Today’s episode is all about how to find creative ways to cope with isolation following the coronavirus outbreak. As well as the podcast we put together this bumper blog post with links to free creative courses, resources and ideas for things to do during the Coronavirus outbreak.

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Since the news right now is overwhelmed with negativity, which is bringing all of us down, we want to suggest ways to help those people cope during that time… and possibly even make that isolation period change their lives for the better.

What if, instead of focussing on the negative aspect of having to isolate, although it’s difficult we try looking at the positive side to keep our spirits up? What if we all use that time to do something we have always wanted to, but never had the time because of work or other commitments? That could be anything from learning a new language to learning to paint and draw.

It is widely known that having some kind of creative outlet is good for our mental health, unlike isolation, which has the opposite effect altogether. So, creativity could be just the thing to counterbalance that negative effect.

Some of the things we discuss

• Some places to find free creative courses
• Ideas for starting online creative groups
• Ways to get many creative courses cheaper than they are advertised
• Creative Challenges you could take part in
• Preparing your art to sell for when things improves
• Making cards for people you love
• Taking part in an art postcard swap – start your own with friends or join our Facebook Group Postcard Swap
• Online portrait drawing with friends, one of our group members has been doing this
• Visiting a virtual gallery on your own or with a friend via the wonders of Skype and similar platforms
• Creative Collaboration ideas
• Podcast suggestions

If you enjoy the podcast you can support us by buying us a coffee. We want to make a coffee froth moustache. Thank you!

This week’s creative question

What creative things will you be doing during isolation?

The best answers will be read out on a future podcast.

You can Tweet us your answers @KickCreatives or let us know in the Facebook Group, which by the way if you haven’t already joined, I highly recommend that you do! We will put the question up there and also on the facebook page… and of course, on our Instagram page @kickinthecreatives.

If you have any suggestions for the podcast or our challenges please feel free to get in touch.

We’ve now got a Youtube Channel where we put up a new Art Video every Sunday.
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In podcast episode 46, we spoke about how sometimes, taking a short break from our art can be beneficial and help to re-fill our creative well. But what if you haven’t drawn for months, or even years? You pick up that pencil again and somehow it just feels so alien, that you just put it down again.Today we are going to talk about that.

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So you want to start drawing again and you would think that the answer would be to just start. But of course, our minds like to mess with us and instead of picking up the pencil, we find every reason we can to put it off. What we’re really doing is procrastinating and doubting ourselves.

“What if`I’m rubbish?”

“What if I don’t enjoy it?”

So we have some ideas to help get you started

Some of the things we discuss

• How Tara started drawing by hand again after years of working digitally and how alien it felt at first
• How the way you want to draw now might be completely different from how you drew years ago
• That your taste for subject matter and mediums can completely change over time
• Why you have to prepared for your art tosuck for a while
• That copying can be a great way to learn (as long as you credit the original creator if you share your art) We all copied art as kids, so why not as adults.
• Why a cheap sketchbook may be better than a beautiful more expensive one
• Why experimenting is a great way to discover the art you love to make
• How a challenge can help motivate you to practice

When you’ve finished listening to this podcast, we challenge you to grab a piece of paper. It doesn’t need to be fancy – in fact, the less precious the better.. Find a pen and draw something you can see from where you are sitting. No messing about deciding what to draw.

We give you 30 seconds to decide.

This first will NOT be a masterpiece, but you have done the hardest thing and started. When you have finished, keep your drawing it will be fun to look back on to see how you improve.

The books we mention

Making comics by Lynda Barry
Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain by Betty Edwards
Danny Gregory, Art before Breakfast – Non-perfect drawings are more fun 

*Some links are affiliate links which means we get a small commission at no extra cost to you. Thank you for your support.

If you enjoy the podcast you can support us by buying us a coffee. We want to make a coffee froth moustache. Thank you!

This week’s creative question

What is the biggest thing that gets in the way of getting to your art?

The best answers will be read out on a future podcast.

You can Tweet us your answers @KickCreatives or let us know in the Facebook Group, which by the way if you haven’t already joined, I highly recommend that you do! We will put the question up there and also on the facebook page… and of course, on our Instagram page @kickinthecreatives.

If you have any suggestions for the podcast or our challenges please feel free to get in touch.

We’ve now got a Youtube Channel where we put up a new Art Video every Sunday.
Subscribe to our channel and click the notifications bell to be alerted on all our new videos.

Today’s podcast guest is Eric Hanscom, an Intellectual Property Attorney who is answering your artists questions about copyright. Eric has been an intellectual property attorney for the last 20 years. He has successfully filed and prosecuted thousands of patents, trademarks and copyrights for his clients in more than 50 countries. As well as understanding copyright as an attorney, Eric is also a Drone photographer so understands the other side of intellectual property from a Creative’s perspective.

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A few of your artist’s copyright questions that Eric answers

• How long does copyright exist after the creation of a piece of work
• What’s the best way to protect your original art from being copied?
• If someone buys your painting who owns the copyright?
• Where does an artist stand on using magazine photos in mixed media collages?
• What are the rules for using someone else’s photograph/stock photograph as the subject of an original work of art such as a painting, drawing, print, etc.?
• Is it ok to include brands in your drawings, eg. MacBook with the apple logo on it or can drinks with branding?
• Is it enough to just put your name and date, plus copyright mark on anything you post on social media?
• Can someone who buys a painting of yours make and sell copies legally?
• What is licensing and what does it mean when you license your art?

Thank you to everyone who asked a question, we hope we covered them all.

Find out more about Eric Hanscom

Law website www.iciplaw.com/

Drone Photography – www.dronezone.club

Drone Facebook Page www.facebook.com/dronezoneclub

Eric’s Marvellous Pig Drawing that he Mentions in the Podcast

Eric and a Drone

Eric on a bamboo raft on the Li River Guilin China

We’ve now got a Youtube Channel where we put up a new Art Video every Sunday.
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As Artists, we are often asked questions/statements that can really ruffle our feathers. And when Jackie Poulouktsi who is in our Facebook Group messaged us to vent a couple of questions that frustrate her, we thought of a lot of other ones we could add to the list.

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We start with the two statements that really frustrate Jackie:

• You’re so talented – when they think it just comes effortlessly without hours of practice.
• I could never do that, ‘I’m just not artistic – which is sad. I am sure if some of the people who said this took the time they would be surprised what they could achieve over a few months.

So some of the other frustrating things that people say to artists and creatives are

• ‘But it’s just a little hobby, isn’t it?’ – Sandra’s personal hate
• And Tara’s designer pet peeve is when a client says “Well you’re the designer!” when they don’t know what they want and can’t be bothered to write a brief
• Can you please do a ‘quick’ sketch of my house/kids?

But it doesn’t stop there. I am sure we will mention some of the things that people have said to you as artists that drive you insane. And if we didn’t, then drop a comment below and tell us about it. We didn’t ask you before because you know how much we waffle and the episode would have been 3 hours long!

If you enjoy the podcast you can support us by buying us a coffee. We want to make a coffee froth moustache. Thank you!

This week’s creative question

Have you ever been embarrassed to show your art? If so, why?

The best answers will be read out on a future podcast.

You can Tweet us your answers @KickCreatives or let us know in the Facebook Group, which by the way if you haven’t already joined, I highly recommend that you do! We will put the question up there and also on the facebook page… and of course, on our Instagram page @kickinthecreatives.

If you have any suggestions for the podcast or our challenges please feel free to get in touch.

We’ve now got a Youtube Channel where we put up a new Art Video every Sunday.
Subscribe to our channel and click the notifications bell to be alerted on all our new videos.

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Todays interview is with artist and creative Marcia Furman. Although Marcia original trained in Graphic Design her passion is now for creating art. She sells her art through her Etsy shop and in person at crafts markets. She also shares her creative life and art tutorials through her Youtube channel “Art by Marcia Furman”

Marcia has two very distinct painting styles. She paints in a surrealist style, but also enjoys painting more realistically.

Marcia’s Critter Journal

Sketch travel journal

Marcia talks about

• Her creative background and how she studied graphic design
• Some of her early art related businesses
• About her 2 distinct painting styles
• Her process for creating art
• Her love of journaling, including her critter journal
• Selling her work through Etsy and in person at Craft and Art Markets

Whimsical Tree Girl with Pink Hair – Surrealism style painting

Fantastical Girl T-Rex With Bow and Pile of Meat –  surrealism style painting

Some of the artists that Inspire Marcia

• Mab Graves: www.mabgraves.com
• Mark Ryden: www.markryden.com
• Marion Peck: www.marionpeck.com
• James Gurney: www.jamesgurney.com
• Alicia Aradilla: www.instagram.com/a.aradilla
• Nastia Youkki Mamoshina: www.instagram.com/youkki_art

Find out more about Marcia Furman

Marcia’s Instagram Channel – www.instagram.com/marcia_furman

Marcia’s Etsy Store – www.etsy.com/shop/MarciaFurman

Art By Marcia Furman Youtube Channel – www.youtube.com/ArtbyMarciaFurman

Marcia’s  Facebook Page – www.facebook.com/TheArtofMarciaFurman

Marcia’s Patreon Page – www.patreon.com/marciafurman

We’ve now got a Youtube Channel where we put up a new Art Video every Sunday.
Subscribe to our channel and click the notifications bell to be alerted on all our new videos.

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Art Inspiration versus Imitation

Today we are talking about art inspiration versus imitation and the two are very different things! When we are starting with anything new we all tend to imitate, we copy drawings and painting techniques to learn how things are done. And that is completely normal. But then there comes a time when we need to find our own way and use what we have learned to create something new that we can call our own style.

It’s great to be inspired by things we see all around us, including other artists. But, then we need to look at those things and take elements from them that we’d like to incorporate into our own work. That could be as simple as an artist inspiring you to try out a new medium or subject matter than you wouldn’t normally choose.

A quote from Austin Kleon’s Book Steal Like an Artist by cartoonist Gary Panter “If you have one person you’re influenced by everyone will say you are the next whoever, but if you rip off a hundred people everyone will say you are original.

What this means is that if you see an artist you like and just start painting in a style very similar to them, you will probably be considered a poor copy, but if you look at a few different artists and take elements you like from each of them people will think you are unique.

Some of the things we discuss:

• The difference between art inspiration and imitation
• How Sandra stopped taking classes with her mentor because she felt she needed to develop her own style
• Why doing lots of workshops or studying various artists is better than focussing on one all the time
• How even when we think we are being original, the chances are our subconscious has taking in inspiration we are not even aware of
• The fact that every takes inspiration from somewhere – you only have to look at Art Movements in History to see how ideas can spread.
• How we use inspiration boards

I also mention the project I will be starting on the 1st February called “Find Your Art Style Experiment” which i will be sharing on our Blog, Youtube and Social Media. You can find you more about it here https://kickinthecreatives.com/find-art-style-experiment/. We’d love to you join in or follow along.

If you enjoy the podcast you can support us by buying us a coffee. We want to make a coffee froth moustache. Thank you!

This week’s creative question

If for some reason you were no longer ever allowed or able to create artwork again, what other hobby, creative or otherwise, would you pursue instead and why?

The best answers will be read out on a future podcast.

You can Tweet us your answers @KickCreatives or let us know in the Facebook Group, which by the way if you haven’t already joined, I highly recommend that you do! We will put the question up there and also on the facebook page… and of course, on our Instagram page @kickinthecreatives.

If you have any suggestions for the podcast or our challenges please feel free to get in touch.

We’ve now got a Youtube Channel where we put up a new Art Video every Sunday.
Subscribe to our channel and click the notifications bell to be alerted on all our new videos.

Subscribe: iTunes | Stitcher | Spotify | RSS

This podcast is a little different to our normal episodes in the fact that it’s an “Ask us Anything” Christmas Special. This is the second part of a two-parter, as we talked way too much for one episode!

You can find Part One here: Ep 50 Ask us Anything Christmas Special Part 1

For this special podcast, we invited you to ask us questions. They could be anything, art or creativity related, personal (thank you for keeping it clean!!!) or random things. And we got a bit of everything so there is a good mix and we hope you enjoy the show?

Here are the questions we answered in part 2

• What’s the difference between copyright/plagiarism/ and using an image you see on google or elsewhere for
• Is the Hokey Cokey really what it’s all about?
• What era and area would you travel to and who would you then study under/with?
• What do you do with all these random stuff we create my poems are contained easily but all these canvas tile mixed media paintings etc ? I am being overrun and don’t know what to do with it all
• What other artists do you most admire (voraciously envy the talent of) and why?
• I have a question about copyright. I understand pretty well about photos that are recent and will use sites like Pixabay or Unsplash. I will also share and share alike and give credit or use the proper licences. Where things get tricky is when using vintage photographs. I imagine, that where a photographer has been named there might still be copyright or at least credit should be given. What about where you don’ t know who the photographer is and the photo is over 50 years old? I really love old photos and would like to use them as references.
• My drawing and painting are getting better, but I still lack depth. I need more help working out tones and being able to see and use them better- can you brilliant ladies help a girl out?
• What inspired you to start kick in the creatives? It is an outstanding resource for me, and can’t thank you enough for the endless inspiration.
• If you can, should you?
• Favourite hot drink?
• Which inspires your creativity more, nature or man-made?
• Best way to deal with a cat that demands to sit on your artwork when you’re drawing it?
• Do you 2 ever have a stand-off? What happens when you do?
• What about the copyright of our art? We get to keep our name on it? I hope this makes sense…
• What do you do for fun?
• How are you able to find time for all you do, with managing KITC, your work, family, Art, etc.? (I’m in awe of how you both seem to fit everything in!)
• Where does KITC, plan to be – in 2021, and 2023?

Don’t forget to listen to Part 1 of the “Ask us Anything Christmas Special” which came out on 9h December. The normal podcast will resume on the 13th January and we also have some interesting guests coming up in the new year.

If you enjoy the podcast you can support us by buying us a coffee. We want to make a coffee froth moustache. Thank you!

If you have any suggestions for the podcast or our challenges please feel free to get in touch.

We’ve now got a Youtube Channel where we put up a new Art Video every Sunday.
Subscribe to our channel and click the notifications bell to be alerted on all our new videos.

Subscribe: iTunes | Stitcher | Spotify | RSS

This podcast is a little different to our normal episodes in the fact that it’s an “Ask us Anything” Christmas Special. Well, in fact, it’s part one of a Christmas Special. Now whether that’s because you asked us too many questions or Sandra and I talk way too much, I will let you decide. Personally, I think it’s the former. But anyway Part 2 will air on the 23rd of December, so you can listen while you slurp on a little Eggnog or snog your significant other under the mistletoe (that’s going to be a very long kiss)!

Anyway, for this, our Fiftieth episode (which we didn’t notice until after we recorded it) we invited you to ask us questions. They could be anything – art or creativity related, personal (thank you for keeping it clean!!!) or random things. And we got a bit of everything, so we hope you enjoy the show?

Here are the questions we answered in part 1

• I currently use acrylic paints, but thinking of trying oils…. I know they’re not ‘easier’ to use, but do they blend colours better? And give a better finish? Thinking for portraits
• Favourite Artist?
• Favourite Book?
• Favourite City?
• Greatest influence in your life?
• Favourite Song?
• What inspires you?
• What makes you smile?
• Who would you love to collaborate with ( alive or dead )
• Best advice given/received?
• Best advice for others?
• If you had a magic want to wave and instantly master a medium that you shy away from what would it be?
• What made you guys decide to do a podcast together?
• How do you create your videos/podcasts?

Don’t forget to listen out for Part 2 of the “Ask us Anything Christmas Special” on the 23rd of December. The normal podcast will resume on the 6th January and we also have some interesting guests coming up in the new year.

If you enjoy the podcast you can support us by buying us a coffee. We want to make a coffee froth moustache. Thank you!

If you have any suggestions for the podcast or our challenges please feel free to get in touch.

We’ve now got a Youtube Channel where we put up a new Art Video every Sunday.
Subscribe to our channel and click the notifications bell to be alerted on all our new videos.

Subscribe: iTunes | Stitcher | Spotify | RSS

Today we are talking about drawing from life versus drawing from photos and which is best. And I think we know, now more than ever before, what a different skill drawing from life is since we started doing a lot more sketching trips out and about.

It’s really easy to rely on photo’s for practice, and while there’s nothing wrong with drawing from photos, it’s important to also practise drawing from life as much as you can.

Some of the things we discuss:

• How photos can distort perspective and also colour too
• That your eyes can pick up far more than a camera
• How drawing from life makes you think more about composition
• Why Drawing from life is much more challenging, but with that comes a sense of achievement when it works
• Why photos are great for manipulating and experimenting before drawing.
• How Sandra uses a combination of life and photos for her paintings
• Why photos are great for practising different mediums
• How drawing from photos gives you the confidence to go and try drawing from life outside
• How useful photos can be as a starting point/reference point for a piece of art, they don’t have to be taken literally

Sandra also tries to explain a recent issue she had when she was painting a glass bottle. Unfortunately, her choice of words for the floppy distortion effect left me sniggering in the background like an idiot (check the blooper at the end too).

If you enjoy the podcast you can support us by buying us a coffee. We want to make a coffee froth moustache. Thank you!

This week’s creative question

Q. What is your favourite colour, and how would you describe it to a blind person?

The best answers will be read out on a future podcast.

You can Tweet us your answers @KickCreatives or let us know in the Facebook Group, which by the way if you haven’t already joined, I highly recommend that you do! We will put the question up there and also on the facebook page… and of course, on our Instagram page @kickinthecreatives.

If you have any suggestions for the podcast or our challenges please feel free to get in touch.

We’ve now got a Youtube Channel where we put up a new Art Video every Sunday.
Subscribe to our channel and click the notifications bell to be alerted on all our new videos.