The SneakyArt Podcast

In this episode, I speak with urban-sketcher and illustrator Anna Wilson. Anna is what I describe as a 'deliberate artist', in that she has taken strong decisions to change her career trajectory towards art and illustration. I am always interested in speaking to 'deliberate artists', because they have such motivated and well-considered reasons for the things they do. What does a path of self-education in art look like? How do they gather influences, images, and inspirations, to guide this path? Anna tells me about the role that travel plays in shaping her perspectives, the lessons she picks from photography and carrying a little sketchbook, and what she carries from her formal education in human geography. Check out Anna's work. To support this show, read my email newsletter, or follow me on social media, visit here.

In this episode, I speak with Berlin-based illustrator and artist Felix Scheinberger. Felix once described illustration as "applied imagination" and in this conversation I try to learn more about where this imagination comes from, and how it can be nurtured. What is the role of on-location drawing in feeding this imagination? What are some ways to strengthen your imagination over time? What is the role of observation, what is the job of interpretation, and how can the artist translate the ideas in their mind into a visual language universally understood? This episode took me into the mind of an illustrator whose work enchants me because it seems effortless, even though it is anything but. Felix makes his art with a carefree finesse that takes many, many years to master. Check out Felix's work on IG or visit here to buy his art Find SneakyArt on IG To support this show, buy me a coffee! Subscribe to my weekly email newsletter Join the private FB group for the podcast

In this episode, I speak with Ian Fennelly, an artist and urban sketcher in the UK. Ian paints his urban environments in vivid, rich, and sometimes fantastical color-scapes. His lines and colors cleverly contrast the tussle between representing objective reality and subjective emotions. As Ian likes to point out, he is not recreating a scene, but creating art from a scene. The title of this episode is based on the title of Ian's latest book and is an apt description of his artistic process. His paintings are the result of looking and looking again, patiently building layer upon layer of observation, emotion, and artistic judgment. Follow Ian Fennelly - IG | Website Buy Ian's book - "Layers of Looking" Follow SneakyArt on IG, or visit the Website to see a transcript of this episode. Join the Facebook group of the podcast. Subscribe to the SneakyArt Post - a weekly newsletter where I elaborate on these podcast conversations, and share my journey of self-education to become an artist. If you like this show, show your support and buy me a coffee. It's that simple!

In this episode, I speak with oil painter and urban-sketcher, Marc Taro Holmes, about his evolution over the years as an artist. Marc worked in the early gaming industry, when both games and design programs were rudimentary. Later, as an urban-sketcher, he started the Citizen Sketcher blog, led numerous workshops, wrote several books, and inspired countless artists with his annual events - OneWeek100People and 30x30 Direct Watercolor. Over the past few years, Marc has retreated from social media, and started using oil paints on canvas in his home-studio. What caused this shift? What do oil paints offer him that watercolors do not? Does he miss painting outdoors? In finding answers to these questions, I learned that Marc's story is one of continuous evolution, motivated by his interests, surrounding influences, and life circumstances. Links: To support this show, buy me a coffee! Marc's work on Instagram + Citizen Sketcher blog 30x30 Direct Watercolor + OneWeek100People Free instructional cheat-sheets on Marc's website SneakyArt on Instagram + Website (for a transcript)

In this episode, I speak with Mumbai-based artist, illustrator and urban-sketcher Zainab Tambawalla, about her sketch-reportage project to tell the story of 6 artisans practicing different trades in the city of Mumbai, India. She shares stories from their lives, professional struggles, and the enormous hardships of the past 2 years. Her project urges us to notice the lives of people who are often at the edges of our tunnel vision. It invites us to pay attention to our urban landscape in a more conscientious and empathetic manner. We talk about Zainab's journey as an artist, her work in the animation industry, and her turn towards becoming a freelance illustrator. What does urban sketching have to offer someone who has been drawing and painting their entire life? We talk about the value of exploring new media and styles of expression, and discuss how drawing on location can help us appreciate the culture and history of the places we live in. - If you liked this episode, buy me a coffee as a show of support. - To discuss this episode with me and other listeners, join our private Facebook group. - Subscribe to my free, weekly newsletter - Find an episode summary and links to other episodes on the SneakyArt website.

I speak with painter and storyboard artist, Alex Hillkurtz, about working on Hollywood storyboards and how it informs and influences his art today. We discuss how storyboards are made, what they are used for, and the lessons they have for every artist in terms of composition and framing. Alex tells me about picking up painting at a later stage in life, and how his ideas about control and precision changed as he worked in watercolors. We talk about picking up ideas and inspiration from cinema, fine art, and our fellow artists. Alex also shares his recent experience putting his thoughts together as a book - "Sketching Techniques for Artists". Follow Alex on Instagram, or visit his website to stay updated with his latest work. To follow SneakyArt across different platforms, visit here. To discuss this episode and the SneakyArt Podcast, join our private Facebook group. To support this show, visit here and buy me a coffee. :)

In this episode of the SneakyArt Podcast, I speak with Danny Gregory - author, adman, speaker, artist, podcaster and all-around creative person. Danny has led a remarkable life, growing up in various parts of the world, working different jobs, and pursuing creativity in various forms. I speak to him about his journey to become a deliberate artist, and what it means to pursue self-expression inside a sketchbook. With reference to the many books he has authored, I pick his brain about what it means to "draw without talent", to "shut your inner critic", and to find beauty in "everyday matters". I learn from the conversation that every day matters, even when it's filled with just everyday matters. Catch links to Danny's work and buy his books from his website - www.dannygregory.com. If the practice of art makes you curious, shed your inhibitions and get moving with Danny's wonderful podcast - art for all. - To support this podcast and my work, visit here to buy me a coffee. - Learn more about the show, and SneakyArt, at www.sneakyartist.com. - Join the SneakyArt Podcast Facebook group

In this episode, I speak with Teoh Yi Chie, an urban sketcher, artist and YouTuber in Singapore. Teoh creates content at a prolific pace to meet the diverse needs of his audience - art tutorials, draw-alongs, art supply reviews, and online workshops. We talk about the many ways that creators can interact and engage with fans in the new "creator economy". In his work, Teoh is able to merge his natural curiosity and his passion for making videos and art. What has he learned from following his curiosity in this way? How has it helped him satisfy his own interests as well as that of his burgeoning audience? Follow Teoh's work on IG, or visit his website - https://www.parkablogs.com/. Also check out his wonderful YouTube channel! If you enjoyed this episode, show me your support by buying me a coffee. Follow SneakyArt on IG, or visit the website (www.sneakyartist.com) to catch links and transcripts for all episodes.

In this episode, I speak with Rob Sketcherman, an urban sketcher and digital artist in Hong Kong. Rob is popular in the global urban-sketching community for making his work exclusively on the iPad, and for being the host of USk Talks. Rob's artistic journey constitutes decisions motivated by both curiosity and pragmatism. It was a combination of curiosity and pragmatism that led him to urban sketching when he was trying to become a better artist, and the same thing led him to the digital medium when he was becoming a better urban sketcher. Visit Rob's website to find his IG, YouTube and news about upcoming workshops - www.sketcherman.com. To support my work and buy me a coffee, visit my website - www.sneakyartist.com.

In this episode, I speak with Roisin Cure, an urban sketcher and illustrator living in Galway, Ireland. We talk about learning to draw from comic books, and the ways that urban sketching has transformed her art and her approach to life. I enjoy Roisin's work for the unique illustration style and for her focus on human activity. People are the subject of Roisin's work, and in this conversation I learn about the art that has helped her see the world in this way. We discuss learning to draw from comic books, and the useful habit of finding solutions to our problems in the styles of other artists. But despite drawing all her life, Roisin always thought she was yet to find her 'magic'. We begin this conversation with the story of how she finally found the magic, and her first attempts of urban-sketching. She shares also the experience of putting together multiple books of and about urban-sketching. We discuss her experience leading workshops, and how they have pivoted to online classes since the pandemic. Follow Roisin Cure on Insta, Twitter or visit her website. Follow SneakyArt on Insta, Twitter, or visit the website for transcripts and other episodes. To support my work or become a member, buy me a coffee. Join the Facebook group in order to discuss the episode afterward. Danny Gregory's 'art for all' podcast Swarnavo Datta's 'Paper Pencil Podcast'