Thoughts on Illustration

Tom Froese
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  • UPDATED BIWEEKLY
Thoughts on Illustration

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!

  1. Re-wilding Your Digital Illustration Process

    APR 15

    Re-wilding Your Digital Illustration Process

    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 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 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/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 Server http://patreon.com/tomfroese FIND ME ELSEWHERE Work and Classes - http://www.tomfroese.comInstagram - http://www.instagram.com/mrtomfroeseDaily Drawings - http://www.instagram.com/drawingisimportant CREDITS Music and Cues by Mark Allan Falk - ⁠http://www.linktr.ee/semiathletic⁠⁠

    25 min
  2. Overcoming Decision Paralysis in your Life and Work

    APR 6

    Overcoming Decision Paralysis in your Life and Work

    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-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 LINKS Illustration Coaching - http://tomfroese.com/coachingAll 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.comInstagram - http://www.instagram.com/mrtomfroeseDaily Drawings - http://www.instagram.com/drawingisimportant CREDITS Music and Cues by Mark Allan Falk - ⁠http://www.linktr.ee/semiathletic⁠⁠

    1h 2m

  3. APR 1 · BONUS

    Episode 51 Coming Soon

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

    1 min
  4. Working with Editorial Art Directors with Mike Schnaidt

    MAR 18

    Working with Editorial Art Directors with Mike Schnaidt

    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

    1h 17m
  5. 5 Ways to Survive in 2025 as an Illustrator

    MAR 3

    5 Ways to Survive in 2025 as an Illustrator

    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 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 podcast SHOW LINKS Illustration Coaching - http://tomfroese.com/coachingAll My Classes - http://tomfroese.com/teachingThe 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

    57 min
  6. How I Found My First Agent and Editorial Clients

    FEB 18

    How I Found My First Agent and Editorial Clients

    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

    44 min
  7. Jess Miller on Losing Everything in the LA Fires

    FEB 4

    Jess Miller on Losing Everything in the LA Fires

    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

    57 min
  8. Can you earn a living from illustration alone in 2025?

    JAN 21

    Can you earn a living from illustration alone in 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

    54 min
See All (59)

    5
    out of 5
    47 Ratings

    About

    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!

    Information

    • Creator
      Tom Froese
    • Years Active
      2022 - 2025
    • Episodes
      59
    • Rating
      Clean
    • Copyright
      © Tom Froese
    • Show Website
      Thoughts on Illustration

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