Pencil Kings | Inspiring Artist Interviews with Today's Best Artists – Details, episodes & analysis

Dan Piche is the creator of Champions of Akathena a board game launching on 15 June.  He has advice for anyone who has a passion to make a board game, but no experience actually making it a reality. 

In this episode:

In this week’s episode we get the final chapter on designing and launching your own board game.  We had Dan on the podcast in the past to talk about the process so far in Episode 230 (https://www.pencilkings.com/daniel-piche/) and now that he’s just about to launch again here’s the update of the story as he's just about to release his new board game to the world. 

There's lots of insight into the care it takes to bring your project to the finish line, but mostly I hope while listening you can get a sense of how you can look at your own projects with fresh eyes and see how you can use feedback to make your work as good as it possibly can be.

Diego Jourdan Pereira is an author of puzzle and activity books, including the Giant Book of Games and Puzzles for Smart Kids, The Big Book of Brain-Boosting Puzzles, Bible Power Puzzles, and the Astonishing Bathroom Reader. With a background in illustration, comic books, and graphic design, his clientele has ranged from Dover Publications to The Topps Company.

In this episode:

In this week’s episode, Diego Jourdan Pereira walks us through how he went from a career as an illustrator working in licensing and completely reinvented himself as an author and book designer.  

Diego’s story is a fantastic model showing how clear goals and hard work pay off to break into a completely new market and create new opportunities. 

If you have been sitting on the fence, not knowing what to do or how to do it, just listen up because the clues are all right here and if you are willing to put in the work, it’s just a matter of continued effort and time before you’re well on your way towards your dream career where you get paid to be creative. 

In the last part of the episode we talk about the difference between dreams and goals, and Diego has a great way of looking at how to set and make your goals a reality.

Terri Rodriguez-Hong is a UX/UI designer and a UX/UI Tutor at CareerFoundry. In her position as a UX/UI designer, Terri hopes to bridge the gap between products to be accessible by all users. She received her MFA from the University of Hawaii and is currently working on her master’s degree in Human Computer Interaction. Outside of her passion for UX/UI, Terri is an avid Muay Thai boxer, a volleyball fan, and the co-host of the Ramblings of a Designer podcast.

What happens when you blend a passion for art and user experience? While many artists base their success on commissions and reputation, there may be a more fulfilling path. 

UX/UI is the combination of design, art, and user experience that bridges the gap between a product and its user. Terri Rodriguez-Hong made the leap into the UX/UI world four years ago—and she hasn’t looked back since. With her fine art and visual design background, she brings a unique perspective to her role as a UX/UI designer. So, what is Terri’s advice to fellow artists looking to create a career in the sweet spot between art and user experience? 

In this week's episode of Pencil Kings, host Mitch Bowler sits down with UX/UI Designer, Terri Rodriguez-Hong. Terri recalls what gave her the push to transition from visual design to UX/UI, how she navigated the interview process, and why the most important investment you can make is in yourself. She also shares her tips for building industry connections and starting your journey in UX/UI. Stay tuned!

Full Show Notes at: https://www.pencilkings.com/podcast-home/

When Darren Yeow created the Nomad Art Satchel a few years ago, he wanted to create a super-useful tool for artists with one aim in mind - to encourage creativity and help artists everywhere capture their ideas.

Now, after the huge success of this product on Kickstarter, he's back with a brand new brand and a product which takes the design of the Nomad to an exciting new level for artists - the Etchr Lab Multi-purpose Satchel.

In this interview, you'll hear about the fascinating design process behind this new product, and how Darren and Simon invited feedback from working artists to create something which truly met their needs.
You'll learn why collaboration is key, and why the best people to work with might be easier to reach than you think.

And, if you've ever wanted to develop and launch your own product (but don't know where to start), you'll get some invaluable insights on doing this from listening to Darren and Simon's experiences.

Interview Chapters

[00:00-06:49]

Introduction and Overview

Your host, Mitch Bowler, introduces today's guests, Darren Yeow, creator of the Nomad satchel, and his business partner, finance expert Simon Frisby.

In this chapter, you'll hear why they decided to take the revolutionary design aspects of the Nomad and evolve these into an exciting new product which is set to become an indispensable tool for all artists.

[07:52-14:45]

Why did Darren Decide to Collaborate on This New Product?

When Darren launched the Nomad Art Satchel a few years ago, he was working as a one-man band looking after everything from marketing to raising financial backing for his product via Kickstarter.

Now, he's teamed up with Simon and other experts to form a new company, Etchr Lab, which promises to deliver a wide range of cutting-edge products into the lives of artists.

So why did he decide to work with others on this new project...and how has this led to a new, improved product?

[10:22-12:10]

How Can You go About Launching Your Own Great Idea?

Got a great idea of your own...but don't know how to get started on developing this into a successful product?

In this chapter, you'll hear about the benefits of networking with others in your niche...and why listening carefully to the advice of others can ultimately help you create the most effective business plan and product.

[12:11-17:33]

What Should You Look For in Potential Collaborators?

Choosing people to collaborate with can sometimes be tricky. After all, you've got to be sure they share your passion and vision for your ideas.

In this chapter, you'll hear about how Darren and Simon met, and why a series of shopping trips helped them decide that collaborating was a very good idea!

[17:34-23:41]

It's Been 3 Years Since the Nomad Satchel Was Launched. What's Been Happening Since?

Darren launched his Nomad art satchel three years ago. So what's he been up to in the meantime...and why did he decide that now was the right time to launch a new product?

In this chapter, you'll also learn about the importance of marketing your product, and how to take full advantage of tools such as social media to help promote your big idea and generate a buzz around it.

[23:42-24:42]

What Happened When Darren Devoted All His Time to His Product?

Like many artists and creators, Darren had to take on freelance work in the beginning to pay the bills while he developed his new idea.

But what happened when he was able to devote all his time and energy to this one project?

[24:43-30:44]

How Can You Work Effectively With Other People?

The success of a collaborative project often revolves around your relationship with the other members of your team. But how do you learn to hand over tasks to others and listen to their input?

In this chapter, you'll get some invaluable insights into teamwork, and why learning how to listen can be one of the most important factors behind success.

[30:45-39:00]

How do You Find Business Contacts as well as Creative Contacts?

As artists, most of us have got creative friends who we can work with and bounce ideas off of. But how do you find the business-minded people to help turn your dreams into reality?

In this chapter, you'll learn about networking...and why personal recommendations can often be much more effective than searching for potential contacts online.

[39:01-42:15]

Where to Find Darren and Etchr Lab Online

Want to find out more about Etchr Lab and their exciting new products for artists? You'll find everything you need in this chapter, including some great advice on the realities of developing a product based on Darren's real-life experiences.

[42:16-44:37]

Conclusion

Mitch wraps up today's interview and Darren lets you know how to get behind his new product launch on Kickstarter and take advantage of some great early-bird deals.

Full show notes at: https://www.pencilkings.com/podcast/

Are you looking for a way to learn figure drawing...

but have been put off in the past by scary math formulas and endless anatomy diagrams?

Or perhaps you're just looking for a way to put the fun back into drawing and create sketches full of life and action?

As a teacher with more than 20 years' experience, Mike Mattesi has seen the struggles aspiring artists go through and the hurdles they face.

And that's why he developed Drawing With Force - his own unique method of drawing figures which captures all the dynamism of the human body...without getting all bogged down in the science and technical stuff.

So, if you've been looking for a way to capture movement and form using just the power and beauty of line, we think you'll find this week's interview super interesting...

And the best part? You won't need anything more than the cheapest art materials you can find to get started!

Interview Chapters

[00:00-06:58]

Introduction and Career Overview

Your host, Mitch Bowler, introduces today's guest, Mike Mattesi, who gives you an overview of his career as an artist, tutor and senior art director at Zynga games. You'll also find out what Mike decided to develop his Drawing Force method to help other artists.

[07:00-14:45]

How did Mike Mattesi Develop his Drawing Force method and get it Published?

Mike Mattesi launched his Drawing Force method 10 years ago, but how did he develop this unique way of drawing and make it accessible to artists of all abilities? In this chapter, you'll learn about how his book came to be published...and the impact it's had upon the lives of artists and art education ever since.

[16:13-19:08]

How is Drawing With Force Different to Other Figure Drawing Methods?

Drawing with force is very different to many other figure drawing methods you may have seen. In this chapter, Mike explains what excites him about drawing figures this way...and why using these techniques can really help you understand how the human body works.

[26:24-30:47]

Why Mike Believes Making Art Should Always be Fun

One of the key elements of the Drawing Force technique is having fun. In his many years of teaching, Mike observed that students learn best when they feel truly engaged in a subject, so that's exactly what he decided to incorporate in his own techniques.

[31:15-37:27]

How Can Drawing With Force Help Animation or Concept Artists?

Mike's Drawing Force methods may seem like they come from a strictly fine art background, but these techniques actually work really well for artists working in all kinds of industries. In this chapter, Mike explains why teaching his students these techniques has helped them go on to have rewarding careers as concept artists, animators, and many more roles.

[39:19-45:27]

What do you Need to get Started Using the Drawing Force Method?

Unlike some art programs, you don't need expensive materials to get started with the Drawing Force method. In fact, all you need is a soft, stubby pencil and cheap newsprint paper! In this chapter, Mike explains why he feels the cost of materials is a real issue for many beginner artists, and why he's committed to making art accessible to all.

[46:06-50:00]

Why Mike Mattesi Still Loves Figure Drawing More Than Anything Else

Despite having taught for more than 20 years and worked at some of the biggest art and gaming studios, Mike still loves drawing figures more than anything else. So what is it about life drawing that really gets him excited? And how can you take the first steps towards getting that same sense of excitement from making art? Also in this chapter, you'll hear how to take advantage of Mike's exclusive discount for listeners to the Pencil Kings podcast!

[50:01-52:53]

Where to Find Mike Online and Learn More About Drawing Force

Mitch wraps up today's interview by letting you know where to find Mike online and learn more about his Drawing Force program. You'll also hear about Evolve - an exciting new art program which you can sign up to and get early access!

Full show notes at: https://www.pencilkings.com/podcast/

What happens if you give up everything and take your creative show on the road?

That's what Derek Rodenbeck has done, and we catch up with him again to see what he's learned in the past 5 months of travelling city to city and often living out in nature in a tent with his girlfriend and their two huge dogs.

Interview Chapters:

[00:00-05:54]

Introduction and Overview

Your host, Mitch Bowler, introduces today's guest, Derek Rodenbeck, who talks about his epic journey so far and where he's planning on travelling to next.

[06:31-13:34]

How has Travelling Changed Derek's Outlook and his Creativity?

It's impossible to travel to incredible places without them having a profound effect upon your outlook and your creativity. How has travelling helped Derek find inspiration, and how has this changed his approach to being creative?

[14:46-16:57]

Why is it so Important to Enjoy What You do as a Creative Person?

Although his background is in comic books, Derek has discovered a new passion for photography while being out on the road. And, for him, this is where he feels his creative interests really lie right now. So, how did he come to this conclusion...and why is it only worth doing something if you truly enjoy it?

[17:17-18:32]

Why Isn't Derek Thinking About Career Options Right Now?

Although he's now become a keen photographer, Derek isn't doing this with a view to having a career behind the lens. So what's really motivating him...and why has he decided to stop worrying about making money for the moment?

[20:01-22:14]

How Does Derek Find The Strength to Take Risks?

Many of us dream of just packing everything away and going travelling for months, but the fear of paying bills or losing our careers often holds us back. So how does Derek find the strength to give it all up and set out on the open road?

[23:13-26:20]

What are the big Lesson Derek's Learned From Travelling?

Travelling can have a major impact on your life, with some often unexpected lessons to learn from the experience. So what are the big lessons Derek's learned while being on the road?

[28:06-29:47]

How has Travelling Changed Derek as a Person?

The Derek we used to know was always a busy man, hustling his way from one art project to another without pausing to take a breath. Whereas, the Derek we're speaking to now has a new sense of calm about him and a much more relaxed approach to life. Has travelling brought about this change...or was it a direction he was headed in already?

[30:54-32:51]

What's Been the Biggest Change to Derek as a Creative Person?

Previously, Derek used to draw for hours on end as he worked on all kinds of projects from comic books to game cards...but where is he at right now? In this chapter, he explains what inspires him creatively about travelling...and why it's always worth exploring as many different options as you want.

[34:05-35:58]

What Happens When Derek's Travelling Comes to an End?

Travelling is great, but most of us don't get to roam the world forever. What happens when it's time to return to regular life...and is Derek worried about what happens next?

[35:59-37:43]

Conclusion and Where to Find Derek Online

If you want to find out more about Derek's adventures, this chapter will give you the information you need. You'll also hear about what's been happening in the Pencil Kings community and why we're so grateful for everyone's support with our podcasts so far.

Full show notes and links at: https://www.pencilkings.com/podcast/

John Martin walks us through the process of creating a successful children's book and what it really looks like behind the scenes as a children's book illustrator.

Interview Overview

Here are some of the great insights from John Martin in this interview:

• More than anything he stressed how powerful and important having a good agent is. They can open doors for you that you don't even know you need to be opening.
  
  
• When it comes to the success of your projects good character design is so important. You have to remember that with books you're competing primarily against interactive mediums like video games, and what John does to approach his character design is to pull from design ideas that he's seen and loved from all of the different media he's consumed like comic books, television and moves and then stir them all together to come up with his own new ideas.
  
  But he doesn't just stop there... he uses a fluid design process where he's not afraid to experiment and try new things to come up with his designs, and he uses textures and patterns that he sees in everyday life to use as the basis for his designs.
  
  
• Music is another big inspiration for him and he will listen to anything from classical music to rob zombie while he is working and use that to inspire the design process and get into the zone.
  
  
• The job of a book illustrator is a constant juggle, and this is something we've heard before when talking with Francis Vallejo. When the book comes out, you're in full scale promotion mode to get it out to as many people as possible, and if you're like John and part of a multi-book deal you have to balance juggling the promotion with creating work for the second book.
  
  
• John also talked a bit about his process where he draws an inks everything traditionally and then brings it all into the computer and turns it into vector, which if you've never heard of vector before is a way of working with images that you can easily scale and reposition your images without losing quality, and he works this way so that during the layout process for the book it becomes very easy for him to react to any changes that are needed while in the layout process.
  
  
• One of the things that I personally loved about this interview is John's mission to create readers for life. This is no small task when you consider the competition with games and movies for the attention span of kids.

Full show notes at: https://www.pencilkings.com/podcast/

Want to know how to break out of art jail and finally move forwards with your creative career?

Do you long to leave your day job but just don't know how to make progress as an artist?

In this interview, Chris Oatley from The Oatley Academy reveals the simple changes you can make to really start pushing things forwards.

Drawing on years of experience with students of his hugely popular online courses and community, he highlights the most common roadblocks faced by aspiring artists, and what you can do to get past these and finally start working towards a more fulfilling career.

It's not about becoming a rockstar artist, and it certainly isn't about having overnight success. What it really boils down to is your willingness to keep working and learning from your mistakes.

And, in this week's interview, you'll find everything you need to help you do just that.

Interview Chapters

[00:00:00-00:04:08]

Introduction and Career Overview

Your host, Mitch Bowler, introduces today's guest, Chris Oatley, from The Oatley Academy, who reveals how he quit his job as an artist at Disney after five years to become a full-time educator helping other artists break into the creative industries.

[00:04:09-00:15:50]

How Chris Oatley Changed His Career...And How You Can Do The Same

In this chapter, Chris talks about why he decided to leave behind a stable, reliable career as a Disney artist and make the leap of faith to go it alone. It was a risky move and a steep learning curve with many mistakes made along the way, but Chris made it through to the other side. How did he do it? Listen up to find out.

[00:17:30-00:19:08]

What Do You Do When Things Don't Go To Plan?

If you're determined to become an artist, it's highly likely things won't always go to plan. In this chapter, Chris reveals how he picked himself up when things went wrong, and why finding the motivation to keep going is a huge part of winning the battle.

[00:21:04-00:30:47]

How Can The Oatley Academy Help You Reach Your Goals as an Artist?

Constructive critique and support are vital if you want to progress as an artist. In this chapter, Chris talks about nurturing talent in his community, and why it's a safe haven for any aspiring artists who want to improve. He also describes the numerous creative workshops and sessions at The Oatley Academy, and why he's constantly inspired by the progress his students continue to make.

[00:33:12-00:38:01]

Why is Trust Vital to Your Artistic Growth?

To develop as an artist, you need to trust the person mentoring you and be able to give an honest appraisal of your own abilities and progress as an artist. In this chapter, Chris reveals how he works with his students to give them encouragement and provides honest, constructive feedback to help them take the next steps.

[00:40:44-00:42:29]

Can You Really Make a Career as an Artist?

Many aspiring creatives abandon their dreams after being told there isn't any money in making art. However, the creative industry offers all kinds of opportunities for artists of all abilities. In this chapter, Chris reveals what those opportunities are, and why the artists working behind the scenes on projects play an equally vital role as the big names who get all the attention.

[00:44:35-00:57:20]

What Are The Most Common Obstacles Faced by Artists?

Whether it's family life, work, or the constant fear of not being good enough, there are all kinds of obstacles that can get in the way of pursuing a creative career. In this chapter, Chris outlines some of the most common ones faced by his students and shares some useful steps you can take to overcome them. You'll also learn how to avoid falling into the rabbit hole of social media and video games, and how to track your time to work more efficiently.

[01:00:15-01:01:45]

Why There's No Growth Without Risk

Becoming an artist isn't always an easy option, but it can be a truly fulfilling choice for those prepared to take risks. In this section, Chris reveals the big takeaways he's learned from his own experiences, and how you can find the strength to take some risks too.

[01:02:07-01:03:49]

Conclusion and Where to Find Chris Oatley Online

Want to find out more about The Oatley Academy and what it can do for you? Here's where you need to be!

Full show notes at: https://www.pencilkings.com/podcast/

Ready to get your career as an artist started, or feeling stuck that you just can't seem to land your first art job?

Today, we talk with Shane Madden from Illustration Lighthouse on how he is working with artists to shortcut the time it takes to start earning money with your creative skills.

Interview Chapters

00:00-03:15

Introduction and Career Overview

Your host, Mitch Bowler, introduces today's guest, Shane Madden, who talks about his varied career so far as an artist and the many different projects he's been involved in.

04:24-09:27

Why Being a Rockstar Concept Artist Isn't Your Only Career Option

Many artists have dreams of becoming a rockstar concept artist like the ones you see on big art portfolio sites. But this certainly isn't the only option for you as an artist. There are so many areas where you can use your creative skills and still get paid....and in this chapter, Shane outlines what some of those areas are.

09:55-15:25

What is Illustration Lighthouse All About?

Shane set up Illustration Lighthouse as a way to help artists produce the kind of portfolios employers are looking for and to help them find work in a wide range of creative fields. In this chapter, he explains what it's all about in detail and shares some super-useful tips to help you get your art career started.

16:27-22:16

What are Some of the Biggest Sticking Points for Artists

So many people leave art school and never pick up a pencil again. In this chapter, we look into why this is, and Shane explains why he thinks so many promising art careers fall by the wayside. If you want to get ahead in your art career - but don't know what's holding you back - you might just find out in this chapter.

22:41-25:21

What Makes a Perfect Portfolio?

Many artists think their portfolio should show a wide range of different styles, but this isn't necessarily what's going to get you hired. In this chapter, Shane draws on his own experiences as an artist to help explain what employers are looking for...and why tailoring the work in your portfolio to a specific audience can often be much more beneficial to your career.

25:50-31:04

But What if You Don't Know Which Kind of Artist You Are Yet?

It can take a long time for an artist to find their niche and start producing work in their own unique style. In this chapter, Shane explains why this is a natural part of the creative process and shares some tried and tested techniques to help you discover what really interests and motivates you as an artist.

33:15-35:51

What Career Options are Available for Artists?

We often think artists have a limited range of career options, but there are lots of 'hidden' opportunities out there that you may not have discovered yet. In this chapter, Shane runs through the wide and varied options you can get involved in as an artist, and explains why the demand for creatives is probably stronger now than it's ever been.

37:10-46:08

How Will Illustration Lighthouse Help You Create a Better Portfolio?

Even though art is often a subjective thing, there are still some basic rules you can apply to help you get the results you want in your creative career. In this chapter, Shane explains how he helps artists create better portfolios and focus on their target audience to help them get noticed. You'll also learn how to go out there and make things happen...rather than wait around forever for those opportunities to come to you.

46:10-47:59

Where Can You Find Out More About Illustration Lighthouse?

Ready to take action with your art career? In this section, you'll discover how to find out more about Illustration Lighthouse and how this effective program can help you finally get the opportunities you've been looking for as an artist.

48:00-50:00

Conclusion and Where to Find Shane Online

Mitch wraps up today's interview and lets you know where to find Shane online.

Full show notes at: https://www.pencilkings.com/podcast/

Go to any comic con and you'll see countless artists selling fan art featuring some of our most popular characters. From Spiderman to Superman and Harley Quinn to Stormtroopers, it's all there.

But could you be breaking the law as an artist by producing this kind of work? And how can you avoid getting slapped with a lawsuit for infringing copyright?

Well, who better to ask than an expert in these matters? In this interview, we talk with an actual IP lawyer, Seth Polansky, to see exactly where artists stand when making art based on our favorite comic book and game characters.

So, if you've ever innocently produced fan art (even if you haven't actually sold it), you might want to listen closely. Because the advice you'll get from listening to Seth just might save you a stack of money and help keep you on the right side of the law.

But as well as being an expert in legal matters, Seth is also a pretty awesome indie filmmaker and musician. So, you'll also hear about he keeps busy with numerous creative side projects when he's not helping artists avoid huge legal costs from the big boys.

Interview Chapters:

00:00-03:30

Introduction & Overview

Your host, Mitch Bowler, introduces today's guest, Seth Polansky, who gives you a brief overview of his career as an artist and and IP Lawyer. He explains why he decided to specialize in this area after finishing law school, and why he's devoted the past few years to helping artists avoid lawsuits and litigation.

04:01-04:38

What about Seth Polansky's Other Projects?

When he's not helping artists stay on the right side of the law, Seth is busy with indie filmmaking projects and music. How does he find time to fit it all in? You'll find out in this chapter.

05:13-13:46

Could You be Breaking The Law as an Artist?

In this chapter, Seth explains copyright law and clears up any gray areas for artists. So, if you weren't aware of any of this before, you might want to listen up and take note.

14:35-21:01

How can you Avoid Copyright Infringement?

Knowing what is (and what isn't) acceptable use of someone else's intellectual property (IP) can help you stay on the right side of the law and avoid any potential copyright issues as an artist. In this chapter, Seth clearly spells out what you need to be aware of as an artist if you're making fan art...and how you can avoid any potential legal issues.

22:40-24:38

Who should you Speak to First About Licensing?

Many artists don't have too much experience of legal matters, so knowing who to approach can be tricky. In this chapter, Seth explains why contacting a lawyer in the first instance is often a very good (an inexpensive) idea and tells you where to find an extremely useful legal contract template for artists online.

25:42-34:52

Seth on Indie Filmmaking and IP Issues

When he's not being a lawyer, Seth is also a great indie filmmaker. In this chapter, he talks about the projects he's been working on and reveals what he's learned about legal issues and making films in the process.

35:10-38:23

Seth Polansky's Advice for Comic Con Artists

Exhibiting your fan art at a comic con but still unsure if it's legal or not? In this chapter, you'll find all the info you need to help you stay on the right side of the tracks.

38:39-40:07

What about art based on older intellectual property?

Many of today's most popular characters have been around for decades, meaning the original concept might be exempt from copyright law. But how do you know which ones are ok to use? Seth clears up this gray area in this chapter.

40:35-43:14

Conclusion and Where to Find Seth Online

Want to know where to find Seth online? Here's the place!