For artists, juggling our creative projects, marketing efforts, social media, and everyday life can feel like a circus act. 

But what if I told you that multitasking is a myth, especially when it comes to creative work? 

Research shows that people can lose up to 20% of their productivity when they are interrupted or transition between tasks. This productivity drain can be particularly detrimental for artists, whose work requires deep focus and concentration.

I finished this 36 by 36 inches oil painting in 4 days—each day I spent an uninterrupted 3 hours of studio time. I wouldn’t finish a painting with this size and this degree of details within a week if I multitask or allow myself being interrupted often. 

Crystal road, oil on canvas, by Ying McLane

1. The Cost of Task Switching
2. The Myth of Multitasking
3. The Power of Mono-Tasking

1. The Cost of Task Switching

Every time we switch from one task to another, our brain needs time to adjust. This phenomenon, known as “task-switching,” can disrupt our workflow and diminish our efficiency. For example, imagine you’re in the middle of a painting, fully immersed in the colors and strokes. 

Suddenly, you get a notification on your phone or remember that you need to respond to an email. That brief distraction can break your creative flow, making it harder to get back into the zone.

Studies have shown that even a minor interruption can lead to a significant loss in productivity. According to a study conducted by the University of California, Irvine, it can take an average of 23 minutes and 15 seconds to fully regain focus after being interrupted. This means that every time we allow ourselves to be distracted, we are not only losing time but also diminishing the quality of our work.

2. The Myth of Multitasking

The concept of multitasking suggests that we can efficiently perform multiple tasks simultaneously. 

However, research indicates that what we’re actually doing is quickly switching between tasks, rather than performing them simultaneously. This rapid switching can cause mental fatigue, reduce cognitive performance, and increase stress levels.

In creative work, this is particularly problematic. The act of creating art requires deep thinking, emotional engagement, and a level of focus that is difficult to achieve when constantly switching tasks. While it might be possible to multitask simple, repetitive tasks like folding laundry, true creative work demands our full attention.

This principle even apply to children. One day this summer my boys suddenly want to do a painting session. They spend the entire morning in my studio drawing their favorite animals and superheroes, without being distracted or interrupted. they finished 6 paintings among them. I was a very proud mom!

3. The Power of Mono-Tasking

So, what’s the alternative? The answer lies in mono-tasking, or focusing on one task at a time. For artists, this means blocking out dedicated time for creating without interruptions. Here are some strategies to help you embrace mono-tasking:

1. Set Clear Boundaries: Establish specific times during the day when you focus solely on your art. Inform those around you of these boundaries to minimize interruptions. Morning is my creative time. Once I focus on the painting in the front of me, two or three hours will go by without I notice it.  Your creative time maybe nighttime if you are a night owl, or in the afternoon. The key is blocking a solid two to four hours of time to create!
2. Create a Distraction-Free Environment: Designate a space for your creative work where distractions are minimized. Turn off notifications on your phone and computer, close unnecessary tabs on your computer, and create a calming atmosphere that helps you focus. 
3. Prioritize Your Tasks: Determine which tasks require your full creative energy and focus. Schedule these tasks during your peak productivity hours and save less demanding tasks, like administrative work, for later. I always leave these smaller, less intense tasks in the later of the day. This way, even I am being interrupted by family activities, I can go back to it without much difficulty.
4. Practice Mindfulness: Cultivate a mindful approach to your work by being present in the moment. Pay attention to your creative process, and allow yourself to fully engage with the task at hand.
5. Take Breaks: While mono-tasking is about focusing on one task, it’s also important to take regular breaks. This helps prevent burnout and keeps your mind fresh and creative. The average rule of thumb is take a 5 minute break every 45 for minutes of work. And take a longer break like 20 to 30 minute after three hours. 
6. Give yourself a small reward often. Like a little snack, a walk around block, or read a chapter of my favorite book are some of my favorite rewards. Doing creative task is mentally and physically draining, and this is a strategy to motivate and fuel your creative tank. 

As artists, our creative energy is precious. 

 Remember, it’s not about doing more in less time, but about doing the right things with full attention and intention. 

So, let’s turn off the distractions, embrace the beauty of mono-tasking, and give our art the undivided attention it deserves.

Does this post help you in someways? Leave a comment or share with a friend!

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1. What Are Tonal Values?
2. How to See Tonal Values
3. Masters of Tonal Values: Rembrandt and Caravaggio
4. Modern Masters: Edward Hopper

1. What Are Tonal Values?

In the simplest terms, value refers to the lightness or darkness of a color. The value scale, ranging from pure white to deep black, is a tool that artists use to gauge these variations. This concept is crucial in almost every artwork, helping artists create depth and emphasize focal points.

2. How to See Tonal Values

One practical way to grasp tonal values is by converting a color image to black and white using your phone or computer. This technique helps artists stay true to their reference photos and offers a clear composition overview

Automat, by Edward Hopper.

Another simple way is to squint your eyes to eliminate details and catch the big shapes in front of you, whether you are looking at a piece of art, photo, or scenery. 

3. Old Masters of Tonal Values: Rembrandt and Caravaggio

When discussing tonal values, the names Rembrandt and Caravaggio often come up. These masters utilized strong contrasts between light and dark, a technique known as chiaroscuro. This method, derived from the Italian words “chiaro” (clear, light) and “scuro” (dark, obscure), creates a dramatic interplay of light and shadow.

Take Rembrandt’s The Mill, for instance. The painting’s stark contrasts between the foreground hill and mill against the stormy sky evoke a poetic and somber mood. 

Similarly, in The Storm on the Sea of Galilee, the chiaroscuro technique divides the painting, highlighting the chaos and serenity within the scene.

Caravaggio’s The Taking of Christ uses a single light source to create an intense atmosphere, drawing viewers into the pivotal moment of Jesus’s capture.

4. Modern Masters example: Edward Hopper

Edward Hopper, a modern American realist, also excelled in using tonal values. In his 1952 painting Morning Sun, Hopper captures the quiet solitude of a woman sitting in bed, bathed in sunlight. The simplicity of the value scale in this work, with its limited range of tones, underscores the painting’s emotional depth.

Hopper’s Nighthawks is another iconic example, where the bright interior of a diner sharply contrasts with the dark, empty streets outside. Hopper himself remarked, “Unconsciously, probably, I was painting the loneliness of a large city.”

Your Turn: Exploring Tonal Values

Understanding tonal values isn’t just for the great masters; it’s a fundamental skill for all artists. Whether you’re painting a serene landscape or a bustling city scene, experimenting with light and shadow can add richness and depth to your work.

What are some of your favorite examples of tonal values in art? How do you incorporate these principles into your own creations?  Leave a comment, I’d love to hear from you!

The post Tonal Values in Art: Illuminating the Shadows appeared first on Ying McLane.

In composition, they bring out the most movement and dynamics, often appearing chaotic and mesmerizing at first glance. But when you linger on the canvas a little longer, you realize these paintings are brilliantly composed.

In my opinion, no other artist masters the use of curved lines more impressively than the Flemish painter Peter Paul Rubens. Below are three of his hunting-themed paintings that use curved lines brilliantly.

The Hippopotamus and Crocodile Hunt

This painting was commissioned in 1615 to decorate Schleißheim Palace. The cycle of paintings was looted from the palace during the Napoleonic Wars. Only The Hippopotamus and Crocodile Hunt was returned to Munich, at which time it was added to the collection that is now the Alte Pinakothek. 

All the curved lines in this painting point to the focal point—the trapped hippo. The horses, dogs, men, and their spears surround the beast, emphasizing the animal’s desperate effort to escape the trap.

Moving from The Hippopotamus and Crocodile Hunt, we see a similar mastery of motion in Lion Hunt.

Lion Hunt

The movement within this painting seems to extend beyond the canvas frame. Everything in this painting is in a state of violent movement, like the climax of an action movie—you have no choice but to fix your eyes on this painting, trying to figure out every movement. The viewer is drawn into the chaos and intensity of the scene, reflecting the turbulent nature of the hunt and the raw power of the animals depicted.

Tiger Hunt

This is another piece of art that uses the effect of curved lines to the max. The vicious animals, brave men, and victims are all intertwined and seem ready to leap out of the canvas.

Rubens’ expert use of curved lines not only captivates the viewer but also invites a deeper appreciation of the intricacies of movement and composition in art. His paintings continue to inspire and mesmerize audiences, reminding us of the timeless power of art to convey emotion and narrative.

What are your thoughts on curved lines? Do you have a favorite painting that showcases this technique? Leave a comment or share with a friend!

The post 8 Curved lines in painting composition appeared first on Ying McLane.

For example, when we take her out to dinner, nine times out of ten, when I ask her how the food was, she simply says, “It’s fine.” It drives me nuts because I just want her to say she likes it! LOL

Anyway, she recently sent me a message with something I never expected: “This is pretty good, right. I felt I accomplished something!”

That sentence caught my attention because it’s so unlike her usual self.

Ok here is the background story: For most of her life, my mom was dedicated to taking care of our family. Her days were filled with responsibilities and tasks, leaving little time for personal interests. 

But recently, while back in China visiting our family, she decided to do something entirely for herself. She signed up for an online watercolor course, 

Learning something new can be intimidating, especially later in life. But my mom approached her watercolor lessons with an open heart and a willingness to explore. 

She started with simple paintings in each lesson, learning about color mixing, brush techniques, and the basics of watercolor painting. You can see her progress from these paintings she did.  

On her fifth lesson, she painted a beautiful piece featuring a bunch of grapes.

 I was amazed when I saw it. The colors were vibrant, the shadows expertly done, and the grapes looked so realistic you could almost taste them. It was a professional-looking painting, and seeing her pride and joy was priceless.

My mom’s story is a testament to the fact that you can become an artist at any age. It’s not about having a lifelong training or starting young; it’s about the willingness to try something new and the joy of creating. Her experience reminds us that our lives are filled with opportunities to explore new paths, no matter how old we are.

If you’ve ever thought about picking up a paintbrush, learning an instrument, or trying something new, there’s no better time than now. 

Age is just a number, and our ability to create and enjoy the arts is timeless. Here are a few reasons why it’s never too late to become an artist:

1. **Personal Fulfillment**: Creating art brings a deep sense of satisfaction and fulfillment. It’s a way to express yourself, tell your story, and explore new ideas.

2. **Lifelong Learning**: Engaging in art allows you to keep learning and growing. It’s a wonderful way to challenge yourself and keep your mind active.

3. **Community and Connection**: Joining art classes or groups can introduce you to like-minded individuals and create a sense of community. Sharing your work and learning from others can be incredibly rewarding.

4. **Mental and Emotional Well-being**: Art has therapeutic benefits. It can help reduce stress, improve mood, and provide a sense of purpose.

To anyone reading this who feels unsure about starting something new, I encourage you to take that first step. Whether it’s painting, dancing, writing, or any other form of creative expression, the world of art is open to everyone. 

My mom’s journey into watercolor painting at 77 is a beautiful reminder that it’s never too late to discover a new passion and bring something beautiful into the world.

Let me end this post with this quote from one of my favorite author— James Clear:

“When you’re younger, it’s easy to underestimate how fleeting the days can be. Each choice matters. Each day matters. 

When you’re older, it’s easy to underestimate how much opportunity you still have. Don’t talk yourself out of it. It’s never too late to start.”

So, pick up that brush, pen, or whatever medium speaks to you, and start creating. 

You might just surprise yourself with what you can achieve. After all, art is not about perfection; it’s about expression, exploration, and enjoying the process. 

Remember, every artist was once a beginner, and there’s no better time to start than now.

Let me know if my mom’s story inspired you! 

The post My Mother’s Inspiring Journey appeared first on Ying McLane.

Unlike the solemn, balanced composition in Leonardo da Vinci’s “The Last Supper,” his contemporary Jacopo Tintoretto’s version of “The Last Supper” is much more dynamic and full of movement. 

The diagonally arranged long table sets the motion in the painting, with everything pointing to Jesus, who is in the middle of the table with a halo around his head. You can almost feel the chaotic air in the scene—with the woman kneeling in the foreground bringing out the food, the cat trying to steal from the basket, and the apostles chatting lively with each other, all signifying this is an important event in history. 

The woman and the apostles all face Jesus, drawing the focus to him. Jesus acts as the link between the mundane life depicted in the lower half of the painting and the spiritual realm signified in the upper half.

The diagonal design also applies to portraits. 

In John White Alexander’s portrait of a famous American dancer of her time, the dancer’s long white dress occupies most of the center space in a diagonal line. 

The artist may have gotten his composition inspired by the fact the dancer was renowned for manipulating the swirling folds of her silk dress during her performances.  

This unconventional composition for a portrait left a lasting impression on me when I visited the Met.

For more composition tips in art, please see my previous post here: https://yingmclane.com/sturdy-triangular/

I hope you enjoyed this post. Please leave a comment or share with a friend. 

The post Drama in Diagonal Design appeared first on Ying McLane.

In a triangle composition, the lines guide the viewer’s eye in a continuous flow, eliminating distractions and focusing on the main subjects with ease. The invisible triangle holds all the elements together, creating a steady and aesthetically pleasing piece of art.

Raphael’s“Canigiani Holy Family”: In Raphael’s “Canigiani Holy Family,” the triangle starts at Joseph’s head, with Mary and Elizabeth’s bodies aligning perfectly to its edges. On the left, John the Baptist on Elizabeth’s lap follows her form, creating a smooth flow. He and baby Jesus gaze at each other, both positioned similarly on Mary’s lap. Finally, Mary’s head rests under Joseph’s body, completing the flow of the triangle.

Jean Auguste Dominique Ingres’s Portrait of Princess De Broglie: In Jean Auguste Dominique Ingres’s portrait of Princess De Broglie, the triangle design highlights her reserved beauty and the luxurious textures of her dress and chair. The chair forms the right side of the triangle, stabilizing the whole portrait and conveying the sense of peace and serenity the artist intended.

Here’s a little story about the princess: born into royalty, she was shy and reserved, yet possessed a strong intellectual mind. She authored several volumes on the Christian virtues of saints in her early life.

Unfortunately, she died at the age of 35 from tuberculosis, leaving five sons and a grieving husband, Albert De Broglie, who never remarried. 

This portrait was commissioned soon after her marriage and hung in the family’s Paris residence for years until it joined the Lehman Collection in the Met. 

After reading her story, I feel like I can see much more behind these luxurious settings—behind the exquisite jewels, the shining silver, and satins was a beautiful soul who left her family too soon.

TO learn more about composition in art, click this link: https://yingmclane.com/master-composition-in-your-painting-intro/

Did you find this post enlightening? Share your thoughts in the comments or share it with a friend!

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In fact, in the 15th century, architect and theoretician Leon Battista Alberti first introduced the concept of composition in painting in his book “On Painting”. He used the term “composition” to describe the use of mathematics and geometry to create harmonious and beautiful paintings that illuminate God’s creations.

In Da Vinci’s famous mural painting—The Last Supper, the composition pivots around a central vertical axis that runs through Jesus. 

The 12 disciples are separated into 4 groups of three, and equally placed on either side of Jesus, even their clothing colors— red, blue, and green are equally placed on both sides, giving equal weight to both sides of the painting–just like a pair of scales. 

The painting demonstrates Leonardo’s masterful use of perspective as it draws our attention to the face of Christ at the center of the composition.

However, perfect symmetry could seem boring or static. Even our faces are not exactly symmetrical between the left and right portions. 

Thus, an asymmetrical composition is more dynamic compared to symmetry. But it indeed requires more careful planning and balancing, or you will have an awkward or weird piece of art.

In this 1897 painting of the Willimantic Linen Company and its surrounding village, outside of Hartford, Connecticut, a large tree spreads its canopy over telegraph poles and the factory, taking the center point. The chimney on the right acts as a fulcrum, a balancing point or anchor to the mass of the tree. This arrangement has a similar principle to a steelyard—the big object is balanced by a smaller one.

I hope this post helps you clearly see the difference between symmetrical and asymmetrical composition in art. Leave a comment or share with a friend!

The post Symmetry vs Asymmetry appeared first on Ying McLane.

1. Rectangular shape
2. Golden Rectangle
3. Portrait shape
4. Multiple canvases

1. Rectangular Shape

The classic rectangular canvas is the most common format. Horizontal rectangular canvases, often called “landscape” orientation, are well-suited for depicting expansive scenes like landscapes or seascapes. The rectangular shape helps convey a sense of breadth and depth. 

2. The Golden Rectangle

The golden rectangle is a specific rectangular proportion based on the golden ratio (approximately 1:1.618). This shape is considered aesthetically pleasing and harmonious. 

Thomas Moran’s painting “The Teton Range” is an excellent example. The horizontal canvas allows Moran to capture the magnificent scale of the mountains and scenery.  The artist intentionally or intuitively used the golden rectangle ratio to first draw our gaze to the lower right point, where the golden sun shines on the rock. The viewer’s eye is then led down to the stream on the left, then to the majestic mountains on the far horizon. 

This painting demonstrates how an artist can use a landscape format to evoke the breadth and depth of a scenery. 

The Teton Range, Thomas Moran

3. Portrait Shape

Vertical, portrait-oriented canvases emphasize height over width. This format is well-suited for portraiture, where the focus is on the subject’s face and expression. The upright shape complements the human form and helps convey a sense of stature or emotion. 

Below are several portrait art photos I took while visiting Met this summer.

A Rose, Thomas Anshutz

Dutch Girl in White, Robert Henri

Child with Nurse, Cecilia Beaux

Magnolia, James Shannon

4. Multiple Canvases

Paintings composed of multiple canvases, such as diptychs (two) and triptychs (three), allow artists to tell more complex narratives or create larger, panoramic compositions. 

Hieronymus Bosch’s “The Garden of Earthly Delights” triptych is a renowned example, with each panel depicting a different stage of the biblical story. 

Monet’s famous water lily paintings were also created as triptychs, spanning an impressive 42 feet in total width.

Francis Bacon painted this triptych of his artist friend Lucian Freud in 1969. In 2013, this painting sold for a record-breaking $142.4 million.  Christie’s describes the painting as ‘an undeniable icon of 20th Century art’. Each canvas is 78 inches by 58 inches.

The choice of canvas shape is a powerful tool for artists to consider when planning their compositions. Each format offers unique strengths and can profoundly impact the final work of art.

As I continue to develop my own artistic practice, I find myself constantly exploring and experimenting with these different canvas shapes, always striving to find the one that best serves my creative vision. 

How about you? Did this composition series help you to be more conscious about the design of your painting? Leave a comment below!

The post 4 Canvas Shapes and How They Affect Composition appeared first on Ying McLane.

This was me a year ago. If you’ve read my last post about a creative time, you’d know that I touched on this topic a bit. So now I am going to tell you a secret:

Learn from Musicians and Athletes

Many performers and athletes arrange their time into three big blocks:

1. Focus Days: These are the days they fully focus on producing and performing. It’s the most physically and mentally demanding part of their week.

2. Buffer Days: This is the time they spend practicing, preparing, learning, and rehearsing—essentially their backstage days.

3. Free Days: They don’t think or do anything work-related. They rest, recharge, and do whatever helps them fill up their life energy tank.

This way, they ensure they always perform at a professional level and never burn out.

Since I adopted this philosophy, my workflow feels so much easier, and I am a happier, more fulfilled, and purposeful person.

I just started painting again after a month-long hiatus due to the busyness of the end of the school year and needing a break from painting. During that time, I read several books from different genres, relaxed, and took a vacation with my family. Now, I am fully charged to get back to my studio again. In less than three days, I  finished this 36 by 48-inch painting.

For the next month, I plan to single-mindedly focus on my paintings in the mornings while my children attend summer camps, except for a couple of travel plans. Then, I will take a week or two to rest and recharge. After that, I need to focus on marketing and prepare for my two shows in the fall.

This is a system that ensures you have a holistic life and more quality time and results, rather than just focusing on quantity.

One reminder for all of you high-achievers: When you are not in the highly productive stage, do not let anxiety creep in, thinking about EVERYTHING you need to catch up on in your art business. The resting stage is crucial for inspiring new ideas and helping you make quantum leaps in your personal and professional life. This is called psychological detachment from your work.

This approach gives you so much freedom of time—you actually spend less time but get more results.

If you like what I’ve shared so far, I actually got this idea from a book I just read. Click here for the link: https://amzn.to/4cJFdtt

I hope you have a productive and relaxing summer!

Your artist friend,

Ying

The post Work smart—time management secrets from pros appeared first on Ying McLane.

In my last post, I shared with you the incredible artwork in this one-of-a-kind restaurant. But I haven’t yet shared that the man behind all of this amazing development–Johnny Morris, the founder and owner of Bass Pro Shops. His humble beginnings of selling fishing tackle at the back of his father’s shop is a very inspiring American dream story.

Unlike other billionaires you see on TV who often use their fortunes to purchase huge yachts and jets, Johnny Morris built a legacy for his home state. Besides the Big Cedar Lodge where our family stayed, he also created the amazing natural reserve of Dogwood Canyon and the Top of the Rock development in this area.

The second time we went to the restaurant Osage at Top of the Rock, I discovered that you can actually walk down the stairs through a very cool stone walkway to the Chapel on the Hill that overlooks the whole valley.

The interesting story is that Mr. Morris built this chapel for his daughter’s wedding. 

He had very specific requirements for the design. The architect told him that the only way to build this chapel and place it on top of the mountain was to build it on the ground first, then move it to the designated location. So it was built, and after Mr. Morris approved the design, the chapel was taken apart piece by piece and moved to the top of the mountain.

However, when Mr. Morris looked out of the huge window, he saw a telephone pole. Deciding that his daughter should see the whole valley with no telephone pole in sight on her wedding day, he asked the builder to take the chapel apart piece by piece a second time and move it further until the telephone pole was out of view from the window. 

That’s perfectionism at its finest, isn’t it?

I have posted another article before about perfectionism, but in this case, Mr. Morris’s perfectionism enabled all of us to enjoy this beautiful view, meditate behind the pew, and feel the emotions of spiritual uplifting—with no telephone pole as a distraction.

Sometimes, in our artistic endeavors, we need to have an extra dose of perfectionism. 

You can leave the portrait as it is, but an extra layer or two can make the skin glow more lifelike. You can leave the trees or flowers as you painted them yesterday, but some palette knife work can add more energy and variety.

Just like the chapel story, one man’s vision plus a little quirky perfectionism left a unique legacy on this mountain. Your extra effort to make your art perfect can bring you and all the people who see your work much joy!

Hope you are having a great summer! Here is the link to a short video of the amazing view. 

https://www.instagram.com/reel/C9oCE36OSez/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==

While you are there, don’t forget to give me a heart and follow!

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