Pencil Kings | Inspiring Artist Interviews with Today's Best Artists

Show Notes at: https://www.pencilkings.com/podcast-home/ “I wanna do stuff because I want a finished product at the end, or I want a piece of animation, or I want a comic book at the end of it. And I’m learning everything so I can do that finished product - I’m not learning everything just so I can learn everything.” ~ Jason Brubaker. Can anyone learn how to draw? Jason Brubaker, this week’s podcast guest, certainly thinks so. And he should know. After starting out as a completely self-taught artist, he ended up working in Hollywood for 20 years, spending his last 7 years at Dreamworks working on the Kung Fu Panda trilogy. These days, he makes comics full-time, having produced titles such as the award-winning reMIND, Phobos, and Sithrah. He also finds time to help other artists, offering a wide range of resources on his website. And now, he’s include the exact same techniques he used to learn how to draw anatomy in one handy resource for artists - The Cognitive Drawing workbook. So, we caught up with him to find out more about this exciting project...and why he genuinely believes anyone can learn how to draw if they use the right learning techniques... Key Takeaways From This Interview: Why working on personal projects can help you learn new skills and open doors for your creative career Why even experienced artists are still learning How Jason got started in the industry, and how he developed his technique of cognitive drawing to help him draw anatomy (and pretty much everything else) How to focus on learning the stuff you really enjoy doing How to develop your own style, and why this is always influenced in part by the artists you admire How to learn a new skill quickly...without burning yourself out How to retain more information about the things you’re trying to draw Why the Cognitive Drawing worksheet is so effective for individuals and study groups How to really learn something new from using reference pics Where to get the Cognitive Drawing worksheet and find out more about Coffee Table Comics and Jason’s other projects.

Show Notes at: https://www.pencilkings.com/podcast-home/ “When you have the creative fire burning inside you, sometimes you just don’t know what to do with it and it has to come out” ~ JP Cawood. Self publishing can be a great way to get your ideas out there, but how do you even get started with a project as huge as this? In this week’s interview, we talk to JP Cawood, author of Love From Mars - a romantic sci-fi/fantasy novel. You’ll hear how she used her experience as a television developer to create the plot and characters in her book, and you’ll discover how to break a huge project down into manageable chunks to help you achieve your goals. So, if you’ve got an idea that’s been floating around your head for some time, you’ll find plenty of effective ideas in this week’s interview to take the next steps... Highlights From This Interview: Why collaborating with others (such as editors, other artists, and getting feedback) is the key to successful self publishing How to research your ideas and make sure your ideas are original Why self publishing gives you complete artistic freedom over your project How to learn from what others have done and adapt this to your own idea How to create the outline for your story and write your first draft (without worrying too much about perfection) How to help your audience relate to your story How to ask for feedback and weigh up advice from others How to enjoy the highs and get through the lows when working on a self publishing project Why getting help with your project is more affordable than you might think How to promote your work effectively and reach out to the right audience How to develop your ideas beyond self publishing and take them into all kinds of new and exciting directions

Show Notes at: https://www.pencilkings.com/podcast-home/ The Pencil Kings podcast is sponsored by Freshbooks https://www.freshbooks.com/pencilkings email: mitch@pencilkings.com “People who are motivated know that it doesn’t start with motivation - it starts with a commitment to show up. Because, if you wait for the motivation, it’s never going to come.” ~ Sean McCabe. How do you navigate your way to artistic success? After all, the path towards a successful creative career can often be a tricky one, with all kinds of hurdles to jump before you can even get off the starting blocks. And that’s exactly what happened to today’s guest - hand-drawn lettering artist and author, Sean McCabe. For two whole years, his regular posts on social media went virtually unnoticed...until, one day, people finally began to really take notice of what he was up to. So what made this shift happen? And how did Sean go from being a creative all-rounder with a day job to a successful freelance artist specializing in hand-drawn typography? You’ll find out in this week’s podcast interview...   Interview Chapters [00:37-03:36] Introduction and Career Overview Your host, Mitch Bowler, introduces today’s guest, hand-drawn lettering artist and author, Sean McCabe. In this chapter, he talks about his two-year-long journey towards artistic success - a journey that began with him holding down a day job while dedicating 6-8 hours a night to making art and posting everything he made online. You’ll hear how he gradually got a feel for what people liked (and what they didn’t), and how Sean learned a valuable lesson about what kind of work to put online. [03:57-05:31] How did the big Shift Happen for Sean? At first, Sean used to post absolutely everything he made online - from the user interface designs, logos, and illustrations he did in his day job as a web designer...to the hand-drawn typography he’d always loved to make since being a kid. But sometimes, less is more...and it was only when Sean realized he was putting too much information out there for people to process that they started taking notice. [06:27-06:58] What Kind of Hand-drawn Lettering was Sean Making? It was Sean’s hand-drawn typography or lettering that first got him noticed, but what kind of lettering was he making? In this chapter, you’ll hear where to find his work online and check out many other examples of hand-drawn lettering from other artists working in this field. [07:30-35:38] Was Sean Really Working 6-8 hours a day on his art? Spending 6-8 hours making art while holding down a day might sound impossible, but that’s exactly what Sean did to get his career going.And, while he doesn’t think that’s what everyone should do, he’s a strong believer in having the commitment to show up every day and make something - regardless of how tired you feel or what’s showing on Netflix. You’ll find out what motivates him in this chapter. [08:54-10:58] What Made Sean Choose Hand-lettering as his Thing? Like many artists and creatives, Sean tried his hand at lots of different things before finding his true niche of hand-drawn lettering or typography. So, how did he decide this was his thing? And how he feel once he’d made that decision? In this chapter, Sean describes the relief he felt once he knew he’d found his niche...and reveals how you can find yours, too. [11:11-12:43] How did Sean Know he’d Found his Niche? Searching for your niche isn’t always easy, and Sean tried lots of different things before returning to the hand-drawn lettering he loved making when he was a kid. Like many artists, he’d told himself there was no way he could possibly make any money from doing this, so his true passion lay dormant for years…until a chance meeting with a fellow designer (who also loved hand-drawn typography) changed everything. [13:03-16:30] But How can you Turn Your Passion Into Making Serious Money? As an artist, you’ve probably done the odd commission for somebody and wondered just how many of these you’d have to do to earn any kind of reasonable income. Well, that’s exactly what Sean thought, too...until he started to look more closely at how seriously successful artists generate their income. [16:51-19:07] How did Sean Build his Audience on Social Media? Once Sean had thought more about what to post online (and what not to), he started to see an increase in the amount of followers he was getting on social media. So, how can you learn from him and do something similar with your artwork? You’ll get plenty of clues in this chapter. [20:42-26:56] How did Sean Find out Who to sell his Work to? Getting likes on your social media posts is one thing, but how can you find out what people are going to part with their hard-earned cash for? In this chapter, Sean reveals how he tailored his work based on people’s reactions to it, why he decided to share what he’d learned, and how he reached out to those engaged customers who wanted to buy his art. [28:57-32:03] Why did Sean Decide to Write his Book, Overlap? As his career began to take off, Sean started to get lots of questions from aspiring artists asking him how he’d done it. So, he decided to write a book, Overlap, which is specifically aimed at people who work a 9-5 but really want to develop their creative career instead. In this chapter, you’ll hear how he applied the same commitment to writing as he did to hand-drawn lettering, how he stayed motivated, and why his book struck such a chord with people all over the world. [34:03-39:45] What Advice Does Sean Have for Artists Ready to Take the Next Step? Ready to take the next step...but not sure exactly which way to turn? In this chapter, Sean shares stacks of useful advice based on his own experiences and reveals why figuring out the next steps in your creative career is all part of the process. [39:57-40:25] How can you get Hold of Sean’s Book? If you’re interested in Sean’s book, Overlap, this section will give you all the information you need. Plus, there’s a special introductory offer you won’t want to miss out on! [40:26-41:31] Conclusion Mitch wraps up today’s interview with Sean McCabe and offers his own feedback on all the invaluable insights in Overlap.

Show Notes at: https://www.pencilkings.com/podcast-home/ “What I’d say to people with a great idea is to be prepared to take a few risks, be prepared to commit time, be prepared to learn new software, and be prepared to stick with your ideas.” ~ Peter Richardson. Want to know how to turn your ideas into an animated cartoon series? Do you have a cool creative idea trapped in your head and you're wondering how to turn your idea into something more? In this week’s interview, PK member, Peter Richardson, tells the story of how his new project, Spook Squad, went from a book, to a graphic novel and eventually into an animated show. There are many important lessons inside this story and we'll break them down for you piece by piece so you can take that big idea you have and turn it into something bigger. The steps are easy once you know how. And, most importantly, you don't need to be an amazing artist to get started...because the idea is where it all begins! Interview Chapters [00:37-16:07] Introduction and Overview Your host, Mitch Bowler, introduces today’s guest, illustrator Peter Richardson, who talks about his 40-year career in the industry and how the idea for Spook Squad, his new project with writer, Roger Hurn, came about. In this chapter, you’ll hear how their project developed from an initial idea for a children’s book and graphic novel into an animated cartoon series. Along the way, Peter taught himself how to use animation software such as Moho (Anime Studio Pro), and developed his skills as a storyboard artist by studying the work of other artists he admired. [17:09-22:20] How did Spook Squad Start to Gain Momentum? Creating a project is one thing, but what happens next? In this section, you’ll hear how Peter and Roger took their initial concept for Spook Squad to schools first, picking up an award from children’s literacy charity, The Book Trust, along the way. You’ll hear how feedback from the kids influenced their ideas, and how both men worked hard to eventually turn this project into a fully-fledged animation series through networking with other artists, agents and publishers. [22:21-30:08] How did the Idea for Spook Squad Take Shape? The idea for Spook Squad began on a wet weekday afternoon, when writer Roger got feedback from a young girl in school who’d seen his book. After taking what she’d said on board, he starting thinking of ideas...and the project started to come to life. In this chapter, you’ll learn why having a good idea is the most important thing for a successful book or animation...and why you don’t have to be the world’s greatest artist to accomplish this. You’ll also hear how Peter and Roger have learned to handle rejection over the years, and why self-belief and supportive online communities such as Pencil Kings can help you through any difficult times. [31:06-35:38] What Research did Peter and Roger do for Their Project? Spook Squad went through several changes before it eventually became an animated series. Peter and Roger found their initial idea for a book and graphic novel didn’t generate as much interest from publishers as they’d hoped, so a little more research was needed before they could decide which way to go next. In this section, you’ll hear how an online search for an artist led to Peter and Roger having a stall at Brand Licensing, a large trade show for creatives and the book industry, where they were able to start getting their project seen by the right people. [37:12-39:24] So how can you Turn Your Ideas into an Animated Cartoon Series? Through getting feedback from their target audience, learning from what other artists had done, and networking with the right people, Peter and Roger were finally able to get their Spook Squad project off the ground. But, how can you do the same? You’ll find out in this chapter. [40:40-44:25] Where can you Find out More About Spook Squad? Want to find out more about Spook Squad? In this chapter, Peter lets you know exactly where to see his work and offers stacks of really useful advice from his long-running career as an illustrator in the creative industry. So, if you’re ready to turn your ideas into an animated cartoon series or start working on that graphic novel you’ve been dreaming about, here’s where you can get started. [44:25-46:35] Conclusion Mitch wraps up today’s interview with Peter Richardson and offers his own advice on how you can start turning your creative ideas into reality.

Show notes at: https://www.pencilkings.com/podcast-home/ “With what I’ve produced at the Evolve Art Academy, I’m very confident I could submit a portfolio to a prestigious art school and get accepted. Because that’s how much progress I’ve had.” ~ Michelle Lopez. Want to know how to become a better artist...but just don’t know where to start? Whether you’re a complete beginner or someone who wants to take their art skills further, we think you’ll find this week’s interview pretty interesting… Because you’re about to hear how Evolve Artist student, Michelle Lopez, went from being a novice artists to one who gets paid for portrait commissions...in just four months! Interview Chapters [00:37-05:07] Introduction and Overview Your host, Mitch Bowler, introduces today’s guest, Evolve Artist Student, Michelle Lopez. In this chapter, you’ll hear why listening to Kevin Murphy’s Pencil Kings podcast interview inspired her to quit her job as an IT consultant and enrol at The Art Academy...and how she made incredible progress during her time there. [05:33-06:16] Why did Michelle Want to Learn how to Become a Better Artist? Deciding upon a change of career can be pretty daunting at any stage of your life, but even more so when you’re taking a leap into the complete unknown. So what made Michelle decide to swap repairing computers for becoming a realistic painter? In this section, you’ll hear how Kevin Murphy’s art program helped her develop confidence in her abilities and make real progress as an artist. [07:12-07:52] Why did Michelle Think The Art Academy was Right for her? Like many aspiring artists, Michelle had already tried various college courses and community art groups to help her develop her creative skills...but they’d all fallen flat. So what made her decide this course was right for her...and did it meet her expectations? [08:27-08:49] How did Michelle Know This Course was Right for her? Thinking something is right for you and knowing something is right for you are two very different things...so how long did it take for Michelle to realize she’d definitely made the right decision by enrolling in The Art Academy? [08:57-09:45] How far did Michelle Travel to Take This Course? Enrolling at The Art Academy wasn’t exactly like joining a class at her local community college for Michelle. Instead, she had a 10-hour journey to make from her home to New Jersey before she could get started. So, what was this experience like for her? [09:58-11:32] What Were Michelle’s First Weeks Like at The Art Academy? Starting something new can feel like a daunting experience, but the team at The Art Academy made Michelle feel welcome from the moment she walked through the door. So what were her first few weeks studying with Kevin like? In this chapter, you’ll hear how she want from drawing basic shapes and learning shading techniques to creating a fully-rendered drawing in less than two weeks. [11:48-12:33] What Were the Beginner Exercises Like for Michelle? Because Michelle had already had some art lessons, you might have thought the beginner lessons would be too basic for her. However, she discovered that she’d actually missed out on learning many of these fundamentals in previous classes...and that learning to be meticulous and patient was one of the best ways to improve her art skills. [13:41-14:10] How Many Hours did Michelle Study for Each day? Once you really get into making art, it’s amazing how the hours fly by without you noticing. So how many hours each day did Michelle dedicate to drawing and painting while at The Art Academy? [15:22-17:42] Michelle Worked Hard...but did she Enjoy Herself, too? Hard work and enjoyment don’t always go hand in hand, but Michelle found she had a completely positive experience while pushing herself to improve as an artist. You’ll find out why in this section. [17:52-19:05] Were There Ever Times When she Wanted to Quit? Even though she had a positive experience, there were times when Michelle felt the pressure and wanted to quit. So how did she get over this? And how did Kevin and his team help her push through those roadblocks and make real progress? [20:37-21:36] Why is This Program so Effective? Kevin Murphy’s art program has a 100% success rate. So what makes his methods so much more effective than all the others out there? [21:53-23:17] What was Michelle’s Study Schedule Like? Michelle made incredible progress in less than four months at The Art Academy, but what was her study schedule like during this time? [23:35-26:13] How Much Progress did Michelle Make? Michelle entered The Art Academy as a beginner artist and left with a portfolio of work which she’s confident would get her into the most prestigious art schools in the country. Find out how she did it in this chapter. [26:39-28:28] How do People React to Michelle’s Work now? Some of Michelle’s friends and family were sceptical at first when she first told them she was going away for a while to study art. So what are their reactions like now? In this chapter, you’ll hear why Michelle now feels she’s on the right path to develop her career as an artist and has even started taking commissions for her work. [29:07-30:12] What’s Next for Michelle? So, with four months at the Art Academy under her belt, what’s next for Michelle? In this section, you’ll hear how she plans to develop her skills further and work on her art career. [31:57-33:28] What Does Michelle Think of the Evolve Artist Realistic Art Program? Michelle left her home town for four months to study at The Art Academy, but this just isn’t practical for everyone. So that’s why Pencil Kings has teamed up with Kevin Murphy to create the Evolve Artist Realistic Art Program - a new way to study that incorporates all the elements of his art education from the comfort of your own home. But does Michelle think this will be just as effective for other people who want to know how to become a better artist? In this chapter, you’ll find out why she’s also decided to join this program and where to see examples of her progress on Instagram. [34:27-36:37] How to Find out More About the Evolve Artist Program Ready to find out more about how to become a better artist by joining the Evolve Artist Program? This final chapter contains everything you need to know.

Show Notes at: https://www.pencilkings.com/podcast-home/ The Pencil Kings podcast is sponsored by Freshbooks “Just put your stuff up on everything, because you don’t know where the next big thing is gonna be.” ~ Fran Krause. Want to know how to create a webcomic...that actually gets noticed?! In this week’s interview, we speak to Fran Krause, creator of the famous ‘Deep Dark Fears’ web comic. You’ll hear how he went from an established career as an animation artist to making his first web comics. And, he’ll reveal why angry reactions to one of his projects on YouTube made him reconsider which online platforms were the best home for his creations. So, if you’ve been thinking about creating your own webcomic for a while (but just haven’t gotten around to it yet), then check out this inspiring podcast interview. Because it’s crammed with great advice on what to - and what not to - do to get your project off the ground and noticed by people. Interview Chapters [00:37-03:16] Introduction and Overview Your host, Mitch Bowler, introduces today’s guest, webcomic creator, Fran Krause. In this chapter, he talks about how studying animation led to him pursuing a career in this industry before moving into teaching digital animation and, of course, creating Deep Dark Fears. [03:26-10:56] How did Deep Dark Fears Come About? Ironically, it was adverse reactions online to a project Fran was working on with American Elf creator, James Kochalka, that gave rise to Deep Dark Fears. The project, an adult-rated comic book series called ‘Super f**kers’, was intended as an irreverent take on superheroes and featured a bunch of rude, crude, slacker heroes who never actually did any of the things superheroes are supposed to do. However, the audience on YouTube didn’t quite get the humor. In fact, they hated it...and wasted no time in filling the comments section with all kinds of abuse. So Fran went back to the drawing board, had a good long think about whether YouTube was the right platform for his ideas...and eventually started producing short webcomics based on the irrational fears we all have. And, luckily, this project fared better with the online community... [11:28-21:34] Why did Fran Choose Tumblr to Showcase his Work? After doing some research into the best online platform for his creation, Fran eventually decided to start posting his webcomics regularly on Tumblr. But what made him choose this network above all the others...and how does he even have time to make a webcomic in between teaching and working on other projects? You’ll find out in this chapter. [23:05-25:10] Why is it Good to set Deadlines for Yourself? One of the ways Fran manages to be so productive is by setting deadlines for himself. So, for example, after he’s finished teaching for the day, he’ll sit down for a few hours and dedicate his time to working on Deep Dark Fears and his current book project, The Creeps. And, if you want to know how to create a webcomic and find time for your personal projects, you’ll find lots of great advice in this section. [25:30-27:23] Why is it so Important to Love What you do as an Artist? Some artists are unhappy doing the work they get paid to do, but you’ll be relieved to hear there is another way. And, in this chapter, Fran shares plenty of advice based on his own experiences with his students to help you create the art you really want to make...and hopefully find an audience who appreciates it. [27:39-29:55] Where can you Find out More About Fran’s Work? Want to find out more about Fran’s work and get your hands on a copy of his new book, The Creeps? All the info you need is in this chapter. [31:24-37:07] Want to Know how to Create a Webcomic? Here’s Fran’s Advice Want to know more about how to create a webcomic? Check out this chapter for some great advice from Fran about how to get your project off the ground, how to build up a following for your work online…and how to create something people can really relate to. [37:20-40:34] Conclusion Mitch wraps up today’s interview with Fran Krause, who offers up some final words of advice on how to make a webcomic people will remember.

Complete Show Notes at: https://www.pencilkings.com/podcast-home/ “For the people who come to me and say: ‘how did you do it and how can we do the same?’ I say find your partner. Find somebody who already has a foot in the door of the business and bring him or her something to the table.” ~ Fabrice Sapolsky. Ever wanted to know more about creating your own comic books? In this week’s interview, we speak to Fabrice Sapolsky, co-creator of the Spider-Man Noir series published by Marvel. You’ll hear how he went from growing up as a French kid who was crazy about American comics to working with highly-acclaimed fellow writers and artists such as David Hine and Carmine Di Giandomenico. But this interview is not about becoming an overnight success story in your chosen creative field. It’s an open and honest account of what it’s really like to work in the comic book industry, including the many struggles and hurdles faced by most freelance creators. So, if you’ve got an idea for a comic book that you’ve been itching to bring to life, you’ll find stacks of straightforward advice in this interview to relate to. Because, sometimes, you need to take a few risks to get your ideas out there to the people who matter... Interview Chapters 00:38-03:21 Introduction and Overview Your host, Mitch Bowler, introduces today’s guest, comic writer Fabrice Sapolsky. In this chapter, he talks about growing up in France, and how his love of American comics led to him working in the industry, co-creating Spider-Man Noir, and eventually moving to the USA to further his career. 04:12-09:28 What Made Fabrice so Determined to Work in the Comic Book Industry? Lots of young creatives dream of working in the comic industry, but how do you find the determination to turn that dream into reality? In this chapter, Fabrice reveals what kept him motivated during his early years, and eventually led to co-creating Spider-Man Noir - one of the highlights of his career so far. 10:45-24:19 How Did Fabrice Turn his ‘Impossible Dream’ Into Reality? Having the dream and working hard to reach your goals is one thing, but there are often many other factors to consider when carving out a career in the creative industry. In this section, Fabrice expands upon some of the key points in the previous chapter and reveals how the comic book industry has changed since he first started working in it. 24:30-30:24 Why Does Fabrice Believe Creator-Owned Comics are the way Forwards? Having worked in the mainstream comic book industry and seen how it’s changed over the years, Fabrice is now a strong believer in the creator-owned comics movement. In this chapter, he explains more about this exciting initiative for creatives, and how online platforms such as social media can open up new doors and possibilities for you if you’re thinking about creating your own comic books. 31:26-40:21 How can you get Started With Your First Creator-owned Comic? Want to start your first creator-owned comic project? In this chapter, Fabrice shares stacks of useful advice to help you get your ideas out of your head and onto the paper. You’ll learn about the importance of developing a strong work ethic, and why networking with a supportive community of fellow creatives can open up all kinds of possibilities for you as an artist or writer. 40:22-52:59 Conclusion Mitch wraps up today’s interview with Fabrice Sapolsky, who offers even more gems of advice about creating your own comic books. You’ll find out where to find him online, hear about which comic cons he’s attending...and you’ll also be the first to hear about the exciting news for fans of the Pencil Kings podcast!

Show Notes at: https://www.pencilkings.com/podcast-home/ “At certain periods of time, the status quo should always be challenged for the better. Not a revolution, but a disruption to the way these things are done.” ~ Matt Davis. Ever wished printing for artists was more straightforward? Ever wished there was a one-stop printing shop dedicated to your needs as a creative? And, ever wished you could earn more than just a few bucks from selling your art on gallery websites? In this week’s artist interview, we talk to Matt Davis from Digital Print House - a company dedicated to supporting artists by offering an affordable, efficient and easy-to-use service. So, if you’ve ever spent hours searching for printers online, or if you’ve ever been stung by huge printing costs for a project, then you might like to know there is a better way. And, with the option to make decent money selling prints of your work via his easy-to-use website, you’ll see why Matt’s promise to artists is: “Just create. We’ll do the rest.” Interview Chapters [00:38-04:30] Introduction and Overview Your host, Mitch Bowler, introduces today’s guest, Matt Davis, from Digital Print House. In this chapter, he talks about his many years of experience in the printing industry, and how going to conventions and talking to artists helped him see a gap in the market for reliable, affordable printing services which are designed to support creatives all the way. [05:23-10:37] What is Digital Print House and how did it Come About? In this section, you’ll learn more about the wide range of services Matt and his team at Digital Print House can offer artists. You’ll also hear about the history behind this exciting new venture, and why Matt is dedicated to making selling prints, books and other merchandise more profitable for artists. [12:33-24:42] Why is it Important for Artists to Think About Sales and Marketing? Sales and marketing is often something artists prefer not to think about, but it’s an essential thing to consider if you want to make decent money from your work. In this chapter, Matt talks about the huge commissions charged by some artist gallery sites, and why he felt there was a real need to provide a service which treats creatives more fairly. [27:15-36:38] Digital Print House is a Great Idea...but is it Sustainable? Matt and his team at Digital Print House are dedicated to giving as much back to artists as possible...but does this make for a sustainable business? In this section, he talks about going to conventions all across America to get feedback from artists about his idea. And, he explains why offering printing for artists and the opportunity to sell your work while earning a decent commission is already proving to be a hugely popular idea. [38:00-43:25] How is Digital Print House Different to Other Companies Offering Printing for Artists? Matt and his team offer a wide range of services, including free membership to a great-looking gallery site and all the support you need as an artist to push your career forwards. But what really sets Digital Print House apart from other companies? You’ll find out in this chapter. [44:25-47:21] Conclusion Mitch wraps up today’s interview with Matt Davis from Digital Print House, who offers some final thoughts on why he believes in disrupting the print industry to provide a much better service for artists.

  Full Show Notes at: https://www.pencilkings.com/podcast-home/ “Find that thing that makes your heart sing (it sounds so cheesy, I know!) ; that thing you could draw or paint forever. Find a way to do that, and then market that and find which people buy that...and you’ll be golden! ” ~ Crystal Sully. Want to know more about how to become a fantasy illustrator? In this week’s artist interview, fantasy illustrator, Crystal Sully, reveals how she’s turned her love of drawing dragons into a successful creative career. You’ll hear about her early career as an artist, and the numerous projects she’s worked on, such as Elder Scrolls, The Dragon Lords Book Series, Lord of the Rings TCG and more. Crystal will be sharing her experiences of exhibiting at art conventions, and how she’s grown her audience via social media and targeting marketing. So, if you’ve been wondering how to make a living from making the art you love, you’ll find stacks of great advice in this interview to help you take the next steps. And, as if that wasn’t enough, she’ll also be talking about her Kickstarter project, The Untamed Beastiary book, and revealing details about all the exciting goodies on offer for fans of her art. Interview Chapters [00:37-02:26] Introduction and Overview Your host, Mitch Bowler, introduces today’s guest, Crystal Sully, a fantasy illustrator from Colorado. In this chapter, she talks about her exciting Kickstarter project, The Untamed Beastiary book, and her journey as a professional artist so far. [03:16-06:39] What has Crystal Learned Through Exhibiting at Art Conventions? When she first started exhibiting at comic conventions a few years ago, Crystal says she ‘had no idea what she was doing’. Since then, though, she’s steadily built up a huge fanbase of people who want to buy her work, and has learned some valuable lessons about how to market your work at such events. And, in this chapter, she shares them with you. [07:22-08:21] Conventions Have Become Increasingly Commercialised. Has This Affected Her Sales? Comic conventions have changed considerably over the last 10 years, with many artists complaining that they’re losing sales to large corporations such as Marvel. What’s Crystal’s take on this...and has she been affected by it? [08:45-11:41] Did Crystal Always Want to Draw Dragons? These days, Crystal has built up a large following thanks to her lavishly illustrated dragons and other mythical creatures. But did she start off drawing these...or is it something she just found herself doing? In this section, you’ll hear about her early days in art school and how she’s turned a lifelong passion into something which she can earn a decent living from. [12:20-13:25] How Did Art Conventions Lead to Her Producing a Book? Crystal first had the idea for her book about two years ago, but how did this come about? In this chapter, you’ll hear how her client work played a large part in inspiring her, and how seeing the demand for her work at conventions gave her the motivation she needed. [13:39-17:04] Why Did Crystal Launch Her Book With a Kickstarter Project? Launching a Kickstarter project doesn’t always equal success. So what made Crystal decide to go down the self-publishing route? In this section, she talks about her book, The Untamed Beastiary, and how this project has taken shape over the last two years. [17:30-19:29] What Are The Perks For People Who Back Her Kickstarter? No Kickstarter campaign is complete without a whole stash of exclusive goodies for potential buyers to get excited about. So what can people who back Crystal’s campaign expect to receive in the mail? You’ll find out in this chapter. [19:52-19:29] Where Can You Find Out More About The Untamed Beastiary Book? Want to find out more about how to back Crystal’s Kickstarter project and get your hands on a copy of The Untamed Beastiary Book? The links you’ll need are in this section. [21:56-27:44] What Does The Timeline For a Kickstarter Project Look Like? Launching a successful Kickstarter project can take a huge amount of time and effort. In this chapter, Crystal shares a fascinating insight into what happens behind the scenes, and the complicated logistics behind every successful launch. Like she says, it’s a lot of hard work, but the end result can be incredibly rewarding if you stick at it. [21:56-30:59] Which Audience is The Untamed Beastiary Book Aimed at? Knowing your audience is a crucial part of any marketing plan - especially if you want to earn a living as an artist. So who did Crystal have in mind when she started working on her book? In this chapter, you’ll learn about the importance of aiming your work at one particular audience, but still keeping general appeal in mind. [31:40-30:59] How Has Crystal Built Her Following on Social Media? Building a large following on social media enables you to reach out to more people as an artist - the people who could potentially buy your work. But how do you go about doing this and which platform is right for you? In this section, Crystal shares some incredible useful insights about using social media, and explains why Facebook turned out to be the best channel when promoting her art and her Kickstarter project. [34:39-30:59] What’s The Scariest Part of Launching a Kickstarter Campaign? Most artists are familiar with the saying ‘If it scares you, do it’, but what does it actually feel like to step outside your comfort zone and take on something as huge as a Kickstarter campaign? In this chapter, Crystal talks openly and honestly about the challenges she faced while working on this project...but reveals why she’s so glad she completed it. [39:28-41:10] Conclusion Mitch wraps up today’s interview with Crystal Sully, and she shares some final words of inspiration for all you artists out there.  

Full Show Notes at: https://www.pencilkings.com/podcast-home/ “I think what’s really important is to work on a style that makes you happy. I think you have to create artwork or work in a style that you get really excited about.” ~ Anna Goodson. Can an art agency help your career? In this week’s interview, we talk to illustration agency owner, Anna Goodson. Since setting up in 1996 with a tiny budget, no clients (but stacks of ambition), Anna Goodson Illustration Agency has now grown to be one of Canada and North America’s most respected creative houses. And, over the years, she’s helped artists go from obscurity into the pages of The New Yorker and the homes of famous pop stars. So, is getting an agent the right move for you as an artist? Check out this week’s interview to find out... Interview Chapters [01:18-07:29] Introduction and Overview Your host, Mitch Bowler, introduces today’s guest, Anna Goodson, owner of the Anna Goodson Illustration Agency. She talks about how her background in advertising and fashion photography eventually led her to set up her own illustration agency back in 1996. Find out why it’s been one hell of a ride in this chapter... [08:32-15:08] What was Anna’s Breakthrough Moment? When Anna started her agency, the internet was still in its infancy and social media hadn’t even been invented yet. So how did she break through and make a name for herself in the hugely competitive world of creative agencies? In this section, you’ll hear how she went from being told ‘you’ll never make it’ to selling artwork to the legendary pop star, Prince. [15:52-22:33] What Does Anna Look for in an Artist? The Anna Goodson Illustration Agency represents artists from all over the world with a wide range of styles. So how does she choose artists to work with? In this chapter, you’ll hear how to make an impact with your art when reaching out to an illustration agency...and how to invest in your own career as a professional artist. [23:06-27:24] What Should Your Vision be as an Artist? Many aspiring artists have a vision of where they’d like to be, but they often don’t know how to go about getting there. In this section, Anna reveals the importance of having a realistic, attainable vision and the steps you need to start taking to reach this goal. [27:59-33:34] How Has The Internet Changed Things for Artists? The development of the internet and social media has brought about all kinds of changes, but how do these relate to artists? In this chapter, Anna talks about going from competing as an agency on a local scale to a worldwide one, but reveals why the traditional values of hard work, dedication, and passion for your craft are just as important today as they ever were. [33:39-37:54] How Should You Approach an Artist Agency? Decided you’re ready to reach out to an agent to help promote your art to a wider audience and get more clients? In this final part of today’s interview, Anna reveals the key mistakes to avoid when approaching an illustration agency, and why developing your own style should always be a deeply personal choice. [37:55-39:42] Conclusion Mitch wraps up today’s interview with Anna Goodson and lets you know where to find out more about her illustration agency.