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

Feeling stuck in a job that you know isn't right for you or doesn't allow you to maximize your creative talents?

Or perhaps you're struggling to find time for art in your busy schedule?

In this interview, illustrator, Liz Gera, reveals how she balances family life and a day job with making art and selling her work at conventions.

You'll learn:

• How to make time for making art
• How to set goals and deadlines for your creative projects
• How to approach prospective clients for illustration jobs
• How to leave your 9-5 and pursue your real passion

Are you cut out for a creative career...or should you just give up on your art dreams altogether?

In this interview with freelance concept artist and instructor, Ned Rogers, you'll finally get your answer.

It's a simple framework anyone can use to establish if you really have what it takes to make it as a creative.

You'll also learn what Ned's art school looks for in portfolios - and, thankfully, 'being the best' isn't one of the requirements.

Along the way, he'll dispel several common myths about artists and give you a real sense of what it's actually like to work as a creative in the entertainment field.

So, if you've been wondering if a creative career is for you (or not) - this is the interview that will help you decide once and for all!

How do you make it as an artist - even when others won't support your work? In this revealing interview, fashion illustrator and portrait artist, Christina Burton, reveals how she made the important decision to follow her own path - despite being turned down for art school and her parents wanting her to get a regular career. You'll learn: How to build your social media following the right way How Christina found her voice by experimenting with different styles of artwork Why setting personal goals is so important for artists How to conquer the fear of putting your art out there Why your best work is always the work you love doing the most

How do you take the next step as an artist and bring your creative project to life?

In this interview we talk to Jon Schindehette, owner of Art Order, about how to take your great idea from a sketch on a napkin to a fully-fledged product that actually makes you money.

Having worked as an artist for more than 30 years with clients such as Dungeons and Dragons and Microsoft, Jon has a wealth of industry experience which he is now passing on to others.

You'll learn:

• How to take that big idea for a creative project and turn it into a profitable reality
• The biggest hangups that prevent artists from moving forward - and how to avoid them
• The three big mistakes you never want to make in your art career

So, if you've got a great idea but don't know what steps to take next, you'll want to tune into this episode so that you can finally start bringing your project to life.

Indie gaming is a big industry, but what's it like to launch your own title?

In this podcast, co-founder of Crash Wave Games and co-creator of Iron Tides, Carina Kom, shares her story.

You'll learn:

• How to pitch your idea to the right people
• How to reach out to your target audience of gamers
• Why your initial design doesn't have to be perfect
• Why feebback from the gaming community is crucial
• Why there are so many opportunities in the indie gaming industry

Thumbnail sketching and creative flow go hand in hand for many artists, but how can you make these part of your daily routine, too?

In this podcast, UK concept artist and illustrator, Katy Grierson, explains why the freedom of thumbnail sketching helps her stay creative while constantly improving her skills.

You'll learn how to start a thumbnail sketch with just a few basic shapes, and why doing this will kick-start your imagination and help you develop your ideas.

So, if you've ever been hit by creative block, or are looking for an easy way to fit creativity into your busy lifestyle, this interview could be just what you need to get started again.

Finding your focus as an artist can be tough.

Sometimes, your head can be swimming around with so many ideas that it's impossible to see the wood for the trees and concentrate on your main creative strengths.

In this podcast, artist Derek Rodenbeck reveals how he learned how to say no to projects which were distracting him from his main passion.

And he shares his action plan for letting go of the things that are holding you back from where you really want to be as an artist.

Take a fascinating journey inside the creative mind with fine artist and tutor at the New York Academy of Art, John Wellington.

In this interview, the former DC and Marvel colorist draws on his years of experience to give you a wide range of insights into what it really means to be creative.

You'll discover:

• The artists who influence him
• Why staying true to your art is always the best option
• How to incorporate different influences into your art
• Comic book & storyboard techniques that always get great results
• The Number One ingredient for a successful painting
• Who to approach for feedback
• How to find the right audience for your art

There's an art school out there that has been nicknamed 'The Charles Xavier School for Gifted Artists' and today we talk with its founder, Kevin Murphy.

Some of his students have, quite literally, gone from drawing stickmen to becoming accomplished artists in under 2 years.

Why are his methods so effective? Because they simplify the drawing process down to the core essence of observation, and put 100% of the responsibility for learning onto the students themselves.

Kevin doesn't hold back on any of his techniques in this blockbuster interview. So if you have been wondering how to approach your drawings, or even if you have what it takes to become a great artist, you'll find plenty of inspiration here.

Because, as Kevin himself says: "Great artists aren't born - they're taught."

No money for art school? No problem...

In today's interview with concept artist, David Tilton, you're going to learn exactly how you can:

- Self-evaluate your work - Build a support network of mentors - Work out how many hours you should be putting in - Track your time effectively - Systematically apply to studios and stand out from the crowd

If you are currently working on getting your first paid gig and want to work in the highly competitive entertainment industry, you should take the next 30 minutes to just listen and take notes.

Because this is the plan of attack that you've been looking for, and it's surprisingly straightforward.