PK 132: What if you spent 3 years on ONE single art project? - a podcast by Mitch Bowler

Artists often have to work to tight deadlines, but what happens when you've got three whole years to complete a single project?

That's exactly what happened to artist, illustrator and Pencil Kings tutor, Francis Vallejo. In this interview, you'll hear all about the fascinating creative process behind illustrating Jazz Day: The Making of a Famous Photograph, and how having more time to research and develop his illustrations actually helped Francis find his true niche as an artist.

So, if the fast-paced world of the average art studio environment just isn't for you, you'll find plenty of valuable advice in this interview to help you plan, research, execute and market your art projects. Plus, you'll get lots of super-useful insights on what it's really like to work as an illustrator, and why good things are more likely to come your way if you stay true to yourself and your art.

Interview Chapters:

00:00 - 03:12 - Introduction

Detroit-born artist and illustrator, Francis Vallejo, introduces himslef and reveals what motivates and inspires him as an artist

03:23 - 04:10 - The Story Behind Illustrating Jazz Day: The Making of a Famous Photograph

Francis describes his book illustration project and what he learned from working on it.

04:36 - 07:29 - What's it Like to Work on a Project That Lasts 3 Years?

Illustrating Jazz Day took 3 years. Here, Francis talks about the reasoning behind this, and how what could have been a huge gamble actually paid off.

08:23 - 11:01 - How Illustrating Jazz Day Changed Francis' Life

Francis says illustrating Jazz Day changed his life as an artist. Find out why in this part of our interview.

12:00 - 14:07 - How did Working on Jazz Day Help Francis Find His Niche as an Artist?

Most artists take a while to find their true niche - the one thing that truly inspires them and motivates them to keep on making art. For Francis, illustrating Jazz Day brought him closer to the world of literature he loved, and enabled him to make lots of new contacts with people in this industry.

14:36 - 16:09 - Is Working in Literature Really as Romantic as you Might Think?

Many artists dream of working in the field of literature, but is it really as romantic as all that? Hear what Francis thinks in this chapter.

16:26 - 18:41 - What's Next for Francis?

Having completed one big project, Francis is ready to move onto the next one. Here, he describes the exciting projects he's got lined up, and how he's inspired by the prospect of travelling and researching in the near future.

19:01 - 20:54 - What are the Benefits of Working at Your Own Pace?

Taking the time to research a project and see it through to completion without feeling rushed can really help you as an artist. Here, Francis explains why he loves working this way, and how you as an artist can find an area of work which best reflects your personality.

21:41 - 22:08 - How Can Working on a Long Project Help You Improve as an Artist?

Francis felt he truly developed as an artist while working on Jazz Day. Find out why in this chapter.

22:44 - 27:10 - What Happens After a Long Project is Finished?

In this chapter, Francis reveals what happens once you've completed a long project and goes into detail on all the associated marketing and promotion which follows.

28:08 - 32:28 - How did Francis get Discovered as an Artist?

Amazingly, Francis didn't reach out to the publishers of Jazz Day looking for work. Instead, they found him. How does this work and what can you do to help promote your art? You'll find out in this chapter.

33:10 - 35:56 - How Should you Present Yourself to Book Publishers and Work With Them on Your Project?

Francis went out of his way to meet his clients face-to-face as often as possible during his project. Find out why he believes this is so important in this chapter.

37:03 - 39:54 - What Advice does Francis Have for Aspiring Artists?

Francis learned a lot through working on his project. Here, he shares his advice for any aspiring artists who have yet to find their true niche.

40:35 - 42:40 - What Makes Your Art Saleable?

A lot of artists fall into the trap of producing work in the style of others in an attempt to make their work more saleable. Find out why staying true to yourself is the way forward in this chapter.

43:25 - 44:53 - Conclusion and Where to Find Francis Online

Where can you see examples of Francis' work online? Find out in the concluding part of this interview.

 

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