Ask An Artist

In this episode, Peter and Tom welcome back Dr Curtis Tappenden, this time to pick his brains as a Senior Lecturer in Art and Design and ask the question Peter and Tom get asked most often; should I go to art school? This Podcast is sponsored by Rosemary & Co Brushes,  Search Press publishers and Jackson’s Art Supplies. For more information about our sponsors, please visit: Rosemary & Co B...

In this episode Peter and Tom talk to Edd Ralph, Senior Editor at Search Press publishers, leading supplier of Art & Craft books. They discuss Edd's role as senior editor, the process of writing a book and how and why it can be beneficial for working Artists to consider writing one. This Podcast is sponsored by Rosemary & Co Brushes,  Search Press publishers and Jackson’s Art Supplies...

In this episode, Peter and Tom answer some of your artistic questions. This week they discuss AI, creating work under pressure and copying other Artists’ work.  If you have a question you’d like to put to us and would be happy for us answer it here on the podcast please send it to us via this website here or alternatively you can send it to us via Instagram, Twitter or Facebook. This Podcast is sp...

In this episode, Peter & Tom interview Dr Curtis Tappenden about his 30 year career as a professional illustrator. For Curtis, art and drawing have always been passions and he shares the story of how he became an illustrator with grace, humour and humility. Curtis discusses what it is to be an illustrator and what his working day or week might look like. Curtis also shares his wisdom on the ne...

In this episode Tom and Peter interview Gary Thompson, the founder and CEO of Jacksons Art Supplies about his journey from humble painter to founding and growing a now global, art supplies company. Gary's story is an example of how careers in the art world are not necessarily planned or straight forward but how creativity, drive and a belief in delivering the best you can, will ultimately bri...

In this episode, Peter & Tom answer some of your artistic questions. This week they discuss having a part-time job alongside your art, how to respond if someone asks you to do something for free and some top tips for giving titles to your work. If you have a question you’d like to put to us and would be happy for us answer it here on the podcast please send it to us via our website at askanart...

In this episode, Tom and Peter interview Alec White, who is the owner and manager of AJR & Co, chartered accountants, tax and business advisors. If ever any of the financial side of things about running a small business has confused or befuddled you in any way, this episode is for you - concise explanations of some of the accountancy terminology, helpful guidance about what you need to do to c...

If there is one material that nearly all Artists use, whatever their medium, it's paper. In this episode, Peter and Tom talk to Jim Patterson from Two Rivers Paper in Somerset; makers of fine handmade paper for Artists. They discuss how Jim started in the business, the processes involved in creating paper and how and why, we as Artists, should all give handmade paper a try. Visit their websit...

Even with online art sales booming (and predicted to rise) there will always be an important place for exhibiting and showing work in person. It is a completely different experience for both artist, viewer and buyer. From galleries to art fairs and solo exhibitions there are many ways to do this. Many artists, Tom and Peter included, love being part of group shows and exhibitions. In this episode...

Well it’s been a busy season for the podcast, so for this final episode of Season 4, we have compiled some of the best bits from the past few months.  To begin with, we take a look back at our episode on “Asking for Help”, followed by our controversial and enlightening discussion about NFT’s.  We also revisit our interview with Portrait Painter, Tom Croft.  After the break, we feature highlights f...

In this episode, Peter and Tom welcome back Adebanji Alade to the podcast. As well as being a successful Artist, Adebanji is also a motivational speaker and in this episode he shares more about his journey to becoming a professional Artist and his advice for others who want to do the same and "make it" in the business of art. You can find out more about Adebanji at his website, www.adeba...

In this episode, Tom & Peter answer some of your artistic questions. This week they give their views on getting back into making "real" art and what that means; how much art history knowledge do you need to have to be a working artist; and whether there is still a place for printed marketing literature in amongst all the digital options. If you have a question you’d like to put to us...

There was time when every one said you must have a website! In this age of social media, online galleries, YouTube, teaching platforms and so on,  do we as Artists still need our own website? In this episode, Peter and Tom discuss whether websites are still relevant, some good practice and some pitfalls to avoid.  There are many different ways a website can be used but essentially, it is your Arti...

In this special interview episode, Peter and Tom talk to award winning Artist, Adebanji Alade. Not only is Adebanji a regular presenter on BBC’s The One Show, he is also the Vice President of the ROI and a self-professed, addictive sketcher! With two new books out now, Adebanji joins Peter and Tom to discuss his route to becoming a professional Artist and why he believes sketching is so important....

In this episode, Tom & Peter answer some of your tricky questions. This week they give their views on limited edition prints, when to approach a gallery for the first time and giving work to charity.  If you have a question you’d like to put to us and would be happy for us answer it here on the podcast, please send it to us via our website at askanartistpodcast.com or alternatively you can sen...

In this episode, Peter and Tom discuss YouTube and the possibilities it can present for us, as creative Artists and makers. YouTube is a video sharing platform which attracts 2.6 billion monthly users, which accounts for nearly 1/3 of monthly active internet use. 1 billon hours of content per day is watched on YouTube. 500 hours of video is uploaded every minute! Those stats are pretty overwhelmin...

In this special interview episode, Peter and Tom talk to Tom Croft; Portrait painter and founder of the Portraits for NHS Heroes initiative, started in 2020. In the first half of the episode, the trio discuss Tom's route into the art world and his practice as a portrait artist. After the advert, Tom talks about where the idea for Portraits for NHS Heroes came from, how it grew and what an imp...

In this episode, Peter & Tom answer some of your tricky questions. This week they give their views on what to do with unsold work, an accusation of copying and how to go about things if and when you want to change your artistic style. If you have a question you’d like to put to us and would be happy for us answer it here on the podcast, please send it to us via our website at askanartistpodcas...

In this episode, Peter and Tom attempt to have an open minded discussion about the ins and outs of the controversial, potentially exciting, and certainly intriguing world of NFTs. Even for those who don’t know much about them, maybe don’t know anything about them, the presence of NFT's has been unavoidable.  It seems to be something taking the art world (and beyond) by storm but what a divide...

It is a sad fact that about 20% of small business fail in their first year and around 60% of small businesses fail within the first 3 years. That is indeed a sobering thought for us working artists, trying to earn a living. And the reasons for this? After poor cash flow, the second reason small businesses give is the inability to source and afford help; help to grow, help to promote and help to cr...

Welcome back to Season 4 of Ask an Artist. There are a lot of things that have happened since Tom and Peter were last together - certainly lots of things happening around the world and indeed plenty of ideas, problems and opportunities to navigate  through during these challenging times.  In this first episode of a new series, Peter and Tom have a long over-due catch-up in the first half and in th...

In this episode, Peter & Tom answer some of your tricky questions. This week they give their views on best practice when using reference images, whether or not a listener should consider undertaking a Fine Art degree and how to price work.  If you have a question you’d like to put to us and would be happy for us answer it here on the podcast, please send it to us via our website at askanartist...

In this week's episode, Tom interviews New Zealand based artist, Andrew Tischler.   Andrew has been a professional artist for the past 17 years.  He is drawn to vast landscapes, people, objects and animals, painting a wide variety of subjects in a realist style. His goal for every painting is to achieve a convincing sense of reality and break the constraints of the two dimensional surface. Hi...

Mailing lists – on the face of it, not the most exciting of topics but a crucial part any working, creative business and a fantastic way to stay in touch with an already keen and receptive audience. Both Peter and Tom have developed a newfound love for their mailing lists during the past couple of years and in this episode they talk about what they are, how to collect and manage one, why they can...

Symi Jackson is the Sales and Marketing Director for Rosemary & Co brushes. Symi is Rosemary’s daughter and has inherited her Mother’s love of painting and working with Artists. She has been working with her Mum, helping to run the company, for the past 9 years. Her day-to-day role is incredibly varied and, as a result of her role, she has worked with some of the world’s best artists and creat...