What If You Built a Creative Studio Around Nature & Illustration? with Brad Woodard | The Typecast Episode 75

Send us Fan MailThis week we’re joined by illustrator, studio owner, and self-described “friendly dad” Brad Woodard of Brave the Woods (and the massively popular kids’ channel Brave Kids Club). We get into how a pandemic side project turned into a YouTube channel with hundreds of thousands of subscribers, what happened when a nature short went unexpectedly viral, and why Brad dropped “art” from the channel name.Brad also shares his approach to teaching kids to draw, how he balances giving them structure with leaving room for their own creativity, and why so many kids stop calling themselves “artists” somewhere around second or third grade.We also talk about texture, and why too much texture can sometimes mask a weak drawing. Plus a candid conversation about what it actually takes to keep a creative business afloat when you’re juggling client work, a studio, two YouTube channels, books, and a podcast: including the reality of what a kids’ channel with millions of views actually pays.All that and more when you listen to this episode:Where the idea for Brave Kids Club came from How one viral short changed the direction of the channelWhy dropping “art” from the name helped the channel growHow Brad teaches kids to draw with structure while protecting their creativityWhy kids stop identifying as “artists” The difference between running a solo illustration practice and calling it a studioWhat Brad’s dream illustration projects actually look likeWhy teaching and sharing your process can position you as an expert, even before you feel like oneThe “reps, not results” mindset for showing up on social media without burning outConnect with Brad WoodardInstagram: https://instagram.com/brave_the_woodsBrave the Woods: bravethewoods.comBrave Kids Club: https://www.youtube.com/@TheBraveKidsClubMentioned in this episode:Creative Slash Podcast“Surely You’re Joking, Mr. Feynman” by Richard FeynmanWild KrattsJason MunnMark Kistler / Imagination StationThe Monster Project Emily Ballsley on the Creative Slash PodcastThe Ocean Explorer’s Drawing Guide for KidsThe Dinosaur Explorer’s Drawing Guide for KidsThe Nature Explorer’s Drawing Guide for KidsConnect with Katie & Ilana from GoodtypeGoodtype WebsiteGoodtype on InstagramGoodtype on YoutubeWe wrote a book! Grab a copy and sign up to access the audiobook when we release it!Love The Typecast and free stuff? Leave a review, and send a screenshot of it to us on Slack. Each month we pick a random reviewer to win a Goodtype Goodie! Goodies include merch, courses and Kernference tickets!Leave us a review on Apple PodcastsSubscribe to the showTag us on Instagram @GoodtypeFollow us on Tiktok @lovegoodtypeLearn from Katie and IlanaGrab your tea, coffee, or drink of choice, kick back, and let's get down to business!