Thoughts on Illustration: Recent Episodes
Tom Froese
Thoughts on Illustration is a podcast about Showing Up and Growing Up as a commercial artist. Join award-winning illustrator and top teacher, Mr. Tom Froese, as he shares valuable tips, insights, and reflections from his own experience as an illustrator. Tom wants to encourage his fellow creatives and help them get further on by sharing in a transparent, accessible way. If you are passionate about unlocking professional and personal creative fulfillment, I invite you to follow along as I do the same!
In this episode, I share my thoughts on the evolving meaning of “rewilding” my illustration process. Originally, rewilding meant bringing analog elements back into my work—inking on paper, scanning textures, doing things the “hard” way. But lately, I’ve been asking myself: is it really about going analog? Or is it about something deeper? In this episode, I unpack how rewilding is less about tools and more about mindset. I look at how digital tools can either suffocate or support our creativity, depending on how we use them. And I share how I’m finding spontaneity, joy, and pride in my work—even when it’s 100% digital.
If you’ve ever felt disconnected from your creative process, or worried about how AI and digital tools are affecting your style, this episode is for you.
I also share some reflections on the Amish, digital minimalism, and why your mechanical pencil will never ask you to rate it on the App Store.
IN THIS EPISODE
- Why rewilding might be a mindset, not a medium
- How digital tools can both hinder and help creative joy
- What I’ve rediscovered about spontaneity, surprise, and storytelling in illustration
- Why pride in your process matters—and how to get it back
- How AI is forcing illustrators to reevaluate their process
- The three key questions I now ask to evaluate any creative tool
PLUS – Why my Apple Pencil will never beat a Mason jar full of ink water.
SHOW LINKS
- Drawing Ideas (Skillshare Class) — https://www.tomfroese.com/teaching/drawingideas
- Post by @brettpstenson — https://www.instagram.com/p/DKiYMKHSapr/?img_index=1
- See How Book Artwork Was Done In The Old Days Before Computers — https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w5YoyBvX1f8
- Graphic Design Tools Before Photoshop — https://youtu.be/O-XrRQf7BPM?si=GqEeaFOWfW3A87Ll
- My early style (Tom Froese Postcard example) — https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5aa6d6c0a9e028fce5f7f4b2/1523840966237-XPQXSOX8HCUS9WI1SEDW/Tom+Froese+Stationery-3.jpg
- My style a few years ago (totally digital) — https://www.tomfroese.com/work/canadianidentity
- My more recent style (more rewilded, in spite of being all digital) — https://www.instagram.com/p/DJr4MSTyTTv/ (image for my upcoming book, Drawing is Important).
HOW TO SUPPORT
- Share this episode with your friends!
- Like / Subscribe / Follow / Comment / Review on Apple Podcasts
- Become a $3 Supporter or $8 Drawing Buddy on Patreon – patreon.com/tomfroese
BECOME A DRAWING BUDDY
- Live, monthly Draw With Me meetups
- All past DWMs available as replays
- Exclusive access to the DWM Discord Server
Join here
FIND ME ELSEWHERE
- Work and Classes
- Daily Drawings
CREDITS
Music and Cues by Mark Allan Falk – semiathletic on Linktree
In this episode, I share my thoughts on the difficult but exciting journey of rewilding my illustration process—bringing back more analog, handmade elements into the way I work. While the dream of working more physically is alive and well, the reality is a lot more complicated. In this monologue episode, I unpack six core problems I’ve identified as I try to rewild in real life, and I talk through some solutions, mindset shifts, and small actions I’m taking to move forward.
If you’ve ever felt stuck between your current style and the one you wish you had, or if you're navigating your own transition as a creative, this episode might hit home.
I also share some personal updates, what’s coming up with my classes and book, and an embarrassing story from my recent trip to Paris that involves vintage books, broken French, and a stranger’s purse.
IN THIS EPISODE
- Why rewilding your process is easier said than done
- Six problems I’ve identified on my rewilding journey
- How I’m coaching myself through a style evolution
- Why confidence in your style is often external
- PLUS – Embarrassing Story of the Episode: A Canadian in Paris
SHOW LINKS
- Drawing is Important (Skillshare Class) – https://skl.sh/3TuA0NS
- The Style Class on Skillshare – https://skl.sh/4cFnIej
- Drawing Is Important (Sketchbook IG) – http://www.instagram.com/drawingisimportant
- My Website – http://www.tomfroese.com
HOW TO SUPPORT
- Share this episode with your friends!
- Like / Subscribe / Follow / Comment / Review
- Become a $3 Supporter or $8 Drawing Buddy on Patreon – http://patreon.com/tomfroese
BECOME A DRAWING BUDDY
- Live, monthly Draw With Me meetups
- All past DWMs available as replays
- Exclusive access to the DWM Discord Server
- http://patreon.com/tomfroese
FIND ME ELSEWHERE
- Work and Classes – http://www.tomfroese.com
- Instagram – http://www.instagram.com/mrtomfroese
- Daily Drawings – http://www.instagram.com/drawingisimportant
CREDITS
Music and Cues by Mark Allan Falk – http://www.linktr.ee/semiathletic
In this episode, I share my conversation with Roberts Rurans, a Latvia-based illustrator who creates all his work using traditional materials — literally painting his images with acrylics. When Roberts talks about his brushes, he means the actual ones lying on his table, not virtual tools in a menu! His process is physical, full of quirks, accidents, and unexpected moments — and yet, his work feels fresh and totally at home in today’s digital illustration landscape.
Roberts has worked with clients like Hermès, Nike, Apple, and Coca-Cola, but his artistic integrity shines through no matter the project. In our conversation, we talk about evolving your style, the tension between old and new work, the difference between art and design, and what it’s really like to work 100% analog in a mostly digital world.
Toward the end, Roberts answers questions submitted by my Patreon supporters — including whether he secretly uses any digital tools (you’ll have to listen to find out). I wrap things up with some community notes and another “Embarrassing Story of the Episode,” featuring me, a trail run, some hikers caught unawares, and a well-placed band-aid.
IN THIS EPISODE
- How Roberts Rurans keeps his fully analog style feeling fresh
- Thoughts on evolving your style without disowning the past
- The line between art and design in illustration
- Analog tools vs. digital tools — which gives you the edge?
- PLUS - Embarrassing Moment of the Episode: Shirtless in the Forest
SHOW LINKS
- Roberts Rurans on Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/robertsrurans
- Roberts’s website – https://www.robertsrurans.com
HOW TO SUPPORT
- Share this episode with your friends!
- Like/Subscribe/Follow/Comment/Review
- Become a $3 Supporter or $8 Drawing Buddy on Patreon. Visit http://patreon.com/tomfroese to learn more.
BECOME A DRAWING BUDDY
- Live, monthly Draw With Me meetups
- All past DWMs available as replays
- Exclusive access to the DWM Discord Server
- http://patreon.com/tomfroese
FIND ME ELSEWHERE
- Work and Classes - http://www.tomfroese.com
- Instagram - http://www.instagram.com/mrtomfroese
- Daily Drawings - http://www.instagram.com/drawingisimportant
CREDITS
Music and Cues by Mark Allan Falk - http://www.linktr.ee/semiathletic
In this episode I talk about why it’s so hard to make digital art look more natural. For many of us, we work digitally out of convenience but really want our work to have a more analogue appearance — as though it were made using physical media. I explain why this is harder than you might think, citing 3 key factors I’ve encountered in my own experience. Then, I offer 5 more practical ways you can overcome these challenges and make your work look more natural. Stick around to the end where I try a new segment called “The Embarrassing Story of the Episode”!
NOTE: I accidentally published this episode a day early and now I can't take it back. Enjoy the head start!
IN THIS EPISODE
- 3 reasons why it’s hard to make digital art look analogue
- The most common mistake of new digital artists
- 5 ways to avoid an overly digital look
- PLUS - Embarrassing Moment of the Episode: Lady Jacket
SHOW LINKS
- Jonathan Woodward’s (@jonathan_woodward_studio) collages - https://www.instagram.com/p/DIuHhUkKcPL/?img_index=3
- I said I’d share a specific issue from Roman Muradov’s DADA ISSUES Substack, but I couldn’t find it. Either way, go subscribe to it anyway. It is truly one of the best newsletters out there for illustrators. https://dadaissues.substack.com/
HOW TO SUPPORT
- Share this episode with your friends!
- Like/Subscribe/Follow/Comment/Review
- Become a $3 Supporter or $8 Drawing Buddy on Patreon. VIsit http://patreon.com/tomfroese to learn more.
BECOME A DRAWING BUDDY
- Live, monthly Draw With Me meetups
- All past DWMs available as replays
-
- Exclusive access to the DWM Discord Server
- http://patreon.com/tomfroese
FIND ME ELSEWHERE
- Work and Classes - http://www.tomfroese.com
- Instagram - http://www.instagram.com/mrtomfroese
- Daily Drawings - http://www.instagram.com/drawingisimportant
CREDITS
Music and Cues by Mark Allan Falk - http://www.linktr.ee/semiathletic
In this episode I share my recent thoughts on what it means to "Re-wild" my illustration process. Inevitably, this means my continued quest to bring more analogue elements back into my process, with the ultimate aim of increasing my joy in the creative process and in the work itself.
IN THIS EPISODE
- How style fatigue sparked a shift in my creative practice
- Reconnecting with analogue roots
- Re-wilding as a way of bringing more joy to the creative process
- Finding analogue techniques that mimic digital tools (rather than the other way around)
- What does re-wilding mean for a commercial practice?
SHOW LINKS
https://mrtomfroese.substack.com/p/re-wilding-my-digital-art-process
HOW TO SUPPORT
- Share this episode with your friends!
- Like/Subscribe/Follow/Comment/Review
- Become a $3 Supporter or $8 Drawing Buddy on Patreon. VIsit http://patreon.com/tomfroese to learn more.
BECOME A DRAWING BUDDY
-
Live, monthly Draw With Me meetups
-
All past DWMs available as replays
-
Exclusive access to the DWM Discord Server
http://patreon.com/tomfroese
FIND ME ELSEWHERE
- Work and Classes - http://www.tomfroese.com
- Instagram - http://www.instagram.com/mrtomfroese
- Daily Drawings - http://www.instagram.com/drawingisimportant
CREDITS
Music and Cues by Mark Allan Falk - http://www.linktr.ee/semiathletic
Eliminate time-wasting decisions by discovering your style! Learn more in The Style Class on Skillshare. https://skl.sh/4cFnIej — Use my link to get 30 days of free Skillshare membership.
Decision Paralysis — or as some call it, Analysis Paralysis — is the experience of getting stuck on some kind of decision. It could be a big decision, or something very minor, but even the tiniest option can get us spinning our tires for hours or even days! If you struggle to make any kind of decisions, even sometimes, this episode is for you. I’ll open up by sharing some of my own experiences with indecision, and then I’ll share a few different illustration-specific situations where most of us might get stuck the most. I’ll share ways that I navigate these and keep moving, and of course, offer some ways you can use these in your own life.
IN THIS EPISODE
- What is decision paralysis, and how can it get us stuck?
- Why having keeping options to a minimum is necessary for the decision-impaired
- How to give yourself “outside” feedback
- What to do when you can’t stop making new iterations of an illustration
- Why finding your reason for doing anything is the key to doing it at all
- and more!
SHOW LINKS
- Illustration Coaching - http://tomfroese.com/coaching
- All My Classes - http://tomfroese.com/teaching
HOW TO SUPPORT
- Share this episode with your friends on Social Media!
- Like, Comment, Follow, Subscribe!
- Become a $3 Fan or $8 Drawing Buddy on Patreon. Visit http://patreon.com/tomfroese to learn more.
FIND ME ELSEWHERE
- Work and Classes - http://www.tomfroese.com
- Instagram - http://www.instagram.com/mrtomfroese
- Daily Drawings - http://www.instagram.com/drawingisimportant
CREDITS
Music and Cues by Mark Allan Falk - http://www.linktr.ee/semiathletic
Working with Editorial Art Directors with Mike Schnaidt
Learn how to make Clever Conceptual Illustrations in my new Skillshare class, Drawing Ideas — https://skl.sh/40dk9rK
Mike Schnaidt is the Creative Director at Fast Company, an Adjunct Professor at the School of Visual Arts (SVA), and author of Creative Endurance: 56 Rules for Overcoming Obstacles and Achieving Your Goals.
I picked Mike’s brain about all things Editorial Illustration, and invited him to share some deep insights on how to stave off burnout and keep going as a creative from his book, Creative Endurance.
IN THIS EPISODE
What is the difference between an art director and a creative director?
What is the best way to reach out to an editorial client?
Is Email or a Mailer the better way to get noticed?
How do art directors discover new illustrators?
What is the ONE THING you need to SHINE with your editorial clients?
What is the state of illustration today?
Is pursuing a career as an editorial illustrator a bad move in 2025?
Mike’s last-minute choice to interview a total stranger he met in a coffee shop for his book — and how that changed the whole book for him.
SHOW LINKS
Creative Endurance (the book) — https://www.mikeschnaidt.com/creativeendurance
Help Mike shape his next book — https://docs.google.com/forms/u/1/d/e/1FAIpQLScdjF1Kx4GDwqEdONKEvu349PCvxJUgydRLUMIdXxVLvVgWUg/viewform?usp=send_form
Mike’s Website: https://www.mikeschnaidt.com
Follow Mike on Instagram: http://instagram.com/schnaidt
HOW TO SUPPORT
- Share this episode with your friends on Social Media!
- Like, Comment, Follow, Subscribe!
- Become a $3 Fan or $8 Drawing Buddy on Patreon. Visit http://patreon.com/tomfroese to learn more.
FIND ME ELSEWHERE
- Work and Classes - http://www.tomfroese.com
- Instagram - http://www.instagram.com/mrtomfroese
- Daily Drawings - http://www.instagram.com/drawingisimportant
CREDITS
Music and Cues by Mark Allan Falk - http://www.linktr.ee/semiathletic
Take Composition for Illustrators on Skillshare. Learn how composition works on last year’s 2nd most-watched class! Use my link to get 30 days of free Skillshare membership. — https://skl.sh/3vtU3Ep
In this episode, I share 5 tips to help you maximize your earnings and your joy in turbulent times as an illustrator.
IN THIS EPISODE
- What it means to diversify your definition of illustration
- A guaranteed way to stand out to art directors
- Tips for maximizing the impact of your portfolio
- Overcoming creative loneliness
- Why a personal daily drawing practice is key to your professional survival
- A listener shares her thoughts on the podcast
SHOW LINKS
- Illustration Coaching - http://tomfroese.com/coaching
- All My Classes - http://tomfroese.com/teaching
- The Studio (Creative Boom) - https://community.creativeboom.com
HOW TO SUPPORT
- Share this episode with your friends on Social Media!
- Like, Comment, Follow, Subscribe!
- Become a $3 Fan or $8 Drawing Buddy on Patreon. Visit http://patreon.com/tomfroese to learn more.
FIND ME ELSEWHERE
Work and Classes - http://www.tomfroese.com
Instagram - http://www.instagram.com/mrtomfroese
Daily Drawings - http://www.instagram.com/drawingisimportant
CREDITS
- Music and Cues by Mark Allan Falk - http://www.linktr.ee/semiathletic
Take "Drawing Ideas: Create Conceptual Illustrations for Editorial and Beyond " on Skillshare! - https://skl.sh/40dk9rK (Use my link to get 30 days free).
Today I answer the question, “How did you approach getting representation and landing your first editorial clients?”
Thanks to @sipcozyart on Threads for the question!
IN THIS EPISODE
- How do you know when you’re ready to reach out to a rep?
- What do you say to an agent when you’re reaching out?
- What is an illustration rep/agent, and what do they do?
- How I found my rep, what I sent, and why I think it worked
- How I found my first editorial projects/clients
- And more!
SHOW LINKS
Illustration Coaching - http://tomfroese.com/coaching
My Classes - http://tomfroese.com/teaching
Secret Random Episode (on Patreon) - https://www.patreon.com/posts/secret-random-48-122527763
HOW TO SUPPORT
- Share this episode with your friends on Social Media!
- Like, Comment, Follow, Subscribe!
- Become a $3 Fan or $8 Drawing Buddy on Patreon. Visit http://patreon.com/tomfroese to learn more.
CREDITS
Music and Cues by Mark Allan Falk - http://www.linktr.ee/semiathletic
FIND ME ELSEWHERE
Work and Classes - http://www.tomfroese.com
Instagram - http://www.instagram.com/mrtomfroese
Daily Drawings - http://www.instagram.com/drawingisimportant
Take "Drawing Ideas: Create Conceptual Illustrations for Editorial and Beyond " on Skillshare! - https://skl.sh/40dk9rK (Use my link to get 30 days free).
Jess Miller is a designer, illustrator and educator based in LA. She joins me to share her story of losing everything in the Eton fire and how her community, near and far, are rallying to support her as she starts her life all over again.
IN THIS EPISODE
- Using social media as a life-line
- "Dead inside" — Why going back to work is so hard
- Why GoFundMe is necessary after disaster strikes
- Having to choose what to keep when you leave all else behind
- Why GoFundMe is necessary after disaster strikes
- The kindness of strangers
SHOW LINKS
- LA Fires Funds + Resource Log (shared by Agent Pekka) — https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1XoTlgtYuPQ1tD1FSJnJzzWa7XSi3YO9orlY9cIWX3uQ/edit?gid=910889114#gid=910889114
- Jess Miller's GoFundMe — https://gofund.me/1508aee5
- Venmo: @jessmillerdraws
- PayPal: jess@jessmillerdraws.com
- My 2024 Annual Review on Substack — https://open.substack.com/pub/mrtomfroese/p/2024-the-year-in-review
SUPPORT THE PODCAST
- Share this episode with your friends on Social Media!
- Like, Comment, Follow, Subscribe!
- Become a $3 Fan or $8 Drawing Buddy on Patreon. Visit http://patreon.com/tomfroese to learn more.
CREDITS
Music and Cues by Mark Allan Falk - http://www.linktr.ee/semiathletic
FIND ME ELSEWHERE
- Work and Classes - http://www.tomfroese.com
- Instagram - http://www.instagram.com/mrtomfroese
- Daily Drawings - http://www.instagram.com/drawingisimportant
Take "Drawing Ideas: Create Conceptual Illustrations for Editorial and Beyond " on Skillshare! - https://skl.sh/40dk9rK (Use my link to get 30 days free).
In this episode I share my income sources in 2024, and how much of my overall earnings I took in for each one. I look into whether I'm the only illustrator who earns most of their living from outside of illustration. I'll share some helpful tips for anyone hoping to find new income sources in 2025.
IN THIS EPISODE
Is it possible to make a living just from illustration in 2025? How much of other illustrators' income sources comes from outside illustration? My other passive income sources, such as Teaching, Patreon, and more. Tips for choosing and building new income streams as a creative professional
SHOW LINKS
LA Fires — Are you an illustrator affected by the LA Fires? Tell us your story. More info at http://tomfroese.com/firestories
Anoosha Sayed: Breakdown of an Illustrator's Salary
Jill Labieniec: Income Sources in 2024 -
Ohn Mar Win: How I Made Money in the Last Year (2022)
HOW TO SUPPORT
Share this episode with your friends on Social Media! Like, Comment, Follow, Subscribe! Become a $3 Fan or $8 Drawing Buddy on Patreon. Visit
http://patreon.com/tomfroese
to learn more.
CREDITS
Music and Cues by Mark Allan Falk - http://www.linktr.ee/semiathletic
FIND ME ELSEWHERE
Work and Classes - http://www.tomfroese.com
Instagram - http://www.instagram.com/mrtomfroese
Daily Drawings - http://www.instagram.com/drawingisimportant
Take "Drawing Ideas: Create Conceptual Illustrations for Editorial and Beyond " on Skillshare! - https://skl.sh/40dk9rK (Use my link to get 30 days free).
In this episode I reflect on the last trip around the sun and make some bold predictions for 2025. Be warned, I went commando in this episode — no script, no idea of how the show would go — but I think I pulled off a meaningful, if not personable, episode. (I'm speaking figuratively — I was wearing underpants, and pants, the whole time). Enjoy!
IN THIS EPISODE
- Was 2024 better than my worst year ever (2023)?
- Why I'm feeling optimistic about 2025
- Thoughts on aging, time acceleration, and how I perceive "the present moment".
- Highlights and Struggles of the year
- Predictions for the state of illustration by year-end
SHOW LINKS
- Take my new class! Drawing Ideas: Create Conceptual Illustrations for Editorial and Beyond - https://skl.sh/40dk9rK
- Substack (where I will publish my written annual review) - http://mrtomfroese.substack.com
HOW TO SUPPORT
- Share this episode with your friends on Social Media!
- Like, Comment, Follow, Subscribe!
- Become a $3 Fan or $8 Drawing Buddy on Patreon. Visit http://patreon.com/tomfroese to learn more.
CREDITS
Music and Cues by Mark Allan Falk - http://www.linktr.ee/semiathletic
FIND ME ELSEWHERE
Work and Classes - http://www.tomfroese.com
Instagram - http://www.instagram.com/mrtomfroese
Daily Drawings - http://www.instagram.com/drawingisimportant
Kyle Webster is arguably the most influential person in digital illustration brushes, period. He started making Photoshop brushes a long time ago, leading to Adobe's acquisition of his brushes and his talent in 2017. In 2024, Kyle left Adobe and joined Procreate in very close succession. I wanted to catch up with Kyle and let him explain what happened, in his own words.
IN THIS EPISODE
- Why did Kyle leave Adobe?
- What does Kyle think of Procreate compared to Adobe's Fresco and Photoshop?
- Making brushes in Procreate vs. Photoshop (Key differences)
- Kyle may or may not know what's coming with Procreate v6
- Happy birthday to Thoughts on Illustration!
SHOW LINKS
- Kyle's Newsletter, The Accidental Expert - https://accidental-expert.com/
- Kyle's Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/kyle.t.webster/?hl=en
- Max Packs Procreate brushes - https://maxpacks.com/
- Jing Sketch Procreate brushes - https://jingsketch.com/
HOW TO SUPPORT
- Share this episode with your friends on Social Media!
- Like, Comment, Follow, Subscribe!
- Become a $3 Fan or $8 Drawing Buddy on Patreon. Visit http://patreon.com/tomfroese to learn more.
CREDITS
Music and Cues by Mark Allan Falk - http://www.linktr.ee/semiathletic
FIND ME ELSEWHERE
Work and Classes - http://www.tomfroese.com
Instagram - http://www.instagram.com/mrtomfroese
Daily Drawings - http://www.instagram.com/drawingisimportant
"An artwork is never finished, only abandoned." This is apparently a quote from Leonardo Da Vinci. If one of the greatest artists of all time had trouble knowing when his work was finished, then it's no wonder the rest of us do as well.
In this episode, I share some ideas on what it means to complete a work, how to know when you should call it done, and if that's not possible, how to responsibly abandon it.
At the end I share some important news about the future of the podcast.
IN THIS EPISODE
- A new definition of "perfection"
- Missing the mark: Is your work "sinful"?
- How to know when a work is done
- Overcoming perfectionism in client work and personal projects
- News about the future of this podcast
SHOW LINKS
Take Drawing Towards Illustration on Skillshare. Learn how to connect how you draw with how you illustrate.
https://www.tomfroese.com/teaching/drawing-towards-illustration
HOW TO SUPPORT
- Share this episode with your friends on Social Media!
- Like, Comment, Follow, Subscribe!
- Become a Drawing Buddy on Patreon. Visit http://patreon.com/tomfroese to learn more.
CREDITS
Music and Cues by Mark Allan Falk - http://www.linktr.ee/semiathletic
FIND ME ELSEWHERE
Work and Classes - http://www.tomfroese.com
Instagram - http://www.instagram.com/mrtomfroese
Daily Drawings - http://www.instagram.com/drawingisimportant
In the age of AI, it's time to double down on being a human. That means things like bringing more hand-influenced spontaneity into, and embracing analogue processes in, your art. In this episode I share how I'm doing this in my own practice and how it's bringing me more joy and even creating new opportunities for me. By listening to this episode, you'll learn how to embrace your own humanity to re-spark your joy and feel more connected in your everyday practice as an illustrator.
Learn how to be more consistent in your client work — Take The Six Stages of Illustration on Skillshare today: https://www.tomfroese.com/teaching/the-six-stages-of-illustration (Get 30 days free on Skillshare with my links).Consistency is Key. You've heard this before, but what does it mean? Throughout my career, consistency has been key to my success. This has been true both in my habits and in what my work looks like. Most importantly, it's been important in having any sense of focus at all. But for many of us, there are all kinds of things distracting us, or pulling us in different directions, that make it hard to be consistent. In this episode, I offer you some helpful tips for staying the course, and some pretty motivating reasons for doing so.
In this episode I chat with James Hughes about his new book, The Illustrator's Guide, a comprehensive, motivational handbook for artists trying to break into the freelance illustration market. James is an agent at Folio Illustration and Animation Agency, representing some 60 illustrators around the world. Taking advice from James means learning from someone who sits at the front lines of both illustrators and the clients who hire them every day.
Develop a Drawing Habit in 30 Days. Take my class, Drawing Is Important – https://www.tomfroese.com/teaching/drawing-is-important. Use my links to get 30 days free on Skillshare.In this episode of My Thoughts on Illustration, I dive deep into my recent experience with a style crisis and how I turned to a daily drawing challenge to reignite my creativity.
Learn how to Make Inky Maps (Procreate Edition) on Skillshare — Get 30 Days of Skillshare Free with This Link — https://skl.sh/3Swd9SK
In this episode I talk with lettering artist Martina Flor. Martina started as a designer in Argentina, but she soon discovered the joy of hand lettering. From there she built a successful career as a lettering artist, which has now become a small empire of inspiring work, masterclasses, coaching groups, books, and even a podcast. Of course, she couldn’t do all of this on her own. She’s built an entire team around her so she can focus more on doing what she loves most, while being able to grow her business well beyond what she could do alone. As she puts it best, ““There’s no progress in isolation.”
In This Episode
- What to include in your portfolio if you don’t have real client work
- Building a team in small, low-risk increments
- Why showing your values and personality up-front makes you more competitive
- How to be more attractive to your clients by being less available to them
- Should you use an illustration or photographic portrait as your profile picture?
- And MUCH more!
HOW TO SUPPORT
- 01 — Share this episode/podcast with a friend. This is the single most effective way to help grow this podcast.
- 02 — Please Like and Subscribe! SO EASY! 😊
- 03 — Support me on Patreon at http://patreon.com/tomfroese — $8 Drawing Buddies gain exclusive access to my monthly Draw With Me meetups. Join for as low as $3 to get 20% off my 1-on-1 coaching sessions!
TIMESTAMPS
00:00 Podcast Hook – Why You Should Listen
00:25 Introduction – Meet Your Host and the Episode's Topic
03:54 How to Support the Podcast – Ways to Help
04:33 Interview with Martina Flor Begins
07:29 Martina Flor’s Journey: Becoming a Lettering Artist
10:34 Why Martina Chose to Focus on Lettering
15:05 Big Leap vs. Small Steps: How to Achieve Your Dream Job
20:47 Leveraging Your Art Skills for Career Success
21:47 How Small Freelance Jobs Lead to Bigger Opportunities
22:47 Martina’s First Real Client Projects
23:04 Martina’s Proven Client Outreach Strategy
29:12 Building Business Systems vs. Reinventing the Wheel
33:44 How to Run Your Freelance Business Like an Agency
35:10 Selling Yourself: How to Build a Strong Portfolio with No Experience
36:50 Systematizing Your Freelance Process
37:18 Examples of How to Explain Your Creative Process in Your Portfolio
38:39 How to Create a PDF That Explains Your Design Process
41:26 Why You Need a Professional Portrait on Your Portfolio
42:17 Profile Picture: Should You Use an Illustration or a Photo?
43:40 How to Confidently Present Yourself in Your Portfolio
44:50 Is Martina Flor an Introvert or Extrovert?
49:13 Overcoming the Fear of Hiding Behind Your Work
51:09 Why Your Personal Values Matter to Attracting Clients
53:30 How Aligning Your Values Makes You a Competitive Illustrator
55:10 Why Having a Vision Gives Your Work a Purpose
57:26 How Being Too Available Can Harm Your Freelance Business
1:01:03 Inky Maps Procreate Edition – Skillshare Class Promotion
1:02:15 How to Stay Creative While Running a Team
1:11:26 Choosing a Focus: Letting Go of Other Creative Opportunities
1:12:08 Outsourcing Your Creative Skills – Is It Possible?
1:14:12 Affording Help: Should You Hire Experts or Teach Someone?
1:18:47 How to Know When It’s Time to Hire Help for Your Freelance Business
1:24:17 Teaching on Skillshare vs. Kajabi or Teachable: Which Platform is Better?
1:35:35 Martina Flor’s Book Make It: A Must-Read for Creatives
1:46:57 Get Martina’s Book Make It for Only $0.99!
1:47:49 Martina Flor’s Advice to Beginner Illustrators
1:49:23 Martina Flor’s Tips for Experienced Illustrators
1:51:18 Podcast Outro – Final Thoughts and What’s Next
EPISODE LINKS
- Make It - Amazon — https://amzn.to/3zxWfwz
- Make It - Martina's Website — https://www.martinaflor.com/makeit
- Martina's Website — https://www.martinaflor.com
FIND ME ELSEWHERE
- Website - www.tomfroese.com
- Classes - www.tomfroese.com/teaching
- Instagram - www.instagram.com/mrtomfroese
PODCAST TEAM/CREDITS
Mark Allan Falk, Audio/Video Engineer
https://linktr.ee/semiathletic
All Music, including Theme Song and Cues by Mark Allan Falk.
FIND ME ELSEWHERE
www.tomfroese.com
Take Drawing is Important on Skillshare — https://skl.sh/3UWWY00 — Use my link to get 30 free days on the platform!
Just like saving money in the bank, your drawings can gain interest over time. In this episode I explain how this works, and I share how this principle has yielded both creative and financial rewards in my own life. I open up the episode with some recap from the summer! In the end you’ll learn how to set your daily drawing practice up for success with my 5-step plan. Happy to be back for Season 3!
How to Support
- Share this episode and podcast with a friend! — https://thoughts-on-illustration.simplecast.com/episodes/let-your-ideas-gain-interest-over-time
- Become a Drawing Buddy on Patreon — http://patreon.com/tomfroese
- Like and follow/subscribe!
Episode Links
Inky Maps (Procreate Edition) — Create an Analog-Inspired Map on Your iPad — https://skl.sh/3Swd9SK
Drawing is Important — https://skl.sh/3UWWY00
In This Episode
- Intro
- Opening thoughts and summer recap
- New Class
- The Friday Five newsletter on Substack
- Main Content
- Banking your ideas and drawings
- What do I mean by this?
- Example: My daily drawing practice
- Evolution - we don't just evolve forward, but see how we were evolved in the past
- Mindset: Not about creating "great" work in the moment, just showing up
- Later, seeing with fresh eyes, appreciating what we didn't before
- The Plan
- Purpose
- Media
- Inspiration Source
- Sustainable Schedule
- Sharing Strategy
- 2 examples of how it yielded fruit
- Published in a book
- Became the basis of a major Skillshare class
- Outro
PODCAST TEAM/CREDITS
Mark Allan Falk, Audio/Video Engineer
https://linktr.ee/semiathletic
All Music, including Theme Song and Cues by Mark Allan Falk.
FIND ME ELSEWHERE
www.tomfroese.com
Take Inky Maps (Procreate Edition): Illustrate an Analog-inspired Map on Your iPad — Use my link to get 30 days free! — https://skl.sh/3Swd9SK
I'm just dropping this bonus episode to say hi, I miss you, and I will be back at it in September. There will be some changes around here, and I talk about what those are. Also, please don't miss my new class on Skillshare called INKY MAPS (PROCREATE EDITION).
SEND YOUR THOUGHTS AND FEEDBACK
Email — hello@tomfroese.com
SHOW LINKS
Take Inky Maps on Skillshare — https://skl.sh/3Swd9SK
Listen in on my conversation with Martina Flor (Patrons only) — https://www.patreon.com/posts/exclusive-my-and-109588959
FIND ME ELSEWHERE
Website — tomfroese.com
Classes — tomfroese.com/teaching
Instagram — instagram.com/mrtomfroese
PODCAST TEAM/CREDITS
Mark Allan Falk, Audio/Video Engineer
https://linktr.ee/semiathletic
All Music, including Theme Song and Cues by Mark Allan Falk.
FIND ME ELSEWHERE
www.tomfroese.com
Take Lisa's class, Imaginative Map-Making in Procreate on Skillshare — Use this link to get 30 days free! — https://skl.sh/3z8zI9a
Join in on my conversaion with Lisa Bardot, who teaches people how to make art on their iPad. But that job description is deceivingly simple. She may be best known for her vast catalogue of analogue inspired procreate brushes, aka Bardot Brush. (She’s kind of the Kyle T. Webster of procreate brushes). But she also teaches making digital online in places like Skillshare, YouTube and her own membership platform called Art Maker’s Club. She also runs in-person art trips — her most recent one being in France. If that weren’t enough, she’s also the author of a brand new book called Drawing Digital, The Complete Guide for Learning to Draw and Paint on Your iPad, AND she even provides monthly prompt lists for inspiration-seeking artists, which she calls Make Art Every Day. Lisa has created an entire universe of creativity and community around her passion for drawing and illustrating in Procreate. I really think she’s a perfect guest for the podcast, as she embodies the whole ethos of this podcast of showing up everyday and growing through it, no matter what (and thriving because of it).
Video edition available on YouTube. <<<
HOW TO SUPPORT
Thank you for listening/watching!
01 — Share this episode/podcast with a friend.
This is the single most effective way to help grow this podcast.
02 — Support me on Patreon at http://patreon.com/tomfroese
- $8 Drawing Buddies gain exclusive access to my monthly Draw With Me meetups.
- Join for as low as $3 to get 20% off my 1-on-1 coaching sessions
03 – Take my Skillshare classes!
- Visit http://tomfroese.com/teaching to find links to all my classes. Use these links and get 30 days of free membership on Skillshare!
04 – Subscribe to my Substack Newsletter
- Never miss an important update. Sign up at https://mrtomfroese.substack.com
IN THIS EPISODE
In our conversation we talk about:
- How lisa made the switch from Photographer to making art on the ipad and teaching that to others
- How she manages to juggle a business that includes teaching, running an art community, organizing art retreats, making custom Procreate brush sets, writing books, and so much more — not to mention making time for her 3 kids
- We talk about how art has changed for her, from something more about personal expression to being more of a business
- And much more!
EPISODE LINKS
Imaginative Map-making in Procreate: https://www.artmakersclub.com/maps
Also available on Skillshare: https://skl.sh/3z8zI9a
Bardot Brush (Lisa's website, Procreate brushes, and much more): http://bardotbrush.com
Lisa's talk on Creative Bravery (Creative Mornings Sacramento): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iF0eUgaMp9k
ART NOTES
The artwork for this episode was made in Procreate by Tom Froese
PODCAST TEAM/CREDITS
Mark Allan Falk, Audio/Video Engineer
https://linktr.ee/semiathletic
FIND ME ELSEWHERE
www.tomfroese.com
PODCAST TEAM/CREDITS
Mark Allan Falk, Audio/Video Engineer
https://linktr.ee/semiathletic
All Music, including Theme Song and Cues by Mark Allan Falk.
FIND ME ELSEWHERE
www.tomfroese.com
PODCAST TEAM/CREDITS
Mark Allan Falk, Audio/Video Engineer
https://linktr.ee/semiathletic
All Music, including Theme Song and Cues by Mark Allan Falk.
FIND ME ELSEWHERE
www.tomfroese.com
Learn how to make better art! Take Composition for Illustrators on Skillshare — Use my link to get 30 days free! — https://skl.sh/3TLdkeh
Today I chat with my friend Chris Piascik. Chris is an illustrator for clients like Nike, Nickelodeon and Google. He's also a YouTuber and a Top Teacher on Skillshare. We have a free-ranging, loosey goosey conversation about things like: Whether you need to go to art school to become an illustrator; Why Chris and I feel like we don’t quite fit into the “traditional illustrator” mould; We discuss whether the ability to draw realistically is necessary for illustrators today; We commiserate about angry dudes leaving nasty comments on our videos and — We start off with an unexpectedly long conversation about vector files (but as far as these kinds of conversations go, I think it was pretty interesting).
HOW TO SUPPORT
Thank you for listening/watching!
01 — Share this episode/podcast with a friend.
This is the single most effective way to help grow this podcast.
02 — Support me on Patreon at http://patreon.com/tomfroese
- $8 Drawing Buddies gain exclusive access to my monthly Draw With Me meetups.
- Join for as low as $3 to get 20% off my 1-on-1 coaching sessions
03 – Take my Skillshare classes!
- Visit http://tomfroese.com/teaching to find links to all my classes. Use these links and get 30 days of free membership on Skillshare!
04 – Subscribe to my Substack Newsletter
- Never miss an important update. Sign up at https://mrtomfroese.substack.com
IN THIS EPISODE (TIME STAMPS)
00:00:00-Hook
00:00:37-Podcast Intro
00:02:12-How to Support
00:02:4- Draw With Me on Patreon
00:03:01-Announcement - I'm Taking a Break This Summer
00:03:33-Introducing Chris Piascik
00:04:48-The Conversation Starts Here
00:04:52-How's the new Nano Texture iPad Pro?
00:07:06-Mean Comments from Angry Dudes
00:10:04-Most and Least Popular Videos on our Channels
00:17:22-Vector Files
00:28:4- Chris's Backstory
00:32:04-Getting Illustration by Being a Graphic Designer First
00:39:51-Advantages of Not Being Formally Trained as an Illustrator
00:42:03-What is the Point of Illustration in the age of AI?
00:48:04-The Art Teacher that Saved Chris Piascik's Illustration Career (Shout out to Ms. Oberg)
00:50:38-Why Taking a Minor in Art School is a Waste
00:52:58-Is Doing a Post-grad just Avoiding the Real World?
00:55:51-Imposter Syndrome While in Grad School
00:56:40-Is an Art Degree Worth it in 2024?
01:11:57-Building Your Art Career with a Daily Projects
01:19:51-Is Illustration Dead?
01:21:46-Older Illustrators Fearing Technological Progress
01:22:19-Why Drawing Realistically Doesn't Matter
01:26:08-Chris Piascik's Advice to Beginner Illustrators
01:29:04-Check out Chris's YouTube Channel
01:31:17-Thank You for Watching
SHOW LINKS
Watch "The Best Adobe Fresco Class with Kyle T. Webster" on YouTube— https://youtu.be/TWPbigaFsNA?si=qiY2yfVrbKGx9V27
Chris's YouTube Channel — http://youtube.com/@chris-piascik
Chris's Work — http://chrispiascik.com
PODCAST TEAM/CREDITS
Mark Allan Falk, Audio/Video Engineer
https://linktr.ee/semiathletic
FIND ME ELSEWHERE
www.tomfroese.com
All Music, including Theme Song and Cues by Mark Allan Falk
PODCAST TEAM/CREDITS
Mark Allan Falk, Audio/Video Engineer
https://linktr.ee/semiathletic
All Music, including Theme Song and Cues by Mark Allan Falk.
FIND ME ELSEWHERE
www.tomfroese.com
✏️ Learn How to Make Good Work AND Please Your Clients — Take The Six Stages of Illustration: https://skl.sh/4cCTxEH— Use this link to get 30 days of free membership on Skillshare.
Have you ever been asked by a friend or family member to do some work for them? Perhaps to illustrate a "quick" birthday card for someone's boyfriend or "whip up" a little logo for their start-up coffee truck? While it seems like a no-brainer — of course you should share your creative gift — if you've ever actually gotten into it, you may have noticed it's not all fun and games.
In this episode, we tackle a question many creatives grapple with: should you work for your friends (and family)? Combining personal and professional relationships can be a double-edged sword, offering both unique advantages and significant challenges. We explore both sides the debate — FOR and AGAINST working for friends — and then, I'll give you 7 tips to help set you up for success (and safety) for those times when you decide to go ahead and do it.
HOW TO SUPPORT
Thank you for listening/watching!
01 — Share this episode/podcast with a friend.
This is the single most effective way to help grow this podcast.
02 — Support me on Patreon at http://patreon.com/tomfroese
- $8 Drawing Buddies gain exclusive access to my monthly Draw With Me meetups.
- Join for as low as $3 to get 20% off my 1-on-1 coaching sessions
03 – Take my Skillshare classes!
- Visit http://tomfroese.com/teaching to find links to all my classes. Use these links and get 30 days of free membership on Skillshare!
04 – Subscribe to my Substack Newsletter
- Never miss an important update. Sign up at https://mrtomfroese.substack.com
SKILLSHARE CLASSES MENTIONED
Now's a great time to finally check out Skillshare while supporting this podcast in a major way! Get 30 days free membership with these links.
- The Six Stages of Illustration: Leading Clients Through Your Art — https://skl.sh/3LxzI4I
IN THIS EPISODE
- Intro: Should You Work for Friends and Family?
- How to Support
- Part 1: Reasons NOT to Work for Friends and Family
- Part 2: Reasons TO Work for Friends and Family
- Part 3: Seven Safety Tips for Working With Friends
PODCAST TEAM/CREDITS
Mark Allan Falk, Audio/Video Engineer
https://linktr.ee/semiathletic
All Music, including Theme Song and Cues by Mark Allan Falk.
FIND ME ELSEWHERE
www.tomfroese.com
Learn How to Make Good Work AND Please Your Clients — Take The Six Stages of Illustration: https://skl.sh/4cCTxEH — Use this link to get 30 days of free membership on Skillshare.
What makes otherwise good people such bad clients? How do you deal with them — and how can you avoid them in the first place? In this episode, I explain why there almost never truly bad clients. In my 10+ year career, I've had very few bad clients. Most of them were in the beginning, when I didn't have enough experience to spot them before it's too late. By listening to this episode, you'll learn what I wish I knew when I was starting out — and this will help you make sure every client is a good client! That means they'll trust you to do what you do best (the art!) and they'll give you everything you need to do your job.
HOW TO SUPPORT
Thank you for listening/watching!
01 — Share this episode/podcast with a friend.
This is the single most effective way to help grow this podcast.
02 — Support me on Patreon at http://patreon.com/tomfroese
- $8 Drawing Buddies gain exclusive access to my monthly Draw With Me meetups.
- Join for as low as $3 to get 20% off my 1-on-1 coaching sessions
03 – Take my Skillshare classes!
- Visit http://tomfroese.com/teaching to find links to all my classes. Use these links and get 30 days of free membership on Skillshare!
04 – Subscribe to my Substack Newsletter
- Never miss an important update. Sign up at https://mrtomfroese.substack.com
SKILLSHARE CLASSES MENTIONED
Now's a great time to finally check out Skillshare while supporting this podcast in a major way! Get 30 days free membership with these links.
- The Six Stages of Illustration: Leading Clients Through Your Art — https://skl.sh/3LxzI4I
SHOW LINKS
- The Copyright Series on this podcast
- EPISODE 19 — Copyright For Illustrators: Part 1
- https://thoughts-on-illustration.simplecast.com/episodes/why-copyright-is-more-important-than-you-think-part-1
- EPISODE 20 — Copyright For Illustrators: Part 2
- https://thoughts-on-illustration.simplecast.com/episodes/copyright-licensing-and-self-promotion-part-2
- EPISODE 19 — Copyright For Illustrators: Part 1
IN THIS EPISODE
0:00:00 - Intro and Opener: No Bad Clients, only Bad Behaviours
0:05:16 - How to Support
0:07:50 - Main Content
0:08:25 - Ordering a Coffee at Starbucks for the First Time
0:10:20 - Describing What Haircut You Want to Your Barber
0:15:00 - Problems arise from Misaligned Expectations and Inability to Communicate
0:15:30 - The Four Types of Clients to Avoid
0:17:00 - 01 The Unprepared Client
0:25:36 - 02 The Inexperienced Client
0:34:00 - 03 The Uninformed Client
0:40:45 - 04 The Over-asking Client
0:55:07 - Summary
PODCAST TEAM/CREDITS
Mark Allan Falk, Audio/Video Engineer
https://linktr.ee/semiathletic
All Music, including Theme Song and Cues by Mark Allan Falk.
FIND ME ELSEWHERE
www.tomfroese.com
Learn how to illustrate ideas in Sweet Spots: Expressing Big Ideas in Small Illustrations — https://skl.sh/3e8Wl33 — Use my links to get 30 days free on Skillshare.
So you know how to illustrate — now, how do you start your career as an illustrator? In this episode, I'll share 10 key strategies that helped kickstart my illustration career. These personal yet practical tips offer valuable insights for aspiring illustrators looking to advance in the industry. Whether you're seeking a reminder of fundamental practices or hoping for fresh perspectives, this episode provides a blend of familiar and surprising advice to motivate and inspire. This episode originally launched in July 2023 as a Patron's Only "Summer Shorts" episode.
HOW TO SUPPORT
Thank you for listening/watching!
01 — Share this episode/podcast with a friend.
This is the single most effective way to help grow this podcast.
02 — Support me on Patreon at http://patreon.com/tomfroese
- $8 Drawing Buddies gain exclusive access to my monthly Draw With Me meetups.
- Join for as low as $3 to get 20% off my 1-on-1 coaching sessions
03 – Take my Skillshare classes!
- Visit http://tomfroese.com/teaching to find links to all my classes. Use these links and get 30 days of free membership on Skillshare!
04 – Subscribe to my Substack Newsletter
- Never miss an important update. Sign up at https://mrtomfroese.substack.com
IN THIS EPISODE
- Episode intro
- Thanks/How to Support
- Updates
- Skillshare Referral Drive Update (Thanks for showing up for me!)
- Response to Episode 30 in Designer Sketches: Learning to Speak Machine with John Maeda
- 10 Things I Did to Get my Illustration Career Off the Ground
- Tip 1 - Start as a designer
- Tip 2 - Make everything about illustration
- Tip 3 - Make mistakes
- Tip 4 - Start it on the side
- Tip 5 - Start local
- Tip 6 - Submit work to blogs, collections and awards
- Tip 7 - Have a daily project that you share
- Tip 8 - Invest in special self-promotion
- Tip 9 - Get an agent (when you are ready)
- Tip 10 - Pay attention to what others say about you
- Conclusion
- Plant seeds now, that's the only way you'll see growth later
- Don't listen to the bad stuff people say, embrace only the positive
- Outro
EPISODE LINKS
Learning How to Speak Machine with John Maeda — https://designersketches.substack.com/p/learning-how-to-speak-machine-with
PODCAST TEAM/CREDITS
Mark Allan Falk, Audio/Video Engineer
https://linktr.ee/semiathletic
All Music, including Theme Song and Cues by Mark Allan Falk.
FIND ME ELSEWHERE
www.tomfroese.com
Learn how to win more creative battles. Take The Six Stages of Illustration on Skillshare today. Use this link to get 30 days free access to every class on Skillshare — https://skl.sh/4cCTxEH
In today's episode, we'll dive into the delicate balance of navigating conflicts and compromises with our illustration clients and art directors. As artists, we often have strong opinions about our work, making compromise a challenging but necessary part of our creative process. Illustration, or commercial art, is unique in that it's not just self-expression; it's about expressing others' ideas through our unique abilities, style and point of view. Somehow, we need to maintain our artistic integrity while meeting the needs of our clients. Finding the right balance tricky. We can't make it all about us, but we also can't just give up our creative authority to appease our clients. By listening to this episode, you'll learn how to find more wins in your work by valuing both your client's needs and your own creative vision. Throughout the episode, I'll share insights from listeners and fellow illustrators, offering diverse, valuable perspectives on navigating creative conflicts in illustration.
HOW TO SUPPORT
Thank you for listening/watching!
01 — Share this episode/podcast with a friend.
This is the single most effective way to help grow this podcast.
02 — Support me on Patreon at http://patreon.com/tomfroese
- $8 Drawing Buddies gain exclusive access to my monthly Draw With Me meetups.
- Join for as low as $3 to get 20% off my 1-on-1 coaching sessions
03 – Take my Skillshare classes!
- Visit http://tomfroese.com/teaching to find links to all my classes. Use these links and get 30 days of free membership on Skillshare!
04 – Subscribe to my Substack Newsletter
- Never miss an important update. Sign up at https://mrtomfroese.substack.com
EPISODE LINKS
- The original Threads Post - https://www.threads.net/@mrtomfroese/post/C5T2uL6PEj2
- The Six Stages of Illustration (Skillshare Class) - https://skl.sh/4cCTxEH
PODCAST TEAM/CREDITS
Mark Allan Falk, Audio/Video Engineer
https://linktr.ee/semiathletic
All Music, including Theme Song and Cues by Mark Allan Falk.
FIND ME ELSEWHERE
www.tomfroese.com
Discover Your Illustration Voice in The Style Class - https://skl.sh/3S6PCF1 — Use this link to get 30 days free on Skillshare
Is the AI Illustration Apocalypse Here, and is it going to take all our jobs away? In this episode, I'm going to share my thoughts on how AI is affecting the illustration industry today and how it might affect us in the future. I go a bit dark in this one but stick with me, in end I share 3 reasons I’m holding on to hope as an illustrator. In the very end, I offer one main thing that you can ALWAYS rely on to be your true value, both to yourself and to whoever you work with.
HOW TO SUPPORT
Thank you for listening/watching!
01 — Share this episode/podcast with a friend.
This is the single most effective way to help grow this podcast.
02 — Support me on Patreon at http://patreon.com/tomfroese
- $8 Drawing Buddies gain exclusive access to my monthly Draw With Me meetups.
- Join for as low as $3 to get 20% off my 1-on-1 coaching sessions
03 – Take my Skillshare classes!
- Visit http://tomfroese.com/teaching to find links to all my classes. Use these links and get 30 days of free membership on Skillshare!
04 – Subscribe to my Substack Newsletter
- Never miss an important update. Sign up at https://mrtomfroese.substack.com
SKILLSHARE CLASSES MENTIONED
Now's a great time to finally check out Skillshare while supporting this podcast in a major way!. Get 30 days free membership with these links.
- Try LUCY LAMBRIEX's class, Peculiar Prompts for All-Round Creatives: Gain Confidence & Find Your Flow - https://skl.sh/4a40tJb
- Take Tom's class — The Style Class: Work Out Your Illustration Style in a Daily Project - https://skl.sh/3TLdkeh
SHOW LINKS
- Open AI Illustration in United Airlines magazine - https://www.threads.net/@taxali/post/C4v6oMMvq5E
- Luddites on Wikipedia- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Luddite
- Luddites have been getting a bad rap for 200 years. But, turns out, they were right (article on Quartz) - https://qz.com/968692/luddites-have-been-getting-a-bad-rap-for-200-years-but-turns-out-they-were-right
PODCAST TEAM/CREDITS
Mark Allan Falk, Audio/Video Engineer
https://linktr.ee/semiathletic
All Music, including Theme Song and Cues by Mark Allan Falk.
FIND ME ELSEWHERE
www.tomfroese.com
Take Composition for Illustrators on Skillshare — https://skl.sh/3TLdkeh Use this link to get 30 days free membership.
Andy J. Pizza is a New York Times best-selling illustrator and author, and host of the Creative Pep Talk podcast. Today he joins me for a deep-dishy dive into all things illustration and creativity, especially where he and I share a lot of common ground. Along the way, we talk about such topics as the myth of the Inspired Artist, his message of adopting a more positive self-psychology, the balance of inspiration and craft in creative work, and even why he thinks full-blown therapy should be a part of art school education. No topping (or topic) is held back — even the mushrooms and pineapples were allowed in this one.
HOW TO SUPPORT
Thank you for listening/watching!
01 — Share this episode/podcast with a friend.
This is the single most effective way to help grow this podcast.
02 — Support me on Patreon at http://patreon.com/tomfroese
- $8 Drawing Buddies gain exclusive access to my monthly Draw With Me meetups.
- Join for as low as $3 to get 20% off my 1-on-1 coaching sessions
03 – Take my Skillshare classes!
- Visit http://tomfroese.com/teaching to find links to all my classes. Use these links and get 30 days of free membership on Skillshare!
04 – Join my mailing list
- Never miss an important update. Sign up at http://tomfroese.com/contact
SHOW LINKS
- Andy's Website — http://www.andyjpizza.com
- Andy's Substack Newsletter — https://andyjpizza.substack.com
- Sunday With Everything On It (Picture Book) by Andy J. Pizza and Kyle Scheele — https://smarturl.it/SundaewithEverythingOnIt
- Invisible Things by Andy J. Pizza and Sophie Mille — https://www.etsy.com/listing/1585811511/hardback-book-invisible-things-by-andy-j?click_key=8c0ff10a548dff168209fd1e191703fc834162b4%3A1585811511&click_sum=924e6b0c&ref=shop_home_active_19&sca=1
- CREATIVE PEP TALK — http://creativepeptalk.com
PODCAST TEAM/CREDITS
Mark Allan Falk, Audio/Video Engineer
https://linktr.ee/semiathletic
All Music, including Theme Song and Cues by Mark Allan Falk.
FIND ME ELSEWHERE
www.tomfroese.com
Get Feedback on Your Illustrations in a 1-on-1 Session with Mr. Tom Froese — tomfroese.com/coaching
This is Part 2/2 of my conversation with Kyle T. Webster, which we started in the previous episode (Episode 27). Today we pick up where we left off, with Kyle’s advice for those asking if they should have one style or many, how his background in traditional art skills informs his digital brushes, and he even has a word for artists who might be afraid of how AI will affect the value of their work.
HOW TO SUPPORT
Thank you for listening/watching!
01 — Share this episode/podcast with a friend.
This is the single most effective way to help grow this podcast.
02 — Support me on Patreon at http://patreon.com/tomfroese
- $8 Drawing Buddies gain exclusive access to my monthly Draw With Me meetups.
- Join for as low as $3 to get 20% off my 1-on-1 coaching sessions
03 – Take my Skillshare classes!
- Visit http://tomfroese.com/teaching to find links to all my classes. Use these links and get 30 days of free membership on Skillshare!
04 – Join my mailing list
- Never miss an important update. Sign up at http://tomfroese.com/contact
IN THIS EPISODE
- Kyle’s Advice - Should I have just One Style or Many?
- When client wants you to work in a different style
- The importance of Predictability and Skill over Style
- 3 Tips about Having a Style
- You can choose how varied your style is according to your temperament
- Be predictable and repeatable in any styles you offer
- Be skilled in whichever styles you offer
- How many Brushes has Kyle Made?
- When People "Misuse" Kyle's Brushes
- Kyle's Understanding of Physical Media in his Digital Brushes
- When people can't get his brushes to work for them?
- The difference between Artists and "Tinkerers"
- Advice for illustrators who want to learn Fresco
- Kyle's experience making a Domestika Class
- Fresco Tutorials for University Classes
- You can get Fresco for free!
- Kyle's response to my being overwhelmed by all the many options and brushes
- Kyle's feelings about being the Photoshop Brush guy
- How the thing we end up being good at differs from what we originally thought
- Why We Teach (not just for the $)
- 3 Things Kyle's Excited About
- Kyle's Thoughts on AI Art
- Thank Yous and Goodbye
SHOW LINKS
- Kyle's Substack and Podcast: The Accidental Expert - http://www.accidental-expert.com
- Drawing Mindfulness App for iOS : Lines of Zen - https://linesofzen.com/
- Kyle's online shop (Gumroad) for digital illustration tools - https://kyletwebster.gumroad.com
PODCAST TEAM/CREDITS
Mark Allan Falk, Audio/Video Engineer
https://linktr.ee/semiathletic
All Music, including Theme Song and Cues by Mark Allan Falk.
FIND ME ELSEWHERE
www.tomfroese.com
Take my class COMPOSITION FOR ILLUSTRATORS! Use this link and get 1 month free on Skillshare! — https://skl.sh/3TLdkeh
I'm excited to share with you part 1 of a 2-part conversation I had with illustrator and pioneering digital brush-maker, Kyle T. Webster. Kyle is the guy behind the many, many digital illustration brushes (2,400 and counting) that come bundled with Adobe Photoshop and Fresco. In this episode we talk about his beginnings as an aspiring illustrator many years ago, and how he slowly but steadily built up a small empire around his digital brushes — which have no doubt shaped the world of digital illustration as we know it today. We have a wide ranging conversation that touches on things like:
- Building up an illustration portfolio when you haven't had any clients yet
- Why working in different styles can make good business sense
- What Kyle means when he calls himself an Accidental Expert
- What Kyle finds most meaningful in his work and career, besides drawing or making brushes
- Why making Creativity a way of life is necessary to building up a successful career
- And much, much more!
HOW TO SUPPORT
Thank you for listening/watching!
01 — Share this episode/podcast with a friend.
This is the single most effective way to help grow this podcast.
02 — Support me on Patreon at http://patreon.com/tomfroese
- $8 Drawing Buddies gain exclusive access to my monthly Draw With Me meetups.
- Join for as low as $3 to get 20% off my 1-on-1 coaching sessions
03 – Take my Skillshare classes!
- Visit http://tomfroese.com/teaching to find links to all my classes. Use these links and get 30 days of free membership on Skillshare!
04 – Join my mailing list
- Never miss an important update. Sign up at http://tomfroese.com/contact
N THIS EPISODE
- Intro
- Quick Intro/Bio of Adam Ming
- How to Support the Podcast
- The Interview (Part 1)
- The Renaissance Man
- What does the T in Kyle T Webster stand for?
- Becoming an Accidental Expert
- The Role of Experimentation and Play
- Creating Opportunities and Embracing Accidents
- The Importance of Mentors
- Embracing Passion to find Opportunities
- Living Creatively in Any Situation
- The Importance of Design as a Way of Life
- Finding Your Guiding Star
- Leaving a Lasting Legacy
- The debate on One Style vs. Many
- Outro
To Be Continued …. in Part 2
SHOW LINKS
- Kyle's Substack and Podcast: The Accidental Expert - http://www.accidental-expert.com
- Drawing Mindfulness App for iOS : Lines of Zen - https://linesofzen.com/
- Kyle's online shop (Gumroad) for digital illustration tools - https://kyletwebster.gumroad.com
PODCAST TEAM/CREDITS
Mark Allan Falk, Audio/Video Engineer
https://linktr.ee/semiathletic
All Music, including Theme Song and Cues by Mark Allan Falk.
FIND ME ELSEWHERE
www.tomfroese.com
Support the Thoughts on Illustration Podcast at http://patreon.com/tomfroese
In this first official interview episode on Thoughts on Illustration, Adam Ming shares his thoughts on becoming a successful kids book illustrator in his late thirties and early 40s. Adam is quickly becoming an accomplished picture book illustrator, and along the way, he's sharing his insights and inspiration on his Substack, apty called The Ten Minute illustrator. He's also a co-founder of ILLOGUILD, a community of picture book illustrators who meet regularly to share ideas, give and get critical feedback, and help one another find the next big opportunity. At the top I share my own thoughts as I dive into this new role as public conversationalist via this podcast.
HOW TO SUPPORT
Thank you for listening/watching!
01 — Share this episode/podcast with a friend.
This is the single most effective way to help grow this podcast.
02 — Support me on Patreon at http://patreon.com/tomfroese
- $8 Drawing Buddies gain exclusive access to my monthly Draw With Me meetups.
- Join for as low as $3 to get 20% off my 1-on-1 coaching sessions
03 – Take my Skillshare classes!
- Visit http://tomfroese.com/teaching to find links to all my classes. Use these links and get 30 days of free membership on Skillshare!
04 – Join my mailing list
- Never miss an important update. Sign up at http://tomfroese.com/contact
IN THIS EPISODE
- Intro
- Thoughts on Now Having Guests on the Podcast
- Call to Support the Podcast
- Quick Intro/Bio of Adam Ming
- The Interview
- Outro
SHOW LINKS
- Adam Ming's website - https://adamming.com/books
- The Ten Minute Artist (Daily Creative Prompts and Creative Inspiration on Substack) - https://www.tenminuteartist.com/p/day-14-intervals
- Adam Ming's Picture Books - http://adamming.com/books
PODCAST TEAM/CREDITS
Mark Allan Falk, Audio/Video Engineer
https://linktr.ee/semiathletic
All Music, including Theme Song and Cues by Mark Allan Falk.
FIND ME ELSEWHERE
www.tomfroese.com
Support the Thoughts on Illustration Podcast at http://patreon.com/tomfroese
Have you hit a dead end with your work? Are you bored of your style? Or maybe, like me, you feel even worse about the art you've been making lately? This past year has brought a few blows to my professional and personal creativity, and at the end of 2023, I was feeling pretty crappy about my own work. I've come to this point many times in my career, and usually I just shrug it off and keep going. But this time was different. In this episode I talk about how I was able to climb out of a hole of artistic despair and rekindle my love affair with my work. By listening to this episode, I hope you will learn how to rediscover the joy in your own practice. If it hasn't happened to you yet — listen to this one and put it in your back pocket. 😉
Listen all the way to the end, where I share some additional thoughts on the connection between our process and reclaiming our joy amidst our concerns of Artificial Intelligence taking over our jobs.
HOW TO SUPPORT
Thank you for listening/watching!
01 — Share this episode/podcast with a friend.
This is the single most effective way to help grow this podcast.
02 — Support me on Patreon at http://patreon.com/tomfroese
- $8 Drawing Buddies gain exclusive access to my monthly Draw With Me meetups.
- Join for as low as $3 to get 20% off my 1-on-1 coaching sessions
03 – Take my Skillshare classes!
Visit http://tomfroese.com/teaching to find links to all my classes. Use these links and get 30 days of free membership on Skillshare!
04 – Join my mailing list
Never miss an important update. Sign up at http://tomfroese.com/contact
PODCAST TEAM/CREDITS
Mark Allan Falk, Audio/Video Engineer
https://linktr.ee/semiathletic
All Music, including Theme Song and Cues by Mark Allan Falk.
FIND ME ELSEWHERE
www.tomfroese.com
PODCAST TEAM/CREDITS
Mark Allan Falk, Audio/Video Engineer
https://linktr.ee/semiathletic
All Music, including Theme Song and Cues by Mark Allan Falk.
FIND ME ELSEWHERE
www.tomfroese.com
Support the Thoughts on Illustration Podcast at http://patreon.com/tomfroese
Paul Rand is one of my biggest influences and a huge inspiration for this podcast. In this Special Anniversary Episode, I'm going to share with you a little bit about the pioneering American graphic designer, ad man and (in my opinion) illustrator. By listening to this episode you will learn about a legendary figure in graphic design and illustration history. You will also learn valuable insights from Paul about working as a professional creative.
HOW TO SUPPORT
Thank you for listening/watching!
01 — Share this episode/podcast with a friend.
This is the single most effective way to help grow this podcast.
02 — Support me on Patreon at http://patreon.com/tomfroese
- $8 Drawing Buddies gain exclusive access to my monthly Draw With Me meetups.
- Join for as low as $3 to get 20% off my 1-on-1 coaching sessions
03 – Take my Skillshare classes!
Visit http://tomfroese.com/teaching to find links to all my classes. Use these links and get 30 days of free membership on Skillshare!
04 – Join my mailing list
Never miss an important update. Sign up at http://tomfroese.com/contact
IN THIS EPISODE
Chapter 1: Who is Paul Rand?
Chapter 2: 6 Things I Learned from Paul Rand
PAUL RAND BOOKS CITED OR MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE
- Paul Rand: A Designer's Art
- Thoughts on Design
- Design, Chaos and Form
- Paul Rand (Monograph by Steven Heller)
SHOW LINKS
- See Rand's NO WAY OUT movie poster
- Steven Heller on Graphic Designer Paul Rand (Biblio File podcast episode)
- Steve Jobs interview (on Paul Rand)
PODCAST TEAM/CREDITS
Mark Allan Falk, Audio/Video Engineer
https://linktr.ee/semiathletic
All Music, including Theme Song and Cues by Mark Allan Falk.
FIND ME ELSEWHERE
www.tomfroese.com
PODCAST TEAM/CREDITS
Mark Allan Falk, Audio/Video Engineer
https://linktr.ee/semiathletic
All Music, including Theme Song and Cues by Mark Allan Falk.
FIND ME ELSEWHERE
www.tomfroese.com
Take The 6 Stages of Illustration: Leading Clients Through Your Art - Use this link to get 30 days free on Skillshare. https://skl.sh/3LxzI4I
REPLAY: As I struggle to get my next class published before the end of the year, this episode (originally published as Episode 14) is particularly relevant. Whether you're listening for the first time or you're hearing it again, I truly believe it's worth hearing this message.
Do you ever feel like everything takes YOU longer than everyone else? In this episode, talk about what it’s been like for me as a slow worker. What kinds of things have slowed me down, and how have I been able to thrive as a successful illustrator in spite of them. So if you’re a slowpoke trying to figure out why it just takes so long to get things done, this one is for you.
I’m going talk about why I think there are two kinds of slow — good slow and bad slow — and why we should embrace the former and try to change the latter. And of course, I’ll give you some ways to do both. How can you embrace the things about your work that you maybe wish would go faster, and how you can change some of the things that truly get in your creative way.
By the end of this episode, I hope that you’ll feel permitted to give yourself the time you need to do your best work — and to defend that time when it comes under question by yourself — or by others.
HOW TO SUPPORT
Thank you for listening/watching!
01 — Share this episode/podcast with a friend.
This is the single most effective way to help grow this podcast.
02 — Support me on Patreon at http://patreon.com/tomfroese
- $8 Drawing Buddies gain exclusive access to my monthly Draw With Me meetups.
- Join for as low as $3 to get 20% off my 1-on-1 coaching sessions
03 – Take my Skillshare classes!
Visit http://tomfroese.com/teaching to find links to all my classes. Use these links and get 30 days of free membership on Skillshare!
04 – Join my mailing list
Never miss an important update. Sign up at http://tomfroese.com/contact
IN THIS EPISODE
Hook - Teachers in art school making us feel like we have to work fast or die in the design industry
Chapter 1: Slow is Faster Than Stuck
- Good slow vs. Bad slow
- Good - Slow for the right reasons
- Just necessary part of the process
- Bad - Slow for the wrong reasons
- Something negative getting in my way
- Why this episode: to help you overcome anxiety and frustration we feel when we feel like things take longer than they should
- Story: Rebranding a company without any experience
Chapter 2: Slow for the Right Reasons
- Some things just take time
- Examples: Baking cookies, making wine, waiting for paint to dry
- For me: My process
- Reasons for Slow
- Conceptual reasons
- Technical reasons
- Maybe we're just not good at it (not a bad thing)
- Short deadlines: NOT inevitable
- Pick Two: Good/Fast/Cheap — sounds good in theory, but is Good ever an option?
- Takeaways:
- Some things just take time
- Build these into your process
- There is always a struggle to get to the eureka moment
- We learn how to avoid things that slow us down the most
- Short deadlines are a CHOICE!
Chapter 3: Slow for the Wrong reasons
- Things that take our time but don't need to
- AKA Pitfalls
- Examples
- Trying to go directly over a mountain, rather than around it
- Baking without a recipe
- Reasons
- Trying to take shortcuts that end up taking longer
- Not following a step by step process
- Avoiding outside feedback
- Analysis paralysis
- Solutions
- Embrace the long way. Building a solid foundation takes more time up front but saves time down the road.
- Develop a process through practice over time, and then stick to it.
- Swallow your pride, be brave, share your mid-process work even though you don't want to!
- Start with very simple tasks you know you can do. Then do the next right thing, and the next. One thing at a time.
Episode Summary
LINKS FROM THIS EPISODE
The Six Stages of Illustration (Skillshare class) - https://www.tomfroese.com/teaching/the-six-stages-of-illustration
Slow is Faster Than Stuck (My original article on Medium) - https://medium.com/creators-hub/slow-is-faster-than-stuck-e879958364b9
PODCAST TEAM/CREDITS
THANK YOU TO MY TEAM!
Julia Herrick, Script Editor
https://julesherrick.com
Mark Allan Falk, Audio/Video Engineer
https://linktr.ee/semiathletic
All Music, including Theme Song and Cues by Mark Allan Falk.
FIND ME ELSEWHERE
http://linktr.ee/mrtomfroese
PODCAST TEAM/CREDITS
Mark Allan Falk, Audio/Video Engineer
https://linktr.ee/semiathletic
All Music, including Theme Song and Cues by Mark Allan Falk.
FIND ME ELSEWHERE
www.tomfroese.com
Start a daily drawing habit in 30 days — Take Drawing Is Important on Skillshare today - Use this link to get 30 days free on Skillshare: https://skl.sh/3UWWY00
Today's episode is for anyone who feels discouraged by their lack of progress or engagement on social media. As creative people sharing what we love to the world, we hope so much that others love it as much as we do. But what if they don't? When we don't have the sense that others appreciate it, why even bother?
HOW TO SUPPORT
Thank you for listening/watching!
01 — Share this episode/podcast with a friend.
This is the single most effective way to help grow this podcast.
02 — Support me on Patreon at http://patreon.com/tomfroese
- $8 Drawing Buddies gain exclusive access to my monthly Draw With Me meetups.
- Join for as low as $3 to get 20% off my 1-on-1 coaching sessions
03 – Take my Skillshare classes!
Visit http://tomfroese.com/teaching to find links to all my classes. Use these links and get 30 days of free membership on Skillshare!
04 – Join my mailing list
Never miss an important update. Sign up at http://tomfroese.com/contact
PODCAST CREDITS
All music, including Theme Song and Cues by Mark Allan Falk.
http://linktr.ee/semiathletic
FIND ME ELSEWHERE
http://www.tomfroese.com
PODCAST TEAM/CREDITS
Mark Allan Falk, Audio/Video Engineer
https://linktr.ee/semiathletic
All Music, including Theme Song and Cues by Mark Allan Falk.
FIND ME ELSEWHERE
www.tomfroese.com
Take The 6 Stages of Illustration: Leading Clients Through Your Art - Use this link to get 30 days free on Skillshare.
Where do ideas come from? How do illustrators, artists and designers get their best ideas? Is it in a stroke of inspiration like a bolt of lightning? Do they mediate for as long as it takes until the perfect idea to appear in their heads? In this episode, we explore how ideas find their into our heads and onto the page and beyond. In Chapter 1 we look into what it means to "get" an idea. Then in Chapter 2, I share my 6 stage process for how to come up with ideas whether or not lighting strikes. I close with some challenging homework that might just help you break through to find your next great idea.
HOW TO SUPPORT
Thank you for listening/watching!
01 — Share this episode/podcast with a friend.
This is the single most effective way to help grow this podcast.
02 — Support me on Patreon at http://patreon.com/tomfroese
- $8 Drawing Buddies gain exclusive access to my monthly Draw With Me meetups.
- Join for as low as $3 to get 20% off my 1-on-1 coaching sessions
03 – Take my Skillshare classes!
Visit http://tomfroese.com/teaching to find links to all my classes. Use these links and get 30 days of free membership on Skillshare!
04 – Join my mailing list
Never miss an important update. Sign up at http://tomfroese.com/contact
IN THIS EPISODE
0:00:00 - Intro
0:02:29 - How to Support
0:03:35 - Update on Anniversary Episode plans
0:07:17 - Chapter 1: What is an Idea?
- 0:09:58 - 2 Ways Creatives Get Their Ideas
- 0:16:25 - Knowing HOW to get ideas means knowing WHAT YOU DO
- 0:23:27 - What goes into an illustration/creative idea?
- 0:28:17 - Examples of ideas
- 0:29:45 - Examples of non-ideas
0:32:49 - Ad: Introducing 1 on 1 coaching!
0:34:07 - Chapter 2: 6 Steps for Coming Up with Ideas
- 0:37:45 - Stage 1: Define the problem
- 0:39:45 - Stage 2: Understand the subject
- 0:44:35 - Stage 3: Formulate a perspective
- 0:49:08 - Stage 4: Come up with rough ideas
- 0:57:49 - Stage 5: Refine your best ideas
- 1:01:31 - Stage 6: Finalize your idea (final illustration)
- 1:05:19 - Conclusion: Shift from "coming up with ideas" to Solving Problems
- 1:07:56 - Advice for beginners to break through in your ideas
1:09:01 - Outro
LINKS FROM THIS EPISODE
Niemann, Christoph. "Christoph Niemann Tells the Brutal Truth About the Creative Process." Wired.com. December 2016. https://www.wired.com/2016/12/sunday-sketching-christoph-niemann-tells-brutal-truth-creative-process.
The Style Class: Work Out Your Illustration Style in a Daily Project (Skillshare Class)
The Six Stages of Illustration: Leading Clients Through Your Creative Process (Skillshare Class)
PODCAST CREDITS
All music, including Theme Song and Cues by Mark Allan Falk.
FIND ME ELSEWHERE
tomfroese.comlinktr.ee/mrtomfroese
PODCAST TEAM/CREDITS
Mark Allan Falk, Audio/Video Engineer
https://linktr.ee/semiathletic
All Music, including Theme Song and Cues by Mark Allan Falk.
FIND ME ELSEWHERE
www.tomfroese.com
Take The 6 Stages of Illustration: Leading Clients Through Your Art - Use this link to get 30 days free on Skillshare.
In this episode we continue our deep dive into the world of Copyright for Illustrators! In this series, we talk about what copyright is, how it relates to licensing and pricing our work, and ultimately, the right to use our work for self-promotion. I also share the results of that project I mentioned in the last episode: did it get selected or not? Will you ever get to see this work, that I'm so proud of? This is Part 2 of 2. Be sure to start with Episode 19 if you haven't already!
By listening to this episode, you'll learn:
- What your rights are where it comes to owning and controlling your artwork
- Why you may not be pricing your illustrations high enough
- What copyright means in NORMAL, EVERYDAY English
- Why you should ALWAYS fight for your right to use your work for self promotion
Disclaimer: THIS IS NOT LEGAL ADVICE.
HOW TO SUPPORT
Thank you for listening/watching!
01 — Share this episode/podcast with a friend.
This is the single most effective way to help grow this podcast.
02 — Support me on Patreon at http://patreon.com/tomfroese
- $8 Drawing Buddies gain exclusive access to my monthly Draw With Me meetups.
- Join for as low as $3 to get 20% off my 1-on-1 coaching sessions
03 – Take my Skillshare classes!
Visit http://tomfroese.com/teaching to find links to all my classes. Use these links and get 30 days of free membership on Skillshare!
04 – Join my mailing list
Never miss an important update. Sign up at http://tomfroese.com/contact
IN THIS EPISODE
In Parts 1, 2 and 3, we covered How Copyright Works, How it Relates to Pricing, and then started our Breakdown or Copyright and Licensing.
We continue our discussion in Episode 20, picking up on the subject of Buyout Licenses.
Part 3 — Continued
- Licensing
- Buyout
- Copyright Transfer
- Royalties
- Work for Hire Contracts
Part 4 — Copyright and Self-Promotion
- Conclusions
- Copyright is a Tool
- You Get To Share Your Work
Update: Did I Get Chosen for That Big National Project?
- I share the results of the project I mention in my opening story from Episode 19.
- Will you ever get to see my work?
LINKS
Types of Illustration Licensing (The Informed Illustrator) — https://www.theinformedillustrator.com/2015/03/types-of-illustration-licensing.html
About Copyright (AOI) - https://theaoi.com/resources/copyright/what-is-copyright/
Graphic Artists' Guild Handbook - https://amzn.to/495qkk0 — Use this affiliate link to support the podcast
Guide to Copyright and Licensing (Folio Illustration and Animation Agency) - https://folioart.co.uk/guide-to-copyright-and-licensing/
PODCAST TEAM/CREDITS
All Music, including Theme Song and Cues by Mark Allan Falk.
FIND ME ELSEWHERE
http://linktr.ee/mrtomfroese
PODCAST TEAM/CREDITS
Mark Allan Falk, Audio/Video Engineer
https://linktr.ee/semiathletic
All Music, including Theme Song and Cues by Mark Allan Falk.
FIND ME ELSEWHERE
www.tomfroese.com
Take The 6 Stages of Illustration: Leading Clients Through Your Art - Use this link to get 30 days free on Skillshare.
In this episode we dive into the exciting world of Copyright for Illustrators! I will explain why it's way more important for independent illustrators and artists than you might imagine. We'll talk about how understanding copyright can help you make a lot more money from your art, the difference between Copyright and Moral Rights, and we'll even talk about how Licensing works!
By listening to this episode, you'll learn:
- What your rights are where it comes to owning and controlling your artwork
- Why you may not be pricing your illustrations high enough
- What copyright means in NORMAL, EVERYDAY English
- Why you should ALWAYS fight for your right to use your work for self promotion
This is Part 1 of 2. We'll pick up with the rest in Episode 20.
Disclaimer: THIS IS NOT LEGAL ADVICE.
HOW TO SUPPORT
Thank you for listening/watching!
01 — Share this episode/podcast with a friend.
This is the single most effective way to help grow this podcast.
02 — Support me on Patreon at http://patreon.com/tomfroese
- $8 Drawing Buddies gain exclusive access to my monthly Draw With Me meetups.
- Join for as low as $3 to get 20% off my 1-on-1 coaching sessions
03 – Take my Skillshare classes!
Visit http://tomfroese.com/teaching to find links to all my classes. Use these links and get 30 days of free membership on Skillshare!
04 – Join my mailing list
Never miss an important update. Sign up at http://tomfroese.com/contact
IN THIS EPISODE
00:01:16 - Opener
00:04:08 - Honest Recording Notes
00:05:24 - Story
00:13:04 - Part 1 — How Copyright Works
- What is Copyright?
- History of Copyright
- How does Copyright Protect the Artist?
- What's the difference between Copyright and Moral Rights
00:17:26 - Part 2 — How Copyright Relates to Pricing
- Copyright gives us a more objective way to price our work besides Time
00:25:07 - Part 3 — Breakdown of Copyright and Licensing
- Copyright
- Moral Rights
- Licensing
- Limited
- Unlimited
- Unlimited Restricted
- Unlimited Unrestricted
IN EPISODE 20
We'll continue our discussion in Episode 20, picking up on the subject of Buyout Licenses.
Part 3 — Continued
- Licensing
- Buyout
- Copyright Transfer
- Royalties
- Work for Hire Contracts
Part 4 — Copyright and Self-Promotion
- Conclusions
- Copyright is a Tool
- You Get To Share Your Work
LINKS
Types of Illustration Licensing (The Informed Illustrator) — https://www.theinformedillustrator.com/2015/03/types-of-illustration-licensing.html
About Copyright (AOI) - https://theaoi.com/resources/copyright/what-is-copyright/
Graphic Artists' Guild Handbook - https://amzn.to/495qkk0 — Use this affiliate link to support the podcast
Guide to Copyright and Licensing (Folio Illustration and Animation Agency) - https://folioart.co.uk/guide-to-copyright-and-licensing/
PODCAST TEAM/CREDITS
All Music, including Theme Song and Cues by Mark Allan Falk.
FIND ME ELSEWHERE
http://linktr.ee/mrtomfroese
PODCAST TEAM/CREDITS
Mark Allan Falk, Audio/Video Engineer
https://linktr.ee/semiathletic
All Music, including Theme Song and Cues by Mark Allan Falk.
FIND ME ELSEWHERE
www.tomfroese.com
Take The 6 Stages of Illustration: Leading Clients Through Your Art - Use this link to get 30 days free on Skillshare.
In this episode, we'll go through 8 ways to alleviate stress as a working illustrator. Making art for a living, often under tight deadlines and high expectations, can be very stressful. But if we're stressed out all the time, we'll end up burning out. So how do we avoid stress in our work, even as we perform on a deadline? How can we manage multiple projects and give each one of them our best? And how can we do all this without burning out? Join me as I share the surprisingly simple ways that I've been able to take the edge off stress in my own work. Along the way, I hope to encourage you to keep going and not to let the little (and sometimes big) setbacks hold you back.
01 — Share this episode/podcast with a friend.
This is the single most effective way to help grow this podcast.
02 — Support me on Patreon at http://patreon.com/tomfroese
- $8 Drawing Buddies gain exclusive access to my monthly Draw With Me meetups.
- Join for as low as $3 to get 20% off my 1-on-1 coaching sessions
03 – Take my Skillshare classes!
Visit http://tomfroese.com/teaching to find links to all my classes. Use these links and get 30 days of free membership on Skillshare!
04 – Join my mailing list
Never miss an important update. Sign up at http://tomfroese.com/contact
IN THIS EPISODE
0:00 - Intro
0:00:39 - Opener
- Creative work can be stressful
- Trying to come up with creative ideas on a deadline
- Things don't always line up as we expect, even with experience
- How to keep going, manage stress and not burn out?
0:02:53 - How to Support
- Thank you for your support!
- Join me on Patreon - patreon.com/tomfroese
- Share this Podcast/Episode with friends / followers
- Follow/Subscribe/Rate/Review
- Take my classes - use these links to get 30 days free on Skillshare
0:03:51 - Story: Bad Photography
- My first ever paid creative gig
- Event photographer at boss's family event
- Had no idea what I was doing
- Picture were pretty bad
- Stressed out about it for a long time
- Now I know I was being too hard on myself
- First time is always a learning process
- Failure/bad work is inevitable
- Things turned out fine anyway
0:11:25 - Tip 1
Accept Stress as a Given
- Stress is inevitable
- Expecting it takes the edge off a bit
- We can also plan for it
0:12:55 - Tip 2
Give Yourself Permission to Fail
- Failing is inevitable
- Sometimes our fault, sometimes not
- Hotel Hell example - Gordon Ramsey making me feel convicted
- Important thing is to turn things around as soon as you notice
- Accept that failure will happen
- Give permission to fail and be bad sometimes
- Just keep getting up and getting better
0:20:23 - Tip 3
Set Realistic Timelines with Enough Time to Get Lost
- Know what it takes to get your job done
- Sometimes we need a period of getting lost/experimentation
- Build time into your schedule for that
0:24:41 - Tip 4
Don't Try to Read the Client's Mind
- Start all projects off with a brief
- Clients won't always know what info you need to do your job
- Sometimes you have to ask them
- Ask up front in the brief
- Or ask later in process when you realize it
- Your job is to turn their idea or message into an illustration
- Your job is NOT to come up with their reason/purpose/message
- If you try to just guess what they want, you might end up wasting a lot of time
- Don't be afraid to push for missing information
0:31:21 - Tip 5
Lay the Groundwork Early
- The creative process is a sequence of steps that start simple and get progressively more involved
- Skipping steps or leaving early steps to the last minute will put strain on the creative part
- Start early with the simple, non-creative stuff
- Give yourself time to sink into a job
0:35:05 - Tip 6
Ask for More Time When You Need it
- There's almost always more time in a schedule
- You just have to ask for it
- If you sense you need more time, ask before it's too late
- Be honest, explain that you've been working hard but need just a little more time
- The client is on your side, they will support you if they can
- Use this option sparingly, but know it's there
- Better to ask for more time than to show up on the deadline with work you don't stand behind.
0:38:51 - Tip 7
Say No to Projects When You Don't Have the Time
- SEE EPISODE 14: GOOD NEWS FOR SLOW WORKERS
- Reject jobs that don't give you time to do your best work
- This means knowing how long you need (err on the safe side)
- Avoid stacking up too many jobs, if adding more compromises the ones you already have
- Don't fear missing out: saying no does not mean missing out on future opportunities
- Myth of the "once in a lifetime" opportunity
- Getting opportunities means you will get more
- Be ethical, don't abandon your current clients
- If a big opportunity comes your way but you don't have time to do it:
- Plan A: Ask for a timeline extension from new client
- Plan B: Ask current clients if they can move deadlines around to help you accommodate new one
- Saying no is a vote of confidence in yourself
- Don't over-stretch yourself: Your work will be better and you will do better in the long run
0:45:39 - Tip 8
Just Get the Work Done!
- Channel that anxious energy into getting it done
- If you are paralyzed by stress, take a break
- Ask for more time
- Our job is to get the job done by whatever means possible
- Sometimes that means pushing it out under pressure
- Sometimes that means asking for some grace
- We put more expectation on ourselves than our clients do
- Don't try to make "good" work
- Make work that you know works, based on the goals of the brief
0:55:42 - Conclusion
- Don't be so hard on yourself
- The stress we're feeling will feel like a bigger deal than it actually is
- Yes, art work is hard work
- With a change in mindset and taking these pre-emptive steps, you can alleviate stress
- It DOES get better with experience
- Either way, you'll be okay!
LINKS FROM THIS EPISODE
Writing Briefs
- See Video 6 (Stage 1: Onboarding) in my class, The Six Stages of Illustration on Skillshare
- How to write an illustration brief that saves time and gets great results (by Sam Osborne)
- How to Brief an Illustrator (from a client's perspective) (Handsome Frank)
- How to write a creative brief in 4 easy steps (99 Designs)
PODCAST CREDITS
All music, including Theme Song and Cues by Mark Allan Falk.
FIND ME ELSEWHERE
tomfroese.com
linktr.ee/mrtomfroese
PODCAST TEAM/CREDITS
Mark Allan Falk, Audio/Video Engineer
https://linktr.ee/semiathletic
All Music, including Theme Song and Cues by Mark Allan Falk.
FIND ME ELSEWHERE
www.tomfroese.com
In this episode, I'm going to give you 10 tips for being more productive as an illustrator. These are tips that I personally use and NEED to stay on top of my game. Find out why my advice is quite contrary to what all the Productivity Gurus are saying. Along the way, I'll share my own challenges in being productive, which will help you understand why I've chosen these particular tips for you. In the intro, I share some updates from my family situation.
HOW TO SUPPORT
Thank you for listening/watching!
01 — Share this episode/podcast with a friend.
This is the single most effective way to help grow this podcast.
02 — Support me on Patreon at http://patreon.com/tomfroese
- $8 Drawing Buddies gain exclusive access to my monthly Draw With Me meetups.
- Join for as low as $3 to get 20% off my 1-on-1 coaching sessions
03 – Take my Skillshare classes!
Visit http://tomfroese.com/teaching to find links to all my classes. Use these links and get 30 days of free membership on Skillshare!
04 – Join my mailing list
Never miss an important update. Sign up at http://tomfroese.com/contact
IN THIS EPISODE
Intro and personal thoughts
- (0:00:00) Intro
- (0:01:27) Thank you / How to Support
- (0:02:38) Some personal updates
The Main Content
- (0:11:01) Opening story: Monsieur Malbec's New Tractor Hobby
- (0:16:43) What is productivity and why is it important to you?
- (0:17:44) The Cult of Productivity
- (0:19:42) Five productivity challenges
- (0:19:50) False Productivity
- (0:21:18) Decision Paralysis
- (0:22:08) Disorganization
- (0:23:17) Distractedness
- (0:24:33) Inertia
The Productivity Tips
- (0:25:46) Tip 1: Do Morning Pages
- (0:28:33) Tip 2: Keep a to-do list
- (0:31:10) Tip 3: Prioritize paid work
- (0:32:56) Tip 4: Don't try to do it all
- (0:34:45) Tip 5: Disable notifications
- (0:36:52) Tip 6: Keep regular work hours
- (0:39:24) Tip 7: Have a dedicated work zone
- (0:42:18) Tip 8: Track your time
- (0:46:56) Tip 9: Use a calendar app
- (0:49:39) Tip 10: Have a consistent creative practice
- Link: The Six Stages of Illustration (Skillshare class) https://skl.sh/3LxzI4I
Final Thoughts
- (0:54:08) Contextualizing these tips
- (0:56:10) Staying productive is hard
- (0:56:50) The Lie of Productivity
- (0:57:49) Focus = Sacrifice = Doing Less
- (1:00:12) Homework question: What is your job identity? Use the answer to help you better understand what you need to be prioritizing each day and ultimately why you need to stay productive.
- (1:02:28) Outro
PODCAST TEAM/CREDITS
All Music, including Theme Song and Cues by Mark Allan Falk.
FIND ME ELSEWHERE
http://linktr.ee/mrtomfroese
PODCAST TEAM/CREDITS
Mark Allan Falk, Audio/Video Engineer
https://linktr.ee/semiathletic
All Music, including Theme Song and Cues by Mark Allan Falk.
FIND ME ELSEWHERE
www.tomfroese.com
With Social Media, we simply can't do it all. There are too many platforms and too many different content types, and if we tried to consistently do all of them, or even a handful of them, we'd have no time to do our actual job!
But the fear of missed opportunities (by not participating on all the popular apps) is real! So how do we balance the need to share on social media (yes, we do need to use it!) with staying productive and even staying sane?
Please join me as I explore the topic of Social Media.
THIS IS A RE-RUN EPISODE FROM MY PATRONS ONLY SUMMER SHORTS SERIES
———
In This Episode* What the heck am I doing on Social Media? Taking stock of all the apps I share on * My experience: Social media is like a gambling addiction * How social media can get out of control and steal all your time * It's not you that's crazy — it's social media! We're all expected to make all this very time-intensive content for free, at the expense of getting to do our actual work. * Myth: content creation = the most important work we do * Positives of Social Media: Gives us a platform for sharing and building an audience around the work we're excited about. * SM is the tool, not us — we shouldn't be working for SM, it needs to work for us. * Why we NEED to use SM * How to know what to focus on: What are the 1 or 2 platforms that do the following: * 1) Makes us more productive/creative * 2) Somehow helps generate income or new business * Let all the others go. Abandon them, or just relegate them to lower, more supporting roles for your main SM platforms. * Backwards relationship: Making content to share, vs. Sharing what we make. * Focus = Sacrifice. By letting go of some SM apps, you WILL miss out on some opportunities. * Choosing apps that help you share what you want to share best. * Depth and Focus are more important than trying to "do it all". * How does your social media use (as a content creator) help or hinder your creative work? * Conclusion: Asking what value our content provides for others?
———
What Social Media Works Best For You?Please share your thoughts! What apps work best for the kind of content you want to share? What do you think about making content to share vs. sharing work you made for some other reason? How has sharing on SM helped or hindered your productivity or creativity?
Please let me know — I love hearing your thoughts as you listen along.
HOW TO SUPPORT
Thank you for listening/watching!
01 — Share this episode/podcast with a friend.
This is the single most effective way to help grow this podcast.
02 — Support me on Patreon at http://patreon.com/tomfroese
This helps me cover some of the costs of running the show.
03 – Take my Skillshare classes!
Visit http://tomfroese.com/teaching to find links to all my classes. Use these links and get 30 days of free membership on Skillshare!
04 – Join my mailing list
Never miss an important update. Sign up at http://tomfroese.com/contact
All Music, including Theme Song and Cues by Mark Allan Falk.
FIND ME ELSEWHERE
http://linktr.ee/mrtomfroese
In this episode:
The Short Story
Episode 16 will drop on September 12, 2023.
The Longer Story
I explain where I want to take the podcast and why, based on how my time pulling back over the summer has been going.
Thank You!
- Thank you too my Patrons for your support!
- Thank you to all my listeners — I'm here for you!
Learn More / Support
- Please your friends about this podcast!
- Please follow/subscribe wherever you listen!
- Support the Podcast on Patreon — http://patreon.com/tomfroese
- Find my work and classes — http://tomfroese.com
Welcome to Summer Shorts Season! In case you missed my announcement in the last episode, I’ll be taking a break from the longer episodes until September. You can hear all about it in Episode 15! The long story short: these episodes will be 10 minutes (give or take) and more casual.
This is a free preview to all listeners, and then for the remainder of the summer, I’ll be sharing these exclusively with my supporters on Patreon. If you’d like to be in on the summer fun, you’re more than welcome to join at patreon.com/tomfroese. If you’re already a part of my Patreon, thank you for your support! If you decide to join me, thank you so much! Otherwise, I’ll see you in September!
HOW TO SUPPORT
Thank you for listening/watching!
01 — Share this episode/podcast with a friend.
This is the single most effective way to help grow this podcast.
02 — Support me on Patreon at http://patreon.com/tomfroese
This helps me cover some of the costs of running the show.
03 – Take my Skillshare classes!
Visit http://tomfroese.com/teaching to find links to all my classes. Use these links and get 30 days of free membership on Skillshare!
04 – Join my mailing list
Never miss an important update. Sign up at http://tomfroese.com/contact
IN THIS EPISODE
So today I want to talk about the question, How Do You Know When to Go Full Time as an Illustrator?
I. Introduction
Illustration is not a guaranteed career
Until we have a steady flow of client work we need to support ourselves another way
Aspiring illustrators' dream of making art their full-time job
Not ideal to do it on the side (for most of us)
“When are we ready to make the jump?”
II. Determining the right time to go full-time freelance
FOR THOSE WITH ESTABLISHED CAREERS
- Analogy of a car race to illustrate the decision-making process
- Jumping from a moving car to another moving car (established career to illustration career)
- Jumping from a moving car to a stationary car (current situation to illustration career without having things going on the side first)
FOR PEOPLE WITHOUT ESTABLISHED CAREERS
- Need to support yourself another way while you build up your career
- Start out with an open mind about what the path to full time illustration looks like
- You end up looking like the first situation, on one moving car and needing to jump to another moving car
III. Being open-minded and patient in pursuing a full-time illustration career
- Starting with an open mind about the path to full-time illustration
- What does it mean to have Experience?
- How can you transform every experience into something related to illustration or whatever your dream is?
- Emphasizing the gradual process of becoming a successful illustrator
- Setting realistic expectations and avoiding instant success mindset
- Importance of learning, growing, and seeking experience consistently
IV. Conclusion
- Holding the dream of illustrating full-time while staying positive
- Persistence and dedication in sticking with the process to achieve long-term success
Don’t confuse Complacency with Patience / Vice-versa —
- Be patient as you realistically work to feed yourself and build up your art career on the side
- Always be checking in on yourself — are you staying out of fear or necessity?
PODCAST TEAM/CREDITS
Mark Allan Falk, Audio/Video Engineer
https://linktr.ee/semiathletic
All Music, including Theme Song and Cues by Mark Allan Falk.
FIND ME ELSEWHERE
http://linktr.ee/mrtomfroese
IS IT TIME TO LEAN IN OR LET GO? When is it time to double down and commit to that thing you said you’d do, and when might it be time to call it quits? As illustrators and creative people, we may have all kinds of things we think we should be doing, whether to build up our careers or grow in our skills, or using our art for some kind of good. If you’re at the very beginning of your career, or barely even getting started at this point, you may well be wondering, how long is this thing going to take before I start getting noticed? How do I know if all this work I’m pouring into this thing is going to pay off? For a lot of us, I know we’re also trying to get noticed on social media. We wonder how much effort should we be putting into building our presence online and, more to my point, if we’re not seeing the returns we hoped for, when might it be time to quit altogether?
In this episode, I’m going to share with you some times when I’ve had to wrestle with this question — should I commit or should I quit. In fact, I’m going through this question right now in a very real way, and to be honest, I don’t quite know how it's going to turn out in the long run. There are some times when you need to let go and try something else. But what I can tell you is that there are definitely times I wanted to give up but kept on going, and I am VERY glad I stuck with it. So in this episode, I want to give you some ways to consider both sides of the question. How can we be more clear about whether we should quit or commit, and how am I using this very same process to think through my current dilemma? All I ask is that you stick around, you know, maybe COMMIT to listening to this episode the whole way through — I know that if you’re facing this question in your life, you’ll get something out of it.
HOW TO SUPPORT
Thank you for listening/watching!
01 — Share this episode/podcast with a friend.
This is the single most effective way to help grow this podcast.
02 — Support me on Patreon at http://patreon.com/tomfroese
This helps me cover some of the costs of running the show.
03 – Take my Skillshare classes!
Visit http://tomfroese.com/teaching to find links to all my classes. Use these links and get 30 days of free membership on Skillshare!
04 – Join my mailing list
Never miss an important update. Sign up at http://tomfroese.com/contact
IN THIS EPISODE
Opener: Should You Quit or Commit?
Advertisement: Take the Style Class and discover Your Own Unique Way of Illustrating!
Find The Style Class Here: https://skl.sh/3S6PCF1 — Use this link to get 30 days free on Skillshare
Part 1: The purpose of today's topic
- To work out this question in my own current big goal/project
- I am committed but it's costing me a lot — of time and finances
- Everything takes longer than I hoped
- Good reasons to quit but also good reasons to stay committed
- What if I'm just being negative about things? What if I'm on the verge of a big breakthrough?
- Is it possible to be overcommitted to a goal?
Part 2: What can I teach from this situation?
- How to navigate this dilemma, should I quit or should I commit?
- I want to validate this experience – why this is hard for all of us
- Deciding which is better: letting go to make room for something else, or staying committed to give things a chance to pay off?
- Analogy: relationships — have you ever stayed in a relationship you weren't happy with for too long?
- Owning your feelings and desires no matter the cost to you or others
- The tendency to attach what we do to who we are as humans - identity vs. activity
- Have your goals changed? Do you even still want to do this anymore?
- Chill out! Don't get so intense about things working out exactly as you planned
- Paradox: When you're willing to let go of a good thing you're more likely to get it
- You've got to be in it to win it
Part 3: Questions we can ask ourselves
- Purpose:
- Why am I doing this?
- What do I want?
- Method:
- Is this the only way to achieve my bigger goal?
- What else could I be doing?
- Value:
- What is this costing?
- Is the cost worth it? Why?
- What are you getting out of this?
Conclusion
- The things we do don't define us
- The most important thing: Ultimately what gives you joy? What helps us love others and ourselves?
- Plot twist: Leaning in and Letting Go are not the only two options
- Another option: Loosening up
- How I'm loosening up with my big goal
LINKS FROM THIS EPISODE
Andy J. Pizza / The Creative Pep Talk Podcast - https://www.creativepeptalk.com/
Marc Maron / WTF Podcast - https://www.wtfpod.com/podcast
PODCAST TEAM/CREDITS
THANK YOU TO MY TEAM!
Julia Herrick, Script Editor
https://julesherrick.com
Mark Allan Falk, Audio/Video Engineer
https://linktr.ee/semiathletic
All Music, including Theme Song and Cues by Mark Allan Falk.
FIND ME ELSEWHERE
http://linktr.ee/mrtomfroese
Do you ever feel like everything takes YOU longer than everyone else? In this episode, talk about what it’s been like for me as a slow worker. What kinds of things have slowed me down, and how have I been able to thrive as a successful illustrator in spite of them. So if you’re a slowpoke trying to figure out why it just takes so long to get things done, this one is for you.
I’m going talk about why I think there are two kinds of slow — good slow and bad slow — and why we should embrace the former and try to change the latter. And of course, I’ll give you some ways to do both. How can you embrace the things about your work that you maybe wish would go faster, and how you can change some of the things that truly get in your creative way.
By the end of this episode, I hope that you’ll feel permitted to give yourself the time you need to do your best work — and to defend that time when it comes under question by yourself — or by others.
HOW TO SUPPORT
Thank you for listening/watching!
01 — Share this episode/podcast with a friend.
This is the single most effective way to help grow this podcast.
02 — Support me on Patreon at http://patreon.com/tomfroese
This helps me cover some of the costs of running the show.
03 – Take my Skillshare classes!
Visit http://tomfroese.com/teaching to find links to all my classes. Use these links and get 30 days of free membership on Skillshare!
04 – Join my mailing list
Never miss an important update. Sign up at http://tomfroese.com/contact
IN THIS EPISODE
Hook - Teachers in art school making us feel like we have to work fast or die in the design industry
Chapter 1: Slow is Faster Than Stuck
- Good slow vs. Bad slow
- Good - Slow for the right reasons
- Just necessary part of the process
- Bad - Slow for the wrong reasons
- Something negative getting in my way
- Why this episode: to help you overcome anxiety and frustration we feel when we feel like things take longer than they should
- Story: Rebranding a company without any experience
Chapter 2: Slow for the Right Reasons
- Some things just take time
- Examples: Baking cookies, making wine, waiting for paint to dry
- For me: My process
- Reasons for Slow
- Conceptual reasons
- Technical reasons
- Maybe we're just not good at it (not a bad thing)
- Short deadlines: NOT inevitable
- Pick Two: Good/Fast/Cheap — sounds good in theory, but is Good ever an option?
- Takeaways:
- Some things just take time
- Build these into your process
- There is always a struggle to get to the eureka moment
- We learn how to avoid things that slow us down the most
- Short deadlines are a CHOICE!
Chapter 3: Slow for the Wrong reasons
- Things that take our time but don't need to
- AKA Pitfalls
- Examples
- Trying to go directly over a mountain, rather than around it
- Baking without a recipe
- Reasons
- Trying to take shortcuts that end up taking longer
- Not following a step by step process
- Avoiding outside feedback
- Analysis paralysis
- Solutions
- Embrace the long way. Building a solid foundation takes more time up front but saves time down the road.
- Develop a process through practice over time, and then stick to it.
- Swallow your pride, be brave, share your mid-process work even though you don't want to!
- Start with very simple tasks you know you can do. Then do the next right thing, and the next. One thing at a time.
Episode Summary
PODCAST TEAM/CREDITS
THANK YOU TO MY TEAM!
Julia Herrick, Script Editor
https://julesherrick.com
Mark Allan Falk, Audio/Video Engineer
https://linktr.ee/semiathletic
All Music, including Theme Song and Cues by Mark Allan Falk.
FIND ME ELSEWHERE
http://linktr.ee/mrtomfroese
In this SPECIAL episode, I share an interview that Andres Palacios (BFA Illustration student at SCAD) did with me for a class project. I really enjoyed talking to him, and I think you'll enjoy our conversation. We'll be back next week with Episode 14!
Thanks to Andres Palacios for letting me share this interview! Check out his work at https://www.andrespalacios.me
HOW TO SUPPORT
Share this episode/podcast with your friends! YOUR referrals are the NUMBER ONE WAY to grow this podcast.
Support what we're doing by joining me on Patreon at http://Patreon.com/tomfroese
Learn illustration in one of my Skillshare classes. Visit http://tomfroese.com/teaching to find links to all my classes. Use these links and get 30 days of free membership on Skillshare!
Join my mailing list: http://tomfroese.com/contact
IN THIS EPISODE
Intro Stuff
INTERVIEW
- How would you describe your style conceptually and visually?
- Do you still use your Inky Illustration style/technique?
- Do you find a connection between running and illustration?
- Did you ever struggle to illustrate the human figure in a more stylized (less realistic) way?
- How do you juggle all the things you do, between podcast, illustrating, family, etc.?
- What are 3 characteristics that differentiate a good artist from a great one?
- What has been your favourite project and why?
- Andres presents me with drawing of me! — "I kept picturing you with a bucket of KFC"
SUMMARY
PODCAST TEAM/CREDITS
Julia Herrick, Script Editor
https://julesherrick.com
Mark Allan Falk, Audio/Video Engineer
https://linktr.ee/semiathletic
All Music, including Theme Song and Cues by Mark Allan Falk.
FIND ME ELSEWHERE
http://linktr.ee/mrtomfroese
In this episode we're going to talk about why your creativity NEEDS constraints! Even though they seem like setbacks, if we can embrace them, they can actually push us forward in our work. In Chapter 1, I'll tell you the story of how a concert went totally wrong — and how that resulted one of the best-selling Jazz albums of all time. In Chapter 2, I'll give you the 4 types of constraints you'll encounter in your illustration work, and how to use each one to push you forward in your own creativity!
HOW TO SUPPORT
Support what we're doing by joining me on Patreon at http://Patreon.com/tomfroese
Learn illustration in one of my Skillshare classes. Visit http://tomfroese.com/teaching to find links to all my classes. Use these links and get 30 days of free membership on Skillshare!
Join my mailing list: http://tomfroese.com/contact
IN THIS EPISODE
Chapter 1: The Köln Concert
- How everything went wrong for jazz pianist Keith Jarret
- How Jarret made the most of his setback
- Conclusion: creativity doesn't happen in the absence of constraints; it happens when we rise to them
Chapter 2: The Four Kinds of Constraints
- Intro: Constraints help us focus our creativity in a powerful way
- We need to seek constraints on purpose to help us get started
- 01 External Constraints - Those that come built into the project
- 02 Internal Constraints - Those that come built into us
- 03 Constraints that WE CHOOSE - Style, Tools and Techniques
- 04 Constraints that CHOOSE US - AKA Setbacks
- Summary - The real creativity is not in the constraint, but in how WE rise to them.
LINKS FROM THIS EPISODE
- Koln Concert - Wikipedia - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Köln_Concert
- A Jazz Night to Remember (Wall Street Journal) - https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB122367103134923957
- ‘The Köln Concert’: How Keith Jarrett Defied The Odds To Record His Masterpiece (udiscovermusic.com) https://www.udiscovermusic.com/stories/koln-concert-keith-jarrett/
- Strategies for Making Work You're Actually Good At (My talk at Design Thinkers Vancouver) - https://youtu.be/Aa3BZd2Jyhc
- When a Client Gives Me Their Sketches - The 6 Stages of Illustration: Leading Clients Through Your Art (Skillshare class) - https://skl.sh/3LxzI4I
- Choosing Your Style Constraints - The Style Class: Work Out Your Illustration Style in a Daily Project - https://www.tomfroese.com/teaching/thestyleclass
PODCAST TEAM/CREDITS
Julia Herrick, Script Editor
https://julesherrick.com
Mark Allan Falk, Audio/Video Engineer
https://linktr.ee/semiathletic
All Music, including Theme Song and Cues by Mark Allan Falk.
FIND ME ELSEWHERE
http://linktr.ee/mrtomfroese
What’s your point? Sometimes it’s not so easy to say. We ramble. We doodle. We struggle to know exactly what we want to say and do in our art. But once we find it, everything seems to come together smoothly. So how do we find our point? In this episode, I talk about how the power of focus helps us get there, and how we find this focus in the first place.
Join my Mailing List at https://www.tomfroese.com/contact
This is a continuation of my exploration of Composition, which we started in Episode 11.
While I promised a more straightforward set of ”breakthrough” composition tips, as I wrote this episode, I really got stuck in the weeds. What I ended up realizing is that composition is easier to show, visually, than to talk about. So I will have to save much of what I have to say here in my future Skillshare class on the topic.
HOW TO SUPPORT
My team and I work hard to produce each episode for this podcast. You can support what we're doing by joining me on Patreon at http://Patreon.com/tomfroese
You can also support me by taking my Skillshare classes. Visit http://tomfroese.com/teaching to find links to all my classes. Use these links and get 30 days of free membership on Skillshare!
Join my Mailing List to receive updates on the podcast, my classes and other important updates on my work. Visit https://www.tomfroese.com/contact
IN THIS EPISODE
- Opener: What’s Your Point?
- Main content
- The Power of Focus
- Having anINTENTION is the key
- The Most Important Principle of Composition: Unity
- What it means to have more Unity in our art
- Listener Mail
- Question from SAA on YouTube: “How do you choose just one style when you work in many?”
PODCAST TEAM/CREDITS
- Julia Herrick, Script Editor
https://julesherrick.com - Mark Allan Falk, Audio/Video Engineer
https://linktr.ee/semiathletic - All Music, including Theme Song and Cues by Mark Allan Falk.
FIND ME ELSEWHERE
- http://linktr.ee/mrtomfroese
In this episode I explore the questions many of us have as illustrators, where it comes to composition: how do I know what to include in the art, and how do I know where to put it? In Chapter 1 we look into what composition might be, and then in Chapter 2, I offer 5 steps you can take to make more confident decisions in your compositions.
HOW TO SUPPORT
My team and I work hard to produce each episode for this podcast. You can support what we're doing by joining me on Patreon at http://Patreon.com/tomfroese. You can also support me by taking my Skillshare classes. Visit http://tomfroese.com/teaching to find links to all my classes. Use these links and get 30 days of free membership on Skillshare!
IN THIS EPISODE
- Opener
- Chapter 1: Composition is Everything
- Chapter 2: Five Steps to Better Compositions
- State your INTENTION
- Declare your CONTEXT
- Develop a CONCEPT
- Decide on your CONTENT
- Work out your COMPOSITION (based on all of the above)
- Closing
LINKS TO STUFF MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE
Pete Ryan - http://instagram.com/petexryan/
Noma Bar - https://www.instagram.com/noma_bar/
If you want to know more about anything I mentioned anything in this episode, please let me know!
OTHER STUFF
I first heard the The Beverly Hale quote about composition from the Draftsman podcast episode on Composition
PODCAST TEAM/CREDITS
Julia Herrick, Script Editor
https://julesherrick.com
Mark Allan Falk, Audio/Video Engineer
https://linktr.ee/semiathletic
All Music, including Theme Song and Cues by Mark Allan Falk.
FIND ME ELSEWHERE
http://linktr.ee/mrtomfroese
In this episode, I share the experience of showing up at the blank page and coming up with an idea. While this episode is much shorter than usual, it's packed with insights about how I face creative block head on, and how I find my way through it to find the right idea on the other side!
SKILLSHARE LIVE | VIRTUAL TRAVEL SKETCHING WITH PAINT PENS
Buy your ticket - Eventbrite Link
Promo code for Thoughts on Illustration Listeners: SKLive2023TF
HOW TO SUPPORT
My team and I work hard to produce each episode for this podcast. You can support what we're doing by joining me on Patreon at http://Patreon.com/tomfroese
You can also support me by taking my Skillshare classes. Visit http://tomfroese.com/teaching to find links to all my classes. Use these links and get 30 days of free membership on Skillshare!
IN THIS EPISODE
- Opener
- Celebrating the first 10 episodes!
- Main content
- Sitting down to write but my mind is racing
- How to focus and find my idea?
- How facing the doubts and negative feelings head on is how I find my ideas
- Why it's important to ask, "Who cares?"
- Resolution: Finding my idea
PODCAST TEAM/CREDITS
- Julia Herrick, Script Editor
https://julesherrick.com - Mark Allan Falk, Audio/Video Engineer
https://linktr.ee/semiathletic - All Music, including Theme Song and Cues by Mark Allan Falk.
FIND ME ELSEWHERE
- http://linktr.ee/mrtomfroese
Today we’re going to talk about how to loosen up in our art. I know a lot of us struggle to have a sense of freshness and energy in our work, especially as we develop a piece from looser sketch to the more finished piece. What often happens is that a sketch starts off feeling loose and promises something better than what we end up with. It’s very common to find that we like our sketches more than the final illustration. Why is that? And how, if at all, can we achieve the same loose feeling of our sketches in our final art?
In this episode, I’m going to share my own story of how I wrestled with this question — of having a more spontaneous feeling to my work versus something more planned out — and why, over time, for ME my work has seemed to head more in the scripted, planned out direction — and why I’m okay with that. At the same time, I still try to build in as much looseness as I can, and at the end of the episode I’ll share some tips on how to do that.
HOW TO SUPPORT
My team and I work hard to produce each episode for this podcast. You can support what we're doing by joining me on Patreon at http://Patreon.com/tomfroese
You can also support me by taking my Skillshare classes. Visit http://tomfroese.com/teaching to find links to all my classes. Use these links and get 30 days of free membership on Skillshare!
IN THIS EPISODE
Chapter 1: To be (Scripted) or Not to be (Scripted)?
- Comparing being scripted in this podcast to planning out my illustrations
- Comparing my earlier more improvised illustration style to my more planned out style today
- Why I made this shift to more "scripted", in both illustration and podcasting
- Is there a trick to looking or feeling spontaneous and loose in your work? If so, what is it?
Chapter 2: How to Loosen Up in Your Art
- What does it meant to be loose?
- How can you loosen up?
- Looking unscripted doesn't mean literally having no plan
- Resisting the temptation to close every shape
- 5 tips for loosening up in your work
LINKS FROM THIS EPISODE
My first professional illustration job - Tidings Magazine (link to Issuu — https://issuu.com/ukings/docs/tidings2008summer)
PODCAST TEAM/CREDITS
Julia Herrick, Script Editor
https://julesherrick.com
Mark Allan Falk, Audio/Video Engineer
https://linktr.ee/semiathletic
All Music, including Theme Song and Cues by Mark Allan Falk.
FIND ME ELSEWHERE
http://linktr.ee/mrtomfroese
Here we continue our conversation about getting feedback on our work. The last episode was focused on getting positive feedback and how that can be important too, but the best way to grow is by getting CRITICAL feedback, or CRITIQUE. This opens us up to bruised egos and discouragement, but in the end, if we want to grow, we really need it. In this episode I share one experience in getting feedback on my work, and how it both stung and helped me grow. I then give some ways in which we can seek critical feedback on purpose — who can we reach out to for it, and how can we get the most out of it?
HOW TO SUPPORT
My team and I work hard to produce each episode for this podcast. You can support what we're doing by joining me on Patreon at http://Patreon.com/tomfroese
You can also support me by taking my Skillshare classes. Visit http://tomfroese.com/teaching to find links to all my classes. Use these links and get 30 days of free membership on Skillshare!
IN THIS EPISODE
- Chapter 1: "Edward" - A story about getting a professional portfolio critique
- Chapter 2: The purpose of feedback
- Comfort vs. Solutions: Solutions = Critique
- Two kinds of feedback: Project and Portfolio
- Getting feedback on a Project
- When Project feedback is most helpful
- Getting feedback on a Portfolio
- Summary of everything so far
- Where to find feedback
- Closing remarks - It's your job to know what you want!
LINKS FROM THIS EPISODE
Suggestions for where to seek feedback (these are starting points for your information, not endorsements!)
Paid Illustration Coaching Services
- The Illustration Department — https://illustrationdept.com/classes
- The Business of Illustration — http://businessofillustration.com/one-on-one-consultations/
- The Illustrators Guide — https://theillustratorsguide.com/coaching/
Paid and Free Portfolio Reviews
- 3 x 3 Magazine — https://3x3mag.com/events/reviews
- SPD Portfolio Reviews – https://www.spd.org/portfolio-reviews
- Creative Lives — https://www.creativelivesinprogress.com/articles/portfolio-reviews
- Business of Illustration — http://businessofillustration.com/portfolio-reviews/
- The Illustration Department — https://illustrationdept.com/classes/emailed-portfolio-review-with-giuseppe-castellano
- National Portfolio Day — https://nationalportfolioday.org
Critique Groups
- The Illustration Department Free Online Critique Group — https://illustrationdept.com/critique
- 4 Questions for a Critique Group (SCBWI) — https://www.scbwi.org/4-questions-for-a-critique-group/
View/Watch Portfolio Reviews
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iPxVJLA9U2E
PODCAST TEAM/CREDITS
Julia Herrick, Script Editor
https://julesherrick.com
Mark Allan Falk, Audio/Video Engineer
http://markallanfalk.com
All Music, including Theme Song and Cues by Mark Allan Falk.
FIND ME ELSEWHERE
http://linktr.ee/mrtomfroese
In this episode, we start looking into the topic of feedback, as in getting feedback on our illustrations or artwork. What kind of feedback should we be seeking, and where should we look? It turns out that we don't always need critique — sometimes we just need to know we're on the right track. Sometimes we don't want solutions, we want comfort. This episode begins with some reflections on what it means to seek comfort — that is, positive affirmation about our work.
HOW TO SUPPORT
My team and I work hard to produce each episode for this podcast. You can support what we're doing by joining me on Patreon at http://Patreon.com/tomfroese
You can also support me by taking my Skillshare classes. Visit http://tomfroese.com/teaching to find links to all my classes. Use these links and get 30 days of free membership on Skillshare!
PODCAST TEAM/CREDITS
Julia Herrick, Script Editor
https://julesherrick.com
Mark Allan Falk, Audio/Video Engineer
http://markallanfalk.com
All Music, including Theme Song and Cues by Mark Allan Falk.
FIND ME ELSEWHERE
http://linktr.ee/mrtomfroese
Thank you for over 5,000+ listens and another 5,000+ views on YouTube so far!
In today’s episode we'll look at why making "good" work isn't the best goal to have. We'll look at more helpful ways to judge whether our work is WORKING or not. This will help you become better at critiquing your own work, and being more objective about it. Also: what self-taught illustrators miss out on by not going to art school; why open briefs are a nightmare for me, and what happened when a hamburger restaurant asked me to make "some wall art" for them.
HOW TO SUPPORT
My team and I work hard to produce each episode for this podcast. You can support what we're doing by joining me on Patreon at http://Patreon.com/tomfroese
You can also support me by taking my Skillshare classes. Visit http://tomfroese.com/teaching to find links to all my classes. Use these links and get 30 days of free membership on Skillshare!
IN THIS EPISODE
- Opening - "I don't know how to see if I'm good enough."
- Why "Good" is the Wrong Goal for our Work
- My Story - The Hamburger Restaurant
- Need for Feed(back)
- Conclusion - How Your Worst Work is still Working for You
- 5,000 downloads of the podcast!
LINKS FROM THIS EPISODE
Other Podcast Episodes on This Topic
The Creative Pep Talk Podcast - https://www.creativepeptalk.com/episodes/391
The Illustrators Guide - https://youtube.com/shorts/oOrjBUOh8cw?feature=share
Have a peekaboo at my hamburger restaurant art - https://www.instagram.com/p/CoSzJRWr6wV/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link
PODCAST TEAM/CREDITS
Julia Herrick, Script Editor
https://julesherrick.com
Mark Allan Falk, Audio/Video Engineer
http://markallanfalk.com
FIND ME ELSEWHERE
http://linktr.ee/mrtomfroese
HOW TO SUPPORT
My team and I work hard to produce each episode for this podcast. You can support what we're doing by joining me on Patreon at http://Patreon.com/tomfroese
You can also support me by taking my Skillshare classes. Visit http://tomfroese.com/teaching to find links to all my classes. Use these links and get 30 days of free membership on Skillshare!
IN THIS EPISODE
- Opening - What is an Imposter?
- Main Content - When can you call yourself an illustrator?
- My Story - I was ashamed to call myself what I dreamed of becoming
- Job Readiness - How can you feel READY to be an illustrator?
- Job Identity - How can you feel entitled to IDENTIFY as an illustrator?
- Conclusion - Final encouragement and a quick test to see if you're an illustrator or not
- Listener Mail - "I fundamentally disagree."
LINKS FROM THIS EPISODE
About Elizabeth Holmes - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elizabeth_Holmes
A Beginner's Guide to Illustration - https://www.format.com/online-portfolio-website/illustrator/guide
Association of Illustrators - https://theaoi.com
Society of Illustrators - https://societyillustrators.org
Island Illustrators (Vancouver Island) - https://www.islandillustrators.org
PODCAST TEAM/CREDITS
Julia Herrick, Script Editor
https://julesherrick.com
Mark Allan Falk, Audio/Video Engineer
http://markallanfalk.com
FIND ME ELSEWHERE
http://linktr.ee/mrtomfroese
This is the second part of our exploration of what skills you need to learn in order to become an illustrator. If you missed EP3, be sure to check that out first to get the full list.
What are the things you need to learn, and in what order? This is one of the biggest and most confounding questions for beginners. While there is no one-size-fits-all path, there are definitely some basics everyone needs as their foundation. I will tell you what I I think the most important things to learn are at first, and give you a sense of what learning these might look like. By the end of this episode, you will have a clearer picture of where to focus your efforts in the first year or so of your illustration education.
HOW TO SUPPORT
My team and I work hard to produce each episode for this podcast. You can support what we're doing by joining me on Patreon at Patreon.com/tomfroese
You can also support me by taking my Skillshare classes. Visit tomfroese.com/teaching to find links to all my classes. Use these links and get 30 days of free membership on Skillshare!
WHAT’S WITH THE AWKWARD SHIRT?
If you’re watching on YouTube, you may have noticed my t-shirt. Join my army of Awkwardians and support the show. You can buy the shirt at Cotton Bureau. Available in many shapes and sizes.
https://cottonbureau.com/p/TAK84A/shirt/hello-im-awkward#/15314078/tee-men-standard-tee-vintage-black-tri-blend-s
SHOW LINKS AND REFERENCES
Some of these links are affiliate links. Please use them to support the show.
Links From My Story
Nova Scotia College of Art and Design
https://nscad.ca
Ray Fenwick (Illustration)
https://rfstudio.ca
Kate O’Connor
https://www.kateoconnor.ca
Co. & Co.
https://www.coandco.ca
Fuzzco
https://fuzzco.com
Mattson Creative
https://mattsoncreative.com
8 Hour Day
https://eighthourday.com
Springfree Trampline
https://www.springfreetrampoline.ca
Making Pictures
https://making-pictures.com/illustration/
06 Colour Theory
- The One Palette Illustrator (Skillshare Class by Tom Froese)
https://skl.sh/3LI7x2P
07 Graphic Design
- 15 Extremely Helpful Free Graphic Design Courses (format.com)
https://www.format.com/magazine/resources/design/free-online-graphic-design-courses - Graphic Design Basics: Core Principles for Visual Design (Skillshare Class by Ellen Lupton)
https://skl.sh/3IKPmdC
08 Digital Media
- ADOBE PHOTOSHOP — Inky Illustrations: Combining Analogue and Digital Media (Skillshare Class by Tom Froese)
https://skl.sh/3T84T9K - PROCREATE — Digital Illustration: Learn How to Use Procreate (Skillshare Class by Jarom Vogel)
https://skl.sh/3khvS5S - ADOBE ILLUSTRATOR — Analog to Digital: An Introduction to Creating Digital Art (Skillshare Class by Brand Woodard)
https://skl.sh/3WZo3QZ - ADOBE ILLUSTRATOR — Learn Adobe Illustrator: Fundamentals for Beginners (Skillshare Class by Anne Larkina)
https://skl.sh/3GC55Jd
ADOBE ILLUSTRATOR — Illustrator Basics: The Pen & Pencil Tools (Skillshare Class by Dylan Mierzwinski)
https://skl.sh/3X8MT0G - FRESCO — Creative Digital Illustration: Learn to Use Adobe Fresco (Skillshare Class by Lisk Feng)
https://skl.sh/3Zwhp6t
09 Illustration History
- Pete Beard’s YouTube Channel (Check Out His Unsung Heroes of Illustration Series)
https://www.youtube.com/@petebeard - History of Illustration (Susan Doyal et. al.)
https://amzn.to/3X8LUO2 - Meggs' History of Graphic Design
https://amzn.to/3ZziPwO
10 Writing
- The Artist's Way (Julia Cameron)
https://amzn.to/3CMoh62 - Writing for Self-Discovery: 6 Journaling Prompts for Gratitude and Growth (Skillshare Class by Yasmine Cheyenne)
https://skl.sh/3H0g9kB - Creative Writing for All: A 10-Day Journaling Challenge (Skillshare Class by Emily Gould)
https://skl.sh/3W1R65f - Bullet Journaling: Life Management for Creatives (Skillshare Class by Dylan Mierzwinski)
https://skl.sh/3ZuP1S9
In this episode and the next, we'll talk about what skills you need to learn in order to become an illustrator, especially at first . What are the things you need to learn, and in what order? This is one of the biggest and most confounding questions for beginners. While there is no one-size-fits-all path, there are definitely some basics everyone needs as their foundation. I will tell you what I I think the most important things to learn are at first, and give you a sense of what learning these might look like. By the end of this episode, you will have a clearer picture of where to focus your efforts in the first year or so of your illustration education.
HOW TO SUPPORT
My team and I work hard to produce each episode for this podcast. You can support what we're doing by joining me on Patreon at Patreon.com/tomfroese
You can also support me by taking my Skillshare classes. Visit tomfroese.com/teaching to find links to all my classes. Use these links and get 30 days of free membership on Skillshare!
SHOW LINKS AND REFERENCES
Some of these links are affiliate links. Please use them to support the show.
Sheridan College Bachelor of Illustration - Course Listing
https://www.sheridancollege.ca/programs/bachelor-of-illustration#tab=courses
01 Life Drawing
- Dynamic Figure Drawing: Learn to Draw the Figure (Skillshare Class by Siobhan Twomey)
https://skl.sh/3Gn3Eyn - 28-Day Drawing Challenge: Anatomy for Illustration and Comics (Skillshare Class by Jazza)
https://skl.sh/3jFzFcX - Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain (Book by Betty Edwards)
https://amzn.to/3Q0CxgG
02 Structural Drawing
- Learning How to Draw: A Mindset, Method and Exercises (Skillshare Class by Yuko Shimizu)
https://skl.sh/3GqZ3fs - Learn to Draw: Daily Practices to Improve Your Drawing Skills (Skillshare Class by Gabrielle Brickey)
https://skl.sh/3jBBl7o - Drawing Perspective for Beginners/3D Illustration & Sketching Environments (Skillshare Class by Ethan Nguyen)
https://skl.sh/3YUVBRI
03 Painting
- Acrylic Painting: Learn the Basics For Beginners (Skillshare Class by LaurieAnne Gonzalez)
https://skl.sh/3Cbycl7
04 Mixed Media/Collage
- From Paper Cut-Outs to Digital Collage: Finding Inspiration in Shapes and Colours (Skillshare Class by Di Ujdi)
https://skl.sh/3PZx21K - Martin Haake, Collage-based Illustrator
https://www.martinhaake.de - Also look up: Paul Rand, Man Ray, Henri Matisse, Barbara Kruger
05 Printmaking
- Printmaking at Home: Creating Linocut Patterns (Skillshare Class by Evgeniya and Dominic Righini-Brand)
https://skl.sh/3G3VXg1 - Intro to Block Printmaking: Create a Set of Greeting Cards (Skillshare Class by Liz Brindley)
https://skl.sh/3Z08qKD - Saisons (Book by Blexbolex)
https://amzn.to/3i1syuY - Come Alive! The Spirited Art of Sister Corita (Book by Julie Ault)
https://amzn.to/3IaBjO5 - Also look up: Blexbolex, Sister Corita Kent, Andy Warhol
Do you want to be an illustrator? In this episode, I give you 5 things you need to do before lifting a pencil! Between your spark moment and actually becoming an illustrator, there is a big gap, something that is hard to imagine ever crossing at the start. This is one of the biggest obstacles in our way to just getting started. By listening to this episode, you will learn the five things you can do to get started, when even just finding the starting point seems impossible. These are the things you can do right now, which can help you gain more clarity about what to actually start learning any actual illustration skills.
Take my classes! Use my links and get 30 FREE days of Skillshare membership - http://tomfroese.com/teaching
Take my classes! Use my links and get 30 FREE days of Skillshare membership - http://tomfroese.com/teaching
Find Your Artistic Voice by Lisa Congdon - https://amzn.to/3FcBOnV
Take my Skillshare Classes (get 30 days free on Skillshare using my links): tomfroese.com/teaching
Support me on Patreon: patreon.com/tomfroese
Follow me on Instagram: instagram.com/mrtomfroese
Subscribe to my YouTube channel: youtube.com/tomfroese
My Recording Gear (Amazon Affiliate Links): https://www.amazon.ca/shop/mr.tomfroese/list/K6FW8POLJC1P?ref_=aip_sf_list_spv_ons_mixed_d
In this episode, I introduce the podcast and talk about why I started it in the first place. I explain why I decided to stop being a YouTuber and become a podcaster instead. I talk about what sort of content I expect to be publishing here. I talk about how it's important for me to stop trying to be something I'm not, to embrace who I am, and I hope that by sharing this you will be encouraged to do the same in your own creative work.