The sound of silence

If you’re accustomed to painting with music or in silence, you’re not alone. Many artists find comfort in familiar sounds—or the absence of them as they create. But have you ever considered inviting a new kind of companion into your studio?

Why Listen to Art Podcasts as a Beginner (or Experienced Artist)?

As a beginner, it’s easy to assume you need to spend every moment learning a technique. But the truth is, the biggest hurdle for most new artists isn’t a lack of skill. It’s feeling motivated and confident that you’re on the right path.

That’s where podcasts shine.

They offer you the chance to hear from working artists, tutors, and creatives who have all been where you are now.

Listening to their stories, challenges, and painting methods can shift your mindset from “Am I doing this right?” to “I’m not alone, and I can keep going.”

How I Chose the Best Art Podcasts for Beginners

This was going to be a top 5 list, then I asked readers of the blog if they had any gems I might have missed. It went to the top 10, and now it is a 12!  (thanks for all your suggestions)

They range from art historical to contemporary painters’ stories, from techniques to creative motivation.

Each one is designed to support you on your artistic journey, offering encouragement, practical advice, and a reminder that you’re not alone in your creative endeavours.

What’s great about art podcasts is that you can dip in and out. You don’t have to ‘sit and listen’. You can put one on while walking the dog, tidying your studio, or doing the gardening, it keeps that inner artist awake and ready for when you do have a moment to create.

The Top 12 Art Podcasts for Beginners

Best Deep-Dive Artist Conversations:

Gently Does It – John Dalton

JohnDalton.me

I first came across John when he followed a few drawing lessons on the blog about 10 years ago! and recently stumbled across his podcast. He’s a great interviewer and storyteller. His podcast features in-depth interviews with contemporary artists and often explores the creative and emotional aspects of the art-making process.

Best Art Technique Podcast for Beginners:

Learn to Paint Podcast – Kelly Anne Powers

https://www.learntopaintpodcast.com/

What’s great about the Learn to Paint podcast is that Kelly Anne asks insightful questions from a beginner’s perspective.
Interviews with artists and art material manufacturers it can be helpful for getting up to speed with the terminology of a new art practice.

Best Art Business Podcast for Beginners:

Art Juice – Louise Fletcher & Alice Sheridan

https://www.louisefletcherart.com/podcast

Hosts Louise Fletcher and Alice Sheridan are two UK-based professional artists who create ” honest insight into what it takes to be an artist. Each week, we share what we are working on and discuss a key topic, or host a guest. Practical tips and down-to-earth conversations to keep you company.”

This was one of the most recommended by students.

Best Motivational and Mindset Podcasts for Artists:

Creative Pep Talk – Andy J. Pizza

https://www.creativepeptalk.com/

Host Andy J. Pizza brings high-energy encouragement and practical advice for navigating the creative life. With a mix of solo episodes and guest interviews, this podcast is all about helping artists find their style, stay inspired, and build a thriving creative career.

Best Outdoor (Plein Air) Painter Podcast for Beginners:

Plein Air Art Podcast – Eric Rhoads

Eric Rhoads, host of the Plein Air Podcast, has a background as a radio host and, as such, is an excellent interviewer with a wide range of experience in art marketing and publishing. As both an artist and the founder of PleinAir Magazine, Eric brings a real range of experience to his conversations. This podcast features interviews with top plein air artists and discussions on technique and inspiration.

Best Living as an Authentic Artist Podcast:

Art2Life Podcast – Nicolas Wilton

https://www.art2life.com/podcast/

Nicholas dives into how to become your most joyful, creative, and authentic self. Regardless of what you desire to make in life, these weekly conversations about art, health, creativity, entrepreneurship and spirituality will provide the fire, inspiration, and practical steps to achieve it.

This was recommended by a number of students.

Best Art History Podcast:

The Great Women Artists – Katy Hessel

https://www.thegreatwomenartists.com/

This podcast is all about celebrating women artists. Art historian, author, and curator Katy Hessel interviews artists, curators, writers, and general art lovers about the female artists who mean the most to them.

The Best Art Podcast for Craftsmanship and Dedication to the Craft:

The Undraped Artist podcast – Jeff Hain

https://theundrapedartist.podbean.com/

“I love the tactile nature of making things with your hands – Jeff Hain”

Jeff is an accomplished artist who dives deep into the creative process. He interviews some of the world’s most accomplished and gifted artists about their work, process, philosophy and experience. Tune in every Monday for a new episode.

Suggested Donation – Tony Curanaj & Edward Minoff

https://www.suggesteddonationpodcast.com/

I used to listen to ‘Suggested Donation’ when I was studying in Florence.

Hosted by two contemporary painters, Tony Curanaj and Edward Minoff, the conversations provide an insight into the creative mind. By speaking with both traditional and non-traditional artists and craftsmen, curators and restorers, they create a dialogue through which they discover common ground across disciplines and spaces united by a love of and deep devotion to skill.

The Savvy Painter with Antrese Wood

https://savvypainter.com/the-savvy-painter-podcast/

Created by Antrese Wood, this podcast is designed to support professional artists with the business side of art-making. It features interviews with working artists, offering insights on studio practice, mindset, marketing, and sustaining a creative career.

Best Drawing & Figurative Podcast:

Draftsman with Stan Prokopenko and Marshall Vandruff

https://www.proko.com/course/draftsmen-podcast

Stan Prokopenko has an excellent youtube channel (Proko), with a vast range of experience with anatomy and drawing. Paired with Marshall Vandruff, there are some really insightful lessons.

If you love the arts, particularly the craft of drawing and painting, and you want to level up your skills or even make a living with your skills, the podcast answers your questions. They offer advice, refer you to their resources, share love of the craft and maybe inspire you!

Best Art Podcast for the Story Behind the Art:

Talking with Painters with Maria Stoljar

https://talkingwithpainters.com/

Australian painters talk with Maria Stoljar about their life, influences painting techniques and art.

Here are some of the other podcasts recommended by students:

• Artshole Podcast with Mark Anthony
• The Thriving Christian Artist Podcast with Matt Tommey
• Loosen Up Your Painting Podcast with Malcolm Dewey
• Natalie Parker Studio Podcast with Natalie Parker
• The Creative Endeavour Podcast with Andrew Tischler
• Ask an Artist Podcast with Peter Keegan & Tom Shepard (Laura Boswell also co-hosted)
• The Laura Horn Art Podcast
• The Art Biz Podcast with Alyson Stanfield
• The Creative Kind Podcast with Julie Battisti
• Design Matters Podcast with Debbie Milman
• Colour and Ceramics Podcast with Bob Acton
• Art Dad Doesn’t Like with Elizabeth Harris
• The Week In Art with Ben Luke
• Waldy and Bendy’s Adventures in Art with Bendor Grosvenor & Waldemar Januszcza
• A Brush With.. by The Art Newspaper
• BBC Arts & Ideas
• Art for Your Ear with Danielle Krysa
• The Lonely Palette
  
• Painting Insights Podcast
• Out of Ink Podcast
• Makers and Mystics with Steven Roach
• The Symbolic World with Jonathan Pageau
• The Boldbrush Show

Where Do People Listen To Podcasts?

Spotify, the music streaming app, is the most popular platform, with Apple Podcasts a close second. You can also download third-party apps; I like Overcast.fm

Already deep into podcasts?

There are other apps that you can listen to; I’ve been enjoying Snipd since it came out a few years ago. Recently, it’s been more integrated with AI, so you “Ask Episode’ and have a conversation with a podcast!

Hope you enjoy listening!