Ask An Artist

<p>Professional artists Peter Keegan and Tom Shepherd discuss the practical issues of making art your career. Drawing on their own experiences they offer candid advice for artists who want to make a living from their work. Peter is a portrait painter working predominantly to commission for both private and public clients and he also teaches in-person and online. Tom is a watercolour artist with a passion for wildlife and conservation and he also teaches in-person and online. Both Tom and Peter treat their art as a business, always practicing what they preach! Throughout season 1 and 2, renowned printmaker, Laura Boswell was the co-host. Laura is a printmaker working in Linocut and Japanese woodblock, with work is in several public collections. She writes a monthly advice column for Artists and Illustrators Magazine. </p>

Ask An Artist - Listener Questions 29

In this episode, Tom and Peter answer some of your questions. Firstly they discuss online selling strategies, followed by doing your own framing and finally, the qualities needed to become a professional Artist. If you have a question you’d like to put to us and would be happy for us to answer it here on the podcast please send it to us via our website here or alternatively you can send it to us via Instagram. This Podcast is sponsored by Rosemary & Co Brushes, Jackson’s Art Supplies and...

09-05
50:28

Ask an Artist - The Art of Travel: Interview with Mary-Anne Bartlett, from Art Safari

In this episode, Peter and Tom interview Mary-Anne Bartlett - brilliant artist, much-loved tutor, and founder of Art Safari. This episode is about all things "art tutoring" and "art holidays"; the ups, the downs, what it really takes to run a successful retreat and how to find your feet if you are thinking of becoming a tutor yourself. Because when you get it right, combining art, great people, inspiring venues, and a sense of adventure is a truly special thing. In the first part of the episo...

08-22
57:33

Ask An Artist - Getting Qualified; What are the options?

In this episode, Tom and Peter discuss the different options open to creatives in terms of "getting qualified". With the rise of the internet over the past couple of decades, there has been an increase in the number of certificates, diplomas, courses, workshops and even degrees available - but what does each one entail, which ones are worth their salt and which ones do the art world actually care about? In the first half of the episode, Peter talks about his own experience of going to univers...

08-08
59:25

Ask An Artist - Listener Questions 28

In this episode, Tom and Peter answer some of your questions. Firstly there's a question about taking payments on-the-go, followed by a question about storage solutions and finally, gallery artwork taboos. If you have a question you’d like to put to us and would be happy for us to answer it here on the podcast please send it to us via our website here or alternatively you can send it to us via Instagram. This Podcast is sponsored by Rosemary & Co Brushes, Jackson’s Art Supplies and Sear...

07-25
37:08

Ask An Artist - 6 Tips for Putting on an Exhibition

In this episode Tom and Peter their top tips for putting on a show, imagining that they are planning, promoting and hosting their own solo exhibition. They condense their advice into 6 key things, which are; 1. Planning – it’s all in the planning! 2. Spread the word – marketing the show 3. Find the magic – what makes your show different? 4. Selling – something for everyone 5. &nbs...

07-11
58:58

Ask An Artist - Taking the Plunge: Interview with Rodney Kingston

In this episode Peter and Tom interview artist, Rodney Kingston. Rodney studied at Wimbledon School of Art and Camberwell College of Art, before embarking on a career as a graphic designer. For the past 10 years or so, Rodney has been painting more and more alongside his employment, before taking the plunge about 12 months ago, to pursue his career as an Artist, full time. In this interview, we ask him what led up to him "taking the plunge", as well as the highs and the lows of th...

06-27
56:50

Ask An Artist - Listener Questions 27

In this episode, Peter and Tom answer some of your questions. Firstly there's a two-part question from an Artist looking to exhibit for the first time, asking about the pricing of prints and how to create excitement around the work. After the break, there's a question about charging for travel expenses. If you have a question you’d like to put to us and would be happy for us to answer it here on the podcast please send it to us via our website here or alternatively you can send it to us via...

06-06
40:19

Ask An Artist - Interview with Tushar Sabale

In this episode Peter and Tom, interview artist, Tushar Sabale. Tushar is a London-based artist who is renowned for his oil paintings and is represented by numerous galleries. He has won numerous awards for his work and as well as painting, he finds time to be an ambassador for the Broadway Arts festival, runs the London plein air painters group and regularly teaches oil painting workshops. In this episode, we hear how he started as an artist and how he manages his artistic output and busines...

05-23
01:07:04

Ask An Artist - Finding the Balance

In this episode, Tom and Peter discuss the somewhat illusive work-life balance; whether it is achievable as a self-employed Artist, how they manage it in their own situations and some tips which might help you to find your own. In the first half of the episode they share their own, somewhat similar, circumstances, particularly in relation to family life, and how these can both dovetail and clash with a creative career. In the second half of the episode, they discuss what they have learnt work...

05-09
53:27

Ask An Artist - Interview with Marc Jackman of Jackman's Art Materials

In this episode, Tom and Peter interview Marc Jackman, master chemist and director of Jackman's Art Materials; one of the newest and best manufacturers of artist quality paints, in the UK. Marc started the company in 2019, creating watercolour paints to begin with, followed by gouache and acrylic. In this episode, Marc shares the story of how he got into the industry and answers our questions about what makes "good" paint, why some colours are always more expensive than others and share...

04-25
01:05:48

Ask an Artist - Listener Questions 26

In this episode, Peter and Tom answer some of your questions. Firstly there's a question about pricing workshops for community groups, followed by a discussion about stretched canvas vs canvas paper, and finally, who to invite to your private view. If you have a question you’d like to put to us and would be happy for us to answer it here on the podcast please send it to us via our website here or alternatively you can send it to us via Instagram. This Podcast is sponsored by Rosemary & C...

04-11
41:22

Ask An Artist - How do you juggle it all? Interview with Hashim Akib

In this episode, Tom and Peter interview one of the busiest artists working today. Hashim Akib is an internationally renowned Artist, represented by several galleries in the UK. He has exhibited with The Royal Society of Marine Artists, The Royal Institute of Oil Painters and The New English Art Club. He also writes instructional books, which have been translated into several languages; he teaches here in the UK and abroad, as well as online; he has worked with Daler Rowney to produce teachin...

03-28
59:46

Ask An Artist - Taking on commissions

In this episode Peter and Tom discuss taking on commissions. They discuss the pros and cons of working to someone else's brief, suggest how to go about gaining them and what the process of completing one might look like. This Podcast is sponsored by Rosemary & Co Brushes, Jackson’s Art Supplies and Search Press publishers. For more information about our sponsors, please visit: Rosemary & Co Brushes: www.rosemaryandco.com Jackson’s Art supplies: www.jacksonsart.com Search ...

03-14
52:49

Ask An Artist - Planning for 2025

Ask An Artist podcast is back for 2025 and we will be releasing new episodes every fortnight, throughout the year. In this episode Peter and Tom look back to the planning meeting they had this time last year, and discuss what went well, not so well, whether they achieved their goals and if not, why not. Peter and Tom use this reflection to plan what needs to stay, go and be changed as they move into the coming year. This Podcast is sponsored by Rosemary & Co Brushes, J...

02-28
55:57

Ask An Artist - Season 7 returns on February 28th

Ask An Artist will be back with brand new episodes, every fortnight, from Friday February 28th 2025. There will be the usual chat and topic episodes by Peter Keegan and Tom Shepherd, plus interviews with artists and industry experts. Already lined up for this season are Hashim Akib, Rodney Kingston and Marc Jackman, of Jackman's Art Materials. Plus, we need your questions! Email them to us at askanartistpodcast@gmail.com or visit the website, www.askanartistpodcast.com and we will do ou...

02-21
01:50

Ask An Artist - Look back at 2024

In this special episode of Ask An Artist, we take a look back at some of the highlights of 2024. In the first part, we feature our planning episode from back in March, then our interview with Tom Croft about judging art competitions and finally, a question about knowing when to go full time.. After the break, we feature the episodes on selling strategies, the interview with Laura Boswell and studio spaces. We hope you have enjoyed listening this year, and if you want to listen to any of th...

12-20
01:23:25

Ask An Artist - Listener Questions 25

In this episode, Peter and Tom answer some of your questions. Firstly there's a question about making ends meet, followed by payment terms when writing an article and finally, what to do if you attend a workshop which turns out not to be that good! If you have a question you’d like to put to us and would be happy for us to answer it here on the podcast please send it to us via our website here or alternatively you can send it to us via Instagram. This Podcast is sponsored by Rosemary & ...

12-06
33:05

Ask An Artist - Interview with Estelle Lovatt FRSA, Art Critic

In this episode Peter and Tom interview art critic, Estelle Lovatt FRSA. Estelle has the experience of being on both sides of the canvas; having trained as a painter, read art history and worked as a gallery exhibition curator. Estelle works as a freelance art critic for the BBC (radio and TV), as well as for various independent radio stations throughout Great Britain. She writes for numerous magazines and newspapers and lectures at the Hampstead School of Art, in London. She also runs her ow...

11-22
58:31

Ask An Artist - Teaching

In this week’s episode, there was a problem with the audio and we had to use the back up track for a section of Peter’s audio; we apologise for the poor quality audio between 20 and 32 minutes. In this episode, Peter and Tom discuss teaching and share their advice and best practice for whether or not teaching might be for you. They share how they both began teaching, the different forms it may take, as well as discussing the passion they both have for it. They also talk about lesson pl...

11-08
01:10:44

Ask An Artist - Interview with Laura Boswell ARE

Tom and Peter are delighted to welcome back, podcast founder, Laura Boswell. Together with Peter, Laura founded this very podcast and recorded over 100 episodes. In 2022, she and her husband, "The Talented Mr B", made the decision to move from their home in Buckinghamshire, to Scotland. In this episode, Peter and Tom catch up with Laura, find out how her work and business have developed and discuss what it has been like to effectively start again in a new area. To find out more about...

10-25
52:51

Chantel McSkimming

excellent addition to the team 🙂

04-22 Reply

Chantel McSkimming

thanks for the info guys!!

04-22 Reply

Chantel McSkimming

What a nice chat!!! can hardly wait to try one (or a few) of these brushes!

04-22 Reply

Daniela D

very useful podcast, I am an aspiring full time artist and it's great that you so kindly share your experience and priceless advice 😊

11-11 Reply

Recommend Channels