Welcome to a special three-part series where host Evan Kitson sits down with three remarkable teaching assistants from the New York Academy of Art. In this episode, Evan talks with artist, printmaker, and educator Sarah Annesley, who has spent the last seven years transitioning from student to studio leader.

Together, they explore:

Affordable framing and archival storage strategies for artists on a budget

The logistics of mounting, protecting, and transporting artwork

Sarah’s process-driven approach to drawing, color pencil work, and reverse-engineering outcomes

The emotional and professional transition from student to teaching assistant to instructor

Career paths in art-adjacent roles like art handling, framing, and production

How teaching transforms your own practice, mindset, and clarity

When and how to invest in your presentation and framing

The importance of building a resilient creative process and recognizing growth- even when it doesn’t feel like it

Practical Tips Include:

Why you should never let your artwork touch the glass in a frame

How to prep for group shows without breaking the bank

Budgeting for your first exhibition and how to future-proof your framing choices


Join the Conversation:

Have you ever had an unforgettable experience with a teaching assistant?

What challenges have you faced with presentation and framing?

Is drawing your primary visual language too?

Subscribe, share, and leave a review- it helps support the show and spread the word.

Want to watch our conversation? We're on YouTube!
Watch this episode: https://youtu.be/ZfOPiR74I10
Our YouTube Channel: http://www.youtube.com/@theopensketchbook


The Open Sketchbook
https://theopensketchbook.com
https://www.instagram.com/the.open.sketchbook/

The Virtual Studio - Join for Exclusive Podcast Content and More!
https://learn.theopensketchbook.com/bundles/virtual-studio

Our Weekly Newsletter, The Drawing Board:
https://theopensketchbook.kit.com/posts

GUEST: Sarah Annesley
https://www.instagram.com/yelsennas/

Sarah's Recommendations:
Studio Ghibli Films:

1. Princess Mononoke 
2. Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind

HOST: Evan Kitson
https://evankitson.com
https://www.instagram.com/evan_kitson/

The New York Academy of Art
https://nyaa.edu/
https://www.academyeverywhere.com/collections?q=kitson

In this host-led episode, Evan explores the multifaceted concept of creative peers- from trusted studio mates and former instructors to students, teaching assistants, and even art-historical influences. This episode was inspired by two simultaneous exhibitions Evan is participating in: “In Good Company” at the Demuth Museum and “6x10B” at Curio- both of which revolve around collaboration, friendship, and the shared creative impulse. 

Want to watch our conversation? We're on YouTube!
Watch this episode: https://youtu.be/N1rTGQfxKE0
Our YouTube Channel: http://www.youtube.com/@theopensketchbook


The Open Sketchbook
https://theopensketchbook.com
https://www.instagram.com/the.open.sketchbook/

The Virtual Studio - Join for Exclusive Podcast Content and More!
https://learn.theopensketchbook.com/bundles/virtual-studio

Our Weekly Newsletter, The Drawing Board:
https://theopensketchbook.kit.com/posts

HOST: Evan Kitson
https://evankitson.com
https://www.instagram.com/evan_kitson/

Curio.
https://curiolancaster.square.site/

Demuth Museum Invitational: In Good Company
https://www.demuth.org/exhibitions/in-good-company

Willem de Kooning's "Bowl, Pitcher and Jug"
https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/482728

In this episode, Evan Kitson sits down with one of his longtime painting heroes, Julie Heffernan, for a rich and wide-ranging conversation. Julie is renowned for her lush, allegorical paintings, but in recent years, she’s taken a surprising and thrilling turn into the world of graphic novels with her debut book Babe in the Woods: or, The Art of Getting Lost.

Together, Evan and Julie dive into:

• The origins of Babe in the Woods and the unlikely software behind it (spoiler: Microsoft Paint!)
• How narrative and composition intersect in both her paintings and her book
• The difference between critique and personal exploration in visual storytelling
• Trees, mark-making, and the visual vocabulary of digital drawing
• What it means to truly respond to your own work- and how to let go of what no longer serves you
• The role of beauty, mystery, and formal relationships in building meaningful art
• The powerful influence of image streaming on her creative process
• Julie’s upcoming second graphic novel, plus her thoughts on artists, films, and books that shaped her journey

Want to watch our conversation? We're on YouTube!
Watch this episode: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1ihkU4rUDJs
Our YouTube Channel: http://www.youtube.com/@theopensketchbook


The Open Sketchbook
https://theopensketchbook.com
https://www.instagram.com/the.open.sketchbook/

The Virtual Studio - Join for Exclusive Podcast Content and More!
https://learn.theopensketchbook.com/bundles/virtual-studio

Our Weekly Newsletter, The Drawing Board:
https://theopensketchbook.kit.com/posts

GUEST: Julie Heffernan
https://www.julieheffernan.net/
https://www.instagram.com/julie_heffernan_/

Heffernan's Amazing Graphic Novel:
Babe in the Woods: or, The Art of Getting Lost
https://amzn.to/41pAR6I (this is an affiliate link)

Julie's Book Recommendations:
Cutting for Stone by Abraham Verghese
https://amzn.to/3DU9oCq

When We Cease to Understand the World by Benjamín Labatut
https://amzn.to/4ciUMJC

In the Distance by Hernan Diaz
https://amzn.to/4j1aX0e

HOST: Evan Kitson
https://evankitson.com
https://www.instagram.com/evan_kitson/

Welcome to The Open Sketchbook Podcast! In this host-led episode, Evan Kitson explores how the Pomodoro Technique can help creatives reclaim their time and boost productivity- without burning out. From studio habits to classroom parallels, Evan shares how this simple time-chunking method supports deep focus, rest, and sustainable creativity.

In this episode:

Why “productivity” became Evan’s word of the year
How the Pomodoro Technique works (and why it’s tomato-shaped 🍅)
Parallels between studio practices and figure drawing sessions
The role of planning and rest in creative momentum
How to build intuitive time awareness
Why group work and community help us keep going
A drawing demo using the Pomodoro Technique (YouTube exclusive!)

Want to watch the drawing demonstration? We're on YouTube!
Watch this episode: https://youtu.be/gb97lMVaXBU
Our YouTube Channel: http://www.youtube.com/@theopensketchbook

Featured Technique:
20 minutes on / 5 minutes off: a rhythm used in both creative work and figure drawing classes to maintain focus and prevent burnout.

Weekly Sketch Starter:
Draw your creative space- or a tomato, if you’re feeling brave!

The Open Sketchbook
https://theopensketchbook.com
https://www.instagram.com/the.open.sketchbook/

The Virtual Studio - Join for Exclusive Podcast Content and More!
https://learn.theopensketchbook.com/bundles/virtual-studio

Our Weekly Newsletter, The Drawing Board:
https://theopensketchbook.kit.com/posts

HOST: Evan Kitson
https://evankitson.com
https://www.instagram.com/evan_kitson/


BLOG POSTS TO CHECK OUT:
Creative Productivity: Pomodoro Technique
https://learn.theopensketchbook.com/pages/blog?p=productivity-pomodoro-technique

Evan Kitson's Graphite Drawing Materials Kit
https://learn.theopensketchbook.com/pages/blog?p=graphite-drawing-materials


NEWSLETTER ISSUES TO READ:
Writing Lists & Finding Priorities + A New Weekly Sketching Prompt!
https://theopensketchbook.kit.com/posts/writing-lists-finding-priorities-a-new-weekly-sketching-prompt

Productivity: Commitment to our Creative Habits + Blog Post Roundup and more!
https://theopensketchbook.kit.com/posts/productivity-commitment-to-our-creative-habits-blog-post-roundup-and-more

Productivity: Removing Friction + A New Course Starting Soon!
https://theopensketchbook.kit.com/posts/productivity-removing-friction-a-new-course-starting-soon

In this episode, I sit down with painter Leah Gardner, whose luminous still-life paintings capture the magic of light & form, and focus on composition. Leah shares how she pivoted from a career in marketing to becoming a full-time artist, the role that daily painting played in developing her skills, and how she navigates running an art business as a full time artist.

We also discuss the challenges of selling art online, the joys and struggles of social media, and why composition plays a bigger role in her work than the objects themselves. Plus, Leah shares insights into her process, from photographing references to making prints and engaging with her audience.

Whether you're an artist looking to refine your practice or someone curious about the life of a working painter, this episode is packed with insights and inspiration!

Want to watch instead of listen?
Our YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@theopensketchbook
Watch Episode 4: Leah Gardner
https://youtu.be/s2oNIqAQ8jk

The Open Sketchbook
https://theopensketchbook.com
https://www.instagram.com/the.open.sketchbook/

The Virtual Studio - Join for Exclusive Podcast Content and More!
https://learn.theopensketchbook.com/bundles/virtual-studio

Stay Connected, Subscribe to Our Weekly Newsletter:
https://theopensketchbook.kit.com/posts

HOST: Evan Kitson
https://evankitson.com
https://www.instagram.com/evan_kitson/

GUEST: Leah Gardner
https://leahgardner.art/
https://www.instagram.com/leahgardner.art/

BOOKS & ARTISTS MENTIONED:
Daily Painting: Paint Small and Often To Become a More Creative, Productive, and Successful Artist by Carol Marine
https://amzn.to/3DDD5HN *affiliate link

Zoey Frank
https://zoeyfrank.com/

Jeremy Miranda
https://www.instagram.com/jeremy_miranda_/

Christina Weaver
https://www.christinaweaver.com/

And Libby (free library app for audiobooks & ebooks)

In our first host-led episode of the Open Sketchbook Podcast, episode three, Evan Kitson reflects on his artistic journey, highlighting the significant influence of Juliette Aristides' book, Classical Drawing Atelier, and the impact of the highly influential graphic novel Arkham Asylum. He discusses the challenges of learning proportion in art, the importance of community in artistic growth, and the lessons learned from both traditional and contemporary artists. Evan emphasizes the need for flexibility in artistic processes and encourages listeners to engage with their own creative practices in a decisively non-procedural manner. Check out the links below!

Want to see our conversation with video? We're on YouTube!
Watch Episode 3 here: https://youtu.be/nOGBvpURStI
Our YouTube Channel: http://www.youtube.com/@theopensketchbook

The Open Sketchbook
https://theopensketchbook.com
https://www.instagram.com/the.open.sketchbook/

The Virtual Studio - Join for Exclusive Podcast Content and More!
https://learn.theopensketchbook.com/bundles/virtual-studio

HOST: Evan Kitson
https://evankitson.com
https://www.instagram.com/evan_kitson/


BOOKS MENTIONED:
Juliette's Books:
The Inner Life of the Artist: Conversations from the Atelier (Pre-Order)
https://amzn.to/3FmI53K

Classical Drawing Atelier: A Contemporary Guide to Traditional Studio Practice
https://amzn.to/4kuC315

Lessons in Classical Painting: Essential Techniques from Inside the Atelier
https://amzn.to/3QOzfhL

Batman: Arkham Asylum, by Grant Morrison and Dave McKean
https://amzn.to/3F4uA8Q

Language of the Body: Drawings by Pierre-Paul Prud'hon, by John Elderfield (out of print)


ARTISTS MENTIONED

Juliette Aristides
https://www.aristidesarts.com/
https://www.instagram.com/juliettearistides/

Nicolás Uribe
https://www.ourpaintedlives.com/
https://www.instagram.com/nicolasuribeb
https://www.patreon.com/c/OPLTogether/posts

Dave McKean
https://www.davemckean.com/
https://www.instagram.com/davemckeanhourglass/

Grant Morrison
https://www.grantmorrison.com/
https://www.instagram.com/grant.morrison/

Steven Assael
https://www.stevenassael.com/
https://www.instagram.com/stevenassael/

Michael Grimaldi
https://www.michael-grimaldi.com/
https://www.instagram.com/michaelgrimaldi/

Dan Thompson
https://danthompsonart.com/
https://www.instagram.com/danthompsonart/

Jeff Geib


OTHER RESOURCES

Pierre-Paul Prud'hon, Standing Female Nude, a black chalk drawing
© The Trustees of the British Museum. Shared under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International (CC BY-NC-SA 4.0) licence.


Rebecca Alzofon Prud'hon Technique Theory
http://www.art.net/Studios/visual/rebecca/OnPrudon7.html

Note- some of these are affiliate links- should you choose to make a purchase, we'll make a small commission at no additional cost to you

In this episode of The Open Sketchbook podcast, Nicolás Uribe shares his journey as a painter, reflecting on the personal connections in his work, the challenges of the art world, and the influence of family and social media on his artistic expression. He emphasizes process over product, the power of vulnerability in art, and his transition from a gallery-focused painter to taking control over his market and creating a new Patreon to support it.

The conversation delves into finding an authentic artistic path amid commercial pressures, the complexities of simplicity in painting, and the realities of navigating gallery relationships. Uribe also explores the impact of technology on image-making, the value of slowing down, and the process of unlearning traditional teachings to develop a unique voice. Throughout, he highlights the importance of community, the human experience in art, and rediscovering past influences to shape contemporary creativity.

Want to see our conversation with video? We're on YouTube!
Watch Episode 2 here:
Our YouTube Channel: http://www.youtube.com/@theopensketchbook

The Open Sketchbook
https://theopensketchbook.com
https://www.instagram.com/the.open.sketchbook/

The Virtual Studio - Join for Exclusive Podcast Content and More!
https://learn.theopensketchbook.com/bundles/virtual-studio

HOST: Evan Kitson
https://evankitson.com
https://www.instagram.com/evan_kitson/

GUEST: Nicolás Uribe
https://www.ourpaintedlives.com/
https://www.instagram.com/nicolasuribeb

OPL Patreon
https://www.patreon.com/c/OPLTogether/posts



RECOMMENDATIONS
David Mazzucchelli's Batman Year One Artist's Edition
https://amzn.to/41xffFm

Jack Kirby's Fantastic Four Artisan Edition
https://amzn.to/3FncBKQ

The Famous Artist School (Course)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Famous_Artists_School


ARTISTS SHOWN:
Steven Assael
https://www.stevenassael.com/
https://www.instagram.com/stevenassael/

Max Ginsburg
https://www.maxginsburg.com/
https://www.instagram.com/ginsburg.max/

Nude Boy on the Beach at Portici
Fortuny, Mariano

Copyright ©Museo Nacional del Prado

Note- some of these are affiliate links- should you choose to make a purchase, we'll make a small commission at no additional cost to you

In the first episode of the Open Sketchbook Podcast, host and artist Evan Kitson discusses the profound impact of Juliette Aristides' work on his artistic journey. They delve into the creation of her influential book, Classical Drawing Atelier, and explore the Atelier movement's significance in contemporary art. The conversation highlights the challenges of writing about art, the interplay between writing and visual composition, and the evolving relationship artists have with content creation in today's digital age. Juliette shares her insights on artistic growth, mentorship, and the philosophical underpinnings of her work, culminating in a reflection on the role of art in modern culture. In this conversation, the speakers delve into the evolving role of the artist in a world saturated with images and information. They discuss the importance of understanding the 'why' behind art, the personal connections to artistic works, and the challenges of maintaining artistic integrity in a fast-paced, digital age. The dialogue also touches on the necessity of unlearning ingrained patterns and the significance of community and historical context in the artistic journey. Recommendations for further exploration in art and literature are shared, emphasizing the need for reflection and personal growth. Check out the links below!

Want to see our conversation with video? We're on YouTube!
Watch Episode 1 here:  https://youtu.be/68E-xl_1YnI
Our YouTube Channel: http://www.youtube.com/@theopensketchbook

The Open Sketchbook
https://theopensketchbook.com
https://www.instagram.com/the.open.sketchbook/

The Virtual Studio - Join for Exclusive Podcast Content and More!
https://learn.theopensketchbook.com/bundles/virtual-studio

GUEST: Juliette Aristides
https://www.aristidesarts.com/
https://www.instagram.com/juliettearistides/

Aristides Atelier Online
https://terracotta.art/aristides/juliette-aristides-classical-atelier

HOST: Evan Kitson
https://evankitson.com
https://www.instagram.com/evan_kitson/

BOOKS MENTIONED:
Juliette's Books:
The Inner Life of the Artist: Conversations from the Atelier (Pre-Order)
https://amzn.to/3FmI53K

Classical Drawing Atelier: A Contemporary Guide to Traditional Studio Practice
https://amzn.to/4kuC315

Other Books Mentioned:

Ottolenghi: The Cookbook, by Yotam Ottolenghi
https://amzn.to/4hccAqr

Rendez-vous with Art, by Philippe de Montebello
https://amzn.to/4ivfAzc

A Mathematician's Lament: How School Cheats Us Out of Our Most Fascinating and Imaginative Art Form, by Paul Lockhart
https://amzn.to/3QPR9Re


JULIETTE'S RECOMMENDATIONS:
Art as Therapy, by Alain Botton
https://amzn.to/3DkSZqh

Art and Technics, by Lewis Mumford
https://amzn.to/43xFP3I

The Journal of Eugène Delacroix
https://amzn.to/4kvHexV

Note- some of these are affiliate links- should you choose to make a purchase, we'll make a small commission at no additional cost to you

In this introduction for the Open Sketchbook Podcast, Evan Kitson shares his excitement about launching a new platform for exploring creativity through interviews with authors, artists, educators, and other creatives. Through preview sound bites, painter and graphic novelist Julie Heffernan emphasizes the importance of curiosity in fostering empathy and imagination, and artist Adrian Brandon shares insight on the emotional significance of color in art. Listeners are encouraged to engage with the Virtual Studio, the Open Sketchbook's online community and explore the deeper connections between creativity and personal growth. The Open Sketchbook Podcast launches March 6th, 2025. Subscribe so you don't miss the awesome episodes coming out later this week!

Note: Artists Julie Heffernan and Adrian Brandon are featured briefly in this trailer. They both have their own full interview episodes- be on the lookout for those soon!

Want to see our conversation with video? We're on YouTube!
Watch the trailer with video here: https://youtu.be/nv8mI9f6k8w
Our YouTube Channel: http://www.youtube.com/@theopensketchbook

TAKEAWAYS

• Evan Kitson introduces his podcast focused on the creative process, strategies for artistic growth, and the realities of an art career.
• The Open Sketchbook Podcast will feature interviews with various creatives.
• Julie Heffernan makes a wonderful case for curiosity being essential for empathy and imagination.
• Adrian Brandon shares insights on the color Green, and how colors can carry various qualities and associations.
• We're reminded that Art can help individuals connect with their communities.
• The Open Sketchbook Podcast aims to challenge perspectives on art and creativity.
• Listeners are invited to join a creative online community, the Virtual Studio.
• The first episodes will launch on March 6th. Subscribe and be one of the first to listen this Thursday!

BOOKS
Babe in the Woods: or, The Art of Getting Lost, a graphic novel by Julie Heffernan
https://amzn.to/41pAR6I (this is an affiliate link)

WEBSITES
The Open Sketchbook
https://theopensketchbook.com
https://www.instagram.com/the.open.sketchbook/

The Virtual Studio - Join for Exclusive Podcast Content and More!
https://learn.theopensketchbook.com/bundles/virtual-studio

Julie Heffernan
https://www.julieheffernan.net/
https://www.instagram.com/julie_heffernan_/

Adrian Brandon
https://www.adrianbrandon.com/
https://www.instagram.com/ayy.bee/

Evan Kitson
https://evankitson.com
https://www.instagram.com/evan_kitson/

QUOTES

• "Curiosity is the fundament of empathy." - Julie Heffernan
• "Curiosity leads to imagination, which leads to empathy, because you can imagine what it's like. They're all cross-connecting and integral to each other." - Julie Heffernan
• "I worry if they're not curious, can they be imaginative?" - Julie Heffernan
• "The deep qualities of forest green have a maturity to them, which got me thinking more about how a color can be mature." - Adrian Brandon