Illustration Hour

Sign up for the newsletterGet a free trial of Skillshare PremiumAbout this EpisodeAlva Skog (Web; IG) is a Swedish illustrator based in London. Since graduating from Central Saint Martins in 2017, Alva has worked with clients like Apple, the New York Times and The Guardian. Their recognizable and bold style of towering characters with rule breaking proportions and their careful handling of difficult topics like inequality and gender has positioned Alva as a fresh and exciting voice within the illustration community. Alva has won multiple awards for their work including the ADC Young Gun Award (2019) and D&ad New Blood Award (2017).In this episode, we talk about:Alva’s path from Central Saint Martins to working full-time as a freelance illustratorWhy Alva believes that entering competitions can really help you especially in the beginningHow Alva reaches out to publications and handles self-promotionDealing with clients and having an agentHow Alva thinks about their style and what it meansTips for gaining confidence as an illustratorComprehensive Show Notes:Find all the links to books, projects and things we discussed via the link below:Episode Show NotesSupport the ShowThank you for listening to Illustration Hour. As you might know, the show currently doesn't have any sponsors.Each episode takes a tremendous amount of time, effort and some money to produce. I do all of that work myself. So, if you want to support the show, please consider doing one (or all!) of these things:Subscribe to the show's weekly newsletter Art ClubLeave the show a review and rating on Apple PodcastsSign up for a free trial of Skillshare for 2 months of free access using this link (I earn a commission for everyone that signs up and you do not need to pay for Skillshare at the end of your trial). Skillshare is amazing and you'll be able to check out tons of great courses on illustration and design as a thank you.Share the show and the newsletter with others!Thank you for helping me continue to make the show possible.Follow the podcast:Our WebsiteNewsletter AKA Art ClubTwitterInstagramFree ResourcesFollow Julia:WebsiteInstagramBehanceSkillshare

Sign up for the newsletterGet a free trial of Skillshare PremiumAbout this EpisodeHaley Tippmann (IG; Web; Society6)  is an illustrator based in Koblenz, Germany. who loves to draw people. Haley's signature way of drawing, an observational, organic and extremely expressive style has earned her commissions from clients like the New York Times, the New Yorker, Culture Trip and Vice. While she's always been an avid drawer, Haley's specific style of illustration grew out of her love for the Ipad Pro app Procreate. Now well into her career, Haley has developed a way of working with Procreate that mimics traditional media while leveraging the tools' great capabilities.In this episode, we talk about:Haley's path to becoming an illustratorwhy Haley only draws from her own photographs or directly from observationhow digital tools like Procreate helped Haley to refine her approach to illustrationHaley's pro tips for using Procreate effectivelyhow Haley customizes Procreate's built-in brusheshow Haley picks her colors and tricks for harmonizing colorsHaley's strategies for social media, self-promotion and representationComprehensive Show Notes:Find all the links to books, projects and things we discussed via the link below:Episode Show NotesSupport the ShowThank you for listening to Illustration Hour. As you might know, the show currently doesn't have any sponsors.Each episode takes a tremendous amount of time, effort and some money to produce. I do all of that work myself. So, if you want to support the show, please consider doing one (or all!) of these things:Subscribe to the show's weekly newsletter Art ClubLeave the show a review and rating on Apple PodcastsSign up for a free trial of Skillshare for 2 months of free access using this link (I earn a commission for everyone that signs up and you do not need to pay for Skillshare at the end of your trial). Skillshare is amazing and you'll be able to check out tons of great courses on illustration and design as a thank you.Share the show and the newsletter with others!Thank you for helping me continue to make the show possible.Follow the podcast:Our WebsiteNewsletter AKA Art ClubTwitterInstagramFree ResourcesFollow Julia:WebsiteInstagramBehanceSkillshare

Sign up for the newsletterGet a free trial of Skillshare PremiumAbout this EpisodeBrian Blomerth (Web; IG) is a freelance illustrator and cartoonist. From 2017 to 2018, Brian wrote a weekly cartoon titled Alphabet Junction for the magazine VICE. Since then, bands and companies have commissioned Brian to deliver his uniquely personal style of dog cartoons. Brian’s first full-length graphic novel, Brian Blomerth’s Bicycle Day, was published by Anthology and hailed by many for its original retelling of a day in the life of Swiss chemist Albert Hoffman’s experience riding a bicycle while high on LSD.In this episode, we talk about:Brian’s path to becoming a dog cartoonistwhy Brian doesn’t sketch and chooses to ink his drawings directlyBrian’s process for writing his book Bicycle Day from idea, to research, to executionwhy Brian draws people with dog faceswhy Brian believes the 50/50 rule is a great way to measure if you’re doing the right kinds of workComprehensive Show Notes:Find all the links to books, projects and things we discussed via the link below:Episode Show NotesSupport the ShowThank you for listening to Illustration Hour. As you might know, the show currently doesn't have any sponsors.Each episode takes a tremendous amount of time, effort and some money to produce. I do all of that work myself. So, if you want to support the show, please consider doing one (or all!) of these things:Subscribe to the show's weekly newsletter Art ClubLeave the show a review and rating on Apple PodcastsSign up for a free trial of Skillshare for 2 months of free access using this link (I earn a commission for everyone that signs up and you do not need to pay for Skillshare at the end of your trial). Skillshare is amazing and you'll be able to check out tons of great courses on illustration and design as a thank you.Share the show and the newsletter with others!Thank you for helping me continue to make the show possible.Follow the podcast:Our WebsiteNewsletter AKA Art ClubTwitterInstagramFree ResourcesFollow Julia:WebsiteInstagramBehanceSkillshare

Sign up for the newsletter Get a free trial of Skillshare PremiumAbout this EpisodeNicki Field is the head of illustration at the agency and production company Jelly London. Nicki has years of experience representing artists and illustrators and she shares helpful tips about portfolios, self-promotion, outreach and negotiation. In this conversation we talk about:pricing, contracts, and negotiationindustry-wide issues that trouble Nickiportfolios and websites and how to present yourself to get workreaching out directly to potential clientsNicki's advice for illustrators starting out how Nicki thinks about Instagram when you should think about getting an agent Comprehensive Show Notes:Find all the links to books, projects and things we discussed via the link below:Episode Show NotesSupport the ShowThank you for listening to Illustration Hour. As you might know, the show currently doesn't have any sponsors.Each episode takes a tremendous amount of time, effort and some money to produce. I do all of that work myself. So, if you want to support the show, please consider doing one (or all!) of these things:Subscribe to the show's weekly newsletter Art ClubLeave the show a review and rating on Apple PodcastsSign up for a free trial of Skillshare for 2 months of free access using this link (I earn a commission for everyone that signs up and you do not need to pay for Skillshare at the end of your trial). Skillshare is amazing and you'll be able to check out tons of great courses on illustration and design as a thank you.Share the show and the newsletter with others!Thank you for helping me continue to make the show possible.Follow the podcast:Our WebsiteNewsletter AKA Art ClubTwitterInstagramFree ResourcesFollow Julia:WebsiteInstagramBehanceSkillshare

Sign up for the newsletterGet a free trial of Skillshare PremiumAbout this EpisodeNolan Pelletier (Web; IG) is an illustrator and designer based in Toronto Canada. Nolan's deep love for collecting antiques, art and printed ephemera influences his work very deeply. Over the years he has developed a unique style and voice combining his love of inky, blotty lines and textured color. Nolan's deft deployment of the graphic and the ornamental peppered with a healthy dose of humor has attracted clients like the NYT, the New Yorker, New Republic, NY Magazine and many more. In this conversation we talk about:Nolan's love for collectingHow Nolan met and eventually befriended one of his creative heroesNolan's side project the Somnolent Garden RamblerTexture tricks and making inky lines in PhotoshopHow Nolan's work evolved over timeNolan's advice for illustrators starting outComprehensive Show Notes:Find all the links to books, projects and things we discussed via the link below:Episode Show NotesSupport the ShowThank you for listening to Illustration Hour. As you might know, the show currently doesn't have any sponsors.Each episode takes a tremendous amount of time, effort and some money to produce. I do all of that work myself. So, if you want to support the show, please consider doing one (or all!) of these things:Subscribe to the show's weekly newsletter Art ClubLeave the show a review and rating on Apple PodcastsSign up for a free trial of Skillshare for 2 months of free access using this link (I earn a commission for everyone that signs up and you do not need to pay for Skillshare at the end of your trial). Skillshare is amazing and you'll be able to check out tons of great courses on illustration and design as a thank you.Share the show and the newsletter with others!Thank you for helping me continue to make the show possible.Follow the podcast:Our WebsiteNewsletter AKA Art ClubTwitterInstagramFree ResourcesFollow Julia:WebsiteInstagramBehanceSkillshare

About this EpisodeMelanie Lambrick (IG; Web) is an illustrator and designer based in Montreal, Canada. Melanie's work really caught my eye from the moment I first saw it on Instagram. It's delightfully textured, filled with brilliant color palettes and pleasing compositions. Melanie's work is a nod to the folk art traditions of the 1960s, works by illustrators like the great John Alcorn and Charley Harper. Melanie has worked with a nice roster of distinguished clients like The New York Times, The Washington Post, Volkswagen, Fortune Magazine and Medium. You might be surprised to learn, as I was that Melanie wasn't always an illustrator. Illustration is Melanie's second career. She left a steady full-time job behind to follow her dream of illustrating. In this conversation we talk about:Melanie's transition from full-time employment to freelance illustrationHow Melanie found her voice and style as an illustratorWhy you finding your creative process is keyHow to promote yourself and find work in the beginningThe pains of social media as a creativeHow to make time for personal projects and admin tasks as a freelancerComprehensive Show Notes:Find all the links to books, projects and things we discussed via the link below.Episode Show NotesSupport the ShowThank you for listening to Illustration Hour. As you might know, the show currently doesn't have any sponsors.Each episode takes a tremendous amount of time, effort and some money to produce. I do all of that work myself. So, if you want to support the show, please consider doing one (or all!) of these things:Subscribe to the show's weekly newsletter Art ClubLeave the show a review and rating on Apple PodcastsSign up for a free trial of Skillshare for 2 months of free access using this link (I earn a commission for everyone that signs up and you do not need to pay for Skillshare at the end of your trial). Skillshare is amazing and you'll be able to check out tons of great courses on illustration and design as a thank you.Share the show and the newsletter with others!Thank you for helping me continue to make the show possible.Follow the podcast:Our WebsiteNewsletter AKA Art ClubTwitterInstagramFree ResourcesFollow Julia:WebsiteInstagramBehanceSkillshare

About this EpisodeArmando Veve (Web; IG) is an illustrator and artist known for his masterful use of graphite and surreal compositions. Armando's work is remarkable in his extreme attention to detail and the care he puts into his medium. Armando's illustrations are truly magical with a very tactile feel. His concepts are equally impressive. Armando has a propensity for the surreal and humor plays a huge role in his work. 2018 was a huge year for Armando, as he received the ADC young gun award from the One Club for Creativity and was named in Forbes' 30 under 30 list. Since then, Armando's work has expanded into even more realms including commercial work with companies like Absolut and Urban Outfitters. As you'll learn in this conversation, Armando got his start in editorial illustration after graduating from RISD. We talk about his post graduation plans, and how he gradually discovered how he wanted to work and what type of work he wanted to make. From there, Armando accumulated commissions from clients like the NYT, MIT Tech Review, the New Yorker, Wired, Mother Jones, and many many more. Armando has received many awards over the years including quite a few distinctions from the Society of illustrators and others. In this conversation we talk about:Armando's start in illustration how Armando finds ideas and interesting concepts for his editorial workwhy Armando continues to use traditional graphite instead of digital brushes for his workArmando's entire process for working on an editorial commissionhow to balance detail with simplicitythe role of editorial illustration taming self-doubt and taking care of yourself as an illustratorComprehensive Show Notes:Episode Show NotesSupport the ShowThank you for listening to Illustration Hour. As you might know, the show currently doesn't have any sponsors.Each episode takes a tremendous amount of time, effort and some money to produce. I do all of that work myself. So, if you want to support the show, please consider doing one (or all!) of these things:Subscribe to the show's weekly newsletter Art ClubLeave the show a review and rating on Apple PodcastsSign up for a free trial of Skillshare for 2 months of free access using this link (I earn a commission for everyone that signs up and you do not need to pay for Skillshare at the end of your trial). Skillshare is amazing and you'll be able to check out tons of great courses on illustration and design as a thank you.Share the show and the newsletter with others!Thank you for helping me continue to make the show possible.Follow the podcast:Our WebsiteTwitterInstagramNewsletter AKA Art ClubFree ResourcesFollow Julia:WebsiteInstagramBehanceSkillshare

About this EpisodeEleanor Taylor (Web; IG) is an illustrator and artist working out of Hastings in the U.K. Eleanor has a BA in illustration from Norwich College of Arts and an MA in communication Art and Design from the Royal College of Art. Her work is highly praised and regarded among book publishers and editorial circles and she has worked with tons of prestigious publications including Penguin, the NYT, the New Yorker, the Guardian, WSJ, NBC and many many more. Eleanor's approach to image making is influenced by her love of paper and printmaking, she works either by hand using a mixture of watercolor, gouache and colored pencils or more recently digitally using a combination of Procreate and final touch ups in Photoshop. This results in beautiful mixed media illustrations replete with thoughtful details and ingenious color combinations.In this conversation we talk about:how Eleanor developed her portfolio, style and voiceEleanor's approach to image makinghow Eleanor picks the projects she commits to and how she balances different projects during the yearEleanor's digital workflow including her favorite Procreate brusheshow Eleanor's experience with watercolors informed her digital workself promotion, what worked for Eleanor and what didn't workthe balance between control and freedom or spontaneity in the creative processthe importance of keeping engaged and open as an artistComprehensive Show Notes:Episode Show NotesSupport the ShowThank you for listening to Illustration Hour. As you might know, the show currently doesn't have any sponsors.Each episode takes a tremendous amount of time, effort and some money to produce. I do all of that work myself. So, if you want to support the show, please consider doing one (or all!) of these things:Subscribe to the show's weekly newsletter Art ClubLeave the show a review and rating on Apple PodcastsSign up for a free trial of Skillshare for 2 months of free access using this link (I earn a commission for everyone that signs up and you do not need to pay for Skillshare at the end of your trial). Skillshare is amazing and you'll be able to check out tons of great courses on illustration and design as a thank you.Share the show and the newsletter with others!Thank you for helping me continue to make the show possible.Follow the podcast:Our WebsiteTwitterInstagramNewsletter AKA Art ClubFree ResourcesFollow Julia:WebsiteInstagramBehanceSkillshare

About this EpisodeGeorge Wylesol (Web; IG) is an illustrator, designer and artist working out of Baltimore. After graduating from the Maryland Institute College of Art with an MFA in Illustration Practice in 2014, George assembled a portfolio filled with personal work that got him his first few editorial and commercial commissions. Since then, George has worked with publications and brands from all over the world, including the New Yorker, the New York Times, NBC, Penguin and the Guardian. George's work combines clean lines with richly textured colors to depict scenes and objects in unusual ways. George is also the author of Ghosts, Etc. a collection of short stories and Internet Crusader, a graphic novel about the internet of the late 1990s and early 2000s. George has received many awards recognizing his books and editorial work including two silver medals from the Society of Illustrators. Today, George splits his time between making personal work, taking on commissions and teaching illustration at MICA and Towson University in Baltimore.In this conversation we talk about:how George works and his secret for amazing texturesthe importance of personal projects for building your reputation and careerwhy George thinks you should do what you like first and then worry about how to frame it laterwhat advice George gives students who take his illustration classes at MICA and Towson UniversityGeorge's perspective on self-promotion and getting your name out there as a young illustratorthe origin story behind George's short story GhostsComprehensive Show Notes:Episode Show NotesSupport the ShowThank you for listening to Illustration Hour. As you might know, the show currently doesn't have any sponsors.Each episode takes a tremendous amount of time, effort and some money to produce. I do all of that work myself. So, if you want to support the show, please consider doing one (or all!) of these things:Subscribe to the show's weekly newsletter Art ClubLeave the show a review and rating on Apple PodcastsSign up for a free trial of Skillshare for 2 months of free access using this link (I earn a commission for everyone that signs up and you do not need to pay for Skillshare at the end of your trial). Skillshare is amazing and you'll be able to check out tons of great courses on illustration and design as a thank you.Share the show and the newsletter with others!Thank you for helping me continue to make the show possible.Follow the podcast:Our WebsiteTwitterInstagramNewsletter AKA Art ClubFree ResourcesFollow Julia:WebsiteInstagramBehanceSkillshare

26Episode SummaryIn this episode, I chat with illustrator, creative director and designer Daniel Ramirez Perez about his path from being an art director working at big ad agencies to becoming a full time freelance illustrator.Show Notes:In this episode, I chat with illustrator, creative director and designer Daniel Ramirez Perez about his path from being an art director working at big ad agencies to becoming a full time freelance illustrator.About this EpisodeDaniel Ramirez Perez (IG; Web) is an illustrator, creative director and designer based in Berlin. Over his very successful career, Daniel has worked on many different types of projects ranging from branding to creative direction to illustrating gig posters. Daniel has a versatile yet unique style of illustration merging vector shapes with a refined sense of color and a careful approach to composition. He has worked for clients like Conde Nast, Lufthansa, Thom Yorke, Tyler the Creator and L’Officiel Magazine.In this illuminating conversation we talk about Daniel’s path from studying fashion design in university to getting his first job with Vivienne Westwood in London and snatching a coveted art director position at the prestigious ad agency M&C Saatchi. We chat about how Daniel managed being an art director during the day and an illustrator at night, how he sent he got his first few illustration gigs and how he made his transition to being full time freelance in 2014. You know, I really appreciated talking with Daniel because he has an overwhelmingly positive and optimistic attitude and I think it’s refreshing to remind yourself to keep working and to know that you will get there some day. And Daniel’s journey is a really interesting tale of working hard and being patient yet fiercely determined to do what you love. So without further ado, here is my conversation with the talented Daniel Ramirez Perez.In this conversation we talk about:Daniel's choice to pursue fashion design at university and getting his first job at Vivienne Westwoodhow Daniel worked his way from intern to art director at the ad agency M&C Saatchiwhy Daniel decided to start illustrating by night (while working a full time job)Daniel's creative processwhy Daniel cherishes "taking his time" with his workwhy Daniel thinks you shouldn't listen to all the naysayers who tell you it's hard to make it as an illustratorwhat Daniel learned from all these years working in the advertising worldGet Daniel's 2020 calendar! Comprehensive Show NotesEpisode Show Notes Turn Up CampaignYou can find the full illustration brief here. Please remember to submit your illustrations ASAP (by the end of November), include the hashtag #turnup and email your image to turnup@playverto.com Support the ShowThank you for listening to Illustration Hour. As you might know, the show currently doesn't have any sponsors.Each episode takes a tremendous amount of time, effort and some money to produce. I do all of that work myself. So, if you want to support the show, please consider doing one (or all!) of these things:Subscribe to the show's weekly newsletter Art ClubLeave the show a review and rating on Apple Podcasts (formely iTunes)Sign up for a free trial of Skillshare for 2 months of free access using this link (I earn a commission for everyone that signs up and you do not need to pay for Skillshare at the end of your trial). Skillshare is amazing and you'll be able to check out tons of great courses on illustration and design as a thank you.Share the show and the newsletter with others!Thank you for helping me continue to make the show possible. Follow the podcast:Our WebsiteTwitterInstagramNewsletter AKA Art ClubResource Library Follow Julia:WebsiteInstagramBehanceSkillshare     

About this EpisodeRobin Davey (IG; Web) is an animator and illustrator represented by Agent Pekka. Robin is well known for his cute bouncy characters, simple bold shapes and cheerful color palettes. His animations are full of joy and so expressive. Robin is a master at animating facial expressions and body movements in a way that doesn’t feel too stiff or childish but still manages to make you smile. Robin has a lot of experience animating and working with brands and publications such as Google, Microsoft, The BBC, The Atlantic, Wired, Nickelodeon and Logitech.In this conversation we talk about:how Robin started animatingRobin's experience working in big teams at studios like Nexus, Aardman and Studio AKARobin's struggle with self doubt and the ups and down of freelancingRobin's creative processhow and why Robin continues to learn new skillsRobin's advice for illustrators and animators starting out todayComprehensive Show Notes:Episode Show NotesChicago Art Book Fair Support the ShowThank you for listening to Illustration Hour. As you might know, the show currently doesn't have any sponsors.Each episode takes a tremendous amount of time, effort and some money to produce. I do all of that work myself. So, if you want to support the show, please consider doing one (or all!) of these things:Subscribe to the show's weekly newsletter Art ClubLeave the show a review and rating on Apple PodcastsSign up for a free trial of Skillshare for 2 months of free access using this link (I earn a commission for everyone that signs up and you do not need to pay for Skillshare at the end of your trial). Skillshare is amazing and you'll be able to check out tons of great courses on illustration and design as a thank you.Share the show and the newsletter with others!Thank you for helping me continue to make the show possible.Follow the podcast:Our WebsiteTwitterInstagramNewsletter AKA Art ClubResource LibraryFollow Julia:WebsiteInstagramBehanceSkillshare

Episode SummaryIn this episode, I chat with the animator, director and illustrator Laurie Rowan about his wonderfully addictive animations and how he got to where he is now.Show Notes:About this EpisodeLaurie Rowan (IG; Web) is an animator, director and illustrator based in the U.K. Laurie is well-known for his uniquely tactile pastel animations of quirky wobbly characters. Laurie started working in the animation industry 13 years ago, working his way up in small and bigger studios creating animations for phone games, tv, and websites. In 2017, Laurie attended the character design conference Pictoplasma and realized he desperately wanted to created original work and work for himself. So for the next few months, Laurie set himself a challenge: to create one short animation a week that he would post on his instagram every Saturday. It was a simple and open ended brief but Laurie quickly hit his stride. Today Laurie has established himself as an innovative animator and has worked with brands like Google, Disney, and the BBC.In this conversation we talk about:why Laurie likes to draw everydayhow Laurie discovered his unique style and voicehow bird mating rituals and tupperwares inspired some of Laurie's animationsLaurie's routine and his tips for separating work from lifehow Laurie gets inspired Comprehensive Show NotesEpisode Show Notes Support the ShowThank you for listening to Illustration Hour. As you might know, the show currently doesn't have any sponsors.Each episode takes a tremendous amount of time, effort and some money to produce. I do all of that work myself. So, if you want to support the show, please consider doing one (or all!) of these things:Subscribe to the show's weekly newsletter Art ClubLeave the show a review and rating on Apple Podcasts (formely iTunes)Sign up for a free trial of Skillshare for 2 months of free access using this link (I earn a commission for everyone that signs up and you do not need to pay for Skillshare at the end of your trial). Skillshare is amazing and you'll be able to check out tons of great courses on illustration and design as a thank you.Share the show and the newsletter with others!Thank you for helping me continue to make the show possible. Follow the podcast:Our WebsiteTwitterInstagramNewsletter AKA Art ClubResource Library Follow Julia:WebsiteInstagramBehanceSkillshare

About this EpisodeMatthew LeBaron (Web; IG) is an agent and the founder of Much Creative, an agency that represents talented artists and creatives. After studying illustration at SVA and FTI, Matthew discovered a love for representing artists and changed his career path. He has over a decade of experience working with and representing artists and illustrators and has a real passion for helping illustrators. More recently Matthew launched Collab+, an innovative portal that allows creatives to look for one-off project management, negotiation and contract overview help and that also helps buyers find qualified creatives to fit their budget and needs.In this conversation we talk about:how and when to negotiate with clientstips for pricing your work and quotinghow Instagram impacts illustrators todayhow to communicate with clients professionallyhow to get work as an illustratorwhether you need one style as an illustratorhow to reach out to clients and promote your workwhy you need to pay attention to usage rights in your contractswhen you should seek representationComprehensive Show Notes:Episode Show NotesSupport the ShowThank you for listening to Illustration Hour. As you might know, the show currently doesn't have any sponsors.Each episode takes a tremendous amount of time, effort and some money to produce. I do all of that work myself. So, if you want to support the show, please consider doing one (or all!) of these things:Subscribe to the show's weekly newsletter Art ClubLeave the show a review and rating on Apple Podcasts Sign up for a free trial of Skillshare for 2 months of free access using this link (I earn a commission for everyone that signs up and you do not need to pay for Skillshare at the end of your trial). Skillshare is amazing and you'll be able to check out tons of great courses on illustration and design as a thank you.Share the show and the newsletter with others!Thank you for helping me continue to make the show possible.Follow the podcast:Our WebsiteTwitterInstagramNewsletter AKA Art ClubResource LibraryFollow Julia:WebsiteInstagramBehanceSkillshare

Show Notes:In this episode, I talk with illustrator Cathal Duane about freelance life, setting realistic expectations and the importance of understanding the business side of freelance illustration.About this EpisodeCathal Duane (IG; Web) is an Irish illustrator based in France and represented by Usfolk. Cathal’s work is bold, modern and textured consisting of highly figurative forms, smart compositions and joyful color schemes. Cathal has worked on commercial and editorial projects with clients like The Atlantic, the BBC, Creative Ireland, the Association of Illustrators and the Belfast City Council. In this conversation we talk about:how Cathal established himself as a freelance illustratorhow setting realistic and achivable goals can help you succeedhow Cathal gradually built a portfolio, a client list and a networkCathal's creative processwhy all illustrators should learn about the business side of freelancinghow having a boilerplate contract can save you hours of unpaid wokhow Cathal separates work from his life as a freelancerComprehensive Show Notes:Episode Show NotesSupport the ShowThank you for listening to Illustration Hour. As you might know, the show currently doesn't have any sponsors.Each episode takes a tremendous amount of time, effort and some money to produce. I do all of that work myself. So, if you want to support the show, please consider doing one (or all!) of these things:Subscribe to the show's weekly newsletter Art ClubLeave the show a review and rating on Apple Podcasts (formely iTunes)Sign up for a free trial of Skillshare for 2 months of free access using this link (I earn a commission for everyone that signs up and you do not need to pay for Skillshare at the end of your trial). Skillshare is amazing and you'll be able to check out tons of great courses on illustration and design as a thank you.Share the show and the newsletter with others!Thank you for helping me continue to make the show possible.Follow the podcast:Our WebsiteTwitterInstagramNewsletter AKA Art ClubResource LibraryFollow Julia:WebsiteInstagramBehanceSkillshare

In this episode, I chat with illustrator and commercial artist Thomas Danthony about his creative career path, his beautifully pared-down work and his creative process.About this EpisodeThomas Danthony (IG; Web; Shop) is a French illustrator and artist based in Barcelona and London. Thomas’ striking work uses a limited but cohesive color palette and clever composition and lighting to convey a mood or idea. Over the years, Thomas has become famous and won awards for his commercial work alternating big commercial campaigns with clients like Magnum and Hennessy with some editorial work for the New York Times and a healthy dose of personal projects. Thomas has also been developing his painting to emulate the way he works digitally which is very precise and using layers in Photoshop. Currently Thomas is represented by the prestigious London based agency Handsome Frank, which also represents a number of other talented artists like Malika Favre and Thibaud Herem. He also works with the Paris based agency Tiphaine on French projects.In this conversation we talk about:how Thomas shifted focus from industrial and furniture design to illustrationhow Thomas used personal projects to attract commercial clients and get agentswhy Thomas believes using the tools "the wrong way" helped develop his distinct stylehow Thomas deals with perfectionismhow Thomas navigates client relationshipswhy Thomas has a set routine for his workdayshow climbing lets Thomas unwind and disconnect from his workWe also talk about an important gallery show that Thomas is organizing with 50 artists to help preserve endangered lands called Touchwood. You can find out more about the event here.Comprehensive Show Notes:Episode Show NotesSupport the ShowThank you for listening to Illustration Hour. As you might know, the show currently doesn't have any sponsors.Each episode takes a tremendous amount of time, effort and some money to produce. I do all of that work myself. So, if you want to support the show, please consider doing one (or all!) of these things:Subscribe to the show's weekly newsletter Art ClubLeave the show a review and rating on Apple Podcasts (formely iTunes)Sign up for a free trial of Skillshare for 2 months of free access using this link (I earn a commission for everyone that signs up and you do not need to pay for Skillshare at the end of your trial). Skillshare is amazing and you'll be able to check out tons of great courses on illustration and design as a thank you.Share the show and the newsletter with others!Thank you for helping me continue to make the show possible.Follow the podcast:Our WebsiteTwitterInstagramNewsletter AKA Art ClubResource LibraryFollow Julia:WebsiteInstagramBehanceSkillshare

In this episode, I chat with Clay Hickson, an illustrator and the founder of Tan & Loose Press and The Smudge. We talk about Clay's path to illustration, why he keeps busy with many personal and side projects and how he works and gets inspired.About this EpisodeClay Hickson (IG;Web) is an LA based illustrator and founder of the independent risograph press Tan & Loose Press as well as a monthly newspaper called The Smudge. Clay is not only a hugely talented illustrator with a distinctive 70s vibe who has worked with clients like Netflix, American Express and Apartemento, but also a very generous and active member of the illustration community. Shortly after graduating from the School of the Art Institute in Chicago, Clay stumbled across a craigslist ad for a risograph printer. He took a chance and bought that machine and learned about risograph printing to start his own independent publishing house and press called Tan & Loose. Since then, Tan & Loose has published books from artists like Lan Truong, Gabriel Alcala, Peter Gamlen and many more. Clay’s other side project, and a hugely influential one that has earned him tons of acclaim within the creative community and beyond is the Smudge, a monthly newspaper inspired by political journals of the 70s underground scene that Clay publishes with his wife the illustrator Liana Jeggers.In this conversation we talk about:how Clay became an illustratorhow the harsh Canadian winter encouraged Clay to start drawing morehow and why Clay fell in love with risographywhy Clay does so many side and personal projectsClay's daily routinehow, where and with what tools Clay likes to workresources to learn more about risograph printerswhat it's like to run and print an independent newspaperClay's art book and vintage magazine collectionSupport Clay and his amazing work by subscribing to The Smudge or purchasing a few Tan & Loose Press goodies.Comprehensive Show Notes:Episode Show NotesSupport the ShowThank you for listening to Illustration Hour. As you might know, the show currently doesn't have any sponsors.Each episode takes a tremendous amount of time, effort and some money to produce. I do all of that work myself. So, if you want to support the show, please consider doing one (or all!) of these things:Subscribe to the show's weekly newsletter Art ClubLeave the show a review and rating on Apple Podcasts (formely iTunes)Sign up for a free trial of Skillshare for 2 months of free access using this link (I earn a commission for everyone that signs up and you do not need to pay for Skillshare at the end of your trial). Skillshare is amazing and you'll be able to check out tons of great courses on illustration and design as a thank you.Share the show and the newsletter with others!Thank you for helping me continue to make the show possible.Follow the podcast:Our WebsiteTwitterInstagramNewsletter AKA Art ClubResource LibraryFollow Julia:WebsiteInstagramBehanceSkillshare

In this episode, I talk with designers Melissa Deckert and Nicole Licht of Party of One studio about how they started collaborating, how they used personal projects to their advantage and how they create sets and props for photo-illustrations.About this EpisodeParty of One (Web; IG) is a collaborative studio founded and headed by Melissa Deckert and Nicole Licht. Together, they specialize in bold visual campaigns for brands and products using props, sets, and unique materials. Melissa and Nicole met while working as in-house designers at Etsy and after freelancing separately for a while, decided to join forces as Party of One. Since then they’ve worked with many brands and publications including Mercedes Benz, Otherland, Eater, the New York Times, and the Washington Post.In this conversation we talk about:how “cathartic piñatas” helped Nicole and Melissa to imagine their future studiowhy you should focus on process rather than outcomes as much as possiblehow to embrace play as a form of workhow Nicole and Melissa approach editorial assignmentsdesign portfolios and building one that gets you workthe Party of One processhow Melissa and Nicole get inspiredthe power of personal projectsComprehensive Show Notes:Episode Show NotesFollow the podcast:And remember to leave a review and/or rating on Apple Podcast (formerly iTunes) if you feel so inclined. It helps the podcast tremendously.Our WebsiteTwitterInstagramNewsletter AKA Art ClubResource LibraryFollow Julia:WebsiteInstagramBehanceSkillshare

Support the Show (for free) Thank you for listening to Illustration Hour. As you might know, the show currently doesn't have any sponsors. Each episode takes a tremendous amount of time, effort and some money to produce. I do all of that work myself. So, if you want to support the show, please consider doing one (or all!) of these (completely free) things: Subscribe to the show's weekly newsletter Art Club Leave the show a review and rating on Apple Podcasts (formely iTunes) Sign up for a free trial of Skillshare for 2 months of free access using this link (I earn a commission for everyone that signs up and you do not need to pay for Skillshare at the end of your trial). Skillshare is amazing and you'll be able to check out tons of great courses on illustration and design as a thank you. Share the show and the newsletter with others! Thank you for helping me continue to make the show possible. Episode Summary In this episode, I talk with italian illustrator Elena Xausa about her experience drawing for publications like the New Yorker and the ebbs and flows of freelance life. Show Notes: In this episode, I talk with italian illustrator Elena Xausa about her experience drawing for publications like the New Yorker and the ebbs and flows of freelance life. Elena Xausa (Web IG) is an Italian illustrator who has worked with clients like the NYT, the New Yorker, Apple and Monocle on editorial and commercial projects of all kinds. Elena’s witty approach and her colorful and bold style has helped her to build a reputation as a smart interpreter of culture. We chat about: How Elena got started in illustration How to handle criticism as you're starting out The universality of illustration as a means of communication How Elena navigates a real world assignment with a publication The role of editorial illustration and the importance of symbols The pros and cons of freelance life The role of humor in Elena's work Comprehensive Show Notes: Episode Show Notes Follow the podcast: And remember to leave a review and/or rating on iTunes if you feel so inclined. It helps the podcast tremendously. Our Website Twitter Instagram Newsletter AKA Art Club Follow Julia: Website Instagram Behance Skillshare

Support the Show Thank you for listening to Illustration Hour. As you might know, the show currently doesn't have any sponsors. Each episode takes a tremendous amount of time, effort and some money to produce. I do all of that work myself. So, if you want to support the show, please consider doing one (or all!) of these things: Subscribe to the show's weekly newsletter Art Club Leave the show a review and rating on Apple Podcasts (formely iTunes) Share the show and the newsletter with others! Sign up for a free trial of Skillshare for 2 months of free access using this link (I earn a commission for everyone that signs up and you do not need to pay for Skillshare at the end of your trial). Skillshare is amazing and you'll be able to check out tons of great courses on illustration and design for free. Purchase any of the items or tools we mention on the show or shownotes through our Amazon Affiliate links (no extra cost for you) Donate a small amount of money to help the show (only if you can afford it and are comfortable doing so/ no guilt trips here!) Every little bit helps! Thank you for helping me continue to make the show possible. In this episode, I talk with Dutch illustrator Rick Berkelmans AKA Hedof about his amazing career as a commercial illustrator, how he got to where he is now and what he's learned along the way. Rick Berkelmans AKA Hedof (IG;Web) is an illustrator who has worked with big brands from all over the world on imaginative campaigns and projects. His signature style consists of flat shapes interwoven together to form surreal visual puzzles. His unique ability to translate a mood into distinct visuals has helped Rick grow an impressive list of clients including Nike, Ikea, Samsung, KLM, The Hoxton Hotel, WeTransfer, Google and the Lotte World Mall. We talk about: how to discover your voice and style as an artist how to build a portfolio around your interests and passions how to reach out to people you want to work with how to use group shows and exhibitions to build up your reputation how to set realistic goals how to embrace constraints and restrictions how to push yourself out of your comfort zone and learn new skills how to deal with the more boring side of freelance work (i.e. administrative details and emails) Rick’s whole process for creating his signature illustration why sketching is so important in Rick's practice and how he approaches sketching Why you need to educate yourself about the business side of illustration/ design as a freelancer some resources (many are free) you can use to learn the basics of business how to balance freelancing and family life Comprehensive Show Notes: Episode Show Notes Follow the podcast: And remember to leave a review and/or rating on iTunes if you feel so inclined. It helps the podcast tremendously. Our Website Twitter Instagram Newsletter AKA Art Club Follow Julia: Website Instagram Behance Skillshare

In this episode, I share a strategic approach for creating a portfolio that gets you clients and attention. I answer questions like how much work should I have in my portfolio, what type of portfolio builder should I use,when should I start building a portfolio and much more. I share: Two questions you need to ask yourself before you build a portfolio How to research the industry you want to work in How to figure out your story and how you should tell it Two essential qualities your portfolio should have Why you shouldn't wait to create a portfolio for yourself (do it now) Three easy services I recommend for portfolio building (one is completely free) How to make a portfolio that attracts views and keeps people clicking Support the Show (for free) Thank you for listening to Illustration Hour. As you might know, the show currently doesn't have any sponsors. Each episode takes a tremendous amount of time, effort and some money to produce. I do all of that work myself. So, if you want to support the show, please consider doing one (or all!) of these (completely free) things: Subscribe to the show's weekly newsletter Art Club Leave the show a review and rating on Apple Podcasts (formely iTunes) Sign up for a free trial of Skillshare for 2 months of free access using this link (I earn a commission for everyone that signs up and you do not need to pay for Skillshare at the end of your trial). Skillshare is amazing and you'll be able to check out tons of great courses on illustration and design as a thank you. Share the show and the newsletter with others! Thank you for helping me continue to make the show possible. Show Notes: Blog Post Semplice Bluehost Squarespace Behance Follow the podcast: And remember to leave a review and/or rating on iTunes if you feel so inclined. It helps the podcast tremendously. Our Website Twitter Instagram Newsletter AKA Art Club Follow Julia: Website Instagram Behance Skillshare

I talk with illustrator Peter Gamlen about what he's learned in his 8 years as a freelance illustrator, how to overcome creative crises and how to grow as an artist. Support the Show (for free) Thank you for listening to Illustration Hour. As you might know, the show currently doesn't have any sponsors. Each episode takes a tremendous amount of time, effort and some money to produce. I do all of that work myself. So, if you want to support the show, please consider doing one (or all!) of these (completely free) things: Subscribe to the show's weekly newsletter Art Club Leave the show a review and rating on Apple Podcasts (formely iTunes) Sign up for a free trial of Skillshare for 2 months of free access using this link (I earn a commission for everyone that signs up and you do not need to pay for Skillshare at the end of your trial). Skillshare is amazing and you'll be able to check out tons of great courses on illustration and design as a thank you. Share the show and the newsletter with others! Thank you for helping me continue to make the show possible. About my Guest Peter Gamlen (IG; Website) is an illustrator and artist based in Brooklyn, NY. Peter has been a freelance illustrator for the past 8 years working with publications like the NYT, Businessweek, Monocle, the Wall Street Journal and brands like Google and Warby Parker. Over those years, Peter has amassed a wealth of experience and gone through the ups and down of being a freelance illustrator. In this conversation we talk about: Peter’s journey from recent grad to freelance illustrator How to break free from arbitrary constraints that we impose on ourselves as artists What Peter learned from reading classic French and Belgian comics in his childhood Creative crises of confidence and how to deal with them Growing as an artist through making difficult decisions How to get inspired in a digital world How to prioritize what makes you happy Peter’s process for editorial illustration from sketch to finished image The role of humor in Peter’s work Taking as much time off from the computer as possible Dealing with art directors and communicating without losing your mind Making time for personal projects Exploring different ways to be creative and expanding your practice Comprehensive Show Notes: Episode Show Notes Follow the podcast: And remember to leave a review and/or rating on iTunes if you feel so inclined. It helps the podcast tremendously. Our Website Twitter Instagram Newsletter AKA Art Club Follow Julia: Website Instagram Behance Skillshare

I talk with illustrator Jing Wei about her experiences moving to the US as a child, how she realized she wanted to illustrate for a living and how she got to where she is now. We talk about style, finding clients, struggling, full time jobs and believing in yourself enough to keep going. Jing also reveals her favorite New York City activity and her guilty pleasure (it’s something we actually have in common). Jing Wei (Web;IG; Twitter) is an American illustrator based in NY. Jing was born in China but moved to the U.S. when she was seven. Jing went to RISD to study illustration and after a few successful freelance gigs was hired by Etsy as part of the brand design and illustration team there. She eventually became Etsy's illustration director before parting ways three years later. Since then, Jing has been thriving as a freelance illustrator and has worked with many brands and publications including the NYT, Bloomberg, Airbnb, Adobe, Headspace, Google, NPR, Panda Express, Warby Parker, Target and many more. Jing’s signature style is equal parts mysterious and joyful. She uses soft shapes, imaginative worlds and a mix of vibrant and more dulled colors to compose images that have a really unique feel to them. Skillshare I mentionned Jing's class on Skillshare and I have a referral link that will let you get two months of Skillshare for free here. Disclaimer: I get a small commission from this referal even if you don't choose to continue using Skillshare past the trial period of two months. All this money will go towards helping produce and distribute the podcast. Comprehensive Show Notes: Episode Show Notes Follow the podcast: And remember to leave a review and/or rating on iTunes if you feel so inclined. It helps the podcast tremendously. Our Website Twitter Instagram Newsletter AKA Art Club Follow Julia: Website Instagram Behance Skillshare

I talk with French illustrator Thibaud Hérem about his insanely detailed architectural drawings, how he built his creative practice and the importance of understanding the underlying philosophy behind image making and craft. Thibaud Hérem (Web ;IG) is a French illustrator based in London. Thibaud is known for his incredibly detailed and precise drawings of buildings. Each of Thibaud's pieces are handdrawn following a careful process of line making and sometimes coloring by hand. Thibaud has worked with many brands and companies including Soho House, Liberty, Samsung, Herman Miller and many more. I talk with Thibaud about how he approaches work, how he practices his craft and why he thinks respect for one's craft is one of the most important qualities a creative can have. Thibaud explains exactly how he manages to inject so much detail and charm in each of his drawings and why he is very careful and selective about the kinds of projects he takes on. If you're just starting out in the field of illustration or design, you will find plenty of grounding and valuable advice in this episode. And we even tackle the somewhat controversial question of whether or not you should work for free in the very beginning of your career. Comprehensive Show Notes: Episode Show Notes Follow the podcast: And remember to leave a review and/or rating on iTunes if you feel so inclined. It helps the podcast tremendously. Our Website Twitter Instagram Newsletter AKA Art Club Follow Julia: Website Instagram Behance Skillshare

I chat with Marylou Faure about her colorful and cheeky style, her start in the world of illustration and her experience with pricing her work and negotiating with clients. Marylou Faure (IG; Web) is a French illustrator and artist based in London. Marylou is known for her colorful and playful style which has attracted big companies like Google, Spotify, Lyft and Nike to her work. More recently, Marylou hosted her first solo exhibition, a show called Nobody’s Baby featuring nude women in elusive poses. This and her female-centric work has established Marylou as a modern voice on issues of feminitiy, the female form and our voyeuristic culture when it comes to women. During this conversation, we talk about how Marylou went from having zero clients, zero experience and zero contacts to becoming a successful commercial and editorial illustrator. She shares the struggles she faced in the very beginning including defining her style, finding clients and negotiating a fair deal for herself. We also talk about why it’s important to stick to your beliefs and defend your stylistic choices as an illustrator and how Marylou did this when she started. Plus Marylou shares some really valuable advice about quoting prices, negotiating and making sure you get what you deserve for your illustration work. You’ll get tons of insight into how Marylou positions herself in the crowded creative industry and the choices she’s made along the way to continue thriving. **Comprehensive Show Notes: ** https://www.illustrationhour.com/faure Follow the podcast: And remember to leave a review and/or rating on iTunes if you feel so inclined. It helps the podcast tremendously. Our Website Twitter Instagram Newsletter AKA Art Club Follow Julia: Website Instagram Behance Skillshare

I talk with designer Aaron Lowell Denton about how he started working for bands, what inspires him and how he manages to get so much work done. Aaron also shares some important advice about valuing your work and creativity and how he prices projects according to risk. Aaron Lowell Denton (IG; Twitter) is a designer known for his music posters and album covers. Aaron went from making gig posters for himself to producing music posters for big bands like Tame Impala, Leon Bridges and The National in just a couple of years. He has gained a reputation for creating amazing abstract yet perfectly tailored visuals for bands. Aaron is self-taught, but he built his design practice entirely out of his passions, making graphics that he would put on his walls. Aaron mixes this deep respect for the design history of the 1970's with a love of color, printing and texture. Aaron and I talked about how he gets inspired, how he gets started with a poster and why he is still terrified when he starts a brand new project. We talk about why color is the most important thing to Aaron and why he thinks texture is such a central aspect to his work. Aaron also shares some important advice about valuing your work and creativity and how he prices projects according to risk. Comprehensive Show Notes: Episode Show Notes Follow the podcast: And remember to leave a review and/or rating on iTunes if you feel so inclined. It helps the podcast tremendously. Our Website Twitter Instagram Newsletter AKA Art Club Follow Julia: Website Instagram Behance Skillshare

I talk with British illustrator and animator Dan Woodger about how he got his work seen, how he learned to protect himself and his art through contracts and agents and how he pushes himself to keep learning and getting better at his craft. Dan Woodger (IG;Web;Twitter) is a freelance illustrator and animator based in Kingston, UK. You might be familiar with Dan’s signature bubbly and joyful characters, anthropomorphised fruits and Where’s Waldo?-esque crowd scenes. Dan has drawn his unique characters for brands like McDonald's, Samsung, Apple and Netflix. Dan also occasionally contributes editorial illustrations to publications like The New York Times, GQ and The Sunday Times. I reached out to Dan wanting to learn more about how he made a name for himself and honed his unique style--but we talk about so much good stuff beyond that. I learn how Dan used a cheap inkjet printer to create promotional material that got him seen by people at It’s Nice That, Nike and Wieden + Kennedy. We talk about failures, downturns and what it takes to find freelance work even when you don’t have a large audience or an extensive list of contacts. Dan also explains why he thinks his style and skills appeal to big brands and companies, how he copes with failure and how he learned the importance of having a good contract and agent to protect himself and his art. We also talk about Dan’s adventures in Asia, how he became a famous illustrator in Japan and eventually got asked to be a guest of honor at the Nuit Blanche festival in Taipei. Comprehensive Show Notes: Episode Show Notes Follow the podcast: And remember to leave a review and/or rating on iTunes if you feel so inclined. It helps the podcast tremendously. Our Website Twitter Instagram Newsletter AKA Art Club -Behance case study for the podcast brand Follow Julia: Website Instagram Behance Skillshare Audio Loops Playlist Vol. 1

I talk with conceptual illustrator and cartoonist Leon Edler about his love of comedy, what it was like to start in the field of illustration, and how he created Room Fifty, an online business that sells high quality and carefully curated prints from the best in illustration. Leon Edler (IG; Web) is an award-winning conceptual illustrator and cartoonist best in Brighton who has worked with clients like the New York Times, The Guardian, The New Yorker, The Wall Street Journal and many more. Last year, Leon was commissioned by Warby Parker to create five stunning murals for their Madison (WI) store. Leon is also the founder (with Ben Longden and Chris Clarke) of Room Fifty, which is an ethical marketplace that sells high-quality art prints.  Leon had some great insight on how he achieved his dream of becoming a professional illustrator. He talks about the importance of perseverance and having a thick skin (or at least having a thin skin that heals quickly). Leon also tells me what it was like to be a debt collector (one of the many odd jobs he's had in the past). If you've ever felt like no one is listening or paying attention to you, especially when you're new to a field, you'll find Leon's insight invaluable! Comprehensive Show Notes: Episode Show Notes Follow the podcast: And remember to leave a review and/or rating on iTunes if you feel so inclined. It helps the podcast tremendously. Our Website Twitter Instagram Newsletter AKA Art Club -Behance case study for the podcast brand Follow Julia: Website Instagram Behance Skillshare Audio Loops Playlist Vol. 1

I talk with Dutch illustrator, designer and graphic artist Seb Agresti about books, learning from his creative hero, and how he plans to push himself out of his comfort zone creatively next year. Seb Agresti (Web; IG) is a Dutch illustrator, designer and graphic artist based in Rotterdam. Despite being quite new to the scene of editorial and commercial illustration (Seb only started illustrating full time in 2017), he has already garnered a reputation for impeccably composed and conceptually intriguing illustrations working for big publications like the NYT, the New Yorker and with brands like Warby Parker. Seb studied at the Willem de Kooning Academy in Rotterdam and in his final year of study, got an internship with the legendary comic artist and illustrator Joost Swarte. I find out exactly how Seb got his foot through the door and secured the internship. We also talk about how Seb stays inspired, how he surrounds himself with books and information to enrich his work, how he removes extraneous details and information from his work, how he thinks about composition. Seb also shared some advice he has for creatives starting out. Comprehensive Show Notes: Episode Show Notes Audio Loops Playlist Vol. 1 Behance case study for the podcast brand Follow the podcast: And remember to leave a review and/or rating on iTunes if you feel so inclined. It helps the podcast tremendously. Our Website Twitter Instagram Newsletter AKA Art Club Follow Julia: Website Instagram Behance Skillshare

In this episode of the Illustration Hour, I talk with illustrator and graphic artist Kati Szilagyi about her practice, how she got started in editorial illustration and what she recommends young illustrators do to get noticed. Kati Szilagyi (Web; IG) is a Berlin based illustrator and graphic artist. She has worked with the NYT, the New Yorker, Google, Bloomberg Businessweek on illustration projects. Her style is tangible and expressive, with a strong focus on analog medium and cohesive concepts. Kati is also a part of an artist collective called Paralel Universe Collective. Together, Kati and I talk about what it was like to get started in illustration, the one piece of advice that gave Kati the confidence to get started in illustration, how Kati works (including the specific tools she uses) and what she recommends for illustrators just starting out. Note that this episode's artwork was done especially for Illustration Hour by Kati! Comprehensive show notes: www.illustrationhour.com/katiszi Follow the podcast And remember to leave a review and/or rating on iTunes if you feel so inclined. It helps the podcast tremendously. Our Website Twitter Instagram Newsletter AKA Art Club Follow Julia Website Instagram Behance Skillshare

This episode is all about how visual creatives can leverage their unique talent towards building a sustainable business that doesn't rely just on commission or client work. My guest is Brad Woodard, an illustrator, and designer, co-founder of his own design studio Brave the Woods and a creative who has successfully managed to break free from the uncertainties of client work. Show Notes: Brad Woodard (IG; Website; Twitter; Youtube) is an illustrator, designer and visual creative. He owns the popular design and commercial illustration studio Brave the Woods which he runs with his wife Krystal. Brad has engineered and built a succesful business that relies not just on one but several sources of income to make money. So, in this episode, I investigate how creatives can think about and build their own diversified business with multiple streams of income without losing focus on their craft. Having a diversified portfolio of income sources is a great way to mitigate the risk that is inherent in freelance work and to get out of the typical feast and famine cycles of freelance life. We discuss: how to explore different styles while staying true to your message how to ask questions and learn from your heroes how to stand out in crowded content creation platforms like Youtube or Skillshare how to think about building multiple streams of income as a visual creative how to email people you want to work with (hint: it's all about connection) how to leverage tools like LinkedIn to find and target clients how to structure your client work with milestones to avoid excessive feedback loops And, we also get into some controversial topics such as "Wacom Cintiq or iPad Pro?" or "Is cereal more important than your loved ones?" Skillshare I mentioned Brad's classes on Skillshare and I have a referral link that will let you get two months of Skillshare for free here. Disclaimer: I get a small commission from this referral even if you don't choose to continue using Skillshare past the trial period of two months. All this money will go towards helping produce and distribute the podcast. Comprehensive Show Notes: Episode Show Notes Follow the podcast: And remember to leave a review and/or rating on iTunes if you feel so inclined. It helps the podcast tremendously. Our Website Twitter Instagram Newsletter AKA Art Club Follow Julia: Website Instagram Behance Skillshare

Ever wonder exactly how art directors at big publications like the New York Times work? You're not alone. In this episode of the Illustration Hour podcast, I talked with Hannah K. Lee, Art Director for the Opinion section of the New York Times about her job, the process of editorial art direction and what she looks for when she's seeking illustrators to work with. Hannah K. Lee (Website; IG) is an artist, editorial art director and published author based in Brooklyn. She graduated with a BFA at Parsons The New School of Design in 2009. Since then, she has published a collection of her zines and prints with Koyama Press in her first book: Language Barrier. I highly encourage you to check out this wonderful book, which contains some innovative and elegant typography, and thought-provoking illustrations. In this episode, we talked about Hannah's process and rationale for picking artists and illustrators to work with, what she's learned at the NYT, her experience writing and publishing her first book and much more. Comprehensive Show Notes: Episode Show Notes Follow the podcast: And remember to leave a review and/or rating on iTunes if you feel so inclined. It helps the podcast tremendously. Our Website Twitter Instagram Newsletter AKA Art Club Follow Julia: Website Instagram Behance Skillshare

Magoz (IG:@magoz, Website: https://magoz.is/ is a conceptual and editorial illustrator based in Malmo, Sweden. You might have seen his wonderfully minimal illustrations in the New York Times, the Wall Street Journal, Scientific American, Wired or many other publications. Magoz also runs a blog where he writes about his experiences as an editorial illustrator, his creative process, how to find clients, how to reach art directors, and much more. This blog is a must read for illustrators! Magoz also runs a directory of resources and tools for illustrators which you can find here COMPLETE SHOW NOTES: www.illustrationhour.com/magoz IH AND JULIA: Illustration Hour Website: www.illustrationhour.com Twitter: @ihpod Illustration Hour Instagram: @illustrationhour Julia's Instagram: @juliadufosse Julia's Portfolio

Cabeza Patata is a creative team composed of Katie Menzies and Abel Reverter. He’s a 3D artist and animator, she’s an illustrator and craftswoman. Together they are re-defining what it means to illustrate. Their illustrations are wonderfully tangible, 3D creations that look as though they are carved out of plasticine. Their clay-like characters are delightfully odd in proportions and a real treat to look at. They have an impressive client list that includes the NYT, Google, Apple, Adobe and many more. You can find Cabeza Patata on Instagram @cabeza_patata, on their website www.cabezapatata.com and on Behance. COMPLETE SHOW NOTES: www.illustrationhour.com/cabeza-patata IH AND JULIA: Illustration Hour Website: www.illustrationhour.com Twitter: @ihpod Illustration Hour Instagram: @illustrationhour Julia's Instagram: @juliadufosse Julia's Portfolio

Greg Gunn (IG:[@gunngreg] (https://www.instagram.com/gunngreg/) WEB: https://www.ggunn.com/) is an animator, illustrator and content creator. After graduating from Otis College of Arts and Design, Greg launched a multidisciplinary animation studio called Three Legged Legs. In 2011, Greg joined the renowned design consultancy Blind to work as a creative director with the legendary designer Chris Do. Since then Greg has also contributed content and videos to Chris Do's education platform the Futur. In this interview, we talk about how illustrators can get started with animation, how Greg's animation background influences the way he illustrates, Greg's approach to ideation, and I find out how Greg maintains a vibrant side project practice while working full time. It's a conversation packed with useful advice, Greg's thoughts about the intersections between illustration and animation, and much more. COMPLETE SHOW NOTES (BONUS CONTENT): www.illustrationhour.com/gunn **THE FUTUR: ** Website Youtube IH AND JULIA: Illustration Hour Website: www.illustrationhour.com Twitter: @ihpod Illustration Hour Instagram: @illustrationhour Julia's Instagram: @juliadufosse Julia's Portfolio

Allison Filice (IG: @allisonfilice WEB:https://allisonfilice.com/) is a talented illustrator and designer based in San Francisco . Allison has worked with amazing publications and media outlets including the New Yorker, the New York Times, the Wall Street Journal, NBC, and Refinery 29. In this episode, I found out how Allison went from an illustrator with zero clients and zero following to a successful, in demand editorial illustration in under a year. We talked about Allison's quest for her style, how she got to know herself through illustration, how illustration helped her navigate grief, how she organizes her day and how she stays inspired. Allison was so forthcoming and open about sharing her process, the hiccups she's faced along the way, and her emotional journey. She even shares exactly what she did to reach out to art directors when she first started, she shares her very own email script for cold emails. It's an episode jam packed with practical advice about launching your illustration career. Allison's story is so inspirational so listen and get yourself out there! Correction/ clarification: In the episode, I talk about the TDK awards and imply that Allison received an annual award from them. Actually, Allison's work got licensed as part of the branding for the award competition. I apologize for the confusion. COMPLETE SHOW NOTES: www.illustrationhour.com/filice IH AND JULIA: Illustration Hour Website: www.illustrationhour.com Twitter: @ihpod Illustration Hour Instagram: @illustrationhour Julia's Instagram: @juliadufosse Julia's Portfolio