Podcast
Thoughts on Illustration
Hosted by Tom Froese · EN
Thoughts on Illustration is a bi-weekly podcast about Showing Up and Growing Up as a commercial artist. Join award-winning illustrator and top teacher, Mr. Tom Froese, as he shares valuable tips, insights, and reflections from his own experience as an illustrator. Tom wants to encourage his fellow creatives and help them get further on by sharing in a transparent, accessible way. If you are passionate about unlocking professional and personal creative fulfillment, you are invited to follow along as Tom does the same!
73episodes
Episodes
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6 Challenges of Rewilding My Illustration Process (And What I'm Doing About Them)
May 27, 202500:57:14Tap to summarizeIn 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 EPISODEWhy rewilding your process is easier said than doneSix problems I’ve identified on my rewilding journeyHow I’m coaching myself through a style evolutionWhy confidence in your style is often externalPLUS – Embarrassing Story of the Episode: A Canadian in ParisSHOW LINKSDrawing is Important (Skillshare Class) – https://skl.sh/3TuA0NSThe Style Class on Skillshare – https://skl.sh/4cFnIejDrawing Is Important (Sketchbook IG) – http://www.instagram.com/drawingisimportantMy Website – http://www.tomfroese.comHOW TO SUPPORTShare this episode with your friends!Like / Subscribe / Follow / Comment / ReviewBecome a $3 Supporter or $8 Drawing Buddy on Patreon – http://patreon.com/tomfroeseBECOME A DRAWING BUDDYLive, monthly Draw With Me meetupsAll past DWMs available as replaysExclusive access to the DWM Discord Serverhttp://patreon.com/tomfroeseFIND ME ELSEWHEREWork and Classes – http://www.tomfroese.comInstagram – http://www.instagram.com/mrtomfroeseDaily Drawings – http://www.instagram.com/drawingisimportantCREDITSMusic and Cues by Mark Allan Falk – http://www.linktr.ee/semiathletic
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A 100% Analogue Illustration Process with Roberts Rurans
May 13, 202501:45:32Tap to summarizeIn 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 EPISODEHow Roberts Rurans keeps his fully analog style feeling freshThoughts on evolving your style without disowning the pastThe line between art and design in illustrationAnalog tools vs. digital tools — which gives you the edge?PLUS - Embarrassing Moment of the Episode: Shirtless in the ForestSHOW LINKSRoberts Rurans on Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/robertsruransRoberts’s website – https://www.robertsrurans.comHOW TO SUPPORTShare this episode with your friends!Like/Subscribe/Follow/Comment/ReviewBecome a $3 Supporter or $8 Drawing Buddy on Patreon. Visit http://patreon.com/tomfroese to learn more.BECOME A DRAWING BUDDYLive, monthly Draw With Me meetupsAll past DWMs available as replaysExclusive access to the DWM Discord Serverhttp://patreon.com/tomfroeseFIND ME ELSEWHEREWork and Classes - http://www.tomfroese.comInstagram - http://www.instagram.com/mrtomfroeseDaily Drawings - http://www.instagram.com/drawingisimportantCREDITSMusic and Cues by Mark Allan Falk - http://www.linktr.ee/semiathletic
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How to Make Your Digital Art Look More Natural
Apr 28, 202501:07:10Tap to summarizeIn 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 EPISODE3 reasons why it’s hard to make digital art look analogueThe most common mistake of new digital artists5 ways to avoid an overly digital lookPLUS - Embarrassing Moment of the Episode: Lady JacketSHOW LINKSJonathan Woodward’s (@jonathan_woodward_studio) collages - https://www.instagram.com/p/DIuHhUkKcPL/?img_index=3I 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 SUPPORTShare this episode with your friends!Like/Subscribe/Follow/Comment/ReviewBecome a $3 Supporter or $8 Drawing Buddy on Patreon. VIsit http://patreon.com/tomfroese to learn more.BECOME A DRAWING BUDDYLive, monthly Draw With Me meetupsAll past DWMs available as replays- Exclusive access to the DWM Discord Serverhttp://patreon.com/tomfroeseFIND ME ELSEWHEREWork and Classes - http://www.tomfroese.comInstagram - http://www.instagram.com/mrtomfroeseDaily Drawings - http://www.instagram.com/drawingisimportantCREDITSMusic and Cues by Mark Allan Falk - http://www.linktr.ee/semiathletic
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Re-wilding Your Digital Illustration Process
Apr 15, 202500:24:30Tap to summarizeIn 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 EPISODEHow style fatigue sparked a shift in my creative practiceReconnecting with analogue rootsRe-wilding as a way of bringing more joy to the creative processFinding analogue techniques that mimic digital tools (rather than the other way around)What does re-wilding mean for a commercial practice?SHOW LINKShttps://mrtomfroese.substack.com/p/re-wilding-my-digital-art-processHOW TO SUPPORTShare this episode with your friends!Like/Subscribe/Follow/Comment/ReviewBecome 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 Serverhttp://patreon.com/tomfroeseFIND ME ELSEWHEREWork and Classes - http://www.tomfroese.comInstagram - http://www.instagram.com/mrtomfroeseDaily Drawings - http://www.instagram.com/drawingisimportantCREDITSMusic and Cues by Mark Allan Falk - http://www.linktr.ee/semiathletic
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Overcoming Decision Paralysis in your Life and Work
Apr 6, 202501:01:38Tap to summarizeEliminate 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 EPISODEWhat is decision paralysis, and how can it get us stuck?Why having keeping options to a minimum is necessary for the decision-impairedHow to give yourself “outside” feedbackWhat to do when you can’t stop making new iterations of an illustrationWhy finding your reason for doing anything is the key to doing it at alland more!SHOW LINKSIllustration Coaching - http://tomfroese.com/coachingAll My Classes - http://tomfroese.com/teachingHOW TO SUPPORTShare 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 ELSEWHEREWork and Classes - http://www.tomfroese.comInstagram - http://www.instagram.com/mrtomfroeseDaily Drawings - http://www.instagram.com/drawingisimportantCREDITSMusic and Cues by Mark Allan Falk - http://www.linktr.ee/semiathletic
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Apr 1, 202500:01:06Tap to summarizeWith apologies! Stay tuned for Episode 51 — coming no later than April 8, 2025.
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Working with Editorial Art Directors with Mike Schnaidt
Mar 18, 202501:17:03Tap to summarizeWorking with Editorial Art Directors with Mike SchnaidtLearn how to make Clever Conceptual Illustrations in my new Skillshare class, Drawing Ideas — https://skl.sh/40dk9rKMike 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 EPISODEWhat 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 LINKSCreative Endurance (the book) — https://www.mikeschnaidt.com/creativeenduranceHelp Mike shape his next book — https://docs.google.com/forms/u/1/d/e/1FAIpQLScdjF1Kx4GDwqEdONKEvu349PCvxJUgydRLUMIdXxVLvVgWUg/viewform?usp=send_formMike’s Website: https://www.mikeschnaidt.comFollow Mike on Instagram: http://instagram.com/schnaidtHOW TO SUPPORTShare 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 ELSEWHEREWork and Classes - http://www.tomfroese.comInstagram - http://www.instagram.com/mrtomfroeseDaily Drawings - http://www.instagram.com/drawingisimportantCREDITSMusic and Cues by Mark Allan Falk - http://www.linktr.ee/semiathletic
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5 Ways to Survive in 2025 as an Illustrator
Mar 3, 202500:56:40Tap to summarizeTake 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/3vtU3EpIn this episode, I share 5 tips to help you maximize your earnings and your joy in turbulent times as an illustrator.IN THIS EPISODEWhat it means to diversify your definition of illustrationA guaranteed way to stand out to art directorsTips for maximizing the impact of your portfolioOvercoming creative lonelinessWhy a personal daily drawing practice is key to your professional survival A listener shares her thoughts on the podcastSHOW LINKSIllustration Coaching - http://tomfroese.com/coachingAll My Classes - http://tomfroese.com/teachingThe Studio (Creative Boom) - https://community.creativeboom.comHOW TO SUPPORTShare 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 ELSEWHEREWork and Classes - http://www.tomfroese.comInstagram - http://www.instagram.com/mrtomfroeseDaily Drawings - http://www.instagram.com/drawingisimportantCREDITSMusic and Cues by Mark Allan Falk - http://www.linktr.ee/semiathletic
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How I Found My First Agent and Editorial Clients
Feb 18, 202500:44:17Tap to summarizeTake "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 LINKSIllustration Coaching - http://tomfroese.com/coachingMy Classes - http://tomfroese.com/teachingSecret Random Episode (on Patreon) - https://www.patreon.com/posts/secret-random-48-122527763HOW 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.CREDITSMusic and Cues by Mark Allan Falk - http://www.linktr.ee/semiathleticFIND ME ELSEWHEREWork and Classes - http://www.tomfroese.comInstagram - http://www.instagram.com/mrtomfroeseDaily Drawings - http://www.instagram.com/drawingisimportant
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Jess Miller on Losing Everything in the LA Fires
Feb 4, 202500:56:52Tap to summarizeTake "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
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