Thoughts on Illustration What I Got Wrong About Going Analog
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
BECOME A DRAWING BUDDY
- Live, monthly Draw With Me meetups
- 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