All Episodes

March 21, 2025 24 mins

Welcome to The Open Sketchbook Podcast! In this host-led episode, Evan Kitson explores how the Pomodoro Technique can help creatives reclaim their time and boost productivity- without burning out. From studio habits to classroom parallels, Evan shares how this simple time-chunking method supports deep focus, rest, and sustainable creativity.

In this episode:

Why “productivity” became Evan’s word of the year
How the Pomodoro Technique works (and why it’s tomato-shaped 🍅)
Parallels between studio practices and figure drawing sessions
The role of planning and rest in creative momentum
How to build intuitive time awareness
Why group work and community help us keep going
A drawing demo using the Pomodoro Technique (YouTube exclusive!)

Want to watch the drawing demonstration? We're on YouTube!
Watch this episode: https://youtu.be/gb97lMVaXBU
Our YouTube Channel: http://www.youtube.com/@theopensketchbook


Featured Technique:
20 minutes on / 5 minutes off: a rhythm used in both creative work and figure drawing classes to maintain focus and prevent burnout.

Weekly Sketch Starter:
Draw your creative space- or a tomato, if you’re feeling brave!


The Open Sketchbook
https://theopensketchbook.com
https://www.instagram.com/the.open.sketchbook/

The Virtual Studio - Join for Exclusive Podcast Content and More!
https://learn.theopensketchbook.com/bundles/virtual-studio

Our Weekly Newsletter, The Drawing Board:
https://theopensketchbook.kit.com/posts

HOST: Evan Kitson
https://evankitson.com
https://www.instagram.com/evan_kitson/


BLOG POSTS TO CHECK OUT:
Creative Productivity: Pomodoro Technique
https://learn.theopensketchbook.com/pages/blog?p=productivity-pomodoro-technique

Evan Kitson's Graphite Drawing Materials Kit
https://learn.theopensketchbook.com/pages/blog?p=graphite-drawing-materials


NEWSLETTER ISSUES TO READ:
Writing Lists & Finding Priorities + A New Weekly Sketching Prompt!
https://theopensketchbook.kit.com/posts/writing-lists-finding-priorities-a-new-weekly-sketching-prompt

Productivity: Commitment to our Creative Habits + Blog Post Roundup and more!
https://theopensketchbook.kit.com/posts/productivity-commitment-to-our-creative-habits-blog-post-roundup-and-more

Productivity: Removing Friction + A New Course Starting Soon!
https://theopensketchbook.kit.com/posts/productivity-removing-friction-a-new-course-starting-soon

Mark as Played

Advertise With Us

Popular Podcasts

New Heights with Jason & Travis Kelce

New Heights with Jason & Travis Kelce

Football’s funniest family duo — Jason Kelce of the Philadelphia Eagles and Travis Kelce of the Kansas City Chiefs — team up to provide next-level access to life in the league as it unfolds. The two brothers and Super Bowl champions drop weekly insights about the weekly slate of games and share their INSIDE perspectives on trending NFL news and sports headlines. They also endlessly rag on each other as brothers do, chat the latest in pop culture and welcome some very popular and well-known friends to chat with them. Check out new episodes every Wednesday. Follow New Heights on the Wondery App, YouTube or wherever you get your podcasts. You can listen to new episodes early and ad-free, and get exclusive content on Wondery+. Join Wondery+ in the Wondery App, Apple Podcasts or Spotify. And join our new membership for a unique fan experience by going to the New Heights YouTube channel now!

Dateline NBC

Dateline NBC

Current and classic episodes, featuring compelling true-crime mysteries, powerful documentaries and in-depth investigations. Follow now to get the latest episodes of Dateline NBC completely free, or subscribe to Dateline Premium for ad-free listening and exclusive bonus content: DatelinePremium.com

On Purpose with Jay Shetty

On Purpose with Jay Shetty

I’m Jay Shetty host of On Purpose the worlds #1 Mental Health podcast and I’m so grateful you found us. I started this podcast 5 years ago to invite you into conversations and workshops that are designed to help make you happier, healthier and more healed. I believe that when you (yes you) feel seen, heard and understood you’re able to deal with relationship struggles, work challenges and life’s ups and downs with more ease and grace. I interview experts, celebrities, thought leaders and athletes so that we can grow our mindset, build better habits and uncover a side of them we’ve never seen before. New episodes every Monday and Friday. Your support means the world to me and I don’t take it for granted — click the follow button and leave a review to help us spread the love with On Purpose. I can’t wait for you to listen to your first or 500th episode!

Music, radio and podcasts, all free. Listen online or download the iHeart App.

Connect

© 2025 iHeartMedia, Inc.