Making art and writing about skilldev and artist issues. Searching the limits of my own creative polymathy while on a journey to making animated films
Joined August 2009
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303 Photos and videos
Pinned Tweet
2 Nov 2024
Here's a (very) simplified pathway for practice
1. Get clear about what you want to be good at
2. Research what's already out there to learn from
3. Figure out the fundamentals
4. Design exercises around problem areas
5. Schedule a time block for practice
6. Practice & Repeat
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3 Mar 2025
Once upon a time I believed I couldn't be creative.
I could never come up with ideas. Always staring at a blank screen or staring at the wall for hours.
All it took was watching a movie and ideas started flooding in.
Ideas are triggered, not conjured.
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27 Feb 2025
I usually find that when a task doesn't require much thinking, it becomes easier to execute.
When creative work becomes a habit, it becomes consistent.
If you can make getting into work easier, finishing projects becomes easier.
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20 Feb 2025
If you spent your entire life inside a room, devoid of any media or literature, would you be able to make a thoughtful piece of art?
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16 Feb 2025
If you're having problems finishing projects:
- I go over my primary culprits
- I got one unsexy thing to do about it.
roninruminations.wordpress.c…
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14 Feb 2025
Creativity seems to live in chaos.
I tend to agree.
Most of my artist friends have houses that I never know how to get out of. LOL.
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9 Feb 2025
"Art is never finished, only abandoned." - Leonardo da Vinci
Nowadays it's more like, "art is never finished, but it always ships, bugs and all."
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6 Feb 2025
Your environment plays a huge role in your art.
There's almost always a little piece of us put into every piece of art we put out.
We are the product of our environment.
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26 Jan 2025
In yesterday's newsletter I wanted to go over that feeling of being a fraud, how style happens, and thoughts on originality.
roninruminations.wordpress.c…
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10 Dec 2024
Use collections and libraries to trigger ideas.
1. Collect objects that can trigger thoughts, memories, emotions, etc.
2. Place all objects to be scanned completely from one spot.
3. Allow your mind to wander when examining these items, making connections between them.
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5 Dec 2024
Working on set in indie productions we were always driven to get the shot.
We almost never had the proper tools, so our time was spent figuring out solutions no matter how janky.
Most of the time our rigged solutions turned out better than expected.
Work with what you got.
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2 Dec 2024
Doing hard things on purpose helps to condition the discipline needed for consistency.
You learn to put aside the excuses and get things done.
You train to execute versus waiting for the right time.
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1 Dec 2024
In today's newsletter: A few thoughts on what I think about when I start working
- consistency is putting in the work no matter how you feel
- my space station analogy for working
- a Doctor Who reference "taking the long way around."
roninruminations.wordpress.c…
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17 Nov 2024
My sifu drilled into me w/ many drills: pak sao, chi sao, striking, ground work, etc.
The point he made was that: in a fight we don't want to think about fighting, just react.
He corrected me in over 100 little things.
Those 100 little things saved my a** when defending myself
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15 Nov 2024
I find those that are the most skillful in something have the hardest time teaching it.
And I really wish they could.
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13 Nov 2024
Delayed gratification has been essential in my ability to create and put out work.
For creative work, this could mean putting off purchasing a better tablet.
I'm left with figuring alternative ways of working, which could lead to better ideas, which is the point of creativity.
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10 Nov 2024
In Today's Newsletter I talk about (art) style:
- Insights taken from Ira Glass and James Clear for doing more work
- Drawing everyday solved Kim Jung Gi’s girlfriend problem. LOL.
- Various curiosities can lead to clarity on your art journey
roninruminations.wordpress.c…
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9 Nov 2024
Is the 10,000 hours rule still popular? Even after being debunked over the years? Or not properly explained?
As much as I promote practicing, there are definitely other factors to consider--especially in athletic performance.
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8 Nov 2024
With no course or curriculum or mentorship available,
the only question you need to ask is:
What do I need to figure out?
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