E34: Finding The Right Level Of Challenge For Your Art Is Key!

Author: Tim Mcburnie
Published: Wed 22 May 2024
Episode Link: https://share.transistor.fm/s/cff03297

Check out my Free Brainstorming Workshop: https://mightyartisan.com/worldbuilding Learn to silence your inner critic. Ignite creative ideas. And watch a live demo of these techniques in action.

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This is The Thirty Fourth Episode of the Visual Scholar Podcast - With Tim Mcburnie.

Let's talk about challenge. And more importantly how finding the right level of challenge for your art can be a major key to your overall improvement and happiness as an artist.

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--- CHALLENGE IN ART Finding the right level of challenge in your art is crucial. It’s easy to either bite off more than you can chew or take it too easy, resulting in unproductive work or lifeless creations.

IMPORTANCE OF PUSHING YOURSELF To progress, you need to stay at the edge of your comfort zone. This involves understanding three key things:

The edge of your comfort zone. When you're well within your abilities. When you're biting off more than you can chew.

ARTISTIC CHALLENGE ELEMENTS Consider the following elements:

Knowledge of the Subject: Do you know what you’re drawing? Technical Skills: Do you know how to draw it? Medium: Are you familiar with the tools and materials you're using?

PRACTICE AND GROWTH A lot of artistic improvement comes from practice. Art, like sports or dance, is a physical skill that improves with repetition. The right amount of challenge helps you focus and enter a flow state, enhancing creativity.

FINDING THE BALANCE Too little challenge is boring; too much is overwhelming. Aim for a "Goldilocks" zone where the challenge is just right, typically around 4% beyond your current abilities.

MANAGING CHALLENGE Break down your challenges: Focus on one element at a time (e.g., drawing a castle, mastering a medium). Combine new elements gradually. Use familiar subjects to explore new techniques.

BEGINNERS AND SIMPLE IMAGES For beginners, start with the simplest images possible and gradually increase complexity. Build a small comfort zone and expand from there. Even simple images can teach you valuable skills.

ADVANCING TECHNIQUE If you're more experienced, incrementally add new elements (e.g., incorporating technical objects into fantasy scenes). This helps bridge gaps in your skills without overwhelming you.

CREATIVE URGES AND CAREER GROWTH Creativity thrives on a mix of comfort and challenge. Always having a bit of uncertainty keeps the process exciting. Your goal is constant self-improvement without burnout.

CONCLUSION Understanding and managing the right level of challenge keeps you motivated and helps you improve. It’s about finding a balance where you can push your abilities without feeling overwhelmed. --- 00:00 Intro 02:25 Welcome 02:47 Comfort Vs Challenge Vs Flow 07:32 Why The Right Level Of Challenge Is Key 14:28 The Different Aspects Of Challenge 23:27 Figuring Out Where You Are Right Now 30:40 The Analytical TakeAway 32:34 The Simple TakeAway 32:57 The Practical TakeAway 35:58 The Philosophical TakeAway 39:08 Out!

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The Visual Scholar Podcast is designed to help you demystify the world of Art, Productivity, and Creativity. So you can get better faster, and enjoy your Art Journey.

We discuss Drawing, Painting, Illustration and Entertainment Design. Along with Productivity and Career Advice.

You Can Find The Visual Scholar Podcast In These Places:

Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-visual-scholar/id1678505411

Spotify: open.spotify.com/show/6VbdwbiZqy8nqb90ruKQCX?si=21b9c1d02c85419f

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@MightyArtisan

Show Homepage:

https://visualscholar.mightyartisan.com

Where To Find More About Tim Mcburnie:

Learn Drawing and Illustration at The Drawing Codex:

www.thedrawingcodex.com

Take Your Career and Productivity To The Next Level:

www.mightyartisan.com