Take my class COMPOSITION FOR ILLUSTRATORS! Use this link and get 1 month free on Skillshare! — https://skl.sh/3TLdkehI'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 yetWhy working in different styles can make good business senseWhat Kyle means when he calls himself an Accidental ExpertWhat Kyle finds most meaningful in his work and career, besides drawing or making brushesWhy making Creativity a way of life is necessary to building up a successful careerAnd much, much more!HOW TO SUPPORTThank 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 sessions03 – 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 listNever miss an important update. Sign up at http://tomfroese.com/contact N THIS EPISODEIntroQuick Intro/Bio of Adam MingHow to Support the PodcastThe Interview (Part 1)The Renaissance ManWhat does the T in Kyle T Webster stand for?Becoming an Accidental ExpertThe Role of Experimentation and PlayCreating Opportunities and Embracing AccidentsThe Importance of MentorsEmbracing Passion to find OpportunitiesLiving Creatively in Any SituationThe Importance of Design as a Way of LifeFinding Your Guiding StarLeaving a Lasting LegacyThe debate on One Style vs. ManyOutroTo Be Continued …. in Part 2 SHOW LINKSKyle's Substack and Podcast: The Accidental Expert - http://www.accidental-expert.comDrawing 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 Engineerhttps://linktr.ee/semiathleticAll 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/tomfroeseIn 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 SUPPORTThank 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 sessions03 – 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 listNever miss an important update. Sign up at http://tomfroese.com/contact IN THIS EPISODEIntroThoughts on Now Having Guests on the PodcastCall to Support the PodcastQuick Intro/Bio of Adam MingThe InterviewOutro SHOW LINKSAdam Ming's website - https://adamming.com/booksThe Ten Minute Artist (Daily Creative Prompts and Creative Inspiration on Substack) - https://www.tenminuteartist.com/p/day-14-intervalsAdam Ming's Picture Books - http://adamming.com/books PODCAST TEAM/CREDITS Mark Allan Falk, Audio/Video Engineerhttps://linktr.ee/semiathleticAll 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/tomfroeseHave 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 SUPPORTThank 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/tomfroeseThis 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 listNever miss an important update. Sign up at http://tomfroese.com/contactPODCAST TEAM/CREDITS Mark Allan Falk, Audio/Video Engineerhttps://linktr.ee/semiathleticAll 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/tomfroesePaul 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 SUPPORTThank 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/tomfroeseThis 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 listNever miss an important update. Sign up at http://tomfroese.com/contact IN THIS EPISODEChapter 1: Who is Paul Rand?Chapter 2: 6 Things I Learned from Paul Rand PAUL RAND BOOKS CITED OR MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODEPaul Rand: A Designer's ArtThoughts on DesignDesign, Chaos and FormPaul Rand (Monograph by Steven Heller) SHOW LINKSSee Rand's NO WAY OUT movie posterSteven Heller on Graphic Designer Paul Rand (Biblio File podcast episode)Steve Jobs interview (on Paul Rand)PODCAST TEAM/CREDITS Mark Allan Falk, Audio/Video Engineerhttps://linktr.ee/semiathleticAll 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/3LxzI4IREPLAY: 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 SUPPORTThank 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/tomfroeseThis 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 listNever miss an important update. Sign up at http://tomfroese.com/contact IN THIS EPISODEHook - Teachers in art school making us feel like we have to work fast or die in the design industryChapter 1: Slow is Faster Than StuckGood slow vs. Bad slowGood - Slow for the right reasonsJust necessary part of the processBad - Slow for the wrong reasonsSomething negative getting in my wayWhy this episode: to help you overcome anxiety and frustration we feel when we feel like things take longer than they shouldStory: Rebranding a company without any experienceChapter 2: Slow for the Right ReasonsSome things just take timeExamples: Baking cookies, making wine, waiting for paint to dryFor me: My processReasons for SlowConceptual reasonsTechnical reasonsMaybe we're just not good at it (not a bad thing)Short deadlines: NOT inevitablePick Two: Good/Fast/Cheap — sounds good in theory, but is Good ever an option?Takeaways:Some things just take timeBuild these into your processThere is always a struggle to get to the eureka momentWe learn how to avoid things that slow us down the mostShort deadlines are a CHOICE!Chapter 3: Slow for the Wrong reasonsThings that take our time but don't need toAKA PitfallsExamplesTrying to go directly over a mountain, rather than around itBaking without a recipeReasonsTrying to take shortcuts that end up taking longerNot following a step by step processAvoiding outside feedbackAnalysis paralysisSolutionsEmbrace 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 EPISODEThe Six Stages of Illustration (Skillshare class) - https://www.tomfroese.com/teaching/the-six-stages-of-illustrationSlow 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 Editorhttps://julesherrick.comMark Allan Falk, Audio/Video Engineerhttps://linktr.ee/semiathleticAll Music, including Theme Song and Cues by Mark Allan Falk. FIND ME ELSEWHERE http://linktr.ee/mrtomfroese

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/3UWWY00Today'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 SUPPORTThank 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/tomfroeseThis 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 listNever miss an important update. Sign up at http://tomfroese.com/contact PODCAST CREDITSAll music, including Theme Song and Cues by Mark Allan Falk. http://linktr.ee/semiathletic FIND ME ELSEWHEREhttp://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 SUPPORTThank 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/tomfroeseThis 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 listNever miss an important update. Sign up at http://tomfroese.com/contact IN THIS EPISODE0:00:00 - Intro0:02:29 - How to Support0:03:35 - Update on Anniversary Episode plans0:07:17 - Chapter 1: What is an Idea?0:09:58 - 2 Ways Creatives Get Their Ideas0:16:25 - Knowing HOW to get ideas means knowing WHAT YOU DO0:23:27 - What goes into an illustration/creative idea?0:28:17 - Examples of ideas0:29:45 - Examples of non-ideas0:32:49 - Ad: Introducing 1 on 1 coaching!0:34:07 - Chapter 2: 6 Steps for Coming Up with Ideas0:37:45 - Stage 1: Define the problem0:39:45 - Stage 2: Understand the subject0:44:35 - Stage 3: Formulate a perspective0:49:08 - Stage 4: Come up with rough ideas0:57:49 - Stage 5: Refine your best ideas1:01:31 - Stage 6: Finalize your idea (final illustration)1:05:19 - Conclusion: Shift from "coming up with ideas" to Solving Problems1:07:56 - Advice for beginners to break through in your ideas1:09:01 - Outro LINKS FROM THIS EPISODENiemann, 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 CREDITSAll music, including Theme Song and Cues by Mark Allan Falk.  FIND ME ELSEWHEREtomfroese.comlinktr.ee/mrtomfroese

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 artworkWhy you may not be pricing your illustrations high enoughWhat copyright means in NORMAL, EVERYDAY EnglishWhy you should ALWAYS fight for your right to use your work for self promotionDisclaimer: THIS IS NOT LEGAL ADVICE. HOW TO SUPPORTThank 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/tomfroeseThis 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 listNever miss an important update. Sign up at http://tomfroese.com/contact IN THIS EPISODEIn 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 LicensingBuyoutCopyright TransferRoyaltiesWork for Hire ContractsPart 4 — Copyright and Self-PromotionConclusionsCopyright is a ToolYou Get To Share Your WorkUpdate: 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.htmlAbout 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 podcastGuide 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

December marks the 1 year anniversary of the TOI podcast! I’d like to celebrate by sharing YOUR stories in my upcoming Special Anniversary Episode, Episode 22.In Episode 1, I talked about my spark moment, the moment in my life that very clearly sent me on the path to being an illustrator today. Now I’d like to invite YOU to share YOUR stories about YOUR spark moments: what was the moment in your life that you knew, very clearly, that you wanted to be an illustrator, designer, or whatever it is you’re pursuing right now? What was the moment that made you say, "I Want to Do That"?If you’d like to be featured on the episode, here’s what you can do:Any time before November 24, 2024:Head over to tomfroese.com/podcastLook for the little orange tab on the right edge that says LEAVE TOM A VOICE MESSAGE to start recording.Answer this two-part question:Part 1 — What was the moment in your life that you knew, very clearly, that you wanted to be an illustrator or whatever it is that you’re doing or on the way to doing right now?Part 2 — Along the way, what is one thing you wish you’d known when you were starting out? What can you share with others who are just at their own spark moments, saying "I Want To Do That"?That’s it!If sharing a voice message isn't your thing, you can also write in your message by filling out the contact form on the webpage, just scroll all the way down toward the bottom there. You’ll see an option in the dropdown list to SHARE FOR THE ANNIVERSARY EPISODE!Again, just head over to my webpage, tomfroese.com/podcast, leave me a voice or written message about your spark moment and the one thing you wish you’d known starting out, by Nov 24, 2023.Thank you so much! I can’t wait to hear from you, and hopefully share your stories and tips in the Anniversary Special!

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 artworkWhy you may not be pricing your illustrations high enoughWhat copyright means in NORMAL, EVERYDAY EnglishWhy you should ALWAYS fight for your right to use your work for self promotionThis is Part 1 of 2. We'll pick up with the rest in Episode 20. Disclaimer: THIS IS NOT LEGAL ADVICE. HOW TO SUPPORTThank 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/tomfroeseThis 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 listNever miss an important update. Sign up at http://tomfroese.com/contact IN THIS EPISODE00;01;16 - Opener00;04;08 - Honest Recording Notes00;05;24 - Story00;13;04 - Part 1 — How Copyright WorksWhat is Copyright?History of CopyrightHow does Copyright Protect the Artist?What's the difference between Coyright and Moral Rights00;17;26 - Part 2 — How Copyright Relates to PricingCopyright gives us a more objective way to price our work besides Time00;25;07 - Part 3 — Breakdown of Copyight and LicensingCopyrightMoral RightsLicensingLimitedUnlimitedUnlimited RestrictedUnlimited UnrestrictedIN EPISODE 20We'll continue our discussion in Episode 20, picking up on the subject of Buyout Licenses. Part 3 — Continued LicensingBuyoutCopyright TransferRoyaltiesWork for Hire ContractsPart 4 — Copyright and Self-PromotionConclusionsCopyright is a ToolYou Get To Share Your Work LINKS Types of Illustration Licensing (The Informed Illustrator) — https://www.theinformedillustrator.com/2015/03/types-of-illustration-licensing.htmlAbout 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 podcastGuide 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

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.IN THIS EPISODE0:00 - Intro0:00:39 - OpenerCreative work can be stressfulTrying to come up with creative ideas on a deadlineThings don't always line up as we expect, even with experienceHow to keep going, manage stress and not burn out?0:02:53 - How to SupportThank you for your support!Join me on Patreon - patreon.com/tomfroeseShare this Podcast/Episode with friends / followersFollow/Subscribe/Rate/ReviewTake my classes - use these links to get 30 days free on Skillshare0:03:51 - Story: Bad PhotographyMy first ever paid creative gigEvent photographer at boss's family eventHad no idea what I was doingPicture were pretty badStressed out about it for a long timeNow I know I was being too hard on myselfFirst time is always a learning processFailure/bad work is inevitableThings turned out fine anyway0:11:25 - Tip 1 Accept Stress as a GivenStress is inevitableExpecting it takes the edge off a bitWe can also plan for it0:12:55 - Tip 2Give Yourself Permission to FailFailing is inevitableSometimes our fault, sometimes notHotel Hell example - Gordon Ramsey making me feel convictedImportant thing is to turn things around as soon as you noticeAccept that failure will happenGive permission to fail and be bad sometimesJust keep getting up and getting better0:20:23 - Tip 3Set Realistic Timelines with Enough Time to Get LostKnow what it takes to get your job doneSometimes we need a period of getting lost/experimentationBuild time into your schedule for that0:24:41 - Tip 4Don't Try to Read the Client's MindStart all projects off with a briefClients won't always know what info you need to do your jobSometimes you have to ask themAsk up front in the briefOr ask later in process when you realize itYour job is to turn their idea or message into an illustrationYour job is NOT to come up with their reason/purpose/messageIf you try to just guess what they want, you might end up wasting a lot of timeDon't be afraid to push for missing information0:31:21 - Tip 5Lay the Groundwork EarlyThe creative process is a sequence of steps that start simple and get progressively more involvedSkipping steps or leaving early steps to the last minute will put strain on the creative partStart early with the simple, non-creative stuffGive yourself time to sink into a job0:35:05 - Tip 6Ask for More Time When You Need itThere's almost always more time in a scheduleYou just have to ask for itIf you sense you need more time, ask before it's too lateBe honest, explain that you've been working hard but need just a little more timeThe client is on your side, they will support you if they canUse this option sparingly, but know it's thereBetter to ask for more time than to show up on the deadline with work you don't stand behind.0:38:51 - Tip 7Say No to Projects When You Don't Have the TimeSEE EPISODE 14: GOOD NEWS FOR SLOW WORKERSReject jobs that don't give you time to do your best workThis 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 haveDon't fear missing out: saying no does not mean missing out on future opportunitiesMyth of the "once in a lifetime" opportunityGetting opportunities means you will get moreBe ethical, don't abandon your current clientsIf a big opportunity comes your way but you don't have time to do it:Plan A: Ask for a timeline extension  from new clientPlan B: Ask current clients if they can move deadlines around to help you accommodate new oneSaying no is a vote of confidence in yourselfDon't over-stretch yourself: Your work will be better and you will do better in the long run0:45:39 - Tip 8Just Get the Work Done!Channel that anxious energy into getting it doneIf you are paralyzed by stress, take a breakAsk for more timeOur job is to get the job done by whatever means possibleSometimes that means pushing it out under pressureSometimes that means asking for some graceWe put more expectation on ourselves than our clients doDon't try to make "good" workMake work that you know works, based on the goals of the brief0:55:42 - ConclusionDon't be so hard on yourselfThe stress we're feeling will feel like a bigger deal than it actually isYes, art work is hard workWith a change in mindset and taking these pre-emptive steps, you can alleviate stressIt DOES get better with experienceEither way, you'll be okay!LINKS FROM THIS EPISODEWriting Briefs See Video 6 (Stage 1: Onboarding) in my class, The Six Stages of Illustration on SkillshareHow 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 CREDITSAll music, including Theme Song and Cues by Mark Allan Falk. FIND ME ELSEWHEREtomfroese.comlinktr.ee/mrtomfroese

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 SUPPORTThank 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/tomfroeseThis 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 listNever miss an important update. Sign up at http://tomfroese.com/contact IN THIS EPISODEIntro and personal thoughts0:00:00 Intro0:01:27 Thank you / How to Support0:02:38 Some personal updatesThe 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) InertiaThe 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 practiceLink: The Six Stages of Illustration (Skillshare class) https://skl.sh/3LxzI4IFinal 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) OutroPODCAST TEAM/CREDITS All Music, including Theme Song and Cues by Mark Allan Falk. FIND ME ELSEWHERE http://linktr.ee/mrtomfroese

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 EpisodeWhat the heck am I doing on Social Media? Taking stock of all the apps I share onMy experience: Social media is like a gambling addictionHow social media can get out of control and steal all your timeIt'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 doPositives 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 SMHow to know what to focus on: What are the 1 or 2 platforms that do the following:1) Makes us more productive/creative2) Somehow helps generate income or new businessLet 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 SUPPORTThank 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/tomfroeseThis 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 listNever 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 StoryEpisode 16 will drop on September 12, 2023.The Longer StoryI 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 / SupportPlease your friends about this podcast!Please follow/subscribe wherever you listen!Support the Podcast on Patreon — http://patreon.com/tomfroeseFind 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 SUPPORTThank 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/tomfroeseThis 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 listNever miss an important update. Sign up at http://tomfroese.com/contact IN THIS EPISODESo today I want to talk about the question, How Do You Know When to Go Full Time as an Illustrator?I. IntroductionIllustration is not a guaranteed careerUntil we have a steady flow of client work we need to support ourselves another wayAspiring illustrators' dream of making art their full-time jobNot 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 freelanceFOR THOSE WITH ESTABLISHED CAREERSAnalogy of a car race to illustrate the decision-making processJumping 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 CAREERSNeed to support yourself another way  while you build up your careerStart out with an open mind about what the path to full time illustration looks likeYou end up looking like the first situation, on one moving car and needing to jump to another moving carIII. Being open-minded and patient in pursuing a full-time illustration careerStarting with an open mind about the path to full-time illustrationWhat 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 illustratorSetting realistic expectations and avoiding instant success mindsetImportance of learning, growing, and seeking experience consistentlyIV. ConclusionHolding the dream of illustrating full-time while staying positivePersistence and dedication in sticking with the process to achieve long-term successDon’t confuse Complacency with Patience / Vice-versa —Be patient as you realistically work to feed yourself and build up your art career on the sideAlways be checking in on yourself — are you staying out of fear or necessity? PODCAST TEAM/CREDITS Mark Allan Falk, Audio/Video Engineerhttps://linktr.ee/semiathleticAll 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 SUPPORTThank 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/tomfroeseThis 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 listNever miss an important update. Sign up at http://tomfroese.com/contact IN THIS EPISODEOpener: 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 SkillsharePart 1: The purpose of today's topicTo work out this question in my own current big goal/projectI am committed but it's costing me a lot — of time and financesEverything takes longer than I hopedGood reasons to quit but also good reasons to stay committedWhat 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 usDeciding 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 othersThe tendency to attach what we do to who we are as humans - identity vs. activityHave 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 plannedParadox: When you're willing to let go of a good thing you're more likely to get itYou've got to be in it to win itPart 3: Questions we can ask ourselvesPurpose: 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?ConclusionThe things we do don't define usThe 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 optionsAnother option: Loosening upHow I'm loosening up with my big goal LINKS FROM THIS EPISODEAndy 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 Editorhttps://julesherrick.comMark Allan Falk, Audio/Video Engineerhttps://linktr.ee/semiathleticAll 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 SUPPORTThank 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/tomfroeseThis 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 listNever miss an important update. Sign up at http://tomfroese.com/contact IN THIS EPISODEHook - Teachers in art school making us feel like we have to work fast or die in the design industryChapter 1: Slow is Faster Than StuckGood slow vs. Bad slowGood - Slow for the right reasonsJust necessary part of the processBad - Slow for the wrong reasonsSomething negative getting in my wayWhy this episode: to help you overcome anxiety and frustration we feel when we feel like things take longer than they shouldStory: Rebranding a company without any experienceChapter 2: Slow for the Right ReasonsSome things just take timeExamples: Baking cookies, making wine, waiting for paint to dryFor me: My processReasons for SlowConceptual reasonsTechnical reasonsMaybe we're just not good at it (not a bad thing)Short deadlines: NOT inevitablePick Two: Good/Fast/Cheap — sounds good in theory, but is Good ever an option?Takeaways:Some things just take timeBuild these into your processThere is always a struggle to get to the eureka momentWe learn how to avoid things that slow us down the mostShort deadlines are a CHOICE!Chapter 3: Slow for the Wrong reasonsThings that take our time but don't need toAKA PitfallsExamplesTrying to go directly over a mountain, rather than around itBaking without a recipeReasonsTrying to take shortcuts that end up taking longerNot following a step by step processAvoiding outside feedbackAnalysis paralysisSolutionsEmbrace 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 EPISODEThe Six Stages of Illustration (Skillshare class) - https://www.tomfroese.com/teaching/the-six-stages-of-illustrationSlow 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 Editorhttps://julesherrick.comMark Allan Falk, Audio/Video Engineerhttps://linktr.ee/semiathleticAll 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.meHOW TO SUPPORTShare 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/tomfroeseLearn 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/contactIN THIS EPISODEIntro StuffINTERVIEWHow 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"SUMMARYPODCAST TEAM/CREDITS Julia Herrick, Script Editorhttps://julesherrick.comMark Allan Falk, Audio/Video Engineerhttps://linktr.ee/semiathleticAll 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 SUPPORTSupport what we're doing by joining me on Patreon at http://Patreon.com/tomfroeseLearn 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 EPISODEChapter 1: The Köln ConcertHow everything went wrong for jazz pianist Keith JarretHow Jarret made the most of his setbackConclusion: creativity doesn't happen in the absence of constraints; it happens when we rise to themChapter 2: The Four Kinds of ConstraintsIntro: Constraints help us focus our creativity in a powerful wayWe need to seek constraints on purpose to help us get started01 External Constraints - Those that come built into the project02 Internal Constraints - Those that come built into us03 Constraints that WE CHOOSE - Style, Tools and Techniques04 Constraints that CHOOSE US - AKA SetbacksSummary - The real creativity is not in the constraint, but in how WE rise to them. LINKS FROM THIS EPISODEKoln Concert - Wikipedia - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Köln_ConcertA 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/Aa3BZd2JyhcWhen a Client Gives Me Their Sketches - The 6 Stages of Illustration: Leading Clients Through Your Art (Skillshare class) - https://skl.sh/3LxzI4IChoosing Your Style Constraints - The Style Class: Work Out Your Illustration Style in a Daily Project - https://www.tomfroese.com/teaching/thestyleclassPODCAST TEAM/CREDITS Julia Herrick, Script Editorhttps://julesherrick.comMark Allan Falk, Audio/Video Engineerhttps://linktr.ee/semiathleticAll 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/contactThis 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 SUPPORTMy 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/tomfroeseYou 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 EPISODEOpener: What’s Your Point?Main contentThe Power of FocusHaving anINTENTION is the keyThe Most Important Principle of Composition: UnityWhat it means to have more Unity in our artListener MailQuestion from SAA on YouTube: “How do you choose just one style when you work in many?”PODCAST TEAM/CREDITSJulia Herrick, Script Editorhttps://julesherrick.comMark Allan Falk, Audio/Video Engineerhttps://linktr.ee/semiathleticAll Music, including Theme Song and Cues by Mark Allan Falk. FIND ME ELSEWHEREhttp://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 SUPPORTMy 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 EPISODEOpenerChapter 1: Composition is EverythingChapter 2: Five Steps to Better CompositionsState your INTENTIONDeclare your CONTEXTDevelop a CONCEPTDecide on your CONTENTWork out your COMPOSITION (based on all of the above)Closing LINKS TO STUFF MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODEPete 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 STUFFI first heard the The Beverly Hale quote about composition from the Draftsman podcast episode on Composition PODCAST TEAM/CREDITSJulia Herrick, Script Editorhttps://julesherrick.com Mark Allan Falk, Audio/Video Engineerhttps://linktr.ee/semiathleticAll Music, including Theme Song and Cues by Mark Allan Falk. FIND ME ELSEWHEREhttp://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 PENSBuy your ticket - Eventbrite LinkPromo code for Thoughts on Illustration Listeners: SKLive2023TFHOW TO SUPPORTMy 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/tomfroeseYou 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 EPISODEOpenerCelebrating the first 10 episodes!Main contentSitting down to write but my mind is racingHow to focus and find my idea?How facing the doubts and negative feelings head on is how I find my ideasWhy it's important to ask, "Who cares?"Resolution: Finding my idea PODCAST TEAM/CREDITSJulia Herrick, Script Editorhttps://julesherrick.comMark Allan Falk, Audio/Video Engineerhttps://linktr.ee/semiathleticAll Music, including Theme Song and Cues by Mark Allan Falk. FIND ME ELSEWHEREhttp://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 SUPPORTMy 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/tomfroeseYou 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 EPISODEChapter 1: To be (Scripted) or Not to be (Scripted)?Comparing being scripted in this podcast to planning out my illustrationsComparing my earlier more improvised illustration style to my more planned out style todayWhy I made this shift to more "scripted", in both illustration and podcastingIs 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 ArtWhat does it meant to be loose?How can you loosen up?Looking unscripted doesn't mean literally having no planResisting the temptation to close every shape5 tips for loosening up in your work LINKS FROM THIS EPISODEMy first professional illustration job - Tidings Magazine (link to Issuu — https://issuu.com/ukings/docs/tidings2008summer) PODCAST TEAM/CREDITS Julia Herrick, Script Editorhttps://julesherrick.comMark Allan Falk, Audio/Video Engineerhttps://linktr.ee/semiathleticAll 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 SUPPORTMy 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/tomfroeseYou 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 EPISODEChapter 1: "Edward" - A story about getting a professional portfolio critiqueChapter 2: The purpose of feedbackComfort vs. Solutions: Solutions = CritiqueTwo kinds of feedback: Project and PortfolioGetting feedback on a ProjectWhen Project feedback is most helpfulGetting feedback on a PortfolioSummary of everything so farWhere to find feedback Closing remarks - It's your job to know what you want! LINKS FROM THIS EPISODESuggestions for where to seek feedback (these are starting points for your information, not endorsements!)Paid Illustration Coaching ServicesThe Illustration Department — https://illustrationdept.com/classesThe Business of Illustration — http://businessofillustration.com/one-on-one-consultations/The Illustrators Guide — https://theillustratorsguide.com/coaching/Paid and Free Portfolio Reviews3 x 3 Magazine — https://3x3mag.com/events/reviewsSPD Portfolio Reviews – https://www.spd.org/portfolio-reviewsCreative Lives — https://www.creativelivesinprogress.com/articles/portfolio-reviewsBusiness of Illustration — http://businessofillustration.com/portfolio-reviews/The Illustration Department — https://illustrationdept.com/classes/emailed-portfolio-review-with-giuseppe-castellanoNational Portfolio Day — https://nationalportfolioday.orgCritique GroupsThe Illustration Department Free Online Critique Group — https://illustrationdept.com/critique4 Questions for a Critique Group (SCBWI) — https://www.scbwi.org/4-questions-for-a-critique-group/View/Watch Portfolio Reviewshttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iPxVJLA9U2E PODCAST TEAM/CREDITS Julia Herrick, Script Editorhttps://julesherrick.comMark Allan Falk, Audio/Video Engineerhttp://markallanfalk.comAll 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 SUPPORTMy 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/tomfroeseYou 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 Editorhttps://julesherrick.comMark Allan Falk, Audio/Video Engineerhttp://markallanfalk.comAll 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 SUPPORTMy 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/tomfroeseYou 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 EPISODEOpening - "I don't know how to see if I'm good enough."Why "Good" is the Wrong Goal for our WorkMy Story - The Hamburger RestaurantNeed for Feed(back)Conclusion - How Your Worst Work is still Working for You5,000 downloads of the podcast!LINKS FROM THIS EPISODEOther Podcast Episodes on This TopicThe Creative Pep Talk Podcast - https://www.creativepeptalk.com/episodes/391The Illustrators Guide - https://youtube.com/shorts/oOrjBUOh8cw?feature=shareHave 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 Editorhttps://julesherrick.comMark Allan Falk, Audio/Video Engineerhttp://markallanfalk.com FIND ME ELSEWHERE http://linktr.ee/mrtomfroese

Have you ever felt like a liar when calling yourself the thing you really want to be? Are you already doing the thing — illustration — but still find it hard to own the label — illustrator? In this episode, I share my experience of deep imposter syndrome, and I explain what I believe is the reason. If you struggle with feelings of self-doubt and unworthiness in your art or career, this episode is for you.HOW TO SUPPORTMy 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/tomfroeseYou 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 EPISODEOpening - 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 becomingJob 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 notListener Mail - "I fundamentally disagree." LINKS FROM THIS EPISODEAbout Elizabeth Holmes - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elizabeth_HolmesA Beginner's Guide to Illustration - https://www.format.com/online-portfolio-website/illustrator/guideAssociation of Illustrators - https://theaoi.comSociety of Illustrators - https://societyillustrators.orgIsland Illustrators (Vancouver Island) - https://www.islandillustrators.org PODCAST TEAM/CREDITS Julia Herrick, Script Editorhttps://julesherrick.comMark Allan Falk, Audio/Video Engineerhttp://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 SUPPORTMy 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/tomfroeseYou 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-sSHOW LINKS AND REFERENCESSome of these links are affiliate links. Please use them to support the show.Links From My StoryNova Scotia College of Art and Designhttps://nscad.caRay Fenwick (Illustration)https://rfstudio.caKate O’Connorhttps://www.kateoconnor.caCo. & Co.https://www.coandco.caFuzzcohttps://fuzzco.comMattson Creativehttps://mattsoncreative.com8 Hour Dayhttps://eighthourday.comSpringfree Tramplinehttps://www.springfreetrampoline.caMaking Pictureshttps://making-pictures.com/illustration/ 06 Colour TheoryThe One Palette Illustrator (Skillshare Class by Tom Froese)https://skl.sh/3LI7x2P 07 Graphic Design15 Extremely Helpful Free Graphic Design Courses (format.com)https://www.format.com/magazine/resources/design/free-online-graphic-design-coursesGraphic Design Basics: Core Principles for Visual Design (Skillshare Class by Ellen Lupton)https://skl.sh/3IKPmdC 08 Digital MediaADOBE PHOTOSHOP — Inky Illustrations: Combining Analogue and Digital Media (Skillshare Class by Tom Froese)https://skl.sh/3T84T9KPROCREATE — Digital Illustration: Learn How to Use Procreate (Skillshare Class by Jarom Vogel)https://skl.sh/3khvS5SADOBE ILLUSTRATOR — Analog to Digital: An Introduction to Creating Digital Art (Skillshare Class by Brand Woodard)https://skl.sh/3WZo3QZADOBE ILLUSTRATOR — Learn Adobe Illustrator: Fundamentals for Beginners (Skillshare Class by Anne Larkina)https://skl.sh/3GC55JdADOBE ILLUSTRATOR — Illustrator Basics: The Pen & Pencil Tools (Skillshare Class by Dylan Mierzwinski)https://skl.sh/3X8MT0GFRESCO — Creative Digital Illustration: Learn to Use Adobe Fresco (Skillshare Class by Lisk Feng)https://skl.sh/3Zwhp6t 09 Illustration HistoryPete Beard’s YouTube Channel (Check Out His Unsung Heroes of Illustration Series)https://www.youtube.com/@petebeardHistory of Illustration (Susan Doyal et. al.)https://amzn.to/3X8LUO2Meggs' History of Graphic Designhttps://amzn.to/3ZziPwO 10 WritingThe Artist's Way (Julia Cameron)https://amzn.to/3CMoh62Writing for Self-Discovery: 6 Journaling Prompts for Gratitude and Growth (Skillshare Class by Yasmine Cheyenne)https://skl.sh/3H0g9kBCreative Writing for All: A 10-Day Journaling Challenge (Skillshare Class by Emily Gould)https://skl.sh/3W1R65fBullet 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 SUPPORTMy 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/tomfroeseYou 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 REFERENCESSome of these links are affiliate links. Please use them to support the show.Sheridan College Bachelor of Illustration - Course Listinghttps://www.sheridancollege.ca/programs/bachelor-of-illustration#tab=courses01 Life DrawingDynamic Figure Drawing: Learn to Draw the Figure (Skillshare Class by Siobhan Twomey)https://skl.sh/3Gn3Eyn28-Day Drawing Challenge: Anatomy for Illustration and Comics (Skillshare Class by Jazza)https://skl.sh/3jFzFcXDrawing on the Right Side of the Brain (Book by Betty Edwards)https://amzn.to/3Q0CxgG02 Structural DrawingLearning How to Draw: A Mindset, Method and Exercises (Skillshare Class by Yuko Shimizu)https://skl.sh/3GqZ3fsLearn to Draw: Daily Practices to Improve Your Drawing Skills (Skillshare Class by Gabrielle Brickey)https://skl.sh/3jBBl7oDrawing Perspective for Beginners/3D Illustration & Sketching Environments (Skillshare Class by Ethan Nguyen)https://skl.sh/3YUVBRI03 PaintingAcrylic Painting: Learn the Basics For Beginners (Skillshare Class by LaurieAnne Gonzalez)https://skl.sh/3Cbycl704 Mixed Media/CollageFrom Paper Cut-Outs to Digital Collage: Finding Inspiration in Shapes and Colours (Skillshare Class by Di Ujdi)https://skl.sh/3PZx21KMartin Haake, Collage-based Illustratorhttps://www.martinhaake.deAlso look up: Paul Rand, Man Ray, Henri Matisse, Barbara Kruger05 PrintmakingPrintmaking at Home: Creating Linocut Patterns (Skillshare Class by Evgeniya and Dominic Righini-Brand)https://skl.sh/3G3VXg1Intro to Block Printmaking: Create a Set of Greeting Cards (Skillshare Class by Liz Brindley)https://skl.sh/3Z08qKDSaisons (Book by Blexbolex)https://amzn.to/3i1syuYCome Alive! The Spirited Art of Sister Corita (Book by Julie Ault)https://amzn.to/3IaBjO5Also 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/teachingSHOW LINKS AND REFERENCES45 Markets of Illustrations (Article on Communication Arts)The Creative Career Path (Kickstarter Project by Andy J. Pizza)Kierkegaard on Why Anxiety Powers Creativity Rather Than Hindering It (Article on The Marginalia)Unsung Heroes of Illustration (Playlist on Pete Beard’s YouTube Channel)Logos, Flags and Eschuchons (Essay by Paul Rand) 

In this episode, I talk about the very beginning of our journey into becoming illustrators, the moment we discover illustration and say to ourselves, “I want to do that.” This is what Lisa Congdon calls the “spark moment”. I will tell you the story of my own spark moment, which has an unlikely beginning and takes a very long and meandering path to get where I am today. By listening to this episode, you will be able to identify your own spark moment and to learn how to let that pull you forward toward your goal of becoming an illustrator. You should know what you want.Take my classes! Use my links and get 30 FREE days of Skillshare membership - http://tomfroese.com/teachingFind 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/teachingSupport me on Patreon: patreon.com/tomfroeseFollow me on Instagram: instagram.com/mrtomfroeseSubscribe to my YouTube channel: youtube.com/tomfroeseMy Recording Gear (Amazon Affiliate Links): https://www.amazon.ca/shop/mr.tomfroese/list/K6FW8POLJC1P?ref_=aip_sf_list_spv_ons_mixed_dIn 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.