and how you can use it in multiple ways to create MUCH better art and avoid beginners’ mistakes.

What is Contrast?

When I say “contrast” the first thing that may come to mind is probably VALUES, with contrast being the DIFFERENCE in them.

This means light and dark.

A high contrast will mean there’s a strong difference in values, placing both darks and lights next to one another, in order to create interest.

However, in today’s context I want us to look at contrast as the general idea of “difference”.

So actually – there can be contrast in MULTIPLE DIMENSIONS.

We can have contrast in temperatures (very warm and very cool colors). We can have contrast in size (larger vs smaller elements in the painting, that play a major role in its composition). And awe can also have contrast in edges, values (obviously) and many other dimensions.

Common Beginners’ Issue – Lack of Contrast

A very common issue I see among beginners is the lack of contrast in ALL dimensions.

This means the temperature is the same throughout the painting, the values aren’t clear and distinct enough, all the edges are hard and so on.

This leads, in my opinion, to a very boring impression that leaves a lot to be desired.

Alvaro Castagnet Examples

A great artist for observing some of these concepts is Alvaro Castagnet.

If you look at his work you’ll be able to catch contrast in just about every aspect.

Here’s an interesting example, and also one of my favorite paintings of his!

Notice just how much of a contrast (variety) of edges there is here.

He deliberately breaks off rigid and repetitive lines to create a more balanced sense of structure and flow. This is most obvious around the bridge and car in foreground.

Here’s another great one with contrasting temperatures – warm yellows and reds vs cool grays.

And lastly – notice how even when he eliminates colors almost completely – he makes sure to push the contrast of VALUES. The value contrast in this painting is way more dramatic than in the previous ones – and that is for a reason.

Contrast Technique & Studies

In order to be able to utilize contrast in a good way, there’s a certain awareness, understanding and technique gap that needs to be closed.

You need to understand why this is important, how it works and also how to achieve it technically (to control edges, for example, you have to learn how to control the complex medium of watercolor in multiple ways).

I just wanted to mention this as encouragement. Nothing is “wrong” with your results – you simply need to learn these ideas and the relevant techniques – and with time it will all connect to beautiful artworks.

General Updates

First and foremost – if you enjoy this podcast I would HIGHLY appreciate if you leave a rating on your favorite podcast platform, and perhaps even a review. It means the world to me and really helps in reaching more people.

And – here are the general updates I shared today:

  • I’m in contact with a major art-selling platform and we’ll hopefully do collaborative sponsorship soon 😊
  • My video on how to know what colors to use is doing really well! – Check it out here!
  • I’m making nice progress with the upcoming (100% FREE!) How to Simplify in Watercolor course! Here’s one of the paintings I’ll demonstrate there.

And that wraps it up for today!

Thank you so much for tuning in 😊🙏🏼

I’ll talk to you again real soon.

Here’s where to reach out to me:

Instagram – @LironYanIL

TikTok – @Liron.Yan

YouTube – Liron Yanconsky Art

LinkedIn – Liron Yanconsky

Pinterest – Liron Yanconsky

Twitter – @LironYan

— Liron

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

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

Master Studies – Is It Cheating? Liron’s Podcast Episode 116

Today we’ll discuss the question – are master studies cheating? Is it okay to copy works of other people? Let’s get into it!

Master Studies

A master study is the recreation of an existing art piece, usually one made by an art master of the past, but could also be a contemporary master.

The intent behind these is LEARNING. It’s a study.

You use the study to get into the mind of that artist, and understand why they did things the way they have.

Here are some of the artists I mentioned in this episode, for inspirational purposes (:

Marc Folly – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gD4fuUMH3Ts

Viktoria Prischedko – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PZZIGDfgY0w

The classic school of thought, from what I’ve been exposed to – encourages master studies to be as close of a replica as possible to the original. This teaches you about hard work, effort, focus and patience.

I however tend to take a more lenient approach. I love to learn the basics behind the original – why the particular composition was chosen and the basic technique applied to create the piece. But that’s about it. To me, there’s a lot to be learned by doing a smaller, quicker version of the original.

The Benefits of Master Studies

Let me briefly list some of the HUGE benefits of doing master studies:

  • Learning from the BEST
  • Forcing yourself to break past your current level and comfort zone
  • Learning how much effort is required to produce something great
  • Opening your horizons and continuing to push the envelope and improve (preventing stagnation)

So… Are master studies legit? Is it cheating?

No! Not in my opinion. As long as you’re honest with yourself and others, as long as you DON’T take credit for work that’s not your own, as long as you mention you’re doing a study based on X artist’s work – I’m perfectly fine with that.

In fact, I do MANY of these, and have learned a lot from them!

So go for it!

I hope you enjoyed this one!

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

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

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

DOING Is Better Than Thinking – Artistic Life Lessons | Liron’s Podcast Episode 112

In today’s podcast episode I’m talking about why I believe DOING is always superior to thinking and planning – when it comes to learning a new artistic skill or creating.

The Real Way to Learn

Like sports, music and many other endeavors – the only real way to learn in my opinion is to DO.

I had that experience with learning watercolor. Very early on I realized that I can spend hours watching videos and reading tutorials. But it was ME who had to learn how to control water and paint.

If I wanted to learn how to paint, I had to experience the challenges of mixing, applying the paint, failing with the timing and so on.

Writing My Story

The reason this topic came to mind was that I’m now experiencing this all over again with the story I’m writing. There’s no substitute to actually WRITING.

Then I can improve and fix mistakes. But I need to have something written first. You can’t really re-write what’s in your head only.

Planning & Learning Has It’s Place

I do believe it’s important to think, learn and plan. But I always believe they’re overestimated.

I had to do a lot of research for my story, its historical settings and so on. But every hour spent in research, in my opinion – should be backed up with 3 hours of creation, if possible.

At some point, you can fall into the trap of over-information and wanting to feel like you’ve accomplished something – by listening and watching videos.

So again – it’s all in the balance.

This is mine – find your own.

Now IS The Time

I think for many people – now’s the perfect time to create, with the Coronavirus crisis. So many people are stuck at home, being forced to take time off.

If that’s you – now’s the opportunity to write that novel you wanted, to work on that painting you had in mind, or to practice yoga (haha – whatever it is!!).

NOW’S THE TIME. Go and do (:

And this is it for this one.

I hope you found it helpful and thought-provoking.

Here’s where you can get in touch with me online:

TikTok – @Liron.Yan

YouTube – Liron Yanconsky Art

LinkedIn – Liron Yanconsky

Pinterest – Liron Yanconsky

Instagram – @LironYanIL

Twitter – @LironYan