Thoughts on Illustration

What I Got Wrong About Going Analog Jun 10, 2025

In this episode, I share my thoughts on the evolving meaning of “rewilding” my illustration process. Originally, rewilding meant bringing analog elements back into my work—inking on paper, scanning textures, doing things the “hard” way. But lately, I’ve been asking myself: is it really about going analog? Or is it about something deeper? In this episode, I unpack how rewilding is less about tools and more about mindset. I look at how digital tools can either suffocate or support our creativity, depending on how we use them. And I share how I’m finding spontaneity, joy, and pride in my work—even when it’s 100% digital.

If you’ve ever felt disconnected from your creative process, or worried about how AI and digital tools are affecting your style, this episode is for you.

I also share some reflections on the Amish, digital minimalism, and why your mechanical pencil will never ask you to rate it on the App Store.

IN THIS EPISODE

Why rewilding might be a mindset, not a medium
How digital tools can both hinder and help creative joy
What I’ve rediscovered about spontaneity, surprise, and storytelling in illustration
Why pride in your process matters—and how to get it back
How AI is forcing illustrators to reevaluate their process
The three key questions I now ask to evaluate any creative tool

PLUS – Why my Apple Pencil will never beat a Mason jar full of ink water.

SHOW LINKS

Drawing Ideas (Skillshare Class) — https://www.tomfroese.com/teaching/drawingideas
Post by @brettpstenson — https://www.instagram.com/p/DKiYMKHSapr/?img_index=1
See How Book Artwork Was Done In The Old Days Before Computers — https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w5YoyBvX1f8
Graphic Design Tools Before Photoshop — https://youtu.be/O-XrRQf7BPM?si=GqEeaFOWfW3A87Ll
My early style (Tom Froese Postcard example) — https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5aa6d6c0a9e028fce5f7f4b2/1523840966237-XPQXSOX8HCUS9WI1SEDW/Tom+Froese+Stationery-3.jpg
My style a few years ago (totally digital) — https://www.tomfroese.com/work/canadianidentity
My more recent style (more rewilded, in spite of being all digital) — https://www.instagram.com/p/DJr4MSTyTTv/ (image for my upcoming book, Drawing is Important).

HOW TO SUPPORT

Share this episode with your friends!
Like / Subscribe / Follow / Comment / Review on Apple Podcasts
Become a $3 Supporter or $8 Drawing Buddy on Patreon – patreon.com/tomfroese

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All past DWMs available as replays
Exclusive access to the DWM Discord Server
Join here

FIND ME ELSEWHERE

CREDITS

Music and Cues by Mark Allan Falk – semiathletic on Linktree

6 Challenges of Rewilding My Illustration Process (And What I'm Doing About Them) May 27, 2025

In this episode, I share my thoughts on the difficult but exciting journey of rewilding my illustration process—bringing back more analog, handmade elements into the way I work. While the dream of working more physically is alive and well, the reality is a lot more complicated. In this monologue episode, I unpack six core problems I’ve identified as I try to rewild in real life, and I talk through some solutions, mindset shifts, and small actions I’m taking to move forward.

If you’ve ever felt stuck between your current style and the one you wish you had, or if you're navigating your own transition as a creative, this episode might hit home.

I also share some personal updates, what’s coming up with my classes and book, and an embarrassing story from my recent trip to Paris that involves vintage books, broken French, and a stranger’s purse.

IN THIS EPISODE

Why rewilding your process is easier said than done
Six problems I’ve identified on my rewilding journey
How I’m coaching myself through a style evolution
Why confidence in your style is often external
PLUS – Embarrassing Story of the Episode: A Canadian in Paris

SHOW LINKS

Drawing is Important (Skillshare Class) – https://skl.sh/3TuA0NS
The Style Class on Skillshare – https://skl.sh/4cFnIej
Drawing Is Important (Sketchbook IG) – http://www.instagram.com/drawingisimportant
My Website – http://www.tomfroese.com

HOW TO SUPPORT

Share this episode with your friends!
Like / Subscribe / Follow / Comment / Review
Become a $3 Supporter or $8 Drawing Buddy on Patreon – http://patreon.com/tomfroese

BECOME A DRAWING BUDDY

Live, monthly Draw With Me meetups
All past DWMs available as replays
Exclusive access to the DWM Discord Server
http://patreon.com/tomfroese

FIND ME ELSEWHERE

Work and Classes – http://www.tomfroese.com
Instagram – http://www.instagram.com/mrtomfroese
Daily Drawings – http://www.instagram.com/drawingisimportant

CREDITS

Music and Cues by Mark Allan Falk – http://www.linktr.ee/semiathletic

A 100% Analogue Illustration Process with Roberts Rurans May 13, 2025

In this episode, I share my conversation with Roberts Rurans, a Latvia-based illustrator who creates all his work using traditional materials — literally painting his images with acrylics. When Roberts talks about his brushes, he means the actual ones lying on his table, not virtual tools in a menu! His process is physical, full of quirks, accidents, and unexpected moments — and yet, his work feels fresh and totally at home in today’s digital illustration landscape.

Roberts has worked with clients like Hermès, Nike, Apple, and Coca-Cola, but his artistic integrity shines through no matter the project. In our conversation, we talk about evolving your style, the tension between old and new work, the difference between art and design, and what it’s really like to work 100% analog in a mostly digital world.

Toward the end, Roberts answers questions submitted by my Patreon supporters — including whether he secretly uses any digital tools (you’ll have to listen to find out). I wrap things up with some community notes and another “Embarrassing Story of the Episode,” featuring me, a trail run, some hikers caught unawares, and a well-placed band-aid.

IN THIS EPISODE

How Roberts Rurans keeps his fully analog style feeling fresh
Thoughts on evolving your style without disowning the past
The line between art and design in illustration
Analog tools vs. digital tools — which gives you the edge?
PLUS - Embarrassing Moment of the Episode: Shirtless in the Forest

SHOW LINKS

Roberts Rurans on Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/robertsrurans
Roberts’s website – https://www.robertsrurans.com

HOW TO SUPPORT

Share this episode with your friends!
Like/Subscribe/Follow/Comment/Review
Become a $3 Supporter or $8 Drawing Buddy on Patreon. Visit http://patreon.com/tomfroese to learn more.

BECOME A DRAWING BUDDY

Live, monthly Draw With Me meetups
All past DWMs available as replays
Exclusive access to the DWM Discord Server
http://patreon.com/tomfroese

FIND ME ELSEWHERE

Work and Classes - http://www.tomfroese.com
Instagram - http://www.instagram.com/mrtomfroese
Daily Drawings - http://www.instagram.com/drawingisimportant

CREDITS

Music and Cues by Mark Allan Falk - http://www.linktr.ee/semiathletic

How to Make Your Digital Art Look More Natural Apr 28, 2025

In this episode I talk about why it’s so hard to make digital art look more natural. For many of us, we work digitally out of convenience but really want our work to have a more analogue appearance — as though it were made using physical media. I explain why this is harder than you might think, citing 3 key factors I’ve encountered in my own experience. Then, I offer 5 more practical ways you can overcome these challenges and make your work look more natural. Stick around to the end where I try a new segment called “The Embarrassing Story of the Episode”!

NOTE: I accidentally published this episode a day early and now I can't take it back. Enjoy the head start!

IN THIS EPISODE

3 reasons why it’s hard to make digital art look analogue
The most common mistake of new digital artists
5 ways to avoid an overly digital look
PLUS - Embarrassing Moment of the Episode: Lady Jacket

SHOW LINKS

Jonathan Woodward’s (@jonathan_woodward_studio) collages - https://www.instagram.com/p/DIuHhUkKcPL/?img_index=3
I said I’d share a specific issue from Roman Muradov’s DADA ISSUES Substack, but I couldn’t find it. Either way, go subscribe to it anyway. It is truly one of the best newsletters out there for illustrators. https://dadaissues.substack.com/

HOW TO SUPPORT

Share this episode with your friends!
Like/Subscribe/Follow/Comment/Review
Become a $3 Supporter or $8 Drawing Buddy on Patreon. VIsit http://patreon.com/tomfroese to learn more.

BECOME A DRAWING BUDDY

Live, monthly Draw With Me meetups
All past DWMs available as replays
- Exclusive access to the DWM Discord Server
http://patreon.com/tomfroese

FIND ME ELSEWHERE

Work and Classes - http://www.tomfroese.com
Instagram - http://www.instagram.com/mrtomfroese
Daily Drawings - http://www.instagram.com/drawingisimportant

CREDITS

Music and Cues by Mark Allan Falk - ⁠http://www.linktr.ee/semiathletic⁠⁠

Re-wilding Your Digital Illustration Process Apr 15, 2025

In this episode I share my recent thoughts on what it means to "Re-wild" my illustration process. Inevitably, this means my continued quest to bring more analogue elements back into my process, with the ultimate aim of increasing my joy in the creative process and in the work itself.

IN THIS EPISODE

How style fatigue sparked a shift in my creative practice
Reconnecting with analogue roots
Re-wilding as a way of bringing more joy to the creative process
Finding analogue techniques that mimic digital tools (rather than the other way around)
What does re-wilding mean for a commercial practice?

SHOW LINKS

https://mrtomfroese.substack.com/p/re-wilding-my-digital-art-process

HOW TO SUPPORT

Share this episode with your friends!
Like/Subscribe/Follow/Comment/Review
Become a $3 Supporter or $8 Drawing Buddy on Patreon. VIsit http://patreon.com/tomfroese to learn more.

BECOME A DRAWING BUDDY

- Live, monthly Draw With Me meetups

- All past DWMs available as replays

- Exclusive access to the DWM Discord Server

http://patreon.com/tomfroese

FIND ME ELSEWHERE

Work and Classes - http://www.tomfroese.com
Instagram - http://www.instagram.com/mrtomfroese
Daily Drawings - http://www.instagram.com/drawingisimportant

CREDITS

Music and Cues by Mark Allan Falk - ⁠http://www.linktr.ee/semiathletic⁠⁠

Overcoming Decision Paralysis in your Life and Work Apr 06, 2025

Eliminate time-wasting decisions by discovering your style! Learn more in The Style Class on Skillshare. https://skl.sh/4cFnIej — Use my link to get 30 days of free Skillshare membership.

Decision Paralysis — or as some call it, Analysis Paralysis — is the experience of getting stuck on some kind of decision. It could be a big decision, or something very minor, but even the tiniest option can get us spinning our tires for hours or even days! If you struggle to make any kind of decisions, even sometimes, this episode is for you. I’ll open up by sharing some of my own experiences with indecision, and then I’ll share a few different illustration-specific situations where most of us might get stuck the most. I’ll share ways that I navigate these and keep moving, and of course, offer some ways you can use these in your own life.

IN THIS EPISODE

What is decision paralysis, and how can it get us stuck?
Why having keeping options to a minimum is necessary for the decision-impaired
How to give yourself “outside” feedback
What to do when you can’t stop making new iterations of an illustration
Why finding your reason for doing anything is the key to doing it at all
and more!

SHOW LINKS

Illustration Coaching - http://tomfroese.com/coaching
All My Classes - http://tomfroese.com/teaching

HOW TO SUPPORT

Share this episode with your friends on Social Media!
Like, Comment, Follow, Subscribe!
Become a $3 Fan or $8 Drawing Buddy on Patreon. Visit ⁠⁠⁠http://patreon.com/tomfroese⁠⁠⁠ to learn more.

FIND ME ELSEWHERE

Work and Classes - http://www.tomfroese.com
Instagram - http://www.instagram.com/mrtomfroese
Daily Drawings - http://www.instagram.com/drawingisimportant

CREDITS

Music and Cues by Mark Allan Falk - ⁠http://www.linktr.ee/semiathletic⁠⁠

Episode 51 Coming Soon Apr 01, 2025

With apologies! Stay tuned for Episode 51 — coming no later than April 8, 2025.

Working with Editorial Art Directors with Mike Schnaidt Mar 18, 2025

Working with Editorial Art Directors with Mike Schnaidt

Learn how to make Clever Conceptual Illustrations in my new Skillshare class, Drawing Ideas — https://skl.sh/40dk9rK

Mike Schnaidt is the Creative Director at Fast Company, an Adjunct Professor at the School of Visual Arts (SVA), and author of Creative Endurance: 56 Rules for Overcoming Obstacles and Achieving Your Goals.

I picked Mike’s brain about all things Editorial Illustration, and invited him to share some deep insights on how to stave off burnout and keep going as a creative from his book, Creative Endurance.

IN THIS EPISODE

What is the difference between an art director and a creative director?

What is the best way to reach out to an editorial client?

Is Email or a Mailer the better way to get noticed?

How do art directors discover new illustrators?

What is the ONE THING you need to SHINE with your editorial clients?

What is the state of illustration today?

Is pursuing a career as an editorial illustrator a bad move in 2025?

Mike’s last-minute choice to interview a total stranger he met in a coffee shop for his book — and how that changed the whole book for him.

SHOW LINKS

Creative Endurance (the book) — https://www.mikeschnaidt.com/creativeendurance

Help Mike shape his next book — https://docs.google.com/forms/u/1/d/e/1FAIpQLScdjF1Kx4GDwqEdONKEvu349PCvxJUgydRLUMIdXxVLvVgWUg/viewform?usp=send_form

Mike’s Website: https://www.mikeschnaidt.com

Follow Mike on Instagram: http://instagram.com/schnaidt

HOW TO SUPPORT

Share this episode with your friends on Social Media!
Like, Comment, Follow, Subscribe!
Become a $3 Fan or $8 Drawing Buddy on Patreon. Visit ⁠⁠⁠http://patreon.com/tomfroese⁠⁠⁠ to learn more.

FIND ME ELSEWHERE

Work and Classes - http://www.tomfroese.com
Instagram - http://www.instagram.com/mrtomfroese
Daily Drawings - http://www.instagram.com/drawingisimportant

CREDITS

Music and Cues by Mark Allan Falk - ⁠http://www.linktr.ee/semiathletic⁠⁠

5 Ways to Survive in 2025 as an Illustrator Mar 03, 2025

Take Composition for Illustrators on Skillshare. Learn how composition works on last year’s 2nd most-watched class! Use my link to get 30 days of free Skillshare membership. — https://skl.sh/3vtU3Ep

In this episode, I share 5 tips to help you maximize your earnings and your joy in turbulent times as an illustrator.

IN THIS EPISODE

What it means to diversify your definition of illustration
A guaranteed way to stand out to art directors
Tips for maximizing the impact of your portfolio
Overcoming creative loneliness
Why a personal daily drawing practice is key to your professional survival
A listener shares her thoughts on the podcast

SHOW LINKS

Illustration Coaching - http://tomfroese.com/coaching
All My Classes - http://tomfroese.com/teaching
The Studio (Creative Boom) - https://community.creativeboom.com

HOW TO SUPPORT

Share this episode with your friends on Social Media!
Like, Comment, Follow, Subscribe!
Become a $3 Fan or $8 Drawing Buddy on Patreon. Visit ⁠⁠⁠http://patreon.com/tomfroese⁠⁠⁠ to learn more.

FIND ME ELSEWHERE

Work and Classes - http://www.tomfroese.com

Instagram - http://www.instagram.com/mrtomfroese

Daily Drawings - http://www.instagram.com/drawingisimportant

CREDITS

Music and Cues by Mark Allan Falk - ⁠http://www.linktr.ee/semiathletic⁠⁠

How I Found My First Agent and Editorial Clients Feb 18, 2025

Take "Drawing Ideas: Create Conceptual Illustrations for Editorial and Beyond " on Skillshare! - https://skl.sh/40dk9rK (Use my link to get 30 days free).

Today I answer the question, “How did you approach getting representation and landing your first editorial clients?”

Thanks to @sipcozyart on Threads for the question!

IN THIS EPISODE

How do you know when you’re ready to reach out to a rep?

What do you say to an agent when you’re reaching out?

What is an illustration rep/agent, and what do they do?

How I found my rep, what I sent, and why I think it worked

How I found my first editorial projects/clients

And more!

SHOW LINKS

Illustration Coaching - http://tomfroese.com/coaching

My Classes - http://tomfroese.com/teaching

Secret Random Episode (on Patreon) - https://www.patreon.com/posts/secret-random-48-122527763

HOW TO SUPPORT

Share this episode with your friends on Social Media!
Like, Comment, Follow, Subscribe!
Become a $3 Fan or $8 Drawing Buddy on Patreon. Visit ⁠⁠⁠http://patreon.com/tomfroese⁠⁠⁠ to learn more.

CREDITS

Music and Cues by Mark Allan Falk - ⁠http://www.linktr.ee/semiathletic⁠⁠

FIND ME ELSEWHERE

Work and Classes - http://www.tomfroese.com

Instagram - http://www.instagram.com/mrtomfroese

Daily Drawings - http://www.instagram.com/drawingisimportant

Jess Miller on Losing Everything in the LA Fires Feb 04, 2025

Take "Drawing Ideas: Create Conceptual Illustrations for Editorial and Beyond " on Skillshare! - ⁠https://skl.sh/40dk9rK⁠ (Use my link to get 30 days free).

Jess Miller is a designer, illustrator and educator based in LA. She joins me to share her story of losing everything in the Eton fire and how her community, near and far, are rallying to support her as she starts her life all over again.

IN THIS EPISODE

Using social media as a life-line

"Dead inside" — Why going back to work is so hard
Why GoFundMe is necessary after disaster strikes
Having to choose what to keep when you leave all else behind
Why GoFundMe is necessary after disaster strikes
The kindness of strangers

SHOW LINKS

LA Fires Funds + Resource Log (shared by Agent Pekka) — https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1XoTlgtYuPQ1tD1FSJnJzzWa7XSi3YO9orlY9cIWX3uQ/edit?gid=910889114#gid=910889114
Jess Miller's GoFundMe — https://gofund.me/1508aee5
Venmo: @jessmillerdraws
PayPal: jess@jessmillerdraws.com
My 2024 Annual Review on Substack — https://open.substack.com/pub/mrtomfroese/p/2024-the-year-in-review

SUPPORT THE PODCAST

Share this episode with your friends on Social Media!
Like, Comment, Follow, Subscribe!
Become a $3 Fan or $8 Drawing Buddy on Patreon. Visit ⁠⁠⁠http://patreon.com/tomfroese⁠⁠⁠ to learn more.

CREDITS

Music and Cues by Mark Allan Falk - ⁠⁠http://www.linktr.ee/semiathletic⁠⁠

FIND ME ELSEWHERE

Work and Classes - http://www.tomfroese.com
Instagram - http://www.instagram.com/mrtomfroese
Daily Drawings - http://www.instagram.com/drawingisimportant

Can you earn a living from illustration alone in 2025? Jan 21, 2025

Take "Drawing Ideas: Create Conceptual Illustrations for Editorial and Beyond " on Skillshare! - https://skl.sh/40dk9rK (Use my link to get 30 days free).

In this episode I share my income sources in 2024, and how much of my overall earnings I took in for each one. I look into whether I'm the only illustrator who earns most of their living from outside of illustration. I'll share some helpful tips for anyone hoping to find new income sources in 2025.

IN THIS EPISODE

Is it possible to make a living just from illustration in 2025? How much of other illustrators' income sources comes from outside illustration? My other passive income sources, such as Teaching, Patreon, and more. Tips for choosing and building new income streams as a creative professional

SHOW LINKS

LA Fires — Are you an illustrator affected by the LA Fires? Tell us your story. More info at http://tomfroese.com/firestories

Anoosha Sayed: Breakdown of an Illustrator's Salary

Jill Labieniec: Income Sources in 2024 -

Ohn Mar Win: How I Made Money in the Last Year (2022)

HOW TO SUPPORT

Share this episode with your friends on Social Media! Like, Comment, Follow, Subscribe! Become a $3 Fan or $8 Drawing Buddy on Patreon. Visit

⁠⁠⁠http://patreon.com/tomfroese⁠⁠⁠

to learn more.

CREDITS

Music and Cues by Mark Allan Falk - ⁠⁠http://www.linktr.ee/semiathletic⁠⁠

FIND ME ELSEWHERE

Work and Classes - http://www.tomfroese.com

Instagram - http://www.instagram.com/mrtomfroese

Daily Drawings - http://www.instagram.com/drawingisimportant

Reflections on 2024. Predictions for 2025. Jan 07, 2025

Take "Drawing Ideas: Create Conceptual Illustrations for Editorial and Beyond " on Skillshare! - https://skl.sh/40dk9rK (Use my link to get 30 days free).

In this episode I reflect on the last trip around the sun and make some bold predictions for 2025. Be warned, I went commando in this episode — no script, no idea of how the show would go — but I think I pulled off a meaningful, if not personable, episode. (I'm speaking figuratively — I was wearing underpants, and pants, the whole time). Enjoy!

IN THIS EPISODE

Was 2024 better than my worst year ever (2023)?
Why I'm feeling optimistic about 2025
Thoughts on aging, time acceleration, and how I perceive "the present moment".
Highlights and Struggles of the year
Predictions for the state of illustration by year-end

SHOW LINKS

Take my new class! Drawing Ideas: Create Conceptual Illustrations for Editorial and Beyond - https://skl.sh/40dk9rK
Substack (where I will publish my written annual review) - http://mrtomfroese.substack.com

HOW TO SUPPORT

Share this episode with your friends on Social Media!
Like, Comment, Follow, Subscribe!
Become a $3 Fan or $8 Drawing Buddy on Patreon. Visit ⁠⁠http://patreon.com/tomfroese⁠⁠ to learn more.

CREDITS

Music and Cues by Mark Allan Falk - ⁠http://www.linktr.ee/semiathletic⁠

FIND ME ELSEWHERE

Work and Classes - http://www.tomfroese.com

Instagram - http://www.instagram.com/mrtomfroese

Daily Drawings - http://www.instagram.com/drawingisimportant

Moving from Adobe to Procreate with Kyle T. Webster Dec 24, 2024

Kyle Webster is arguably the most influential person in digital illustration brushes, period. He started making Photoshop brushes a long time ago, leading to Adobe's acquisition of his brushes and his talent in 2017. In 2024, Kyle left Adobe and joined Procreate in very close succession. I wanted to catch up with Kyle and let him explain what happened, in his own words.

IN THIS EPISODE

Why did Kyle leave Adobe?
What does Kyle think of Procreate compared to Adobe's Fresco and Photoshop?
Making brushes in Procreate vs. Photoshop (Key differences)
Kyle may or may not know what's coming with Procreate v6
Happy birthday to Thoughts on Illustration!

SHOW LINKS

Kyle's Newsletter, The Accidental Expert - https://accidental-expert.com/
Kyle's Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/kyle.t.webster/?hl=en
Max Packs Procreate brushes - https://maxpacks.com/
Jing Sketch Procreate brushes - https://jingsketch.com/

HOW TO SUPPORT

Share this episode with your friends on Social Media!
Like, Comment, Follow, Subscribe!
Become a $3 Fan or $8 Drawing Buddy on Patreon. Visit ⁠http://patreon.com/tomfroese⁠ to learn more.

CREDITS

Music and Cues by Mark Allan Falk - http://www.linktr.ee/semiathletic

FIND ME ELSEWHERE

Work and Classes - http://www.tomfroese.com

Instagram - http://www.instagram.com/mrtomfroese

Daily Drawings - http://www.instagram.com/drawingisimportant

How Do You Know When an Illustration is Done? Dec 10, 2024

"An artwork is never finished, only abandoned." This is apparently a quote from Leonardo Da Vinci. If one of the greatest artists of all time had trouble knowing when his work was finished, then it's no wonder the rest of us do as well.

In this episode, I share some ideas on what it means to complete a work, how to know when you should call it done, and if that's not possible, how to responsibly abandon it.

At the end I share some important news about the future of the podcast.

IN THIS EPISODE

A new definition of "perfection"
Missing the mark: Is your work "sinful"?
How to know when a work is done
Overcoming perfectionism in client work and personal projects
News about the future of this podcast

SHOW LINKS

Take Drawing Towards Illustration on Skillshare. Learn how to connect how you draw with how you illustrate.

https://www.tomfroese.com/teaching/drawing-towards-illustration

HOW TO SUPPORT

Share this episode with your friends on Social Media!
Like, Comment, Follow, Subscribe!
Become a Drawing Buddy on Patreon. Visit http://patreon.com/tomfroese to learn more.

CREDITS

Music and Cues by Mark Allan Falk - http://www.linktr.ee/semiathletic

FIND ME ELSEWHERE

Work and Classes - http://www.tomfroese.com

Instagram - http://www.instagram.com/mrtomfroese

Daily Drawings - http://www.instagram.com/drawingisimportant

Embracing Hand-made in Your Work Nov 26, 2024

In the age of AI, it's time to double down on being a human. That means things like bringing more hand-influenced spontaneity into, and embracing analogue processes in, your art. In this episode I share how I'm doing this in my own practice and how it's bringing me more joy and even creating new opportunities for me. By listening to this episode, you'll learn how to embrace your own humanity to re-spark your joy and feel more connected in your everyday practice as an illustrator.

Consistency is The Key to Success Nov 12, 2024

Learn how to be more consistent in your client work — Take The Six Stages of Illustration on Skillshare today: https://www.tomfroese.com/teaching/the-six-stages-of-illustration (Get 30 days free on Skillshare with my links). Consistency is Key. You've heard this before, but what does it mean? Throughout my career, consistency has been key to my success. This has been true both in my habits and in what my work looks like. Most importantly, it's been important in having any sense of focus at all. But for many of us, there are all kinds of things distracting us, or pulling us in different directions, that make it hard to be consistent. In this episode, I offer you some helpful tips for staying the course, and some pretty motivating reasons for doing so.

Episode 41 Postponed - November 5, 2024 Nov 05, 2024

Today's scheduled epsiode (Episode 41) will be postponed until next week. Stay kind!

The Illustrator's Guide with James Hughes Oct 22, 2024

In this episode I chat with James Hughes about his new book, The Illustrator's Guide, a comprehensive, motivational handbook for artists trying to break into the freelance illustration market. James is an agent at Folio Illustration and Animation Agency, representing some 60 illustrators around the world. Taking advice from James means learning from someone who sits at the front lines of both illustrators and the clients who hire them every day.

Listen to This if You're Bored With Your Style Oct 08, 2024

Develop a Drawing Habit in 30 Days. Take my class, Drawing Is Important – https://www.tomfroese.com/teaching/drawing-is-important. Use my links to get 30 days free on Skillshare. In this episode of My Thoughts on Illustration, I dive deep into my recent experience with a style crisis and how I turned to a daily drawing challenge to reignite my creativity.

Making the Big Leap with Martina Flor Sep 24, 2024

Skillshare class promo link In this episode I talk with lettering artist Martina Flor. Martina started as a designer in Argentina, but she soon discovered the joy of hand lettering. From there she built a successful career as a lettering artist, which has now become a small empire of inspiring work, masterclasses, coaching groups, books, and even a podcast. Of course, she couldn’t do all of this on her own. She’s built an entire team around her so she can focus more on doing what she loves most, while being able to grow her business well beyond what she could do alone. As she puts it best, ““There’s no progress in isolation.”

Let Your Ideas Gain Interest Over Time Sep 10, 2024

Take Drawing is Important on Skillshare — https://skl.sh/3UWWY00 — Use my link to get 30 free days on the platform! Just like saving money in the bank, your drawings can gain interest over time. In this episode I explain how this works, and I share how this principle has yielded both creative and financial rewards in my own life. I open up the episode with some recap from the summer! In the end you’ll learn how to set your daily drawing practice up for success with my 5-step plan. Happy to be back for Season 3!

Midsummer Update (August 2024) Aug 07, 2024

Take Inky Maps (Procreate Edition): Illustrate an Analog-inspired Map on Your iPad — Use my link to get 30 days free! — https://skl.sh/3Swd9SK I'm just dropping this bonus episode to say hi, I miss you, and I will be back at it in September. There will be some changes around here, and I talk about what those are. Also, please don't miss my new class on Skillshare, Inky Maps (Procreate Edition).

Lisa Bardot, Procreate Artist and Brush Designer Jun 18, 2024

Take Lisa's class, Imaginative Map-Making in Procreate on Skillshare — Use this link to get 30 days free! — https://skl.sh/3z8zI9a Join in on my conversaion with Lisa Bardot, who teaches people how to make art on their iPad. But that job description is deceivingly simple. She may be best known for her vast catalogue of analogue inspired procreate brushes, aka Bardot Brush. (She’s kind of the Kyle T. Webster of procreate brushes). But she also teaches making digital online in places like Skillshare, YouTube and her own membership platform called Art Maker’s Club. She also runs in-person art trips — her most recent one being in France. If that weren’t enough, she’s also the author of a brand new book called Drawing Digital, The Complete Guide for Learning to Draw and Paint on Your iPad, AND she even provides monthly prompt lists for inspiration-seeking artists, which she calls Make Art Every Day. Lisa has created an entire universe of creativity and community around her passion for drawing and illustrating in Procreate. I really think she’s a perfect guest for the podcast, as she embodies the whole ethos of this podcast of showing up everyday and growing through it, no matter what (and thriving because of it). >>> Video edition available on YouTube.

Illustration is Not Dead with Chris Piascik Jun 04, 2024

Learn how to make better art! Take Composition for Illustrators on Skillshare — Use my link to get 30 days free! — https://skl.sh/3TLdkeh Today I chat with my friend Chris Piascik. Chris is an illustrator for clients like Nike, Nickelodeon and Google. He's also a YouTuber and a Top Teacher on Skillshare. We have a free-ranging, loosey goosey conversation about things like: Whether you need to go to art school to become an illustrator; Why Chris and I feel like we don’t quite fit into the “traditional illustrator” mould; We discuss whether the ability to draw realistically is necessary for illustrators today; We commiserate about angry dudes leaving nasty comments on our videos and — We start off with an unexpectedly long conversation about vector files (but as far as these kinds of conversations go, I think it was pretty interesting).

Should You Work for Friends and Family? May 21, 2024

In this episode, we tackle a question many creatives grapple with: should you work for your friends (and family)? Combining personal and professional relationships can be a double-edged sword, offering both unique advantages and significant challenges. We explore both sides the debate — FOR and AGAINST working for friends — and then, I'll give you 7 tips to help set you up for success (and safety) for those times when you decide to go ahead and do it.

Bad Clients: How to Turn Them Before They Burn You May 07, 2024

Learn How to Make Good Work AND Please Your Clients — Take The Six Stages of Illustration: https://skl.sh/4cCTxEH — Use this link to get 30 days of free membership on Skillshare. What makes otherwise good people such bad clients? How do you deal with them — and how can you avoid them in the first place? In this episode, I explain why there almost never truly bad clients. In my 10+ year career, I've had very few bad clients. Most of them were in the beginning, when I didn't have enough experience to spot them before it's too late. By listening to this episode, you'll learn what I wish I knew when I was starting out — and this will help you make sure every client is a good client! That means they'll trust you to do what you do best (the art!) and they'll give you everything you need to do your job.

10 Tips for Launching Your Illustration Career Apr 23, 2024

Learn how to illustrate ideas in Sweet Spots: Expressing Big Ideas in Small Illustrations — https://skl.sh/3e8Wl33 — Use my links to get 30 days free on Skillshare. So you know how to illustrate — now, how do you start your career as an illustrator? In this episode, I'll share 10 key strategies that helped kickstart my illustration career. These personal yet practical tips offer valuable insights for aspiring illustrators looking to advance in the industry. Whether you're seeking a reminder of fundamental practices or hoping for fresh perspectives, this episode provides a blend of familiar and surprising advice to motivate and inspire. This episode originally launched in July 2023 as a Patron's Only "Summer Shorts" episode.

Should You Suck it Up or Stick to Your Guns? Navigating Client Feedback Apr 09, 2024

Learn how to win more creative battles. Take The Six Stages of Illustration on Skillshare today. Use this link to get 30 days free access to every class on Skillshare — https://skl.sh/4cCTxEH In today's episode, we'll dive into the delicate balance of navigating conflicts and compromises with our illustration clients and art directors. As artists, we often have strong opinions about our work, making compromise a challenging but necessary part of our creative process. Illustration, or commercial art, is unique in that it's not just self-expression; it's about expressing others' ideas through our unique abilities, style and point of view. Somehow, we need to maintain our artistic integrity while meeting the needs of our clients. Finding the right balance tricky. We can't make it all about us, but we also can't just give up our creative authority to appease our clients. By listening to this episode, you'll learn how to find more wins in your work by valuing both your client's needs and your own creative vision. Throughout the episode, I'll share insights from listeners and fellow illustrators, offering diverse, valuable perspectives on navigating creative conflicts in illustration.

Surviving the AI Illustration Apocalypse Mar 26, 2024

Discover Your Illustration Voice in The Style Class - https://skl.sh/3S6PCF1 — Use this link to get 30 days free on Skillshare Is the AI Illustration Apocalypse Here, and is it going to take all our jobs away? In this episode, I'm going to share my thoughts on how AI is affecting the illustration industry today and how it might affect us in the future. I go a bit dark in this one but stick with me, in end I share 3 reasons I’m holding on to hope as an illustrator. In the very end, I offer one main thing that you can ALWAYS rely on to be your true value, both to yourself and to whoever you work with.

Andy J. Pizza Mar 12, 2024

Andy J. Pizza is a New York Times best-selling illustrator and author, and host of the Creative Pep Talk podcast. Today he joins me for a deep-dishy dive into all things illustration and creativity, especially where he and I share a lot of common ground. Along the way, we talk about such topics as the myth of the Inspired Artist, his message of adopting a more positive self-psychology, the balance of inspiration and craft in creative work, and even why he thinks full-blown therapy should be a part of art school education. No topping (or topic) is held back — even the mushrooms and pineapples were allowed in this one.

Becoming an Accidental Expert with Kyle T. Webster (Part 2 of 2) Feb 27, 2024

This is Part 2/2 of my conversation with Kyle T. Webster, which we started in the previous episode (Episode 27). Today we pick up where we left off, with Kyle’s advice for those asking if they should have one style or many, how his background in traditional art skills informs his digital brushes, and he even has a word for artists who might be afraid of how AI will affect the value of their work.

Becoming an Accidental Expert with Kyle T. Webster (Part 1 of 2) Feb 13, 2024

I'm excited to share with you part 1 of a 2-part conversation I had with illustrator and pioneering digital brush-maker, Kyle T. Webster. Kyle is the guy behind the many, many digital illustration brushes (2,400 and counting) that come bundled with Adobe Photoshop and Fresco. In this episode we talk about his beginnings as an aspiring illustrator many years ago, and how he slowly but steadily built up a small empire around his digital brushes — which have no doubt shaped the world of digital illustration as we know it today. We have a wide ranging conversation that touches on things like: — Building up an illustration portfolio when you haven't had any clients yet — Why working in different styles can make good business sense — What Kyle means when he calls himself an Accidental Expert — What Kyle finds most meaningful in his work and career, besides drawing or making brushes — Why making Creativity a way of life is necessary to building up a successful career — And much, much more!

Becoming a Successful Illustrator at 40 with Adam Ming Jan 30, 2024

Support the Thoughts on Illustration Podcast at http://patreon.com/tomfroese In this first official interview episode on Thoughts on Illustration, Adam Ming shares his thoughts on becoming a successful kids book illustrator in his late thirties and early 40s. Adam is quickly becoming an accomplished picture book illustrator, and along the way, he's sharing his insights and inspiration on his Substack, apty called The Ten Minute illustrator. He's also a co-founder of ILLOGUILD, a community of picture book illustrators who meet regularly to share ideas, give and get critical feedback, and help one another find the next big opportunity. At the top I share my own thoughts as I dive into this new role as public conversationalist via this podcast.

How to Love Your Work Again Jan 16, 2024

Support the Thoughts on Illustration Podcast at http://patreon.com/tomfroese Have you hit a dead end with your work? Are you bored of your style? Or maybe, like me, you feel even worse about the art you've been making lately? This past year has brought a few blows to my professional and personal creativity, and at the end of 2023, I was feeling pretty crappy about my own work. I've come to this point many times in my career, and usually I just shrug it off and keep going. But this time was different. In this episode I talk about how I was able to climb out of a hole of artistic despair and rekindle my love affair with my work. By listening to this episode, I hope you will learn how to rediscover the joy in your own practice. If it hasn't happened to you yet — listen to this one and put it in your back pocket. 😉

6 Things I Learned from Paul Rand About Illustration Jan 03, 2024

Support the Thoughts on Illustration Podcast at http://patreon.com/tomfroese Paul Rand is one of my biggest influences and a huge inspiration for this podcast. In this Special Anniversary Episode, I'm going to share with you a little bit about the pioneering American graphic designer, ad man and (in my opinion) illustrator. By listening to this episode you will learn about a legendary figure in graphic design and illustration history. You will also learn valuable insights from Paul about working as a professional creative.

REPLAY: Good News for Slow Workers Dec 19, 2023

REPLAY: As I struggle to get my next class published before the end of the year, this episode (originally published as Episode 14) is particularly relevant. Whether you're listening for the first time or you're hearing it again, I truly believe it's worth hearing this message. Do you ever feel like everything takes YOU longer than everyone else? In this episode, talk about what it’s been like for me as a slow worker. What kinds of things have slowed me down, and how have I been able to thrive as a successful illustrator in spite of them. So if you’re a slowpoke trying to figure out why it just takes so long to get things done, this one is for you. I’m going talk about why I think there are two kinds of slow — good slow and bad slow — and why we should embrace the former and try to change the latter. And of course, I’ll give you some ways to do both. How can you embrace the things about your work that you maybe wish would go faster, and how you can change some of the things that truly get in your creative way. By the end of this episode, I hope that you’ll feel permitted to give yourself the time you need to do your best work — and to defend that time when it comes under question by yourself — or by others.

Why Bother (Sharing When Nobody Seems to Care)? Dec 05, 2023

Do you ever share something on social media, and it doesn't get the appreciation you hoped for? If you're discouraged by how few people seem to pay attention to what you share, this episode is for you.

How do illustrators find their ideas? Nov 21, 2023

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.

Copyright, Licensing, and Self-Promotion (Part 2) Nov 07, 2023

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!

Copyright, Licensing, and Self-Promotion (Part 1) Oct 24, 2023

In this episode we dive into the exciting world of Copyright for Illustrators! I swear, it's not as boring as it sounds — and in fact, I will explain why it's way more important for independent illustrators and artists than you might imagine. This is Part 1 of 2. We'll pick up with the rest in Episode 20.

Stressed out? 8 Ways to Alleviate Stress as a Professional Illustrator Oct 10, 2023

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.

10 Productivity Tips for Illustrators Sep 26, 2023

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. 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.

You're Not Crazy — It's Social Media (Summer Shorts Rerun) Sep 12, 2023

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

Thoughts on Illustration Returns This September Aug 30, 2023

After a summer of pulling back, we'll be back at it starting September 12, 2023. Thoughts on Illustration doesn't have seasons, but if it did, this would be the trailer for Season 2. This is just me checking in with you all about where I'm at and how I think things will go moving forward.

Is it the Right Time to Go Full Time as an Illustrator? | Summer Shorts 01 Jul 10, 2023

How Do You Know When to Go Full Time as an Illustrator? This is a free preview and the first mini-episode of the Summer Shorts series of the Thoughts on Illustration Podcast. For the rest of the summer, these will be available only to my Patreon supporters. Join in at patreon.com/tomfroese! Otherwise, I’ll see you in September!

To Quit or Commit: Should You Let Go of Your Big Dream? Jun 26, 2023

When we have big dreams, we have to lean into them hard and really go for it. But sometimes what we thought we wanted doesn't turn out. Maybe it's too hard or maybe we just don't enjoy it anymore. The question is, do we double down and commit, knowing that payoff is just around the corner, or do we allow ourselves to quit, knowing that it's the only way to make room for something better?

Good News for Slow Workers Jun 12, 2023

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.

SPECIAL: Illustration Student Interviews Me for Class Project Jun 05, 2023

In this SPECIAL episode, I share an interview that Andres Palacios (BFA Illustration student at SCAD) did with me for a class project. I really enjoyed talking to him, and I think you'll enjoy our conversation. We'll be back next week with Episode 14! Thanks to Andres Palacios for letting me share this interview! Check out his work at https://www.andrespalacios.me/

Why Constraints Make You More Creative May 22, 2023

CAN THERE BE TOO MUCH CREATIVE FREEDOM? 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!

The ONE THING You Need to Make Better Work May 08, 2023

What's your point? So often 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.

Composition is Everything Apr 24, 2023

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.

The Blank Page (Facing Creative Block) Apr 10, 2023

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!

How to Loosen Up in Your Art Mar 27, 2023

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.

Getting (Critical) Feedback On Your Illustrations Mar 13, 2023

I Now Offer 1-on-1 Illustration Coaching! Book your Coaching Session today at http://www.tomfroese.com/coaching 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?

Getting Feedback on Your Illustrations Feb 27, 2023

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 all depends on what you are hoping to get from it. 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 Do You Know if Your Work is Good? Feb 13, 2023

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.

Are You Ready to Call Yourself an Illustrator Yet? Jan 30, 2023

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.

What Should You Learn First as an Illustrator? (Part 2) Jan 16, 2023

When you want to become an illustrator, what are the very first things you should start learning? What does the first year of an illustration education look like? We go deep into 10 skills and subjects to learn in this two part series. This is Part 2

What Should You Learn First as an Illustrator? (Part 1) Jan 02, 2023

When you want to become an illustrator, what are the very first things you should start learning? What does the first year of an illustration education look like? We go deep into 10 skills and subjects to learn in this two part series.

Want to Be an Illustrator? 5 Things You Need to do Before Lifting a Pencil Dec 19, 2022

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.

I Want To Do That Dec 05, 2022

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.

I Am Now a Podcast Nov 24, 2022

Welcome to Thoughts on Design, a Podcast about Showing Up and Growing Up as a Commercial Illustrator. In this introductory episode, I talk about why I started this podcast, what it's about, and who it's for.

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