Thoughts on Illustration

31
Design #154

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!

Recent Episodes
  • Overcoming Decision Paralysis in your Life and Work
    Apr 6, 2025 – 01:01:38
  • Episode 51 Coming Soon
    Apr 1, 2025 – 00:01:06
  • Working with Editorial Art Directors with Mike Schnaidt
    Mar 18, 2025 – 01:17:03
  • 5 Ways to Survive in 2025 as an Illustrator
    Mar 3, 2025 – 00:56:40
  • How I Found My First Agent and Editorial Clients
    Feb 18, 2025 – 00:44:17
  • Jess Miller on Losing Everything in the LA Fires
    Feb 4, 2025 – 00:56:52
  • Can you earn a living from illustration alone in 2025?
    Jan 21, 2025 – 00:54:25
  • Reflections on 2024. Predictions for 2025.
    Jan 7, 2025 – 00:49:31
  • Moving from Adobe to Procreate with Kyle T. Webster
    Dec 24, 2024 – 01:26:22
  • How Do You Know When an Illustration is Done?
    Dec 10, 2024 – 00:32:17
  • Embracing Hand-made in Your Work
    Nov 26, 2024 – 00:26:52
  • Consistency is The Key to Success
    Nov 12, 2024 – 00:42:02
  • Episode 41 Postponed - November 5, 2024
    Nov 5, 2024 – 00:01:06
  • The Illustrator's Guide with James Hughes
    Oct 22, 2024 – 01:14:57
  • Listen to This if You're Bored With Your Style
    Oct 8, 2024 – 00:39:35
  • Making the Big Leap with Martina Flor
    Sep 24, 2024 – 01:52:33
  • Let Your Ideas Gain Interest Over Time
    Sep 10, 2024 – 00:33:54
  • Midsummer Update (August 2024)
    Aug 7, 2024 – 00:18:00
  • Lisa Bardot, Procreate Artist and Brush Designer
    Jun 18, 2024 – 01:21:30
  • Illustration is Not Dead with Chris Piascik
    Jun 4, 2024 – 01:32:09
  • Should You Work for Friends and Family?
    May 21, 2024 – 00:53:35
  • Bad Clients: How to Turn Them Before They Burn You
    May 7, 2024 – 01:01:03
  • 10 Tips for Launching Your Illustration Career
    Apr 23, 2024 – 00:31:09
  • Should You Suck it Up or Stick to Your Guns? Navigating Client Feedback
    Apr 9, 2024 – 01:11:41
  • Surviving the AI Illustration Apocalypse
    Mar 26, 2024 – 00:38:12
  • Andy J. Pizza
    Mar 12, 2024 – 02:15:51
  • Becoming an Accidental Expert with Kyle T. Webster (Part 2 of 2)
    Feb 27, 2024 – 01:02:09
  • Becoming an Accidental Expert with Kyle T. Webster (Part 1 of 2)
    Feb 13, 2024 – 01:07:48
  • Becoming a Successful Illustrator at 40 with Adam Ming
    Jan 30, 2024 – 01:22:21
  • How to Love Your Work Again
    Jan 16, 2024 – 00:34:05
  • 6 Things I Learned from Paul Rand About Illustration
    Jan 3, 2024 – 01:29:49
  • REPLAY: Good News for Slow Workers
    Dec 19, 2023 – 00:59:54
  • Why Bother (Sharing When Nobody Seems to Care)?
    Dec 5, 2023 – 00:17:18
  • How do illustrators find their ideas?
    Nov 21, 2023 – 01:09:46
  • Copyright, Licensing, and Self-Promotion (Part 2)
    Nov 7, 2023 – 00:42:44
  • Copyright, Licensing, and Self-Promotion (Part 1)
    Oct 24, 2023 – 00:47:59
  • Stressed out? 8 Ways to Alleviate Stress as a Professional Illustrator
    Oct 10, 2023 – 00:57:43
  • 10 Productivity Tips for Illustrators
    Sep 26, 2023 – 01:03:53
  • You're Not Crazy — It's Social Media (Summer Shorts Rerun)
    Sep 12, 2023 – 00:38:00
  • Thoughts on Illustration Returns This September
    Aug 30, 2023 – 00:15:22
  • Is it the Right Time to Go Full Time as an Illustrator? | Summer Shorts 01
    Jul 10, 2023 – 00:18:47
  • To Quit or Commit: Should You Let Go of Your Big Dream?
    Jun 26, 2023 – 00:48:13
  • Good News for Slow Workers
    Jun 12, 2023 – 00:58:18
  • SPECIAL: Illustration Student Interviews Me for Class Project
    Jun 5, 2023 – 00:33:31
  • Why Constraints Make You More Creative
    May 22, 2023 – 00:48:02
  • The ONE THING You Need to Make Better Work
    May 8, 2023 – 00:33:24
  • Composition is Everything
    Apr 24, 2023 – 00:54:22
  • The Blank Page (Facing Creative Block)
    Apr 10, 2023 – 00:15:22
  • How to Loosen Up in Your Art
    Mar 27, 2023 – 00:53:28
  • Getting (Critical) Feedback On Your Illustrations
    Mar 13, 2023 – 00:48:30
Recent Reviews
  • SnookFan
    Great podcast
    I recently found Tom's YouTube channel and discovered that he also has a podcast. I thoroughly enjoy the content. I feel that Tom is talking directly to me. Highly recommended!
  • Cre8tive Spark
    I’ve subscribed to receive a regular dose of inspiration from Tom
    I appreciate Tom’s thoughtful content. Not hype, but real and practical.
  • anniesdrawing
    Valuable Podcast
    I’ve been a fan of Tom’s work and classes for a long time. I enjoy listening to his thoughts on illustration in this podcast. The one about composition actually helped me prepare for a presentation of an illustration I had to do at work to higher-ups. I was nervous but his thoughts in that episode sparked some ideas that helped me plan and speak confidently. Thanks, Tom!
  • Dordorro
    Thoughtful
    Tom has a unique and thoughtful way of guiding the process of becoming a confident illustrator. I think this is because he isn’t just repeating talking points that he’s heard or read from other artists, but rather has great intuition and a lot of experience to bring to the table.
  • joliebebe
    Value-packed 🤩
    Tom is so generous with how much thought and research he puts into every episode. I have found immense value listening to this show. Art can be an intimidating space and trying to figure out the things Tom so freely shares here on my own has been really frustrating and difficult (making me question my dream and be tempted to give up). But Tom, through this podcast and his Skillshare classes, always shows up as the friend and mentor you always wish you had. Whenever I am feeling discouraged and want to give up, I find myself turning back to revisiting one of Tom’s classes (& now this podcast—yay!!). So grateful for you, Tom. You are playing a pivotal part in my illustration journey.
  • H.Illo
    👍👍
    I was so psyched when I saw that Tom was starting a podcast! Wish I had this as a resource back when I started out as a freelance illustrator. Now that I also teach, I’ve appreciated the insight and experiences shared. Highly recommend.
  • Fred7819
    Great advice for illustrators and designers.
    Straightforward, honest advice. Tips on how to move forward in the creative fields. His podcast is absolutely worth the follow.
  • Uplift by Clarissa
    Perfect Podcast
    This podcast is a gold mine for illustrators who are trying to get started! I love Tom’s work and he is an amazing teacher. I love Tom’s description of hero’s in one of his podcasts of being an ordinary person who is demonstrating how possible it is to do extraordinary things. This is the kind of person I think Tom shows up as in his podcast and in his classes, and I think he is doing amazing things to eliminate barriers and create opportunities for up and coming illustrators.
  • south londoner1993
    Grateful for the advice
    I found you on YouTube and I’m glad to have these audio versions of the great advice you give! I am quite new to illustration and have found your experience valuable in understanding what I want for my own illustration journey! Thank you!
  • MoonaticDestiny
    So much illustration value!
    I’ve been following Tom’s YouTube channel for years now, and when I heard he was going to transition his YouTube channel into a podcast format I knew this was going to be a great podcast to listen to. Tom is fun and open minded, he knows so much about illustration, and he has so much illustration value to offer. This is a must add podcast to any art/illustration podcast library, and I can’t wait for new future episodes.
  • merrillfay
    ,podcast format .
    The podcast format fits your style . Good decision.
  • okayjillian
    Very Inspiring & informative
    Tom’s thoughtful and methodical approach to teaching translates wonderfully into podcast form! The conversation brings inspiration and introspection in a way that encourages very intentional movement forward through reflection and self exploration. I found listening to be very grounding and motivating but also without making me feel overwhelmed. It’s also super informative and Tom’s experience and honesty makes it feel like a safe space to learn and grow.
  • jacberry89
    Drawesome Pod!
    Thoughtful thoughts that Tom tells through talking! Great motivation and insight for getting started in any career or hobby, especially illustration.
  • suninthecorner
    Great reflections for illustrators at any level
    I have been hustling a freelance illustrator for 5 years and I found this podcast at the perfect time. I’m rethinking my workflow and want to be more intentional about my work. Tom’s perspective is so helpful for me at this stage, and offers me space to reflect and set new goals for the next phase of my career.
  • joeandersonstudio
    Authentic and Inspiring!
    I’ve known Tom’s visual voice for years, and I’m so glad to now hear Tom’s words and ideas help us navigate the idiosyncratic career of illustration through his podcast. You can count on Tom to be honest, on point, funny and inspiring. We should be grateful to have Tom as our illustration copilot. Smash that subscribe button!
  • swimez
    Love it
    I’ve tried listening to other artist/illustration podcasts but have always found them too “woo woo” or intimidating. I love how Tom is starting with his “spark moment” and following the journey from there.
  • MyNameIsMariana
    Super Helpful and Thought-Provoking
    I feel I’m at a point where I have a list of illustration/career goals I want to achieve in life and this podcast is going to help me organize some of those goals and guide me in the right direction. It’s very easy to follow and I’m looking forward to listening to future episodes.
  • Area9999
    Inspirational
    Thanks a lot for this wonderful episode.
Disclaimer: The podcast and artwork on this page are property of the podcast owner, and not endorsed by UP.audio.