The Open Sketchbook Podcast
How do artists develop their style, stay inspired, and make a living? The Open Sketchbook Podcast brings you real conversations with artists, educators, and industry professionals to uncover the creative process, strategies for artistic growth, and the realities of an art career. Whether you're a student, and emerging artist, instructor, painter, illustrator, draftsman, or designer you'll get insights on technique, mindset, and the challenges of being an artist so that you can refine your skills, build confidence, and stay motivated. Hosted by Evan Kitson, an experienced artist and educator, this podcast explores the how and why behind making art. Hear from authors, artists, curators, and other creatives so that you can learn from their successes, struggles, and unique perspectives. Expect deep dives into traditional and contemporary techniques, candid artist interviews, and thought-provoking discussions so that you gain the knowledge and inspiration to grow in your own creative practice. If you're looking for art podcasts about creativity, materials and technique, and professional growth, The Open Sketchbook Podcast is for you. Join a growing community of artists and creatives- subscribe now and start listening today!
The Open Sketchbook Podcast
Episode 6: Julie Heffernan
In this episode, Evan Kitson sits down with one of his longtime painting heroes, Julie Heffernan, for a rich and wide-ranging conversation. Julie is renowned for her lush, allegorical paintings, but in recent years, she’s taken a surprising and thrilling turn into the world of graphic novels with her debut book Babe in the Woods: or, The Art of Getting Lost.
Together, Evan and Julie dive into:
- The origins of Babe in the Woods and the unlikely software behind it (spoiler: Microsoft Paint!)
- How narrative and composition intersect in both her paintings and her book
- The difference between critique and personal exploration in visual storytelling
- Trees, mark-making, and the visual vocabulary of digital drawing
- What it means to truly respond to your own work- and how to let go of what no longer serves you
- The role of beauty, mystery, and formal relationships in building meaningful art
- The powerful influence of image streaming on her creative process
- Julie’s upcoming second graphic novel, plus her thoughts on artists, films, and books that shaped her journey
Want to watch our conversation? We're on YouTube!
Watch this episode: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1ihkU4rUDJs
Our YouTube Channel: http://www.youtube.com/@theopensketchbook
The Open Sketchbook
https://theopensketchbook.com
https://www.instagram.com/the.open.sketchbook/
The Virtual Studio - Join for Exclusive Podcast Content and More!
https://learn.theopensketchbook.com/bundles/virtual-studio
Our Weekly Newsletter, The Drawing Board:
https://theopensketchbook.kit.com/posts
GUEST: Julie Heffernan
https://www.julieheffernan.net/
https://www.instagram.com/julie_heffernan_/
Heffernan's Amazing Graphic Novel:
Babe in the Woods: or, The Art of Getting Lost
https://amzn.to/41pAR6I (this is an affiliate link)
Julie's Book Recommendations:
Cutting for Stone by Abraham Verghese
https://amzn.to/3DU9oCq
When We Cease to Understand the World by Benjamín Labatut
https://amzn.to/4ciUMJC
In the Distance by Hernan Diaz
https://amzn.to/4j1aX0e
HOST: Evan Kitson
https://evankitson.com
https://www.instagram.com/evan_kitson/