The Lean Into Art Cast serves visual and interactive storytellers with topics and coversation that explores design thinking, creative communication, visual arts, comics, illustration, creative coding, and more.
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Rob Stenzinger Podcasts
Originally broadcast May 3, 2019. Jerzy’s begun a new comics project, and it’s been a while since we’ve had an art demo on the LIA Cast, so this week join Jerzy and Rob for a demonstration and discussion on designing sound elements in your comics using Clip Studio Paint. Sponsors for this episode Science Comics: Rockets Art & Science Punks Lean Int…
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Ready for another day of work, yet not feeling it. So many valid reasons to be in that situation… yet also having due dates and commitments to meet. Sometimes the work is rewarding and the outcomes too, people liking what you do, paying you for it, it’s all awesome. Yet still…sitting there, ready to write, draw, code…and Just. Not. Moving. Or distr…
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Working on the thumbnails for your next comic and discovered you’ve sketched dozens of pages of talking heads? We cartoonists can put the reader’s eye wherever we can imagine, so why don’t we? But how do you know where to put the reader’s eye? In today’s Lean Into Art Mini-Workshop Rob and Jerzy are going to help you find more visual interest on yo…
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Posting socially is something most independent creators need to work with. I've often been the show up when I've made something, share it, then mostly hang back and like other folks stuff approach. But I know that I can do better, reach folks who I'm here to help. It takes more than that occasional post and that's what I'm hoping to dig into with J…
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When you sit down to write a blog post is that a comfortable creative activity? Are there times when it feels like the words are stuck or just not sure how to say what you’re really trying to say? Recently Rob finished a 100 days in a row blogging challenge. That project and other writing he's done in recent years for team collaboration, manifestos…
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We’ve all been there--you start out with the promise of a new day, a reasonably curated to-do list, and a commitment to make your art. And suddenly you look at the clock and it’s the end of the day and all you have to show for it is seven or eight little piles of unfinished good intentions. This happens to all of us. Whatever your skill level, it’s…
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Frustrated that you can’t find a way to bring the big feelings you get from others’ art into your own? Maybe you just need to train your analytic eye to level up your inferencing skills. Being able to look for and identify the ideas behind the art can lend you insights to help you get back on track and feel motivated to create again. Sponsors for t…
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Clarity competes with other concerns when writing and illustrating - what’s a useful approach to get enough information and emotion into the page? When should you be going for clarity vs inspiring awe? Sponsors for this episode Boulder and Fleet: Mining for Trouble Rob's Listening Like a Coach workshop Lean Into Art Discord Thanks to our top Patreo…
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Are you in meetings in person or on screen where you’re taking notes in front of folks? When we're listening to learn from a conversation even one other person or to work in a group we use a similar style of note-taking for both situations. It’s about understanding what we're hearing and can reflect back to the people in the room. Honor the obvious…
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Every once in a while we feel like we're in over our heads, whether it’s due to the number of tasks we've committed to, ambiguity of the tasks, or just feeling a bigger-than-usual sense of friction between the tasks and us. When this happens it helps to check in with a friend, so Jerzy talks with Rob today to see where they both land when talking a…
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It’s no big reveal that time tracking and journaling can be invaluable tools to help you find the time to focus on your creative work. But how do you pick the one that’s right for you and how do you use it? We look at some options and use cases. Sponsors for this episode Science Comics Rockets Rob's Listening Like a Coach workshop Lean Into Art Dis…
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Rob feels he has a variety of advocacy ideas tangled up and thinks it’ll be super useful talking with Jerzy on today’s show - he’s been doing advocacy through comics for years! Sponsors for this episode Four Million Years Later Rob's Listening Like a Coach Workshop Lean Into Art Discord Links mentioned: Kids Read Comics The SRSLY Coalition Thanks t…
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Ever wonder what those paneling tools do in Clip Studio Paint? You’ll be surprised by how much they can speed up your work. Join Jerzy and Rob for a Mini Workshop episode where they demo 3 awesome power-ups in Clip Studio Paint. Sponsors for this episode Four Million Years Later Rob's workshops and coaching Lean Into Art Discord Links mentioned: Cl…
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When we make things, write stories, any creative work needs input. Sometimes that’s focused research, other times it’s the indirect idea fuel of taking time to recharge, play games, watch, and read things that give us energy. Join us for an exploration of what we've been reading/watching/playing. Sponsors for this episode Four Million Years Later R…
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Ever think about participating in hourly comics day or similar comics events?Avoid entirely but think about it still?Or try and get stuck?We’re going to take the worksheet my students use in the Customizing Your Next Creative Challenge workshop. Then we’ll put it to use to puzzle out a frequent comics-making challenge. Will we go with hourly? Daily…
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Ever not try an art project because you feel some fear about the work involved? This week Rob and Jerzy look at what they do when they feel frightened about making things. Sponsors for this episode Four Million Years Later Rob's workshops and coaching Lean Into Art Discord Links mentioned: Hourly Comic Day Thanks to our top Patreon supporters Art M…
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Jerzy and Rob share some tricks in Clip Studio Paint that will make flatting easy for beginners, and speedier for those who have been doing it a while. Sponsors for this episode Science Comics: Rockets Rob's workshops and coaching Lean Into Art Discord Links mentioned: Cap'n Cat Sample Page Clip Studio Paint 3-month Trial DADO's turorial on Flattin…
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Join Jerzy and Rob for an exploration of how our relationship with rest affects our work. Sponsors for this episode Boulder and Fleet: Mining for Trouble Rob's workshops and coaching Lean Into Art Discord Thanks to our top Patreon supporters Sarah Loutfi Spencer Hallam Becca Hillburn Dave 'Sri' Seah Gail Buschman Connect with Jerzy and Rob Jerzy on…
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Some frequently shared advice among creative people hoping to build an audience or attract customers is to “post something every day.” Many of us find this plan reasonable, yet difficult to act out. Rob has chosen to take this practice on for 2021 with a daily bit of writing on his blog. This week Jerzy checks in with him to reflect on Rob’s goals,…
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This week Jerzy and Rob look at the Lean Into Art project itself as a case in point. When should you check in on your commitment to a long-term project, and how do you think about evolving it while you work on it? Join us for a discussion on re-evaluating the work you’re doing on a project and stepping back to see if it’s meeting your goals. Sponso…
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Sponsors for this episode Four Million Years Later Rob's workshops and coaching Lean Into Art Discord Links mentioned: Bruce Lee: The Tao of Gung Fu Lynda Barry's Syllabus Stan Bush G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero Clip Studio Paint Thanks to our top Patreon supporters Jodels Pox Spencer Hallam Nate Marcel Sophie Lawson Robert Clemmons Jr. This week'…
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Jerzy and Rob celebrate the end of the year by practicing an Extra Lean episode, which are emergent discussions based on what we've recently experienced in our art. You can download more of them by subscribing to the Lean Into Art Patreon! Sponsors for this episode Four Million Years Later Rob's workshops and coaching Lean Into Art Discord Connect …
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What happens when you begin to navigate the creative constraints of a project with the needs of the client, the users, and yourself in mind? Are the needs behind a project simply a list of requirements, or can they be instigators of creative energy? Join Jerzy and Rob for an exploration of a specific project that became a lot more interesting throu…
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Jerzy and Rob get together for another analysis of what they’ve been reading/watching/playing. In the second half they’ll look at how your own experience in the making of the thing can be a factor in choosing your tools. Sponsors for this episode Four Million Years Later Rob's workshops and coaching Lean Into Art Discord Links mentioned: The Book o…
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Last episode we started exploring creative time strategies and considering capacity as an overall foundation to help with being realistic about creative output. Here we continue exploring to help our future selves get the things we care about making done, into the world, and help others become aware of the stuff we make. Join Jerzy and Rob as they …
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Creative projects need lots of things, different concerns to focus on. Each of those concerns takes time. Where’s the time to create? How can we be kind and realistic in our plans? If we do this skillfully, we hope it will help our future selves get the things we care about making done, into the world, and help others become aware of the stuff we m…
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Jerzy and Rob check in on their 2020 Art Soundoff journals. What themes and topics did we choose, and why? What outcomes are we hoping for with this year’s challenge? If you’re participating in #artsoundoff this year, join the live stream and share your experiences and reflections! Sponsors for this episode Four Million Years Later Rob's workshops …
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Last episode Jerzy and Rob talked about note taking on physical media, including a demonstration of taking notes. It’s a big topic, why and how you gather notes, and even how you put notes to use. Join Jerzy and Rob in this episode of the Lean Into Art podcast as they explore digital ways they take notes and make use of them for planning, project, …
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Note taking can help with gathering our thoughts and set us up to build upon ideas. Join us in this note taking and note using infused episode of the Lean Into Art podcast. Jerzy and Rob will discuss how we each make use of notes with physical tools, digital tools, and how this note taking helps with creating and collaborating on projects. This top…
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Whether digital or analog, favorite art tools have a timeline and a story to them. First you’re curious about a new way or something breaks and it’s time to try something else. Then you explore an option and have an impression, will this new tablet or marker be a keeper? Some tools get to stick around and reliably help you get real projects complet…
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2020 has asked many of us to level up our skills with online teaching, learning, and presenting. Jerzy and Rob check in to see how they’ve been thinking about using a variety of video information to tell a story, to demonstrate a technique, or to perform something they care about while talking about why they care about it. And how will this inform …
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Jerzy and Rob celebrate some of their favorite spooky stories and stories featuring monsters. In traditional LIA fashion, they also ask themselves why these stories appeal to them. Join the live stream to share some of your own stories and analysis! Sponsors for this episode Jerzy's Comics Rob's workshops Lean Into Art Discord Links mentioned: Sven…
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Creating for yourself, no matter your medium, has a power to it. Recently it’d been over a month since Jerzy drew something just for him. He found it invigorating and that’s the kind of thing we find fascinating to explore. Join Rob and Jerzy as they discuss creating projects because you want to, with no other agenda. Sponsors for this episode Four…
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Some projects get the bulk of our effort and attention, yet others are those side projects that get less frequent or shorter durations of time and effort. In this episode of the Lean Into Art cast, join Jerzy and Rob as they discuss whittling at those side projects as an approach to make small consistent progress. Sponsors for this episode Science …
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This week Jerzy and Rob are joined by returning guest Gregg Schigiel to talk about the value of keeping the connections between you and your social/professional network active. Sponsors for this episode Cartoon Crossroads Columbus Rob's Store Lean Into Art Discord Thanks to our top Patreon supporters Brandon Dayton Dave 'Sri' Seah Gail Buschman Dav…
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Jerzy and Rob check in on what they’re reading/watching/playing, followed by another entry from the Obstacles series. Sponsors for this episode Cartoon Crossroads Columbus Rob's workshops Lean Into Art Discord Links mentioned: Gods and Robots: Myths Machines, and Ancient Dreams of Technology The Diamond Age Holey Moley My Octopus Teacher Guacamelee…
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This week Jerzy and Rob look at the methods and rationale for hiding pieces of original art in public. Links to sites mentioned Jake Parker's Art Drops David Zinn Jerzy's PowerCon art drops Jerzy's bowling night art drops Thanks to our top Patreon supporters Brandon Dayton Shauni Redfearn DADO Chris Watkins Ben Odgren Connect with Jerzy and Rob Jer…
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This week Jerzy and Rob are joined by returning guest Gregg Schigiel to talk about the value of keeping the connections between you and your social/professional network active. Sponsors for this episode Four Million Years Later Rob's store Lean Into Art Discord Links mentioned: Art Soundoff Art & Science Punks Podcast Thanks to our top Patreon supp…
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Jerzy and Rob look at the role curiosity plays in designing, creating, marketing, and acquiring other skills useful to communicating with images. Sponsors for this episode Four Million Years Later Guitar Fretter Lean Into Art Discord Thanks to our top Patreon supporters Becca Hillburn Chris Watkins Katherine Sugrue Ashley Knapp Keri Goble Billick T…
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Jerzy and Rob check in and model the big question: why do we do the work we do? Sponsors for this episode Four Million Years Later Guitar Fretter Lean Into Art Discord Thanks to our top Patreon supporters Greg Horvath Rachel Ross Becca Hillburn India Swift Keri Goble Billick This week's 2 Minute Practice Make some noise with a musical instrument Co…
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One way to add service to your products is to teach about how they get made. Marketing your work as an artist can be an uncomfortable second skill, though it could be more than that. Marketing your work in the best context is a service because it helps you reach the audience that needs and wants what you make. In this episode of Lean Into Art, join…
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Visual storytelling is a big theme with the Lean Into Art podcast. Also: working with what you have as a storyteller to do a myriad of things that go with not just the creative process but also presenting your creative work in a useful and usable way. Jerzy and Rob talk about useful tools to consider using even if you’re not a User Experience (UX) …
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What do you do when you’ve got a product that you can’t find a partner for? Is it time to set it aside and try something else, or is it time to hire yourself to and go it alone? Join Jerzy and Rob for a discussion on evaluating a project when influential people in the field don’t want to invest in it. Sponsors for this episode Four Million Years La…
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Is there an easy and useful way to find success criteria for projects in a technology you’re excited about? This week Jerzy and Rob talk about when it’s exciting and tempting to try a new (or new to you) art technology, especially if you have a project in mind for it. Sponsors for this episode Four Million Years Later Rob's coaching Lean Into Art D…
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This week Jerzy and Rob look at ways they’ve sought out more efficient approaches to drawing using digital tools. Sponsors for this episode Super Comics Challenge 2 Rob and Kate's coaching Lean Into Art Discord Links mentioned: Ray Frenden's CSP Brush Sale Affinity Design Apps Python PSD Tools GIMP Thanks to our top Patreon supporters Greg Horvath …
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This week Jerzy and Rob take a look at some of the obstacles we encounter in making our art. How do we struggle with finding time for our whittling and side projects while also trying to keep refining our main jobs? And how does this friction with finding time affect our enthusiasm and morale? Note: We ran an experiment this week in streaming the v…
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This week Jerzy and Rob are joined by returning guest Gregg Schigiel to talk about the value of keeping the connections between you and your social/professional network active. Sponsors for this episode Four Million Years Later Rob and Kate's coaching Lean Into Art Discord Links Mentioned Kelly McGonigal: How to make stress your friend Mindset: The…
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Uncertainty, unrest, new realities, and managing a side hustle can easily lead to burnout. What do you do to navigate or manage it? How can describing the systems that lead to burnout help us? Join Jerzy and Rob and share your experiences with the subject. Sponsors for this episode Super Comics Challenge Rob's Patreon Lean Into Art Discord Links me…
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Join Jerzy and Rob as we put our streaming studios through some tests! Work continues on our studios evolving, a couple episodes ago we mentioned working on our studios, learning the OBS streaming/recording app. And let's also do some live drawing, what better way to have fun and see what we're liking and want to improve about our live streaming se…
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A truth for many of us is we have to hold down some other jobs while we hustle to make our art. How do we think about this friction between keeping the lights on and developing new products? Speaking of which, Rob and Jerzy are wrapping up their Art Soundoff entries and have some reflections on using creative challenges to develop new products. Is …
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