Ask An Artist

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, a...

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 o...

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 ...

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.        Networking WILL deliver yo...

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  "ta...

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 plea...

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 a...

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...

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" ...

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...

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...

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.rosema...

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 ...

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 vis...

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 hop...

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...

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 a...

 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 t...

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 b...