Looking to Get Into Illustration? Here’s How to Begin.

NEW—I am now offering free previews of Monologue episodes. This will help you decide if subscribing on Patreon / Spotify is right for you.

Wouldn’t it be nice if there was an Illustrator’s Starter Pack that could get you up and running as an illustrator ASAP? The reality is that any attempts to find a fast track into illustration could actually slow you down. In this episode, I share my SMART System: five paradigms (Styles, Markets, Applications, Reasons, Techniques) that help you get specific about what you want to make and where it belongs. Instead of hunting for the perfect gear or foolproof course list, SMART gives you a clear way to map your starting point.

If you’ve been overwhelmed by tools, apps, or conflicting advice—and you just want a concrete way to begin—this episode is for you.

IN THIS EPISODE

• Why gear and classes alone won’t make you an illustrator
• The SMART System overview
• Styles vs. Techniques: how they relate and why they’re not the same thing
• Markets vs. Applications: who buys the work vs. where the work lives
• Reasons (purpose): the “why” that sharpens every brief
• The closest thing to a starter pack? — (iPad + Apple Pencil + Procreate)
• How to use SMART to choose your next practice project and reduce decision paralysis
• Two starter-pack parables: first-aid kits and flimsy badminton sets
• As always (from now on), a reflection prompt to help you turn my thoughts into your actions!

SHOW LINKS

• Malika Favre (style reference) — malikafavre.com
• Hervé Tullet (style reference) — herve-tullet.com
• John Roman, 45 Markets of Illustration (markets overview)
• What is Risograph Printing? (technique primer) — risottostudio.com
• Procreate (iPad app) — procreate.art
• My New Skillshare Class — SLO-FI Illustrations

HOW TO LISTEN/READ

If you’d like to hear the full version of monologue episodes like this one:

• Join on Patreon for as low as $3/month
• Become a paid subscriber on Spotif ($2.99/month)
• This is also available as a story on Medium for paid members on that platform.

FIND ME ELSEWHERE

Work and Classes — tomfroese.comInstagram — instagram.com/mrtomfroeseDaily Drawings — instagram.com/drawingisimportant

CREDITS

Music and Cues by Mark Allan Falk — Semiathletic on Linktree