Best Dragos Pepina Podcasts (2024)

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Ep 55: Enjoy Every Step of Creating a Pet Portrait 8:39

5d ago8:39

8:39

In this episode, we dive into the delightful journey of creating pet portraits! Join me as I explore the joy and satisfaction found in each stage of the artistic process, from selecting the perfect reference photo to the final brushstroke. I will share tips on how to stay present and enjoy every moment, connect with your subject, and unleash your c…

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Ep 54: How Love and Support Keep Pet Portrait Artists Thriving 32:13

12d ago32:13

32:13

It's essential for us as artists, but we sometimes don’t talk about it enough: the importance of support from those around us—our family, friends, followers, clients, and even our art community. Today, we're discussing something beyond technique, talent, or passion. Creating art, especially pet portraits, isn’t just a job for many of us. It’s a pas…

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Ep 53: Why Your Studio Space Matters 18:42

19d ago18:42

18:42

Where you create your art matters more than you might realize, and it’s not just about having a fancy studio or the perfect supplies. It’s about creating an environment that nurtures your creativity, helps you focus, and keeps you inspired. Today, I want to dive into something that’s often overlooked but can make or break your creative process: you…

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Ep 52: The Story Behind Every Pet Portrait 7:18

28d ago7:18

7:18

There’s nothing quite like capturing the personality of someone’s beloved fur baby on paper. It’s such a rewarding experience, not just for me as an artist, but especially for the pet owners who get to see their pets come to life in a whole new way. Because, as any pet owner will tell you, our pets aren’t just animals—they’re family. And every port…

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Ep 51: Should I Offer Pastel Pet Portraits Classes? 7:05

1M ago7:05

7:05

So, I’ve been thinking about something lately, and I figured this episode would be the perfect space to just talk it out with all of you, and maybe… get some advice? I love how this podcast feels like a little community, and I know that a lot of you are creative souls, pet lovers, or both, so I think you might have some thoughts on what I’m about t…

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Ep 50: Staying Driven as a Pet Portrait Artist in Quiet Times 18:55

1M ago18:55

18:55

Today we’re tackling a topic that every artist, especially pet portrait artists, encounters at some point—the dreaded slow period. It’s that time when commissions slow down, the inbox is quiet, and self-doubt starts to creep in. Get in touch with me! Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dragospepina_art/ Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@DragosPepi…

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Ep 49: Dealing with Physical Strain as a Pet Portrait Artist 18:29

2M ago18:29

18:29

Whether you’re a seasoned artist or just starting, you know that creating beautiful portraits of our furry friends involves a lot of time and dedication. But with long hours at the easel or computer, it’s easy to forget about taking care of our physical well-being. So, let’s chat about how to manage and prevent physical strain while keeping our cre…

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Ep 48: Top 10 Challenges for Pet Portrait Artists 23:28

2M ago23:28

23:28

We will explore the ten most difficult challenges you’ll face if you want to become a pet portrait artist and trust me, these aren’t just small hurdles—they can sometimes feel like mountains. But don’t worry, I’m not here to list the challenges. I’ll also share practical tips on how to avoid them and, if you find yourself stuck, how to fix them. Wh…

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Ep 47: Pet Portrait Artists and TikTok: Friends or Enemies? 21:11

2M ago21:11

21:11

Whether you're already on the platform or just thinking about it, this episode is packed with insights to help you decide if TikTok is worth your time. Today, we're exploring a topic that's been buzzing around lately—TikTok. More specifically, we will talk about how TikTok can either be a great friend or an enemy for pet portrait artists. Get in to…

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Ep 46: Handling Unhappy Pet Portrait Clients 17:53

2M ago17:53

17:53

No matter how skilled or experienced you are, sometimes a client’s expectations don’t align with the final piece. This can be a stressful and disheartening experience, but it’s also an opportunity for growth and learning. Get in touch with me! Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dragospepina_art/ Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@DragosPepinaArt F…

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Ep 45: Unseen Realities of Running a Pet Portrait Business 8:13

3M ago8:13

8:13

Suppose you’ve ever admired a beautifully rendered painting of a golden retriever or a pastel drawing of a cat. In that case, you might think that creating such art is all about cuddling up with cute animals and letting creativity flow. But there’s so much more to it than that, from managing demanding clients to mastering the business side of thing…

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Ep 44: The Silent Struggle: How Anxiety Can Affect Creativity 9:01

3M ago9:01

9:01

Anxiety is like a monster that lives somewhere in our minds, which is very hard to get rid of but not impossible. I also suffer from this problem, and sometimes, this monster digs its claws into my mind and throws me off balance. But what does this have to do with being a portrait artist? This feeling of anxiety is like a boulder that stands in you…

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Ep 43: Followers Don't Pay the Bills: Commission Realities for Pet Portrait Artists 17:01

5M ago17:01

17:01

Social media, particularly Instagram, has become an integral part of our lives and a powerful tool for artists. It's a fantastic platform to showcase your work, connect with fellow creatives, and reach potential clients. But a big misconception is floating around: a high follower count automatically translates into a steady stream of commissions. T…

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Ep 42: AI and Pet Portrait Artists: Friends or Enemies? 19:15

5M ago19:15

19:15

AI has started to take the world by surprise, and while for some people it feels like a fantastic revelation, for others it might seem like a new devil that has appeared on Earth. For artists, AI can be both their best friend and their greatest enemy. Get in touch! Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dragospepina_art/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/…

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Ep 41: Shipping Pet Portraits with Tracking and Warranty: VITAL! 7:53

7M ago7:53

7:53

Imagine this: you pour countless hours into a drawing, alongside passion and soul, and in the end, it gets lost, arrives bent, or with other defects. Wouldn't you feel like pulling your hair out because of the frustration and anger? Absolutely! But thankfully, there's a solution – paying a bit more for shipping and opting for a tracking number and …

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Ep 40: Pet Influencers: Worth the Collaboration? 8:27

7M ago8:27

8:27

And I’ve made it to my 40th episode! I know it doesn't sound like a lot but for me it is a huge milestone! Now let's move on to this episode! The biggest question is: Is it worth creating a drawing for a pet influencer for free in exchange for exposure, hoping to receive many commissions as a result of this collaboration? That's what we'll dive int…

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Ep 39: Tips for Creating Lifelike Eyes in Pet Portraits 6:55

8M ago6:55

6:55

Do you know how they say 'The eyes are the windows to the soul'? Well, that applies to our furry friends too! But, how do we bring those eyes to life in our commissions? That's what we'll dive into in this episode! Get in touch! Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dragospepina_art/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dragospepina Youtube: https://w…

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Ep 38: I just got a commission on the largest paper sheet yet! 6:28

8M ago6:28

6:28

I've got some great news about my pet portrait business! I just landed the biggest order yet. Super pumped to dive in, but have to admit, feeling a tad nervous too since it's something new, never tackled such a large format before. Here's the kicker: Yesterday, I decided to shake things up and tweak my website prices. I thought, why not offer large…

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Ep 36: How to get over the ugly stage of a pet portrait 5:12

10M ago5:12

5:12

Get in touch! Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dragospepina_art/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/DragosPepinaArt Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dragospepina Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@DragosPepinaArtBy Dragos Pepina

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Ep 37: Being authentic on social media is the key to being a successful artist 9:56

11M ago9:56

9:56

Get in touch! Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dragospepina_art/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/DragosPepinaArt Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dragospepina Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@DragosPepinaArtBy Dragos Pepina

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Ep 35: Q&A - What advice would you give to aspiring pet portrait artists? 14:50

11M ago14:50

14:50

Get in touch! Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dragospepina_art/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/DragosPepinaArt Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dragospepina Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@DragosPepinaArtBy Dragos Pepina

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Ep 34: I gave up physiotherapy to be a pet portrait artist 12:30

11M ago12:30

12:30

Get in touch! Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dragospepina_art/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/DragosPepinaArt Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dragospepina Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@DragosPepinaArtBy Dragos Pepina

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Ep 33: How to start your own pet portrait business 22:48

11M ago22:48

22:48

Get in touch! Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dragospepina_art/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/DragosPepinaArt Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dragospepina Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@DragosPepinaArtBy Dragos Pepina

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Ep 32: How I Found My Calling As A Pet Portrait Artist 🧑‍🎨 8:31

12M ago8:31

8:31

In this episode, I will share with you how I became a pet portrait artist and found my calling and share my story with you. Being a pet portrait artist was not always my plan, but 6 years ago it just happened when I drew my cat for the first time, and since then, I knew I wanted to become a pet portrait artist and that was how I found out I love it…

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Ep 31 : The Dark Side of Chasing Likes and Followers as an Artist 7:57

1y ago7:57

7:57

Surely, the path of an artist is not to valorize their art based on the number of likes and followers they have. I guarantee you, that won't truly make you happy, at least not in the long run. The obsession to chase these numbers will only grow, the more you do it, the more you'll feed the monster, and you'll only aspire to achieve a high number on…

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Ep 30: Is getting Meta Verified on Instagram Worth It? 8:05

1y ago8:05

8:05

Not too long ago, Instagram added something new to their platform, such as giving every user the chance of getting a blue check mark. This means that your account will look more professional and official but it isn't free, it costs 15 USD a month. Of course, for many people this amount is nothing but for others can mean a lot. I have taken this ste…

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Ep 29: Why Taking Regular Breaks from Social Media Can Be Beneficial? 9:39

1y ago9:39

9:39

Social media can be our best friend and sometimes our worst enemy. Why do I say that? Not because I hate social media or anything like that, but a lot of people don't show the reality out there. Many users create an illusion of the life they have on these platforms, showing only what they want you to see, only what's going well, and posts in which …

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Ep 28: From Hobby to Business: When is the Right Time to Accept Commissions? 9:34

1+ y ago9:34

9:34

When do you know it's time to start accepting pet portrait commissions and go from a simple hobby to starting a small business using your talent for drawing pets? As much as we want to run the legal side of a business, at some point, we have to take that step and make it all legal and official. Like you, I too was terrified at the thought of taking…

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Ep 27: Is Pinterest a Good Platform for Pet Portrait Artists? 8:18

1+ y ago8:18

8:18

Although I never thought Pinterest would work for me, I was proven wrong. For some time now, I've noticed that one of my pins is being saved by a lot of people and I'm getting a lot of new followers. Whilst for me Instagram and Facebook are the most important, it doesn't hurt to put my attention on other platforms like Pinterest. In this episode, w…

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Ep 26: How I got from 0 to almost 22k Followers on Instagram 11:02

1+ y ago11:02

11:02

Getting big on Instagram is not easy, especially when I started posting a few years ago when there was no such thing as reels. Of course, now it's a little easier to go viral and grow your audience quickly but even so, success isn't guaranteed without a lot of work behind it. Even if one reel takes off, no one guarantees that the others will be as …

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Ep.25: Expanding Horizons: Passive Income and Impact on YouTube 7:43

1+ y ago7:43

7:43

In this episode, I want to share with you the reasons why I decided to start making YouTube videos again, beyond my pet portrait commissions. I'll talk about the allure of passive income and how much I value helping others. Support my podcast! Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/thepetportraitartistpodcast Get in touch! Instagram: https://www.instagra…

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Ep 24: From Paw-some to Overwhelmed: Managing Multiple Pet Portrait Commissions 12:51

1+ y ago12:51

12:51

In today's episode, we'll be discussing a common challenge faced by many artists - managing multiple pet portrait commissions without getting overwhelmed. If you've ever found yourself buried in a mountain of furry subjects and looming deadlines, then this episode is for you. We'll explore practical tips and strategies to help you stay on top of yo…

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Ep 23: Portraying Pets with Precision - Understand Animal Anatomy for Perfect Pet Portraits 11:33

1+ y ago11:33

11:33

Today's episode will focus on the anatomy of different animals, including cats, dogs, horses, and more. As a pet portrait artist, it is essential to have a solid understanding of animal anatomy to create accurate and realistic depictions of your subject. We'll be discussing key features to consider when drawing or painting common pet subjects, such…

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Ep 22: From Grief to Gratitude: The Healing Power of Pet Portraits for Mourning Pet Owners 13:36

1+ y ago13:36

13:36

For many pet owners, the bond with their furry companion runs deep, and losing a pet can be a heartbreaking experience. However, creating a pet portrait of a deceased pet can provide a sense of comfort and solace, allowing the pet owner to hold onto the memory of their furry friend for years to come. In this episode, we'll discuss the unique challe…

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Ep 21: From Flat to Fabulous: How Light and Shadow Add Depth to Pet Portraits 9:53

1+ y ago9:53

9:53

As an artist, understanding how light and shadow work is crucial in order to create realistic and lifelike depictions of your subject. By paying attention to the way light falls on your subject and how it casts shadows, you can create a sense of depth and dimensionality that brings your artwork to life. In pet portraiture, the importance of underst…

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Ep 20: From Hobby to Helping Hand: Why I Created a Podcast to Support Pet Portrait Artists 11:33

1+ y ago11:33

11:33

Can you believe it? It seems like just yesterday we were launching this podcast, and now here we are, 20 episodes later. I am beyond thrilled and grateful for this journey, and I couldn't have done it without all of you - our amazing listeners. It has been an incredible experience sharing my passion for pet portraiture with you all, and I'm so exci…

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Ep 19: Pet Portraits in Pyjamas: Weighing the Pros and Cons of Working from Home! 14:29

1+ y ago14:29

14:29

As a pet portrait artist, working from home can be a great way to have more control over your work schedule, avoid a daily commute, and have more time to spend with your furry companions. However, it's not all sunshine and rainbows. There are some potential drawbacks to consider, such as feelings of isolation, difficulty separating work from person…

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Ep 18: From Blooming Flowers to Creative Powers: Harnessing Spring's Energy for Artistic Pursuits 8:15

1+ y ago8:15

8:15

As an artist myself, I always feel a burst of creativity and energy when spring arrives. The longer days, warmer weather, and blooming flowers all seem to have a rejuvenating effect on me. It's as if nature is waking up from its winter slumber and inviting us to do the same. The spring season can be a great source of inspiration for artists of all …

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Ep 17: Harness Your Potential - The Power of Local Marketing for Pet Portrait Artists 11:52

1+ y ago11:52

11:52

As a pet portrait artist, it's important to promote your work and attract potential clients in order to build your business. While there are many different ways to market your services, focusing on local marketing can be especially effective. In this episode, we'll explore the reasons why local marketing is so important for pet portrait artists and…

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Ep 16: Unleashing the Truth: Why Pet Owners Don't Commission Pet Portraits 20:59

1+ y ago20:59

20:59

In today's podcast episode, we'll discover why pet owners don't want to book a pet portrait commission. Support my podcast! Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/thepetportraitartistpodcast Get in touch! Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dragospepina_art/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/DragosPepinaArt Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dragospepina You…

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Ep 15: Why Should You Have a Certificate of Authenticity For Your Pet Portraits? 8:11

1+ y ago8:11

8:11

A certificate of authenticity is a small thing that can make a big difference. If you don't already have one in your business, you shouldn't wait any longer to get one. Why? Because it adds a lot of value to your drawing and makes it more professional. What does this certificate consist of? This document is proof that your drawing is unique and han…

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Ep 14: Be aware of this new scam targeting also pet portrait artists! 9:43

1+ y ago9:43

9:43

For some time now, a new way of scamming artists has been going around on Instagram. I experience this at least twice a week and it's very annoying and a waste of time, especially for beginner pet portrait artists, not knowing that behind that message is a scammer. You will definitely be able to track them down after you finish listening to this po…

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Ep 13: Is Instagram prioritizing photos again in 2023? Good news for artists! 10:51

1+ y ago10:51

10:51

Photos will get more focus in 2023, as Instagram admits they 'pushed videos too far'. They are shifting their focus back to photos in 2023 after admitting it "overfocused on videos" in 2022. I couldn't be happier to hear that. I really miss the Instagram of the old days when you would just post a picture and that was it, back then Instagram didn't …

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Ep 12: Why are mini pet portraits a good idea? 8:41

1+ y ago8:41

8:41

Mini pet portraits are a great idea if you want to make some quick money but isn't it hard to squeeze so much detail into such a tiny area? What are the pros and cons of this size of portrait? Support my podcast! Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/thepetportraitartistpodcast Get in touch! Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dragospepina_art/ Twitter…

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Ep 11: How to manage your day job and your pet portrait business 11:58

1+ y ago11:58

11:58

Juggling your time between your part-time or full-time job and your art can be overwhelming. Up until a few months ago, I also had a part-time job so I could pay my bills and rent and do art on the side without having the pressure and stress of finding as many ways to make money with my art as possible. I wanted to take it slow, enjoy the creative …

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Ep 10: Make your clients feel special by packing your pet portraits nicely 9:57

2y ago9:57

9:57

We all feel special when we see that someone has put an effort into wrapping our gift as beautifully as possible. That goes for packing your commissions too, there's no point in making a perfect drawing if what you put around it spoils everything. I'm 100% sure that there is no customer who wouldn't appreciate an effort on your part. Support my pod…

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Ep 9: How I started drawing pet portraits 9:47

2y ago9:47

9:47

I realized I had reached episode number 9 but didn't dedicate a special episode to tell you how I came to draw pet portraits. It all started in 2018 when I decided to try drawing my cat. Support my podcast! Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/thepetportraitartistpodcast Get in touch! Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dragospepina_art/ Twitter: http…

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Ep 8: How to have a passive income from YouTube as a pet portrait artist 8:06

2y ago8:06

8:06

Who wouldn't want to sit around and reap the rewards of his work for a long time to come? You can do that by creating some passive income streams. The most popular and profitable way is through a monetized YouTube channel. But what kind of videos can you make as a commissioned pet portrait artist who is always busy drawing the clients' pets? Suppor…

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Ep 7: How to price your pet portrait commissions 9:40

2y ago9:40

9:40

Like everyone else, we artists also want to make money from our art, but when it comes to discussing our prices with a client, it gets a bit uncomfortable. We shouldn't feel this way because it's a normal step of a business, but you can't help having a strange feeling when it comes to this topic. What's even more important is not to undersell yours…

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Ep 6: Is Facebook still an useful promotion tool for pet portrait artists? 9:06

2y ago9:06

9:06

Is good old Facebook still a useful way to promote our pet portrait business? With all the new apps that keep popping up, it seems that today's generation has forgotten that Facebook exists. It was Facebook that brought me, my first clients, back in that time and helped me put my art out there. I still consider it a great way to attract new custome…

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