This is The Twenty Sixth Episode of the Visual Scholar Podcast - With Tim Mcburnie.

Let's Talk about setting goals for 2024!

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Artists, often dreamers, face challenges in planning and execution. It's not just about having inspiration; structure is essential to guide artistic progress. Without it, there's a risk of creative blocks and uncertainty about the direction of art. Planning in a way that aligns with our artistic nature is key.

I like to use a straightforward three-step framework:

DEFINE GOALS VISUALLY: Use a visual approach for goal-setting, such as creating an influence map or a collection of images. It helps in understanding what the goals look like, making them tangible and relatable.

ASSESS CURRENT POSITION IN RELATION TO GOALS: Periodically evaluate your standing compared to your visual goals. This step helps determine if you're moving in the right direction and at the right pace.

EVALUATE PRODUCTIVITY AND PACE: Reflect on how fast you're moving towards these goals. Are you progressing at a reasonable speed? It's not just about pace but also the quality of progress.

VISUAL GOALS:
As visual thinkers, artists find visual goal-setting methods more effective. Creating visual goals, like influence maps or image collections, aligns with an artist's cognitive processes. These methods transform abstract aspirations into tangible, inspiring visual references.

SET ART GOALS:
Artistic goals can be diverse, including:

PRODUCT-BASED GOALS: Creating specific projects like sketchbooks or comic books.
DEVELOPMENT GOALS: Improving specific artistic skills like anatomy, lighting, or storytelling.
CAREER-RELATED GOALS: Goals to advance your artistic career, like building a portfolio or developing new skills.
TECHNICAL SKILL GOALS: Mastering new tools or techniques, like digital software or traditional mediums.
PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT GOALS: Setting challenges for yourself in areas like sketching or learning new techniques.

DIRECTION/VECTOR:
Planning and plotting direction are essential. Create influence maps or images that exemplify your goals. It's about visual representation of your goals and regularly comparing your current work against these goals to gauge progress.

SPEED:
Focus on productivity by building an artistic ritual or habit. This involves persistence and the ability to adapt. Define your outcomes based on either the quantity of work or time spent on art. Early on, focusing on time spent might be more beneficial than the immediate quality of the work.

TAKEAWAYS:

ANALYTICAL TAKEAWAY:
Balancing the need for structure with artistic energy is crucial. Understand the interplay between these two aspects and figure out what works for you. Do you need more structure or more creative freedom?

SIMPLE TAKEAWAY:
Know where you're going, where you are in relation to that goal, and track your progress and speed. It's fundamental but challenging to maintain focus on your goals.

PRACTICAL TAKEAWAY:
Start with a general influence map to define your art's direction. Identify your primary focus and align creative impulses with it. Make a plan to focus on immediate steps.

PHILOSOPHICAL TAKEAWAY:
Although planning might seem contrary to artistic ideals, structure can enhance creativity. It provides a framework within which creativity can flourish.

In summary, controlling creative impulses is essential for career advancement or achieving specific artistic goals. Focus on primary goals for depth and meaningful exploration in your chosen field. Pursue your artistic life with intention and focus.

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This 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.

Learn more about Tim Mcburnie:

Learn Drawing and Illustration at The Drawing Codex: www.thedrawingcodex.com

Check out this podcast with video on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@Tim-Mcburnie

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

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

www.thedrawingcodex.com/podcasts/the-visual-scholar

Check out The Drawing Codex Youtube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@TheDrawingCodex

Portfolio: www.timmcburnie.com

www.artstation.com/tim-mcburnie

www.instagram.com/timmcburnie

twitter.com/timmcburnie