Explorez tous les épisodes du podcast Thoughts on Illustration
| Titre | Date | Durée | |
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| 7 Timeless Tips for Illustrators | The Final Episode | 23 juin 2026 | 00:39:46 | |
After four years, this is it — my final episode of Thoughts on Illustration. Instead of going out with a single deep dive, I wanted to leave you with a roundup: the seven tips I find myself circling back to most often, whether I'm recording an episode, teaching a class, or sitting across from someone in a one-on-one coaching session. And then I close with one last piece of advice that I think ties everything else together — especially relevant right now, with AI reshaping how we think about creativity and originality. Thank you for four years of listening, sharing, and supporting this show. It's meant more to me than you know.
Drawing Is Important — The Book and Class: If you want to go deeper on tip #1, check out the book and the companion class on Skillshare. Style Class, Composition for Illustrators, and The Six Stages of Illustration: Referenced throughout this episode — all available on Skillshare for anyone who wants to dig further into style, constraints, and process. Past Episodes Mentioned: Episode 62 (How do you make an illustration cohesive?) and Episode 13 (Why constraints make you more creative) — both dig deeper into the constraints conversation from tip #5. One-on-One Coaching: If you want personal guidance on your portfolio or a specific project, book a session. Thank you to everyone who has listened, shared, and supported this podcast over the past four years — especially those of you who've supported here on Patreon. The show is ending, but I'm still here on Patreon for the Draw With Me's until further notice. If you'd want to sign up to be notified on my next adventure, stick around here, or find me/subscribe on Substack —> https://mrtomfroese.substack.com
In this EpisodeLinks and ResourcesWhat's Next?Find Me Elsewhere | |||
| How to Go Deeper in Your Work | Free Preview | 03 juin 2026 | 00:11:12 | |
What's the difference between images that move people and those that are just pretty pictures? In this episode, I dig into what it means to bring substance to your work — it's one of the hardest qualities to describe but perhaps the one that might matter most. This isn't something you can manufacture or build up through practice alone. It already exists in you. The question is where you can find it, and whether you're trying to tap more deeply into it. I also share an important announcement about the future of this podcast — if you're a paid supporter on Patreon or Spotify, please listen up. In this Episode
Today's Action on Illustration Why Does Illustration Really Really Matter to You? Write down — in your journal or sketchbook, as though nobody's reading — why becoming an illustrator really, really matters to you. As few or as many words as you need. This is where substance begins. (Become a paid supporter on Patreon or Spotify to access today's full "Action on Illustration" prompt.) Tag me on Instagram @mrtomfroese or email me your results! Show Links
Find Me Elsewhere
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| Heather Pollington (Part 2) | Episode 76 | 21 mai 2026 | 00:56:09 | |
This is Part 2 of my conversation with Heather Pollington — ex-Hollywood artist, iconographer, and illustrator for Symbolic World Press. If you haven't listened to Episode 75 yet, start there first. In this second half, Heather and I go deeper into her world as an icon painter — her illustration influences, the iconographic concept of simultaneous narrative, what it felt like to first encounter Orthodox art, and the bigger question of what a living iconographic tradition looks like for Western audiences today. We close with something I found genuinely moving: Heather's candid account of leaving Hollywood behind, and what she's learned about following work you can do with love.
Heather Pollington: Check out Heather's website and Instagram to see her illustration, iconography, and production design work. Symbolic World Press: The fairy tale books Heather has illustrated for Jonathan Pageau, including The Tale of Snow White and the Widow Queen and The Tale of Rapunzel and the Evil Witch. Errol Le Cain: British illustrator and one of Heather's key influences — look for his versions of Aladdin and The Magician's Daughter. Kay Nielsen: Scandinavian Golden Age illustrator; his book East of the Sun and West of the Moon is a must-see. Aidan Hart: Icon painter and Heather's teacher in the Orthodox iconographic tradition. Creative Mornings Vancouver — June 5th: Tom will be speaking at Creative Mornings Vancouver around the theme of "Curate." ICON13 — Baltimore, July 16th Workshop: Tom's workshop at the illustration conference is now sold out, but come say hi if you're there. Know Your Art — Cohort Class Mailing List: Interested in future offerings of Tom's six-week illustration course? Add yourself to the list. Drawing Is Important — The Book: Now available for purchase wherever books are sold!
In this EpisodeLinks and ResourcesTom's Links | |||
| “Ex-Hollywood Artist, Now Painting Icons” with Heather Pollington (Part 1) | 05 mai 2026 | 01:03:35 | |
What happens when a designer working in movies like Disney's Maleficent, Mary Poppins Returns, and Skyfall walks away from Hollywood to paint icons and illustrate fairy tales? In this episode, I sit down with Heather Pollington — ex-Hollywood artist, iconographer, and illustrator for Symbolic World Press — for Part One of a wide-ranging conversation about limits, identity, story, and what it really means to find your artistic home. In this Episode
Links and Resources Heather Pollington: Check out Heather's website to see her illustration, iconography, and design work for the film industry. Symbolic World Press: The fairy tale books Heather has illustrated for Jonathan Pageau, including The Tale of Snow White and the Widow Queen and The Tale of Rapunzel and the Evil Witch. Creative Mornings Vancouver — June 5th: Tom will be speaking at Creative Mornings Vancouver around the theme of "Curate." ICON13 — Baltimore, July 16th Workshop: Tom will be hosting a workshop at the illustration conference. 🥺 Note: workshop tickets are now sold out. Know Your Art — Cohort Class Mailing List: Interested in future offerings of Tom's six-week illustration course? Add yourself to the list. Drawing Is Important — Book Launch Replay: Patreon supporters can watch the replay of the April 7th online book launch. Drawing Is Important — The Book: Tom's Links
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| Stop Trying to Find Your Style. Do This Instead. | FREE PREVIEW | 21 avr. 2026 | 00:09:34 | |
📗 Drawing Is Important — Now Available: tomfroese.com/book Every illustrator wants a recognizable style — but what if chasing style is actually the thing getting in your way? In this episode, I reframe the whole idea of style as something you work out, not something you find. The real source of a compelling, consistent style isn't a look you copy or discover — it's your attractions: the things you love, the things you keep returning to, and the choices you've already been making all along. If you've been frustrated by not having a clear style yet, this episode will redirect that energy somewhere much more useful. In this Episode
Links and Resources The Style Class on Skillshare: Go deeper on working out your style — and get 30 days of free Skillshare membership through this link. Drawing Is Important: My new book is out now! Your guide to making drawing a meaningful daily habit. Today's Action Exercise: The Creative Self Inventory Ready to reflect on your work and discover what makes it uniquely yours? (Become a paid listener on Patreon to access today's "Action on Illustration" prompt.) Tag me on Instagram @mrtomfroese or email me your results! Tom's Links
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| Taking Big Risks in Your Creativity and Life | 06 avr. 2026 | 00:28:59 | |
📗 Order Drawing Is Important: tomfroese.com/book ✨ Register for the Online Launch/DWM on April 7 at Luma: luma.com/67uhuhmr A recent portfolio critique turned into a deeper conversation about creative risk — and how to know when it's time to stop dreaming and do something about it. I share the personal story behind my own decision to quit my job and go to art school, and the question that helped me know that risk was worth it. Whether you're facing a big shift in your career (or even your life) or deciding whether to publish your portfolio or not, this one's for you. IN THIS EPISODE • Can a Portfolio be Too Niche? How a coaching conversation about purpose, niche, and commercial appeal set the stage for a much bigger question about creative direction. • Can We Sell Ourselves Without Selling Out? Why early-career illustrators with a strong subcultural niche may need to broaden their commercial appeal before they can narrow back in. • Fear of Failure vs. Fear of Regret: Why asking "how would I feel if I never tried?" can be more clarifying than asking "what if I fail?" • The $50,000 Decision: How I left a stable career to pursue illustration, and the moment of clarity that made the risk feel worth taking. • Are You Addicted to Education? How accumulating degrees, certificates, and online courses can become a way of avoiding the real risk — actually doing the thing. • The Bird Who Won't Leave the Nest: Why creative careers require putting yourself out there, and the importance of failure and rejection as teachers. LINKS & RESOURCES Drawing Is Important — Now Available: My book is officially out! Order it wherever books are sold, or start at the link below. • tomfroese.com/book Book Launch Event: April 7 — check the link to register. • luma.com/67uhuhmr • Catch the replay later at tomfroese.com/patreon (membership required). Local Book Launch Events: I'll be hosting events in Chilliwack/Fraser Valley and Vancouver. Follow along to stay in the loop. • Instagram: instagram.com/mrtomfroese • Patreon: patreon.com/tomfroese • Substack: mrtomfroese.substack.com One-on-One Coaching: Want to work through your own portfolio or career decisions with me? • tomfroese.com/coaching Previous Episode — 4 Portfolio Mistakes: I reference the four blind spots of early-career illustrators: purpose, point of view, substance, and craft. • Episode 72: https://www.patreon.com/posts/153866247 Today's Action on Illustration: What do you really want? Sit with that question. Pay attention to the moments — a story, a song, someone's work — that spark something deeper than "I like that." Write them down. Collect them. Those are the clues to the bigger decisions you'll face in your creative life. And if you're sitting on a risk you've been too afraid to take, ask yourself: • In 5/10/50 years, what would you regret more: risking and failing, or never even trying? • If now's not the right time, when will be? Just a word of caution: Please take into account timing! You can say yes to that big risky decision (if you really want it), but you can also say not yet. Sometimes we have to let one chapter end cleanly before moving onto the next one. Other times, we have bigger priorities than our dreams to take care of. Tag me on Instagram @mrtomfroese or email me your reflections at hello@tomfroese.com! TOM'S LINKS • Work: tomfroese.com • Classes: tomfroese.com/teaching • Instagram: instagram.com/mrtomfroese JOIN THE LIVE LAUNCH Drawing is Important Launch Day: April 7, 2026 In case you missed it, I'm hosting a live book launch event on April 7th to celebrate the release of Drawing Is Important! Register at the link below to join us — I'd love to see you there. Register — luma.com/67uhuhmr | |||
| The 4 Biggest Portfolio Mistakes of Struggling Illustrators | FREE PREVIEW | 24 mars 2026 | 00:12:33 | |
📗 Pre-order Drawing Is Important: tomfroese.com/book Are you on the cusp of a breakthrough but feeling stuck in creating a stand-out portfolio? In this episode, I break down four mistakes I see struggling artists make when sharing their body of work. This is not about quick “hacks” but a deep dive into the four pillars of illustration excellence: purpose, point of view, substance, and craft. Whether you’re struggling to make work that looks professional, or trying let your humanity shine through, these four focus areas are the tools that will make the biggest difference in your career. IN THIS EPISODE
EPISODE LINKS Portfolio References: Check out the work of Klas Fahlen and Olympia Zagnoli to see mastery of craft and media paradigms in action. Pre-order Bonuses: Pre-order Drawing Is Important to help boost the Amazon rankings and secure a commemorative poster (first 50) or a signed bookplate (first 500). One-on-One Coaching: If you want to pick my brain on these four pillars, book a session. The Illustration Department: Mentioning Giuseppe Castellano’s insights on being headed in the right direction.
Today's Action Exercise: The Operating System Paradox Ready to test your point of view? (Become a paid listener on Spotify or Patreon to access today’s “Action on Illustration” prompt). Tag me on Instagram @mrtomfroese or email me your results! TOM'S LINKS
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| Just Add Line with Brandon Campbell | 10 mars 2026 | 01:27:25 | |
📗 Pre-order Drawing Is Important: tomfroese.com/book Brandon Campbell (known online as @brandcamp) is a professional illustrator and former designer for Comedy Central and CNN. Brandon joins me to talk about his transition from digital motion graphics back to traditional media, his family legacy in the arts, and his unique "reverse colouring book" concept in his new book, Just Add Line. In this Episode
Links and Resources Brandon Campbell’s Website: https://www.brandoncampbell.tv/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brandcamp/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@brandcamp Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/brandcamp Work Mentioned
Help Shape my Future Signature Course! My big goal this year is to create my first self-hosted course for illustrators. But I can't do it without your help! Please take my 5-minute survey at the following link. As a thank-you, you'll get 20% off the full price of the course when it launches. Signature Course Survey — Google Form Link
Tom’s Links
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| Why Making Your Work Look Easy is So Hard | FREE PREVIEW | 02 mars 2026 | 00:14:56 | |
Pre-order Drawing is Important — http://tomfroese.com/book In this episode, I take on the "myth of artistic looseness." We often envy the "spontaneous" energy of artists like Quentin Blake, but the truth is that looking effortless requires a tone of effort. I dive into why your final illustrations feel "stiff" compared to your sketches and how to bridge that gap through what I call supervised spontaneity and confidence from competence. IN THIS EPISODE • Three observations about artistic looseness • How to build "chaos" into a repeatable process. • The Take-Two-ness of Glenn Gould: Why the best work happens in the studio, not live. • Why even pros like Sir Quentin Blake struggle with achieving looseness. • The Exercise: A three-stage drawing challenge to help you unlock creative freedom in your drawings. EPISODE LINKS • Quentin Blake shares about his artistic neurosis in "How I draw" — https://quentinblake.com/about-drawing/how-i-draw • Glenn Gould Poster (Tom Froese, for Polaris Prize) — https://www.tomfroese.com/work/polaris-music-prize-glenn-gould • Glenn Gould's "Take-Two-Ness" — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BachTheGoldberg_Variations_(Glenn_Gould_album) HOW TO SUPPORT You can support Thoughts on Illustration by: • Sharing this episode with a friend • Leaving a comment • Leaving a rating or review on Apple Podcasts • Following the show / subscribing to this channel • Becoming a paid supporter here or on Patreon — https://patreon.com/tomfroese FIND ME ELSEWHERE • Website — https://www.tomfroese.com • Instagram — https://www.instagram.com/mrtomfroese • Daily Drawings — https://www.instagram.com/drawingisimportant CREDITS Music and cues by Mark Allan Falk — https://linktr.ee/semiathletic DRAWING IS IMPORTANT — NOW AVAILABLE FOR PRE-ORDER My new book, Drawing Is Important, is your guide to making drawing a meaningful daily habit. Through stories, insights, and exercises, it helps you draw more often—with less pressure and more joy. Available 7 April 2026 — Pre-order now! The first 500 orders get a free hand-signed book plate! Look for "get pre-order prizes" after clicking the link. Pre-order Drawing is Important — http://tomfroese.com/book | |||
| Getting Paid to Draw with Mike Lowery | 10 févr. 2026 | 01:06:32 | |
Pre-order Drawing is Important: https://geni.us/DrawingisImportant Mike Lowery is an internationally recognized picture book illustrator and author, as well as fellow teacher and daily drawer. Mike joins me to talk about the business of illustration, finding his style, the impact of AI on the illustration industry, keeping a sketchbook habit, and using social media for illustrators. In this Episode
This conversation covers some of the big shifts of 2025-2026 in the illustration industry, but also goes into super-practical, hands-on tips that will make a difference in your illustration practice today. Links and Resources
Help Shape my Future Signature Course! My big goal this year is to create my first self-hosted course for illustrators. But I can't do it without your help! Please take my 5-minute survey at the following link. As a thank-you, you'll get 20% off the full price of the course when it launches.
Tom’s Links Work: tomfroese.com Classes: tomfroese.com/teaching Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mrtomfroese | |||
| Are Your Side Projects Sabotaging Your Goals? | 30 janv. 2026 | 00:45:29 | |
Get your FREE Illustration Training Plan Worksheet (PDF) — https://www.tomfroese.com/freetrainingplan "It’s a marathon, not a sprint"—but what does that actually mean for your creative career? In this episode, Tom looks back at his biggest insights from 2025 and explains why trying to "do it all" is the fastest way to stall your progress. Using his experience as an ultramarathoner, Tom shares how to apply a training framework to your illustration practice to ensure you're building "functional strength" rather than just busy work.
I’m building a new signature course for illustrators and I need your input. Take this 5-minute survey to help me build it, and get 20% off at launch!👉 Take the Survey Here | |||
| Standing Out and Surviving as an Illustrator Today with Tom Froese | Guest Episode | 13 janv. 2026 | 00:56:24 | |
Pre-order Drawing is Important: https://geni.us/DrawingisImportant What does it actually take to build a sustainable life in illustration—without burning out or chasing every new platform? In this episode, I’m sharing a conversation where I was the guest on Design Icons, produced by Noun Project. Nick Power’s questions gave me a chance to step back and reflect on my career honestly—what’s worked, what hasn’t, and what I’m still figuring out. We talk about:
This one covers all the classic interview questions, but it gave me a chance to reflect on the basics in a real, honest way. → Support the podcast on Patreon: patreon.com/tomfroese | |||
| The One Big Shift I'm Making with Social Media in 2026 | FREE PREVIEW | 30 déc. 2025 | 00:11:15 | |
Become a paid supporter on Patreon— https://patreon.com/tomfroese What if social media isn’t actually social anymore—and what if that changes how creatives should use it? In this monologue episode, I reflect on a growing realization I’ve been wrestling with for years: social media has quietly shifted from a space for sharing and connection into something much closer to corporate media. And many independent creatives have been doing a lot of unpaid work for big tech without fully realizing it. I talk candidly about my own experience building audiences on Instagram, YouTube, and this podcast—and why the familiar promise of “just keep sharing and it will pay off” no longer feels like a fair trade. I unpack the gambling-like dynamics of algorithms, attention, and hope, and explain the one big mindset shift I’m making as I head into 2026. This episode isn’t about quitting social media. It’s about rethinking our relationship to it, getting clearer about what we’re actually selling, and using these platforms more intentionally—as business tools, not creative homes. 🙏 A huge thank-you to all paid supporters on Patreon and on Spotify. Your support makes these thoughtful, independent episodes possible. IN THIS EPISODE
LINKS 🎨 Inky.af — My class on creating expressive, inky illustrations using analogue techniques in Affinity (now free forever) http://tomfroese.com/teaching/inkyaf 📗 Drawing Is Important — Book preorder available now http://geni.us/DrawingisImportant HOW TO SUPPORT You can support Thoughts on Illustration by:
FIND ME ELSEWHERE
CREDITS Music and cues by Mark Allan Falk: https://linktr.ee/semiathletic | |||
| The State of Illustration Report with Darren Di Lieto | 16 déc. 2025 | 01:29:54 | |
The State of Illustration Report with Darren Di Lieto | Episode 65 What does the illustration industry really look like right now — beyond highlight reels, social media, and shiny success stories? In this episode, I talk with Darren Di Lietto, founder of Hireillo and the author of the State of Illustration report. For more than a decade, Darren has been surveying illustrators around the world to better understand how we work, how we get paid, and how sustainable illustration actually is as a career. We have an honest conversation about confidence, pricing, late payments, mental health, and the quiet pressures shaping illustrators’ lives today. We talk about who’s best positioned to thrive, where illustrators are struggling most, and why so many are being squeezed out early on in their careers. I was surprised, and honestly a little bit depressed by the numbers in the report—but Darren helps me see some of the positive takeaways as well. 🙏 A huge thank-you to all paid supporters on Patreon — your support makes conversations like this possible. IN THIS EPISODE
SHOW LINKS From Darren
From Tom
SUPPORT THE PODCAST You can support Thoughts on Illustration by:
FIND ME ELSEWHERE Website — https://www.tomfroese.com Instagram — https://www.instagram.com/mrtomfroese Daily Drawings — https://www.instagram.com/drawingisimportant CREDITS Music and cues by Mark Allan Falk — https://linktr.ee/semiathletic | |||
| Should You Be Embarrassed About Using AI? | FREE PREVIEW | 02 déc. 2025 | 00:12:15 | |
In this episode, I get honest about the tension so many of us feel around AI: the uneasiness of using it while also distrusting it. I talk about why that discomfort might actually be meaningful—and how embarrassment or shame can act as a compass for finding the line between assistance and authorship. I share a real story about how AI helps me not over-think a purchase decision with my daughter. I also share about my feelings about receiving AI-written emails. You'll learn how I think about using AI to help me without letting it replace the parts of my job that actually matter. We talk about the long game: creative confidence, limits, process, and what it really means to maintain authorship as an illustrator. IN THIS EPISODE:
SHOW LINKS
THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT! Thanks as always for supporting the podcast. Patreon and Paid Spotify Supporters make it possible for me keep doing this! FIND ME ELSEWHERE
CREDITS
DRAWING IS IMPORTANT — NOW AVAILABLE FOR PRE-ORDER My new book, Drawing Is Important, is your guide to making drawing a meaningful daily habit. Through stories, insights, and exercises, it helps you draw more often—with less pressure and more joy. Available Spring 2026 — Pre-order now! The first 500 orders get a free hand-signed book plate! Look for "get pre-order prizes" after clicking the link. | |||
| How You Can Protect Yourself From Being Ripped Off | Interview with Raymond Biesinger | 18 nov. 2025 | 01:21:11 | |
Interview with Raymond Biesinger How do you defend your creative work when clients underpay, misuse your images, or ignore copyright entirely? In this episode, I talk with Montréal-based illustrator, artist, and author Raymond Biesinger, whose new book 9 Times My Work Has Been Ripped Off (Drawn + Quarterly, 2025) is part memoir, part self-defence guide for independent creatives. This is a wide-ranging, candid conversation about money, boundaries, professionalism, and what it really takes to survive as an illustrator today. 🙏 A huge thank-you to all paid supporters on Patreon — without you, this show wouldn’t exist. IN THIS EPISODE • What “being ripped off” really means (hint: it’s not just stylistic copying) SHOW LINKS Raymond Biesinger From Tom SUPPORT THE PODCAST You can help Thoughts on Illustration grow by: FIND ME ELSEWHERE Website — https://www.tomfroese.com CREDITS Music and cues by Mark Allan Falk — https://linktr.ee/semiathletic | |||
| How Do You Make an Illustration Cohesive? | FREE PREVIEW | 04 nov. 2025 | 00:18:11 | |
What is the secret to making cohesive illustrations? Also known as unity and harmony, this is the elusive quality that makes your illustration feel "whole". In this episode, I look at why that sense of unity is harder to achieve in digital work, and how thinking in terms of physical media and physical reproduction methods can bring your images together. I introduce what I call The Five Stars of Cohesiveness—Purpose, Drawing Style, Medium, Reproduction Method, and Application—and show how, when these align, your work gains that solid, self-contained presence we all chase. Using Ben Shahn’s The Shape of Content as a case study (read on for visual examples), I unpack how medium and black-only printing worked hand-in-hand to create unusually cohesive results—and how we can borrow that logic in our digital workflows. If you’ve struggled to make your digital illustrations feel unified—and want a concrete framework to diagnose why—this episode is for you. IN THIS EPISODE
SHOW LINKS
HOW TO SUPPORT / LISTEN If you’d like to support this podcast and hear the full version of monologue episodes like this one:
FIND ME ELSEWHERE
CREDITS
—————— DRAWING IS IMPORTANT — NOW AVAILABLE FOR PRE-ORDER My new book, Drawing Is Important, is your guide to making drawing a meaningful daily habit. Through stories, insights, and exercises, it helps you draw more often—with less pressure and more joy. Available Spring 2026 — Pre-order now! The first 500 orders get a free hand-signed book plate! Look for "get pre-order prizes" after clicking the lin | |||
| Being a Cartoonist for the New Yorker | Interview with Tom Toro | 21 oct. 2025 | 01:02:04 | |
How does one become a professional cartoonist? In this episode, I talk with New Yorker cartoonist Tom Toro, whose sharp wit clever drawings have kept readers laughing (and thinking) for more than fifteen years. Toro’s debut book, And to Think We Started as a Book Club (out now from Simon & Schuster), gathers the best of his cartoons from over a decade and a half at The New Yorker. In our conversation, we dig into the realities of professional cartooning — from the weekly grind of submissions and rejection, to the balance between writing and drawing, and the creative fire that keeps artists like Tom doing it anyway. 🙏 Thank you to all paid supporters on Patreon — without your support, this would be an expensive hobby. Thank you! 🟢 Listen on Spotify | 🟣 Listen on Apple Podcasts | 🔴 Listen/Watch on YouTube Cover of And to Think We Started as a Book Club … IN THIS EPISODE What it’s really like to be a New Yorker cartoonist — and why rejection is part of the job How the relationship between writing and drawing defines the cartoon form The secret to making a success New Yorker-worthy cartoon Why embracing imperfection keeps art alive How Tom feels about his body of work from the past 15 years SHOW LINKS Tom Toro’s Website — https://www.tomtoro.com Tom Toro on Instagram — www.instagram.com/tbtoro 📕 And to Think We Started as a Book Club (Simon & Schuster, Oct 7 2025) — https://publishing.andrewsmcmeel.com/book/and-to-think-we-started-as-a-book-club/ SLO-FI Illustrations (my new Skillshare class) — GET 30 DAYS FREE WHEN USING THIS LINK — https://skl.sh/4nbo3KT 📗 Drawing is Important — https://geni.us/DrawingisImportant THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT! You can show your appreciation for the Thoughts on Illustration podcast by: Sharing with your friends on social media Liking / Following / Subscribing Leaving a review on Apple Podcasts Becoming a paid supporter on Patreon — 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://linktr.ee/semiathletic Thanks for reading Thoughts on Illustration with Mr. Tom Froese! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work. | |||
| The Illustrator’s (Smarter) Starter Pack | FREE PREVIEW | 07 oct. 2025 | 00:12:21 | |
Looking to Get Into Illustration? Here’s How to Begin. NEW—I am now offering free previews of Monologue episodes. This will help you decide if subscribing on Patreon / Spotify is right for you. Wouldn’t it be nice if there was an Illustrator’s Starter Pack that could get you up and running as an illustrator ASAP? The reality is that any attempts to find a fast track into illustration could actually slow you down. In this episode, I share my SMART System: five paradigms (Styles, Markets, Applications, Reasons, Techniques) that help you get specific about what you want to make and where it belongs. Instead of hunting for the perfect gear or foolproof course list, SMART gives you a clear way to map your starting point. If you’ve been overwhelmed by tools, apps, or conflicting advice—and you just want a concrete way to begin—this episode is for you. IN THIS EPISODE
SHOW LINKS
HOW TO LISTEN/READ If you’d like to hear the full version of monologue episodes like this one:
FIND ME ELSEWHERE Work and Classes — tomfroese.comInstagram — instagram.com/mrtomfroeseDaily Drawings — instagram.com/drawingisimportant CREDITS Music and Cues by Mark Allan Falk — Semiathletic on Linktree | |||
| Focusing on the Kids Market | Interview with Suzy Ultman | 23 sept. 2025 | 01:00:45 | |
What happens when you bravely create from what matters most to you—even when you’re not sure others will understand? In this episode, I talk with artist and author Suzy Ultman, whose work blends joy, vulnerability, and cultural identity in a way that’s both incredibly specific and widely relatable. Suzy is the creator of a series of Jewish-themed board books for Penguin Workshop — I Like Your Chutzpah, Shabbat Shalom, and It’s a Mitzvah! — and in our conversation, we explore the story behind these books: the experiences that shaped them, the fears Suzy had about putting herself out there, and what it means to lead with joy even when it’s rooted in something much deeper. IN THIS EPISODE
REFLECTION PROMPT What’s something you’ve been afraid to share in your creative work — and what might change if you let it in? SHOW LINKS
THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT! You can show your appreciation for the Thoughts on Illustration podcast by:
FIND ME ELSEWHERE Work and Classes — http://www.tomfroese.com CREDITS Music and cues by Mark Allan Falk — http://linktr.ee/semiathletic | |||
| Season 4 Preview: Big Changes are Coming! | 04 sept. 2025 | 00:21:10 | |
Welcome to a special preview episode of Thoughts on Illustration. At the end of last season, I wasn’t sure if this podcast would continue — but here I am. After a summer of reflection (and a little camping, surfing, and book work), I’m ready to share how Season 4 will look different. This season I’m making changes to keep the podcast sustainable for me and more valuable for you. Season 4 officially begins on September 9 with the first monologue episode. IN THIS PREVIEW
SUPPORT THIS PODCAST Join on Patreon — To hear all episodes — monologues and interviews — join me on Patreon starting at $3/month. Drawing Buddies at $8/month also get access to monthly Draw With Me sessions and replays. Follow on Substack — Free listeners will still get access to all interview episodes on your podcast app or via Substack at mrtomfroese.substack.com. GET IN TOUCH Email - hello@tomfroese.com Website - tomfroese.com | |||
| Is This Still Working? A Look Back at Season 3 | 28 juin 2025 | 01:12:29 | |
In this episode, I reflect on the journey of the podcast so far and the evolution of my illustration process. From overcoming burnout in the early seasons to finding a sustainable rhythm in Season 3, I discuss how the podcast has mirrored my own creative growth. Alongside this, I get real about the challenges of balancing podcasting with the rest of my life and career, the emotional toll of self-doubt, and the joy of connecting with listeners. Plus, I dive into the challenges of building a community around the podcast and the ups and downs of monetization. I open up with a story about the little man who tried to tear me down on Threads. If you’ve ever felt like giving up on something you love or questioned whether your efforts are worth it, this episode is for you. IN THIS EPISODE
PLUS – Why I decided to stop doing custom episode art and the joy of simplifying the process. SHOW LINKS
HOW TO SUPPORT
BECOME A DRAWING BUDDY
FIND ME ELSEWHERE CREDITS | |||
| What I Got Wrong About Going Analog | 10 juin 2025 | 00:43:59 | |
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
PLUS – Why my Apple Pencil will never beat a Mason jar full of ink water. SHOW LINKS
HOW TO SUPPORT
BECOME A DRAWING BUDDY
FIND ME ELSEWHERE CREDITS Music and Cues by Mark Allan Falk – semiathletic on Linktree | |||
| 6 Challenges of Rewilding My Illustration Process (And What I'm Doing About Them) | 27 mai 2025 | 00:57:14 | |
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
SHOW LINKS
HOW TO SUPPORT
BECOME A DRAWING BUDDY
FIND ME ELSEWHERE
CREDITS Music and Cues by Mark Allan Falk – http://www.linktr.ee/semiathletic | |||
| A 100% Analogue Illustration Process with Roberts Rurans | 13 mai 2025 | 01:45:32 | |
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
SHOW LINKS
HOW TO SUPPORT
BECOME A DRAWING BUDDY
FIND ME ELSEWHERE
CREDITS Music and Cues by Mark Allan Falk - http://www.linktr.ee/semiathletic | |||
| How to Make Your Digital Art Look More Natural | 28 avr. 2025 | 01:07:10 | |
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
SHOW LINKS
HOW TO SUPPORT
BECOME A DRAWING BUDDY
FIND ME ELSEWHERE
CREDITS Music and Cues by Mark Allan Falk - http://www.linktr.ee/semiathletic | |||
| Re-wilding Your Digital Illustration Process | 15 avr. 2025 | 00:24:30 | |
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
SHOW LINKS https://mrtomfroese.substack.com/p/re-wilding-my-digital-art-process HOW TO SUPPORT
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
CREDITS Music and Cues by Mark Allan Falk - http://www.linktr.ee/semiathletic | |||
| Overcoming Decision Paralysis in your Life and Work | 06 avr. 2025 | 01:01:38 | |
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
SHOW LINKS
HOW TO SUPPORT
FIND ME ELSEWHERE
CREDITS Music and Cues by Mark Allan Falk - http://www.linktr.ee/semiathletic | |||
| Episode 51 Coming Soon | 01 avr. 2025 | 00:01:06 | |
With apologies! Stay tuned for Episode 51 — coming no later than April 8, 2025. | |||
| Working with Editorial Art Directors with Mike Schnaidt | 18 mars 2025 | 01:17:03 | |
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
FIND ME ELSEWHERE
CREDITS Music and Cues by Mark Allan Falk - http://www.linktr.ee/semiathletic | |||
| 5 Ways to Survive in 2025 as an Illustrator | 03 mars 2025 | 00:56:40 | |
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
SHOW LINKS
HOW TO SUPPORT
FIND ME ELSEWHERE Work and Classes - http://www.tomfroese.com Instagram - http://www.instagram.com/mrtomfroese Daily Drawings - http://www.instagram.com/drawingisimportant CREDITS
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| How I Found My First Agent and Editorial Clients | 18 févr. 2025 | 00:44:17 | |
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
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
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 | |||
| Jess Miller on Losing Everything in the LA Fires | 04 févr. 2025 | 00:56:52 | |
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
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SUPPORT THE PODCAST
CREDITS Music and Cues by Mark Allan Falk - http://www.linktr.ee/semiathletic FIND ME ELSEWHERE
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| Can you earn a living from illustration alone in 2025? | 21 janv. 2025 | 00:54:25 | |
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 | |||
| Reflections on 2024. Predictions for 2025. | 07 janv. 2025 | 00:49:31 | |
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
SHOW LINKS
HOW TO SUPPORT
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 | |||
| Moving from Adobe to Procreate with Kyle T. Webster | 24 déc. 2024 | 01:26:22 | |
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
SHOW LINKS
HOW TO SUPPORT
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 | |||
| How Do You Know When an Illustration is Done? | 10 déc. 2024 | 00:32:17 | |
"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
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
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 | |||
| Embracing Hand-made in Your Work | 26 nov. 2024 | 00:26:52 | |
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.
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| Consistency is The Key to Success | 12 nov. 2024 | 00:42:02 | |
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.
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| Episode 41 Postponed - November 5, 2024 | 05 nov. 2024 | 00:01:06 | |
Today's scheduled epsiode (Episode 41) will be postponed until next week. Stay kind!
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| The Illustrator's Guide with James Hughes | 22 oct. 2024 | 01:14:57 | |
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.
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| Listen to This if You're Bored With Your Style | 08 oct. 2024 | 00:39:35 | |
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.
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| Making the Big Leap with Martina Flor | 24 sept. 2024 | 01:52:33 | |
Skillshare class promo link
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.”
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| Let Your Ideas Gain Interest Over Time | 10 sept. 2024 | 00:33:54 | |
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!
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| Midsummer Update (August 2024) | 07 août 2024 | 00:18:00 | |
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, Inky Maps (Procreate Edition).
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| Lisa Bardot, Procreate Artist and Brush Designer | 18 juin 2024 | 01:21:30 | |
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. <<<
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| Illustration is Not Dead with Chris Piascik | 04 juin 2024 | 01:32:09 | |
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).
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| Should You Work for Friends and Family? | 21 mai 2024 | 00:53:35 | |
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.
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| Bad Clients: How to Turn Them Before They Burn You | 07 mai 2024 | 01:01:03 | |
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.
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| 10 Tips for Launching Your Illustration Career | 23 avr. 2024 | 00:31:09 | |
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.
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