Drawing Inspiration

Mike does more work with his pond inspired graphite pieces with a toad, dragonfly and grasshopper. Patreon is around the corner as well as a new video course. Mike is then joined by Jill Quinn Babcock to talk about her art journey which is filled with a mix of intention, passion and happy accidents. She talks about her early days with pastels and then moving to watercolour and the challenges with...

Mike finished some more graphite work with a focus on depth and reflection. He then tries some plein air painting on the water without falling overboard. Rob McCallum is back to talk about the impact the pandemic has had on his role as a storyboard and concept artist in addition to some of his recent work including season 3 of Star Trek Discovery (no spoilers). They talk about drawing zombies and...

Mike reflects on a recent rejection and then looks forward to a couple of creative projects later this year. He talks about his new pencil, holder and sharpener. Mike spends some time exploring some local trails for plein air settings and shares a local UFO story that leads to some art. He ends the show by highlighting some artists on Instagram that have provided some recent inspiration. Show note...

Mike finishes a commission and does a little urban sketching. He then picks up an etch-a-sketch for the 60th anniversary of the device. Mike is then joined by artist and YouTuber Scott Maier. Scott has a formal BFA and MFA and has been teaching and creating art for a couple of decades. He has recently been doing live YouTube drawing tutorials since March. Mike and Scott explore some of the videos...

Mike receives support for episode 29 and finds focus and challenges in some recent pieces and some new tools. Mike is then joined by Matthew Burrows who talks about his career as an artist, teacher, and mentor. Matthew talks about art as a gift as well as trust and generosity with his new initiative #artistsupportpledge. Matthew discusses the positive influence the #artistsupportpledge has had on...

In this reflection episode, Mike talks about the recent events around racism and police brutality and where we go from here. He then reflects on the challenges in trying to be creative through these difficult times having had some rather unproductive weeks. Finally, Mike is opening a shop, or make that two. ===== LINKS FROM THE SHOW ===== Black Lives Matter Black Lives Matter list of resources/lin...

Mike finishes a nuthatch and is overwhelmed with the response. He connects some art supplies with people who need it and then shares the artwork of some local students. Mike is then joined by The Pen Addict, Brad Dowdy, who shares his journey from drawing tiny things to following his passion by starting a blog, a few businesses, and becoming a podcaster. Class is in session as Brad brings everyone...

It’s been a challenging few weeks with the pandemic but Mike was still able to make art a priority in drawing some animals, dinosaurs and humans. Mike is then joined by the talented Max Ulichney to talk about his creative journey. Having worked at the same company for 14 years, Max has left to join Netflix for an exciting new project. Max also talks about his MaxPacks which are incredibly well-des...

Mike reflects on the one year anniversary of the podcast. Mike also talks about what he has learned from the numerous guests on the show with a focus on tools, techniques, sharing your art, business and of course inspiration and motivation. This is has been a very special year and it couldn’t have happened without you, the listener and the guests that have offered their time to chat. ===== LINKS F...

Mike receives a wonderful gift from a neighbour and does more live drawings. He also updates his online portfolio and talks about his tools and process on another podcast. He is then joined by world-renowned urban sketcher Ian Fennelly who talks about his experience as teacher and artist. He talks about his journey, his tools and his process highlighted by stories and the deep connections with art...

Mike talks about creating in place, live draws, a couple of recent pieces and the challenges of the pandemic. Mike is then joined by modern master Cesar Santos to talk about the journey that took him from Cuba to the USA and then to Italy to pursue his passion. His skill and experience as an artist are matched with his strength in being an excellent teacher. They talk about art skills, avoiding be...

Mike touches on COVID-19 and the impact on creatives. Mike also does some live drawing on Instagram and an interesting collaboration with an entomologist. Mike is then joined by the artist Jennifer L. Meyer who took a few minutes from her very busy schedule to talk about her career in illustration. She talks about her journey in becoming an illustrator from her early days to obtaining her BFA to s...

Mike receives his Sketchnote Ideabook from the kickstarter and talks about a couple of recent drawings. Mike is then joined by artist, illustrator and author Lisa Congdon to talk about her creative journey. They talk about pivoting to a creative pursuit later in life and her latest book “Find Your Artistic Voice”. They also talk about Lisa’s sabbatical for 2020. Lisa will inspire and motivate you...

Mike visits a museum and art gallery to do some sketching. Mike is then joined by artist and tech YouTuber Brad Colbow to talk hardware and software for creative professionals. Brad shares his journey to success from a young artist to graphic designer and web developer to a top YouTube reviewer for creatives. They talk about the current state of tech and apps as well as what the future may hold. =...

Mike looks back on the five year old version of himself, explores some human anatomy as well as more nature with graphite. Naturalist and artist Robert Bateman then joins Mike to talk about his art career that has spanned nearly eight decades. They talk about his move from abstract to realism, discuss some of his pieces, explore some art tips and of course they chat about nature. Five year old Mik...

Mike reviews some of his recent pieces and talks about challenging yourself and being comfortable with the result. He then answers questions from listeners covering his mobile podcast setup, his most creative recent piece, water-soluble graphite, printmaking, his current drawing kit, and his day job.  ===== LINKS FROM THE SHOW ===== Weekly Inktober Beautiful Monsters  (1450-1700) Finch  ...

Mike finishes a watercolor piece with new brushes as well as some sketches, including a very special one for Australia. Mike is then joined by artist, writer, and illustrator James Gurney to talk art, dinosaurs, and inspiration. James brings us along on his artistic journey as he highlights the artists and the books that have shaped him. This episode is packed with information for artists at all l...

Mike continues working with graphite but has time to test out the new Paperlike 2 screen protector for his iPad Pro. He also talks about a video everyone should watch. Mike is then joined by Captain Tom to talk about his experiences from skateboarding to animation. Also, urban sketching as a sport, travel, giving back and tips on becoming a better artist. ===== LINKS FROM THE SHOW ===== Arctic Wol...

Mike has follow-up about a recent guest and talks about some graphite sketches. Mike is then joined by storyboard and concept artist Rob McCallum to discuss his art journey from his early days in Scotland with comics and movies to working with Stan Lee and transitioning to his movie and TV show work. Rob talks about some of his recent projects like Star Trek Discovery, IT, The Thing and Downsizing...

Mike continues sketching into November and talks about WWII sketchbooks. Mike is then joined by Tiff Arment to discuss her journey in becoming an artist which includes her favourite mediums, recent Inktober success, going to back to school and her latest initiative, #WeDrawWednesdays. ===== LINKS FROM THE SHOW ===== Anna Bucciarelli Escoda real vs synthetic sable Brush Comparison Paperlike 2 WWII...

Mike does a review of his final Inktober images and a reflection on the whole experience. Mike then spends the rest of the show talking about planning for a successful creative 2020. Some tips and considerations when putting together a creative plan well before the holidays are on us. ===== LINKS FROM THE SHOW ===== Inktober  (official site) Inktober days 21-31 Sailor with Fude nibs  (Am...

Mike does a quick review of his recent Inktober drawings. He then speaks to Jo Brown (aka @bernoid on Twitter) to understand the passion and motivation behind this incredible illustrator. Her work has had millions of views on social media and will inspire artists and non-artists alike. Mike and Jo also talk about the impact and challenges around Inktober and the positive impact it can have on any...

Mike talks about having his art banned as well as more ink and brush pen talk and starting to draw later in life. Mike then talks about his Inktober set-up, his first few sketches and the reflects on the stress as well as the benefits of Inktober and just drawing everyday. ===== LINKS FROM THE SHOW ===== Image that was banned 'Be like a weed': The life advice of a 102-year-old painter Pentel Sakur...

Mike finished his new urban sketching easel, does a couple more quick sketches and tries out some new inking solutions. Myriam Tillson then joins Mike to talk about her creative journey, gouache, Inktober and a crypt experience. ===== LINKS FROM THE SHOW ===== James Gurney easel (where to get instructions) Mike's James Gurney easel at the Chateau Laurier event Pentel brush pen New sailor pen with...

Mike does some more outdoor watercolor work, prepares a new set of painting kits and finds out he may breathe like a creative. Mike is then joined by Canadian artist Anna Bucciarelli to talk about everything from watercolor to digital work, work/life balance, finding inspiration and teaching. If you’re an aspiring artist, Anna delivers a series of positive messages that will level up your creative...