Thoughts on Illustration

CAN THERE BE TOO MUCH CREATIVE FREEDOM? In this episode we're going to talk about why your creativity NEEDS constraints! Even though they seem like setbacks, if we can embrace them, they can actually push us forward in our work. In Chapter 1, I'll tell you the story of how a concert went totally wrong — and how that resulted one of the best-selling Jazz albums of all time. In Chapter 2, I'll give you the 4 types of constraints you'll encounter in your illustration work, and how to use each one to push you forward in your own creativity!

The podcast explores the struggle to find a clear point in art and illustration. It discusses the power of focus and the importance of unity in composition. The episode also emphasizes the need to embrace mistakes and prioritize completion over perfection.

In this episode I explore the questions many of us have as illustrators, where it comes to composition: how do I know what to include in the art, and how do I know where to put it? In Chapter 1 we look into what composition might be, and then in Chapter 2, I offer 5 steps you can take to make more confident decisions in your compositions.

In this episode, I share the experience of showing up at the blank page and coming up with an idea. While this episode is much shorter than usual, it's packed with insights about how I face creative block head on, and how I find my way through it to find the right idea on the other side!

Today we’re going to talk about how to loosen up in our art. I know a lot of us struggle to have a sense of freshness and energy in our work, especially as we develop a piece from looser sketch to the more finished piece. What often happens is that a sketch starts off feeling loose and promises something better than what we end up with. It’s very common to find that we like our sketches more than the final illustration. Why is that? And how, if at all, can we achieve the same loose feeling of our sketches in our final art? In this episode, I’m going to share my own story of how I wrestled with this question — of having a more spontaneous feeling to my work versus something more planned out — and why, over time, for ME my work has seemed to head more in the scripted, planned out direction — and why I’m okay with that. At the same time, I still try to build in as much looseness as I can, and at the end of the episode I’ll share some tips on how to do that.

I Now Offer 1-on-1 Illustration Coaching! Book your Coaching Session today at http://www.tomfroese.com/coaching Here we continue our conversation about getting feedback on our work. The last episode was focused on getting positive feedback and how that can be important too, but the best way to grow is by getting CRITICAL feedback, or CRITIQUE. This opens us up to bruised egos and discouragement, but in the end, if we want to grow, we really need it. In this episode I share one experience in getting feedback on my work, and how it both stung and helped me grow. I then give some ways in which we can seek critical feedback on purpose — who can we reach out to for it, and how can we get the most out of it?

In this episode, we start looking into the topic of feedback, as in getting feedback on our illustrations or artwork. What kind of feedback should we be seeking, and where should we look? It all depends on what you are hoping to get from it. It turns out that we don't always need critique — sometimes we just need to know we're on the right track. Sometimes we don't want solutions, we want comfort. This episode begins with some reflections on what it means to seek comfort — that is, positive affirmation about our work.

Exploring what makes art 'good' may not be the best approach for illustrators. Instead, focusing on the purpose and effectiveness of your work can lead to better critiques. The discussion also sheds light on the challenges self-taught artists face compared to their formally educated peers. Plus, hear about the chaos of navigating open briefs and a hilarious experience creating wall art for a hamburger restaurant. It's a thought-provoking look at growth, audience engagement, and the nuances of creative judgment.

Have you ever felt like a liar when calling yourself the thing you really want to be? Are you already doing the thing — illustration — but still find it hard to own the label — illustrator? In this episode, I share my experience of deep imposter syndrome, and I explain what I believe is the reason. If you struggle with feelings of self-doubt and unworthiness in your art or career, this episode is for you.

When you want to become an illustrator, what are the very first things you should start learning? What does the first year of an illustration education look like? We go deep into 10 skills and subjects to learn in this two part series. This is Part 2