When You Know You REALLY Want To Be an Illustrator | Thoughts on Illustration Episode 1

Take my classes! Use my links and get 30 FREE days of Skillshare membership - tomfroese.com/t...
Episode Summary
In this episode, I talk about the very beginning of our journey into becoming illustrators, the moment we discover illustration and say to ourselves, “I want to do that.” This is what Lisa Congdon calls the “spark moment”. I will tell you the story of my own spark moment, which has an unlikely beginning and takes a very long and meandering path to get where I am today. By listening to this episode, you will be able to identify your own spark moment and to learn how to let that pull you forward toward your goal of becoming an illustrator. You should know what you want.
Episode Notes
Find Your Artistic Voice by Lisa Congdon - amzn.to/3FcBOnV

[@nichadaye1007]

I have a graphic design degree 24 years ago. I retired 3 years ago and I went back and re-did my degree again. I fell in love with illustration in school. I want to expand that degree and make it my new career. Thanks for your video.

[@TomFroese]

That's amazing! Enjoy!

[@zlvs4914]

Dear Mr. Tom Froese, I've just discovered your channel 5 hours ago and have played about 5 videos. I just want to say that I've never learned more about introduction to Illustration from my misadventures in online art membership and youtube rabbit-hole hopping in recent few years than I just did now in 5 hours. I wish I had found your channel so much earlier, could have given myself more idea about structure and discovering one's own path in a wide creative field that I'm still looking from outside in (27 yrs AFTER my initial spark in the mid90s! - and after ALL this time of being born an Artist but never quite knew how to be One), and less feeling lost of what else to do during the pandemic. But i guess today is my Spirit-guided day. Thank you for your generosity to your audience 💖God bless you and your teaching.

[@TomFroese]

Thank you, ZLv S! :) This is very generous feedback about my content! Glad you're getting a lot from it … wishing you an amazing journey through illustration!

[@Aluenvey]

Just replace Design school with Fashion school and Skateboard painting and this video resonates with my experience. Im finding myself not sure if skills in character art and sumi painting apply to painting surfboards, surfskates, and hand painted tee shirts. Or shoe design.

[@ReyhaneNaseri-im3yv]

I want to do that!! thank you so much for this podcast and specially this episode!!

[@leolune_art]

Thanks a lot for this video. Can't tell how much it helped me.

[@TomFroese]

Glad to hear it!

[@nickiwyldesart]

Thank you so much for this, Tom. I already followed you but this is such welcome content. Best wishes on your new podcast!

[@TomFroese]

Thank you so much Nicki! :)

[@suryakrishna4662]

So glad I found this!

[@TomFroese]

I'm so glad you found it too, Surya! :) Thanks for the note.

[@lostcatdo]

Thank you so much for these videos. All I know is I wanna draw for a living. I've been watching all kinds of KZbin videos about the topic for a while now, and I've never come across a video like this. I was starting to get pretty depressed about it, actually. You made it seem possible again ❤ Thank you!

[@TomFroese]

Amazing to hear. Thank you @lostcat!

[@ketk1420]

Tom, I have always enjoyed your teaching & thank you for sharing. I took a few of your classes on Skillshare.

[@TomFroese]

Thanks, Ket! :)

[@djw8888]

Really liked hearing how you're finding your way to illustration. My route differed but is also circuitous.

[@TomFroese]

Thanks … happy to share my story. It probably always takes longer than you think it will!

[@wc4451]

Thanks for your vulnerability!

[@TomFroese]

Thanks for listening!

[@HellzSayzDANCE]

Lol I have to pause the video at this moment because you were talking about kfc earlier, and then later you say “this is my journey begins” and it flicked to an ad about chicken nuggets… it made me laugh a bit harder than I probab should have 😂 lovin the video so far, just felt a need to pause here haha

[@TomFroese]

😂 🍗 🤤

[@HellzSayzDANCE]

@@TomFroese 😂

[@nettynet101]

Thank you for making this video

[@TomFroese]

Thank you for watching, NettyNet101! :)

[@laurabandeira8005]

thank you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! this is gold

[@TomFroese]

You're most welcome, Laura! :)

[@HiphopinDuketown]

Really enjoyed listening to this episode, looking forward to the next one! 🤗

[@TomFroese]

Wonderful to hear, Laura. Thank you for the comment :)

[@chayap.199]

Thank you creating a clear wonderful podcast. What if I have 6 different art forms that I am enjoying? Makeup artistry, face painting (those make some money) I am just a beginner with learning fine art and illustration, but want to do it all!

[@TomFroese]

Hi Chaya, thanks for listening! I think a serious illustrator would need to focus eventually, but if you’re still considering your options then keep trying lots of things until you find the one thing that really captures your imagination. Hope that helps.

[@chayap.199]

@@TomFroese so essentially one thing needs focus for success.

[@TomFroese]

True!

[@juliaonikiy5386]

🎉

[@tempdavs2874]

❤