Explore every episode of the podcast The Good Ship Illustration
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Title
Pub. Date
Duration
What publishers reeeeally want to see in your picture book pitch
07 Nov 2025
00:17:20
First, before we jump into the show notes, here's the link to sign up to the Picture Book Pitching Masterclass we've got happening soon!
How do illustrators actually get their picture books published? And what really goes on at Bologna Children’s Book Fair?
This episode is all about pitching, portfolios, publishers, and… how we each pronounce the word plaster? 😅
Here’s what we cover:
Bologna Book Fair! ✈️
How to submit to the Bologna Illustrator Exhibition (deadline alert! They extended it to the 6th November! Sorry, we said the wrong date in this episode, but do let us know if you managed to submit something so we can high-five you.)
The Picture Book Pitching Masterclass with Helen and Jane Porter 🎓 https://www.thegoodshipillustration.com/pbpm
How to pitch your book ideas
Overcoming the terror of sharing your work 😬
Building resilience to rejection
The “myth of being discovered”
Our excitin' Bologna Book Fair plans...
🕑 Timestamps 00:00 – Bologna excitement (and confusion) 01:00 – What really happens at the fair 02:00 – Snail mail sticker packs & upcoming Picture Book Masterclass 03:00 – Helen’s no-rules pitching philosophy 06:00 – Regional accent chaos: “masterclass” vs “plaster” 07:00 – Getting seen by publishers (and why Instagram still matters) 08:00 – Facing the fear of rejection 10:00 – Mindset hacks: why what others think is none of your business 12:00 – Myths about being “discovered” 13:00 – Good Ship’s Bologna stand & plans for 2026 15:00 – Why every illustrator should go at least once 16:00 – Global publishing inspiration 🌍 17:00 – Dreaming up a “Gone Fishing” Good Ship stall
'If it looks awful, keep going. It’ll work out' - an interview with illustrator Catherine Rayner
31 Oct 2025
00:38:34
This week we’re interviewing another creative for the podcast. Hooray!
Catherine Rayner is an award-winning author and illustrator based in Edinburgh, whose books have sold over two million copies and been translated into 35 languages. She’s written and illustrated 25 picture books and collaborated with legends like Julia Donaldson, Michael Morpurgo, and Michael Bond.
Winner of the Kate Greenaway Medal (and shortlisted six more times!), Catherine also paints, runs a greetings card and babywear range, and can usually be found in her studio surrounded by ink, animals, and Post-it notes.
Phew.
In this chat, Katie asks Catherine about:
What an average week in the studio looks like
Planning everything using a wall calendar and Post-it notes
Working with Julia Donaldson
Short deadlines and thriving on a wee bit of panic
Being a mum and illustrator at the same time
Instagram, rejection, keeping your creative confidence alive
A pep talk for newer illustrators
Rough timestamps for our timestamp fans: 00:00 – Meet Catherine! 03:00 – Post-it notes, assistants, and studio life in Edinburgh 10:00 – Julia Donaldson, ear-cleaning(!?) + friendship 17:00 – Jason Donovan and creative boldness 20:00 – 100 rejections, persistence, and finding your people 23:00 – Instagram tips and why numbers don’t matter 29:00 – Motherhood, burnout, and how it really gets easier 36:00 – Catherine’s parting words
Pssst, this episode was originally published in 2023 and we’re sharing it again as part of our Good Ship Summer Camp series. It’s one of five episodes to help you fly your freak flag this summer. If you’d like to join in properly, there’s a free workbook an' everything!
Timestamps: 0:00 – Welcome to week 5: no panicking allowed 1:18 – You can’t force creative growth (sorry) 3:01 – Part-time jobs = creative freedom 4:08 – Don’t fill your portfolio with jobs you don’t want more of 5:05 – Recap of all 5 creative steps 5:44 – Why being kind to yourself actually works 6:06 – Walks, breaks, and giving your brain a breather 7:13 – Live deadlines vs long deadlines 8:03 – Katie's war artist career plan (sort of) 8:31 – Action step: write a cheesy note or one to rebel against 9:18 – Course doors closing soon – but no pressure 9:41 – Byeeeee from Summer Camp!
Pssst, this episode was originally published in 2023 and we’re sharing it again as part of our Good Ship Summer Camp series. It’s one of five episodes to help you fly your freak flag this summer. If you’d like to join in properly, there’s a free workbook an' everything!
Feeling stuck? Procrastinating wildly? Hiyaaa this week's episode is for you.
PLAY!! It’s not optional. It can trick you into making your best work, and we are going to show you how to sneak it into your creative routine (even when you’re hiding from your sketchbook).
In this episode:
Why play isn’t just fluff, it’s a very necessary illustration fuel
Sneaky ways to outsmart your inner procrastinator
Fake deadlines
Making up your own artist residency (Tania-style)
Colour workshops, art clubs, and triple reverse psychology
Getting into “the zone” via flags, bush digging, or hot chocolate
Timestamps: 0:00 – Welcome to Day 4: Play, or else! 1:09 – Why play is the secret sauce for good work 3:04 – Fear of starting and how to ease into it 4:15 – Urgency, novelty, and fake deadlines 5:16 – Tania’s Barcelona residency (ahem, made-up) 6:09 – Playing with colour: the colour workshop 🎨 6:42 – Being kind to yourself vs bullying yourself into work 7:08 – Treats, timers, and starting small 8:12 – Getting into the zone (flags, bush digging, Blindboy) 9:31 – Action step: do an art club session with us! 10:22 – Course doors close soon + one-to-one feedback info 11:04 – Last episode of the series tomorrow!
Pssst, this episode was originally published in 2023 and we’re sharing it again as part of our Good Ship Summer Camp series. It’s one of five episodes to help you fly your freak flag this summer. If you’d like to join in properly, there’s a free workbook an' everything!
Timestamps: 0:00 – Hello and welcome to *week* 3! 1:19 – “My work isn’t good enough” – how to quiet the voice 2:19 – Community builds confidence (and sanity) 4:32 – Competition, scarcity mindset, and the Bologna Book Fair 5:30 – Other illustrators are as important as art directors 6:17 – Instagram friendships + the power of being visible 8:37 – What if your style no longer fits who you are? 10:40 – Making a big change in your work (Helen’s story) 13:47 – Why clients want you, not just polish 15:38 – Pricing confidence + permission to go fast 17:23 – You don’t need to draw everything, just the right thing 18:11 – How to connect with other illustrators online 19:19 – A Pia Bramley fangirl moment ❤️ 20:00 – Our community (Facebook group, art club, and course space) 20:56 – Your action step: Make illustrator friends, not competitors
Pssst, this episode was originally published in 2023 and we’re sharing it again as part of our Good Ship Summer Camp series. It’s one of five episodes to help you fly your freak flag this summer. If you’d like to join in properly, there’s a free workbook an' everything!
Timestamps: 0:00 – Intro + a great listener question 1:01 – Can you find your voice if you have no time? 2:17 – Drawing quickly makes it better (promise) 3:29 – Eyebrow queues and standing sketches 4:12 – The value of drawing from life 5:17 – Pack your pencil case! 6:24 – Drawing on receipts and IKEA pencils 6:54 – Walk to See, and how to join in 7:12 – Three-material challenge tips 7:38 – A wet thing, a dry thing, and something with texture 7:51 – Sketchbooker’s Friend: the robot voice that lives on 8:35 – Action step: keep your drawing tools on you at all times 9:01 – See you tomorrow for Day 3!
Bask in your weirdness ☀️ | Summer camp sketchbook week 1
01 Aug 2025
00:11:32
Pssst, this episode was originally published in 2023 and we’re sharing it again as part of our Good Ship Summer Camp series. It’s one of 5 episodes to help you fly your freak flag this summer. If you’d like to join in properly, there’s a free workbook an' everything!
What if your creative voice isn't one you actually like? 😬
In today’s episode, we’re chatting about that awkward bit of figuring out your voice as an illustrator, and why the weird stuff you’re secretly obsessed with might actually be the key to your best work.
In this episode:
What to do if your voice feels ick
Why “basking in your weirdness” matters
That Ira Glass quote we always bang on about
Over-art-directing yourself (oops)
Katie’s Eminem phase
Why being a people-pleaser is the worst career strategy
Timestamps: 0:00 – Hello from us! 0:47 – What if you don’t like your creative voice? 2:10 – Art direction, publishers, and breaking out of boxes 3:33 – David Bowie, freak flags and bravery 4:37 – Eminem, rebellion, and tired teenagers 6:01 – People-pleasing vs doing your own thing 8:31 – Future-proofing your illustration career 9:33 – Action step: pay attention to what you really love 10:35 – Come back next week for Day 2!
In this half of our Chris Haughton special, Chris shares how his first picture book came about, and we also chat about confidence, creative doubt, and why showing up again and again matters.
And then… we go deep on AI.
Copyright, ethics, government policy, and what we illustrators can actually do to protect our work. Chris is off to Parliament soon (!!!) and shares everything he’s learned so far.
In this episode:
How Chris got his first book deal without an agent
Staying confident through rejection and doubt
The terrifying reality of generative AI and what we can do about it
How copyright works (and what’s at risk)
The organisations fighting for our creative rights
Timestamps: 00:00 – How Chris broke into picture books (by accident) 04:00 – Animation, art school, and graphic style 08:00 – Building confidence through volume 10:00 – Words, images, and writing your own stories 14:00 – Why AI is a massive threat to illustrators 17:00 – Who’s fighting back (and how to get involved) 21:00 – Why we need all creatives on board
✨ If this episode has ye all fired up (us too!) please do share it with your creative pals – and don’t forget to subscribe so you don’t miss what’s next!
Bye bye, x The Good Ship Illustration (Helen, Katie & Tania)
“Do I Have to Pick One Style Forever?! (Part 1)” with Chris Haughton
18 Jul 2025
00:33:57
How do you make picture books if you secretly hate writing? Can you REALLY just punch holes in a bit of paper and call it a finished illustration?! 👀
This week we’ve got a proper treat for you.
This is part 1 of our chat with illustrator and picture book maker Chris Haughton! (Katie wasn’t there, but Helen and Tania held the fort and asked him all the juicy questions.)
Chris shares his brilliantly wonky career path from graphic design to editorial, picture books and his latest deep dive into the History of Information.
A total freak-flag project that he's been obsessed with for nearly 20 years.
Chris tells Good Ship:
How he ended up with a wildly colourful, unmistakable illustration style, even though he "couldn't do colour"
How 10 years of editorial work shaped his picture book voice
What hiding Mummy Owl in a picture taught him about storytelling
Why your first sketch is usually the best one
Drawing peas and chopsticks with hole-punch confetti (amazin')
🚨 This is just Part 1! Subscribe so you don’t miss Part 2.
Part 2 will be released next week (on Friday 25th July.)
Timestamps:
00:00 - Intro from Katie, Helen & Tania 01:00 - Chris introduces himself and how his style evolved 05:30 - The origin of A Bit Lost and hiding things in the background 08:00 - How a greetings card turned into a picture book idea 10:00 - Chris' obsession with the History of Information 14:00 - Drawing as a form of information technology 17:00 - Chris’s brief stint as a live scribe (!!) 21:00 - Publishing headaches when your audience is "everyone" 24:00 - Finding your style vs getting stuck in a style 27:00 - Undo button = illustrator superpower 31:00 - Hole-punched peas
START HERE - Welcome to The Good Ship Illustration Podcast! (Here's our trailer) 🚢🚢🚢
08 Jul 2025
00:01:44
Welcome to The Good Ship Illustration - the podcast for illustrators who are quietly working away in their sketchbooks thinking… “is it just me?”
…it’s not just you!
We’re Helen Stephens, Katie Chappell and Tania Willis - three full-time illustrators from three different corners of the industry (and three different age brackets ). We live in the same seaside town in the UK and started having cuppas and chats… and accidentally became illustration agony aunts.
Now we record those chats for you! We answer your questions about confidence, tricky clients, pricing your work, creative block, picture books, publishing, and everything in between.
✨ New episodes every Friday. ✨
Subscribe wherever you get your podcasts, and do send us your questions!
P.s. Fancy some freebies? Head to thegoodshipillustration.com for colour workshops, picture book templates, and other treats.
Byeeee for now!
x The Good Ship Illustration (Helen, Katie & Tania)
You don’t have to draw everything (even in picture books)
04 Jul 2025
00:14:50
Emily asked us why backgrounds can be so overwhelming. So in this episode, we share lots of low-pressure ideas to make them doable (maybeee even fun).
Please enjoy Tania nearly falling asleep under a weighted blanket 🤣
Podcast Episode Highlights:
How to stop overthinking it
Colour tips and some good stuff Chris Haughton taught us
NO ZOOMING IN ALLOWED 😠
John Burningham
Old Lady Baby
(rough) Timestamps: 00:00 – Emily’s question: “Backgrounds scare me – help!” 01:00 – The Chris Haughton breakthrough about colour 03:00 – Tonal tips: how to make your characters stand out 04:00 – Thin lines, wobbly pens, and keeping backgrounds soft 06:00 – The menace of digital zoom 😬 07:00 – Backgrounds = hints, not homework 08:00 – John Burningham, cut-out characters and painterly skies 10:00 – Embracing imperfection and storytelling over polish 11:00 – Blindboy’s advice: fail on purpose 13:00 – Art Club, recycled drawings, and happy accidents 14:00 – Upcoming Art Club news & picture book course teaser 15:00 – Weighted blankets, fancy deodorant, and Aesop air freshener 😌
💰 How to protect your time, energy and income as an illustrator
27 Jun 2025
00:17:41
“Can you just do it for free?” NO. In this week’s episode, we’re talking about working for free, how to say no without guilt, and why having nice strong boundaries won't ruin your career (we promise).
Tania shares a BRILLIANT script for saying no to unpaid work. Thank you Taniasan, we luv ya.
Other good bits of note:
How to stop feeling bad about saying no to cheeky requests
How charity auctions can be a smarter way to give back
Free pitching: where to draw the line
That time Katie backtracked on a call (and the world didn't end)
What to say when a client demands an answer right nowwww
The biggest myth of all: “If you say no, they’ll never ask again”
Timestamps: 00:00 – Biscuits first. We have our priorities in order 🤣 01:00 – “How do I say no to free work… nicely?” 02:30 – Quotas, boundaries, and rude assumptions 04:00 – Saying no to friends and students 06:00 – Turning FAQs into blog content 07:00 – A better way to support charities (without giving away your time) 08:00 – “I used to worry people wouldn’t like me if I said no…” 10:00 – Paid development work in picture books: what’s normal? 12:00 – The pitch trap and how to avoid it 13:00 – Katie’s mural pricing wobble (and recovery!) 14:00 – The power of taking your time to decide 15:00 – You’re not being too picky. You’re just not people-pleasing anymore! 16:00 – On "playing": why your language matters
'If you keep showing up, you can't NOT get better' - an interview with Sandi Hester
24 Oct 2025
00:36:09
We've decided to play around a bit and do some INTERVIEWS. Ooooh.
First up is artist and YouTuber Sandi Hester, who recently moved from the US into a 100-year-old fixer-upper house in the UK.
Katie (gently) grills Sandi about what it’s been like moving country and keeping her creative practice alive through chaos, health challenges, and renovation dust.
Sandi shares how painting has become her lifeline, why perfectionism is joy’s worst enemy, and how she’s learned to quiet the “blobbity blob” of negative self-talk that plagues so many creatives.
Nice.
💬 In this episode, we talk about:
The big move from America to England
How painting became Sandi’s release and restful place during years of illness
Building the “muscles of creativity” to keep making art no matter what’s going on
The “blobbity blob” of self-talk and why you can’t judge your art in the moment
Going back to her older, more figurative painting style after moving to the UK
Running a YouTube channel as a full-time job and how it replaced the gallery route
Why being messy and human built more trust with her audience than a polished version ever could
The unseen workload behind one 20-minute YouTube video (and why she can’t start a Patreon!)
How perfectionism stops us from creating and why “the best you can do today” is always enough
Why creatives should enjoy the journey instead of chasing the destination
Learning to separate your self-worth from likes, follows, and algorithm robots 🤖
Her advice to artists: stop stressing, stop comparing, and just enjoy the paint sliding across the page
🕰️ Episode Timestamps
00:00 – Introducing Sandi Hester and her big move 02:00 – Creating through renovation chaos and hard seasons 05:00 – The “blobbity blob” of mental chatter 07:00 – Letting go of perfection and learning to just play 09:00 – Returning to figurative painting (and why everyone thinks England “transformed” her work) 10:00 – Choosing YouTube over galleries and showing real life online 12:00 – Filming through health struggles and letting people see the messy truth 15:00 – The hidden full-time workload behind one short video 17:00 – Lowering the bar so you can actually make things 19:00 – Teaching thought process over technique 21:00 – How the YouTube algorithm punishes missed uploads (“Feed the beast!”) 24:00 – Doing good work without being salesy 27:00 – Staying the course even when you feel like bubblegum under a chair 29:00 – Why the journey is the fun part 33:00 – Re-training your inner critic 35:00 – Final encouragements and gratitude
Is this normal in publishing… or am I being taken for a mug?
20 Jun 2025
00:22:01
When your project goes a bit pear-shaped you might wonder if that’s just how the illustration industry is.
Well, this week we’re talking all about what's good, bad, and normal... and whether there are red flags you should look out for in your illustrator-publisher relationship.
Highlights:
Why it's never okay to get feedback on a Friday and be asked for a full redraw by Monday 🙃
What’s typical in the picture book process (roughs, colour roughs, final art, etc)
When changes are fine… and when they’re totally out of order
How to set better boundaries (and how to stick to them)
Our own early-illustration-career experiences, and what we'd do differently now
Timestamps: 00:00 – Is this normal? A horror story from an illustrator 02:00 – Unrealistic deadlines & being pressured to work weekends 05:00 – When publishers ignore your roughs completely 06:30 – What a healthy picture book workflow looks like 09:00 – Final artwork and why changing it is a big deal 12:00 – Bologna book fair: what gets shown 14:30 – When you can trust your publisher/designer (and when you really can’t) 16:00 – Agents behaving badly 20:00 – Why this doesn’t mean all of publishing is bad!
“Help! I found my illustration style… and I don’t like it” 😩
13 Jun 2025
00:22:11
Have you ever looked at your own work and thought… egh? When you work so hard to find your style* it can feel rubbish to realise you don't even LIKE IT 😅.
This episode is allll about not-holding-the-bar-of-soap-too-tight.
It's also about:
What to do when your style feels a bit too safe or mainstream
Why being too “good at drawing” can trap you
How to bring more you into your work
Whether you need to know colour theory to be a proper illustrator
⏱️ Timestamps
00:00 – Lisa's brilliant question: “What if I don’t like my style?” 01:00 – Mainstream, safe, and not-quite-right: spotting the signs 03:00 – Flying your freak flag vs. pleasing the market 05:00 – Chris Haughton’s unusual route into publishing 07:00 – Why being “good at drawing” isn’t always helpful 09:00 – Getting stuck in the gun-for-hire trap 11:00 – Why clients want you, not your many styles 12:00 – Freya asks: do you need to know the colour wheel? 14:00 – Digital colour vs. painty messes 17:00 – How limitations can make your colour sing 20:00 – Create a family of colours (and avoid shouty guests) 21:00 – Final thoughts: soap metaphors & colour play
The joy of not finishing (all) your online courses
06 Jun 2025
00:15:27
Quick note before we start: In this episode we use the words "women" and "creative women" but we know these things don’t just affect women, and not everyone relates to binary gender labels. This chat is based on our lived experience and isn’t meant to exclude anyone. You’re always welcome aboard, however you identify. WE LUV YA.
xx Good Ship
How many unfinished online courses have you signed up for and then abandoned or forgotten about them?
👀
Yep, us too.
Oh well.
In this episode, we’re talking about why creative women often don’t finish - or even start - the online courses they sign up for.
Before you run away, please know this: it’s not laziness. It’s ✨life✨. And maybe the course still helped by osmosis, even if you only managed to watch one video.
The guilt of not finishing courses (and why it’s rubbish)
How art courses can still be useful EVEN if you just skim them
Community, confidence, and cheerleaders
Why we’ve never ever chased people to “complete” our Good Ship courses
Come and have a wee peek inside Helen’s hermit cave with us.
BUT FIRST - is it true? Do you prefer a podcast when there's a video too? Katie's just been to Australia and chatted to some creatives and they all said that they *ONLY* listen to a podcast if there's a video to go with it.
Whaaat!?
Let us know on Instagram if these rumours are true. You're allowed to slide into our DMs 😆 ❤️ We're @thegoodshipillustration.
Right, podcast stuff.
This episode is all about: – Shutting the studio door and ignoring WhatsApp – Recreating rainy caravan holidays to get in the zone – The magic drawer – How long it takes to make a picture book (blimmin' ages) – Boundaries
Timestamps, for people who like that sort of thing: 00:00 – Welcome to Helen’s hermit cave 01:00 – Dressing gowns, headphones and comfort telly 02:00 – Childhood holidays 03:00 – How long does it take to make a book? 04:00 – The magic drawer of ideas 05:00 – Making books in your 20s vs. making books now 06:00 – Burnout, insomnia and terrible lighting 07:00 – Early birds vs. night owls 08:00 – Deadlines 09:00 – Salty & Pals picture book sneak peek! 10:00 – Bedtime!
Stuff wot we mentioned: – The Picture Book Course – Pencil Pals (Our Helen's Substack where there are some lovely sneaky peeks of the Salty Seadog artwork in case you're as excited as we aaaare.)
See ya next Friday, x The Good Ship Illustration (Helen, Katie & Tania)
Get more illustration work: A pep talk, some tips, and a tiny rant
16 May 2025
00:19:00
Errrr, how do you find illustration work in 2025? Pitching? Instagram? Postcards? SEO?
In this nice an' juicy episode we’re answering the 'Heeelp, how do I find clients as an illustrator?' question.
What works
Why we don’t “hunt” clients 😅
SEO tips to help the right people trip over you
How to be pals with art directors
Pitching can feel YUCK (but it doesn't have to)
Old-skool stuff that still works
SHOW YOUR WORK, PLEASE
Timestamps, for people who like that sort of thing: 00:00 – Listener question: “How do I find clients?” 01:00 – Why “hunting” clients feels weird (and what to do instead) 02:30 – Laying out your stall: making your online presence irresistible 04:30 – SEO tips to help clients find you 05:15 – The rise and fall of illustration directories and annuals 06:45 – Do postcards still work? (Short answer: yes!) 08:10 – Instagram, visibility and staying top of mind 10:00 – DMs and the etiquette of messaging clients 12:00 – What not to do when reaching out 13:30 – Building genuine relationships over time 15:00 – Do you need an agent or gallery? 16:00 – How to sell your own work (without a gallery) 17:00 – Strategic competitions and why they matter 18:00 – Cards, shops and flinging mud (yes, really)
Hiya. This week’s episode of The Good Ship Illustration podcast is all about artist residencies... illustrators are allowed to go on them too!
Our Tania’s just returned from her first ever residency (in a chateau, of course. Ooh la laaa) and we wanted to hear about the muscly trees, the chickens, and whether she got the entire chateau to herself.
What a residency actually looks like
How to pick the right one
Drawing for the sake of it. Mmmmm.
Going analogue, trying Procreate, and brush chat
Substack nerves, audio letters, and being “consistent” ...aghhhh.
Timestamps
0:20 – Why we’re talking residencies this week 1:00 – Tania’s chateau residency 3:30 – Types of residencies & picking the right one 5:45 – Drawing slowly, and for fun for the first time in years 7:00 – Procreate adventures + brushes we love 11:00 – Substack fears and starting without pressure 16:00 – Curating your inbox vs. doom scrolling 19:00 – Patreon vs Substack burnout 23:00 – Substack inspiration & our favourite creators 28:50 – Katie nearly drops her mic (again)
In this special live illustration-y episode, we grill Katie with loads of the brilliant live illustration questions you submitted.
Katie also shares some behind-the-scenes stories about v early gigs, navigating some more unusual client requirements (hiya, Apple lawyers!), and why your own values matter just as much as your skills.
Timestamps
00:36 – Is it risky to live illustrate by hand? 03:15 – How to build your live illustration portfolio even before you’ve had a client 05:59 – How Katie got started (and her very first paid-in-sandwiches job) 07:59 – Managing nerves and the fear of making mistakes 10:25 – Is it okay to check references while you’re live illustrating? 12:11 – How much do you need to know beforehand, and what to ask your client 15:24 – Transitioning from "normal" Illustrator to Live Illustrator 17:47 – What happens if you go blank during a live session? 18:51 – How much preparation should you really do before an event? 21:06 – Can you still be a live illustrator if you’re dyslexic? 22:02 – Is live illustration realistic as a side gig? 24:37 – What to ask clients about output expectations 25:41 – Is semi-live illustration allowed? 27:06 – How to set up cameras for live drawing 28:00 – Should you specialise in a niche for live illustration work? 30:04 – What kinds of businesses actually use live illustrators? 32:39 – Final encouragement: fly your freak flag and be yourself
p.s. The doors to the Live Illustration Course close tonight (2nd May)! If you're thinking about joining, now's the best time!
Why though?
This is the lowest price it will ever be - we're doing a special price for this first ever live round of the course
You get lifetime access
You can hop back in for future live rounds, get ALL future course updates and take it at your own pace.
Illustrator vs artist: what’s the difference? + Creating your portfolio 🥳
18 Apr 2025
00:16:45
Thanks for sending in yer juicy questions. Here are the ones we tackle in this week's podcast episode:
“How do I build an illustration portfolio if I only have fine art work?”
“What’s the difference between an illustrator and an artist?”
Ahh yes that ol' chestnut. How to pivot from fine art to illustration without losing your mind. We dig into the figuring out what kind of work suits your actual personality. No more trying on other people's uncomfy too-small style jumpers. The illustrator vs artist line is a bit blurry - we get into why that’s actually a good thing. Promise.
Honourable mentions:
Fenugreek soup
Dream clients and imaginary briefs
Katie’s two-week job limit
"Just make the kind of work you want to get hired for”
Timestamps
00:25 – Q1: How to turn a fine art practice into an illustration portfolio
01:00 – Making the kind of work you want to be hired for
02:00 – Picking your corner of illustration industry
03:30 – Fine art vs illustration: different goals, same skills
05:00 – Picture book makers: an exception
06:30 – Your personality probs already picked your niche
08:20 – Know what suits your work style (and what definitely doesn’t)
10:00 – Unexpected places you might find your dream illustration job
11:30 – Be a detective: trace the work you love back to the source
12:00 – Q2: What’s the difference between an artist and an illustrator?
13:30 – Do labels even matter anymore?
14:30 – “Artist” vs “Illustrator” – what clients think they’re hiring
15:30 – Choose the title that helps the right people find you
Stuff we mention:
Our Business Course for Illustrators walks you through exactly how to figure out where you fit and how to build a portfolio that attracts the right clients. → Read aaaall aboot it here
A Bologna Book Fair special: 6 Good Shippers were finalists in the Illustrators Exhibition!
17 Oct 2025
00:41:30
Hi there, Helen here.
This is a special episode of the podcast because we had six of our Good Shippers - that’s people who’ve done our courses - selected as finalists in the Bologna Book Fair Illustrators Exhibition!
Which is pretty amazing news. It’s really difficult to be a finalist because the competition is so high. Last year there were 4,374 people who entered, and only 324 were selected to be finalists. So for six of them to be Good Shippers is SO exciting.
A special mention to Charlotte Durrance, who was also a finalist but couldn’t make it to the recording.
Congratulations to all of you!
V Rough timestamps in case you like that sort of thing:
[00:00] Helen introduces the six Good Shippers who made it to Bologna 🎉 [00:02] Emma Simpson [00:11] Lisa Loffredo [00:18] Amber Au [00:25] Sam Jones [00:37] Kate Leiper
Illustration trends vs your creative voice PLUS what materials to use
11 Apr 2025
00:24:59
Two more chunky questions for this week's episode:
“How do I choose the right materials and techniques when I love them all?”
“How do I keep up with new tech and trends without hopping on every train and going bananas?”
It's a longer one this week! A podcast title that went in the bin was: Mouldy bingo dabbers: A love story. A moment of silence for that title. It woulda been great, but not very useful or searchable 😆
Alas.
Timestamps
00:00 – “How do I choose the right materials?”
01:00 – You don’t have to pick just one
02:00 – Mixing media
04:15 – Why learning 'the proper way' can sometimes kill your weirdness
06:30 – The gouache phase
07:30 – Storytime: The incredible grasshopper drawings
09:00 – Wrong materials = the right results
10:00 – Drawing with stuff you don’t like
13:15 – Listener question: “How do I keep up with tech & trends without going mad?”
14:00 – Learning Procreate while making a book??
17:00 – Trends are sneaky
19:30 – Don't force yourself into a trend box
22:00 – Are you a fan or trying to be someone else?
24:00 – Going off-grid
Stuff we mention:
Our Find Your Creative Voice: Fly Your Freak Flag course The doors are open! You can join right now.
Perfectionism, CMYK & a shout out to Barry in the cupboard (lovin' your work, Barry)
04 Apr 2025
00:18:38
This week we’re answering TWO of your excellent questions:
“How can I stop overthinking my story and just... FINISH IT???”
“Which is better, RGB or CMYK?”
Here’s what we chat about:
That annoying feeling when you know your story’s missing something but you can’t figure out what
Ask your characters what they eat for breakfast
Magic picture book editors - you don't need to do it all alone!
And... how Helen sent a whole book to print in RGB and no one stopped her (justice for Barry in the cupboard)
This episode is especially for you if you are stuck in perfectionism mode or feel personally attacked by the confusing colour settings in Photoshop/Procreate.
Timestamps:
00:00 - “How can I stop overthinking my story?”
01:15 - When feedback clings to your brain like a wet sock
02:30 - Mild peril
04:15 - Character stuff
06:30 - Asking weird questions = finding the heart of your story
08:00 - Maybe... you’re actually a nonfiction illustrator? Hmm!
09:10 - How to make your agent's life easier AND still move forward
11:00 - QUESTION 2: RGB or CMYK? Which one's better?
11:40 - Sad, sad orange
13:00 - Barry in the cupboard and the mystical RGB loophole
15:10 - Saving your artwork (and your sanity)
Stuff we mention:
Our Picture Book Course is the best place to learn about story arcs, and how to stop overthinking every. single. thing. Join the waiting list here
How to become a paid illustrator (The step-by-step guide! lol)
28 Mar 2025
00:17:06
This is something we hear quite a lot, and it's a BIG broad question: How do you actually become an illustrator who makes money. Dear Good Ship Illustration please break it down for me, step by step.
No pressure (aaagh 😅)
Alas, there is no tidy step-by-step guide… but in this episode we're doin' our very best to give you a solid direction to head in.
Step 1 = loadsa drawing
Finding your creative voice and confidence
Sharing your brownies
How to balance a job while building your illustration career
A big ol' mistake new illustrators tend to make - not you though. You're cleverer than them.
Timestamps: 00:00 – Where to start 01:30 – THE STEP-BY-STEP PLAN (lol, sorry, there is no plan) 03:20 – Share! Or else!! 05:45 – Job juggling 08:15 – Feeling behind? (Does anyone ever feel ahead though?? No. Nothing to worry about then.)
Should you quit Instagram if you're an illustrator?
21 Mar 2025
00:13:14
This week, we’re answering a question from listener Eilidh:
"How do you navigate social media? Do you have a strategy or just post willy-nilly?"
Gah. It’s complicated. In this episode of the podcast we chat about:
Do illustrators really need Instagram anymore?
Should you have a strategy, or is it fine to post when you feel like it?
Why social media isn’t our main way of getting work (and what is).
The ONE thing every illustrator should have on their Instagram right now.
Aaand, we discuss why we haven’t abandoned Instagram (even though everyone keeps saying it’s dead), how publishers actually find illustrators, and, y'know, a very important discussion about videos of the King’s Guards horses biting tourists 🐴 chomp.
Timestamps:
00:25 Question: “How do you navigate social media?” 01:00 The old days of Instagram strategies (do they still work?) 02:20 Why everyone is fed up with Instagram… and also fed up with people being fed up with Instagram. 04:10 King’s Guards, AI Jesus & cabin crew chaos. 06:00 Should illustrators jump ship to other platforms like BlueSky, Mastodon, or Threads? 07:45 Does Instagram actually bring in clients? 09:15 What should illustrators post? 10:30 The biggest mistake we keep seeing on illustrators' IG profiles 11:50 What’s more important than social media? 12:40 How publishers find illustrators (and why Instagram still plays a small role). 13:30 A practical idea: Tidying up your Instagram highlights so people can easily find the important stuff 14:20 Final thoughts: Social media is what it is… but please don’t rely on it for all your work!
See you next week! And if you need us, we’ll just be over here watching horse videos 😂
Your website might be missing this one thing – and nooo, it’s not more portfolio pieces
14 Mar 2025
00:19:03
Ahoy! Doors to the Business Course (for illustrators!) are closing TONIGHT! We're going to be having a chat over on Instagram and you're more than welcome to bring your business of illustration questions along. Be lovely to see you there. We're @thegoodshipillustration over on Insta.
p.s. Once the course doors close, they close. We're strict! You've got until 10pm UK time tonight (Friday 14th March 2025)
🚢
This week, we’re talking about one of the best things you can do for your illustration career (but it also just so happens to be something that most illustrators dread and avoid like the plague):
📸 Updating your website bio and getting proper photos!
We cover: ✔️ Why a great photo makes clients trust you ✔️ The biggest mistakes we see illustrators make on their 'About' page ✔️ How to write a bio that actually sounds like you without overthinking it ✔️ And why drawing a wee smiley face instead of uploading a headshot just won’t cut it anymore
If you’ve been putting this off, consider this as your sign to finally get some proper photos and sort yer website oot.
p.s. We’ve got an About Page Bingo guide inside the Illustration Business Course, so if you’re in there, go find it!
Timestamps:
01:00 Why updating your bio & website photos is the best thing you can do 02:15 Katie just had a photoshoot - here’s why it was worth it 03:40 How to find a great branding photographer (and what to ask them) 05:00 Feeling awkward about getting your photo taken? Some tricks to make it easier 06:15 Props, pets & sketchbooks 07:40 The price of a good photographer and why it’s worth the investment 09:10 Writing your bio: The easiest method 10:20 Why your bio should match your audience (formal vs. friendly) 12:00 “Clients don’t actually care about your personal life…” (or do they?) 14:15 How illustrators, live scribers & picture book makers should approach bios differently 16:30 Why illustrators should think like plumbers 17:45 Final push: Just get something on your website today (half arse it now, you can always tweak it later)
Done is better than perfect.
Byeee for now! And merry photoshoot-booking.
If you get some nice new headshots for your about page, do tag us on Instagram so we can admire them. We're nosy!
Is there enough work for illustrators? The truth about illustration jobs in 2025 - a rising tide floats all boats 🚢🚢🚢
07 Mar 2025
00:14:51
Doors to the Business Course (for illustrators!) are open TONIGHT! We're going to be having a chat over on Instagram and you're more than welcome to bring your business of illustration questions along. Be lovely to see you there. We're @thegoodshipillustration over on Insta.
🚢
This week, we’re diving into the live illustration industry. How much work is actually out there, how to get it, and whether it’s the right fit for you.
We grilled our Katie and found asked her...
Is there really loads of work for illustrators, or has it been a slow year?
What’s this new Illustrator Jobs Board all about? (Live illustration gigs, client budgets, and real-life illustration job opportunities.)
What actually happens in a live illustration session?
How much do clients pay for live scribing, and how can you charge more?
If you’ve wondered about going into live illustration - or just want to see what clients are paying - this episode's for you!
00:25 The big debate: good year / bad year 01:50 Why 2024 was overwhelming 03:15 The Jobs Board experiment 04:40 What kinds of jobs are coming in? 06:00 UK vs. international jobs (and why some illustrators have upped their rates after seeing the budgets). 07:15 What actually happens at a live illustration gig? Is it really 8 hours of solid drawing? 08:30 What do clients want from a live illustrator? 09:40 The most requested topics: AI, data, and… scrubbing data with a sponge? 11:00 How much do clients pay for live illustration? 12:15 The tech side: Do you need to be a tech whiz to do this work? 13:30 Live illustration vs. fashion illustration gigs 14:45 The Jobs Board results so far 15:30 Should you try live illustration? The skills overlap with mapping, editorial, and even school visits 16:50 Katie’s Live Illustration Course is coming soon! (If this episode got you excited, stay tuned 🤓).
Feelin' guilty about not drawing as much lately? [A Good Ship Illustration permission slip]
28 Feb 2025
00:13:34
"I'm not drawing as much anymore - Aghhhhh! Is this ok!?"
If you feel like you’re not drawing as much as you “should”, then you’re definitely, absolutely not alone. In this episode, we share our drawing ebbs and flows, why guilt often sneaks in, and how to let yourself off the hook when life gets lifey.
We chat about:
The natural phases of a creative career (and why it’s A-OK not to be drawing all the time).
Why forcing yourself to draw can backfire.
How other creative stuff like sewing or gardening can feed your illustration work.
Finding the balance between illustration, work, and real life.
In this episode, we’re tackling three of the biggest picture book questions we hear all the time:
1. What size should my picture book be? 2. Do I need kids to write picture books? 3. How do I get my book in front of a publisher? (So that they actually SEE it.)
If you’ve been agonising over book dimensions, stressing about margins, or wondering whether your book must be a certain size before a publisher will even look at it, this episode's for you!
Plus, we grill our Helen all about how publishers actually work, find out why your picture book does not need to be fully finished before you pitch it, and learn a sneaky way to speed up your storytelling skills (hint: it involves buying lots of books. Oh no, what a shame. Heh.)
p.s. The Picture Book Course closes TONIGHT! If you're listening on Friday 21st Feb 2025, this is your last chance to hop jump and skip aboard before the doors close.
The world has a your-picture-book-shaped hole in it.
00:25 Question: “What size should my picture book be?” 01:10 The real answer 02:50 What actually matters more than page size? 04:00 Bookshop logistics: Why your book needs to fit on a shelf. 06:15 Do publishers ever tell you the exact dimensions? 07:05 The BIG mistake 09:10 Why publishers love flexible illustrators. 10:30 The magic of working with an art director 12:05 The storytelling trick we might steal from Sydney Smith (Sydney Smith if you're reading this, it's a joke. 👀) 14:00 Should you apply to publishers, or just self-publish? 15:45 How to find the perfect publisher for your book. 17:10 Second question: “Can you write picture books if you don’t have kids?” 18:00 The surprising list of famous picture book authors who never had children. 19:30 The secret to writing picture books with emotion (even if you’re not around kids every day). 21:00 School visits, nannying, and other sneaky ways to absorb children’s interests. 22:00 Final call! The Picture Book Course closes TONIGHT at midnight! 🚀
Join us over on Instagram (@thegoodshipillustration) for Art Club Live TONIGHT at 7pm UK time!
The secret to *actually finishing* your picture book ❤️
14 Feb 2025
00:15:20
First things first, we've got to let you know that the doors to the Picture Book Course are FINALLY OPEN AGAIN today!
We'll officially fling 'em open tonight at Art Club (7 pm UK time over on Instagram. Our IG username is @thegoodshipillustration.) See you there! 🚢
Right, back to the podcast show notes.
In this episode, we’re answering a brilliant question from Lou, who asks:
"I've got a picture book for adults. Is that a terrible idea?"
The short answer = not necessarily, but it could be a tricky sell to publishers.
The longer answer = this podcast episode! We discuss bookshop logistics, sneaky ways to get an illustrated book into adult sections, and why tweaking your idea just a little bit might make it way easier to get published.
Plus, we talk about what to do when your mind is pinballing between story ideas, and how to anchor your book in a way that makes finishing it muuuuuch more likely.
p.s. The Picture Book Course is OPEN! If you're listening before 21st Feb 2025, the doors are still wide open. Scramble aboard before they close for another year!
Timestamps:
00:25 Question: “Can a picture book for adults work, or should I pivot to kids?” 01:10 The practical problem: Where would it actually go in a bookshop? 02:50 Illustrated fiction for adults: Rare, but not impossible! 04:00 Gift books, philosophy books, and sneaky ways to get into the right section. 06:15 The Charlie Mackesy effect (a rare publishing phenomenon). 07:05 Should you self-publish? A way to test the waters. 08:40 Question 2: “How do I stop my story ideas from fizzling out?” 09:10 The pinball problem: Too many ideas, not enough finished books. 10:00 How we created Salty (and why anchoring your characters makes writing a lot easier). 11:30 A game-changing tip: Make a “character questionnaire” to build stronger stories. 13:45 Reminder: The Picture Book Course is open for one week only!
We’ll be back next Friday with more questions and one last reminder before the course doors close.
Join us over on Instagram (@thegoodshipillustration) for Art Club Live on Friday 14th Feb & Friday 21st Feb at 7pm UK time! See you there!
Saying no as an illustrator: dropping projects can boost your career.
07 Feb 2025
00:15:13
Juggling too many plates, saying yes to everything, and wondering if it’s time to let something go... It's not a fun place to be. (And all three of us have been there, got the frazzled t-shirt).
In this episode, we share the projects, jobs, and ideas we’ve binned along the way to make room for the shiny new stuff.
We chat about:
Why it’s okay to drop what isn’t working (even when you love parts of it).
Illustrator school visits, online shops, and in-person events.
The power of saying no. NOOOO!
How dropping things helps you focus on what you’re brilliant at.
Links Mentioned
We made you some workshops and resources to help you navigate a creative career: The Good Ship Freebies
#WalkToSee is baaack! The hashtag responsible for over 120,000 drawings (join in!)
10 Oct 2025
00:22:23
Our Helen’s #WalkToSee hashtag on Instagram is baaaack with a new monthly prompt. After seven years of #walktosee there are now over 120,000 drawings on there and counting!
In this episode, we chat about Helen’s relaunch of #WalkToSee (with new monthly prompts), drawing from life vs. photos, why small sketchbooks are weirdly hard, aaand rediscovering messy materials and carbon paper.
Special guest: an enormous chunk of charcoal.
If you'd like a gentle kick up the butt to do some drawing from life, then join in!
In this episode:
The story behind #WalkToSee and why Helen's relaunched it
How to join this month’s prompt: #WalkToSeeWeather ☁️🌧️
Why drawing from life feels more “alive”
Sketching in public = good panic
Small sketchbooks or massive sketchbooks... which camp are you in?
Materials that make drawing fun again (paint sticks! Sharpies! toilet roll!)
The autumn urge to make something just for fun
Apple presses, lino cuts, carbon paper and whisky samples
Timestamps: 00:00 – Helen on starting #WalkToSee back in 2018 02:00 – Why hashtags stopped working and how she brought it back 04:00 – October’s prompt: #WalkToSeeWeather 06:00 – Drawing tiny and feeling rusty 08:00 – Sharpies, paint sticks and rediscovering fun materials 10:00 – Drawing in public (and how to avoid chatty strangers) 12:00 – The “panic” energy in real-life drawing 15:00 – Autumn creative urges and sneaky side projects 17:00 – The joy of carbon paper and slow stationery 19:00 – Studio updates, new neighbours and collaboration 20:00 – Katie’s apple obsession 🍎 21:00 – Tiny whisky bottles
Anyway, we got this brilliant and juicy question in our students-only Facebook group for the Find Your Creative Voice, Fly Your Freak Flag Course. 🎺 31ST JANUARY = YOUR LAST CHANCE TO GET SOME GOOD SHIP ILLUSTRATION SNAIL-MAIL STICKERS WHEN YOU JOIN! Don't say we didn't warn you! Sign up here.
Megan said: "I just opened up the Microsoft Surface Pro I bought for digital drawing, and I’m freaking out a little. Not just about the expense, but a sense of cheating or something. Will this kill the joy of drawing on paper? Does anyone combine analogue and digital drawing worlds?"
Topics
Megan’s question: Is digital drawing cheating?
Analogue vs digital: can you mix them?
Why digital tools are lifesavers for fixes, tweaks, and deadlines.
Handmade isn’t about the tool, it’s about you!
The danger of too much choice.
Top tips for keeping your digital work cohesive.
Happy accidents.
Will drawing digitally kill your love of drawing on paper?
Can you be an illustrator with children and a job?
24 Jan 2025
00:11:28
Chelsea asked us: "Would love some advice goal-wise for those of us still holding part-time jobs and two small kids under five, trying to transition to an illustration career. Is it even possible? I'm feeling impatient and a bit trapped."
We chat about:
Why “slow and steady” beats high-pressure goals.
Low-pressure ways to carve out creative time (even with little ones around).
How parenting can inspire your creative work.
The importance of being kind to yourself and how to keep drawing.
Why editorial illustration might not be the best fit right now.
p.s. Good Ship Illustration News Our course, Find Your Creative Voice, Fly Your Freak Flag doors are now open and if you clamber aboard before the end of January we'll send you some exciting snail mail (a brand new Good Ship sticker pack!!) 💛
What tech do you use as an illustrator? Featuring Helen's 25 year-old Epson scanner that WILL NOT DIE
17 Jan 2025
00:21:22
At The Good Ship Illustration, we love keeping it simple. You don’t need the fanciest gear or the latest tech to be an illustrator. Our Helen’s 25-year-old scanner has survived being dropped multiple times and it’s still goin' strong.
This week on the podcast, we’re sharing the tech setups we actually use to get our illustration work done.
Katie tells us about her iPad obsession, the magic of cloud storage, and why a second screen is a game-changer when she remembers to switch it on.
Helen sings the praises of her indestructible Epson scanner, her return to good old-fashioned paper workflows, and where she stashes all that paper.
Tania shares her decades of Photoshop muscle memory, her love-hate relationship with Wacom, and her dream tech collaboration.
Dear Apple, if you’re listening, please call us about the maxi pad™ (an extra-giant iPad for picture book illustrators) 😅
Listen to the episode for: CMYK vs. RGB in Procreate, and whether publishers have a preference. Our ongoing battle with storing work. Why we’re convinced illustrators need a bigger iPad (yep, it's the maxi pad again).
Timestamps:
00:20 🎉 Find Your Creative Voice is open all year! 03:10 Katie’s tech setup: giant iPads, Procreate hacks, and Dropbox magic. 06:30 Helen’s trusty scanner and her glorious return to traditional workflows. 09:45 Tania’s Photoshop loyalty, Wacom woes, and dream tech. 13:00 CMYK vs. RGB in Procreate—how does it really work for publishers? 16:30 Why illustrators need an oversized iPad. 19:30 Our tips for archiving your creative work.
x Your Good Ship pals 🚢✨
Pssst… Exciting news! 🎉 Our course Find Your Creative Voice, Fly Your Freak Flag is now open for enrollment all year round! Join anytime and get instant access. 🌟 December & January Bonus: Everyone who hops aboard gets a shiny Good Ship sticker badge. Plus, three lucky new members will win 1:1 mentoring with the captains.
Help! I’m shy. Do I really have to go to book fairs to start my illustration career?
10 Jan 2025
00:15:02
Ahoy! 🚢
In this episode, we’re answering a brilliant question from listener Cat, who wrote: “Help! I’m shy. Do I really have to go to book fairs to start my illustration career?”
The short answer = nope.
The longer answer = this 15-minute podcast episode. Grab a cuppa and we'll see you in there!
p.s. Freak Flag course doors are now open! If you join before the end of January 2025 we'll send you a Good Ship sticker badge in the post an' everything. Come on in and find your creative voice :)
Timestamps: 00:25 🎉 Listener question: “Do I have to go to book fairs to succeed as an illustrator?” 01:15 Why being shy isn’t a disadvantage in the illustration world. 02:10 Starting from home: Your portfolio, website, and Instagram. 03:42 Why book fairs aren’t essential for finding work (and what they’re really like). 05:18 Building your portfolio: Focus on six pieces you’re proud of. 06:30 Social media tips for introverts: Finding the platform that feels good for you. 08:15 Dealing with negative comments. 09:43 Why “marketing” is just sharing what you’re already excited about. 12:05 Building confidence. 13:16 Freak Flag is open! Join us for stickers, mentoring, and creative breakthroughs.
Big goals, no pressure: Planning your creative year with The Good Ship Illustration
03 Jan 2025
00:21:30
Is it time to set goals, or are you feeling more “no plans, just let me lie down” this year?
We chat about:
Why some years are for sprinting, and others are for walking.
The power of visual goal-setting.
How to make goals human-sized, doable, and fun, without freaking yourself out.
Here's a Good Ship permission slip to do your 2025 goal-setting in a way that works for your brain/energy-levels/life.
Timestamps: 00:00 – Happy New Year! Goal-setting: exciting, overwhelming, or somewhere in between? 01:00 – Join our Planning Party on 16th January (details inside!) 02:30 – Sprinting vs walking: knowing when to slow down and when to push forward 03:45 – Loose goals, intentions, and the value of taking things slowly 04:50 – Why “no plans” can still count as a brilliant plan 07:00 – Visual goal-setting: drawing the year ahead and keeping it in sight 08:15 – Human-sized goals: how to make planning feel manageable and fun 10:00 – Intentions beyond work: making space for life, joy, and connection 16:00 – Ideas for tackling the overwhelm of “too many things to draw”
Links Mentioned:
You're invited to our Planning Party on 16th January! Sign up for our emails here to get your invite: https://www.thegoodshipillustration.com/
Hardest Year Ever? An Honest Look at the Illustration Industry in 2024
27 Dec 2024
00:20:51
As 2024 winds down, we’ve been hearing all sorts of things - budget cuts, AI fears, and whispers of a downturn. There’s no denying it’s been a tricky year for many illustrators. But is it all doom and gloom? Not necessarily!
Timestamps for you to skip around: 00:20 Special news - The doors are open for Find Your Creative Voice, Fly Your Freak Flag! 01:15 What we’ve been hearing from illustrators about the industry. 03:00 Why illustrators are feeling the pinch of budget cuts. 06:30 The world is craving handmade, delightfully wonky work. 09:45 What’s going on with picture books, then? 13:30 Fly your freak flag - this is your moment to shine. 16:00 Licensing, animation, and new media - growing areas to keep an eye on. 18:15 Inclusivity in illustration and what agents are looking for in 2025. 19:50 Why you shouldn’t put all your eggs in one basket.
🎉 Exciting Announcement
The doors to our Find Your Creative Voice, Fly Your Freak Flag course are open!
✨ Enrol whenever you like - no more waiting for us to open the doors. ✨ Join by the end of January 2025 and you'll get:
A Good Ship Illustration sticker pack.
The chance to win a 1:1 mentoring session with us - the 3 captains.
Ho ho ho 🎄 pressies for illustrators (love from Ron & Betty Frampton x)
20 Dec 2024
00:12:52
What do tiny bowls of crisps, the world’s fanciest pencils, and a mysterious couple called Ron and Betty Frampton have in common? They’re all in this week's Christmassy podcast!
Get ready for festive chaos, creative inspiration, and permission to buy yourself something lovely, courtesy of Ron and Betty.
Timestamps: 00:00 – Who on earth are Ron and Betty Frampton? 01:20 – What’s on our Christmas wishlists? Pencils, paint, and tech setups 04:30 – Christmas bingo, tiny bowls of crisps, and the unwritten rules of bingo culture 08:15 – Why quick, unplanned drawings can sometimes be your best work 10:50 – Helen’s 30-second cut-out reindeer and a carpet fitter 11:50 – Permission to treat yourself this Christmas. Ron and Betty would approve
Links Mentioned:
Find Your Creative Voice Course – Treat yourself to a creative boost Find out more here (and if you join before the end of January 2025, we'll send you some gorgeous stickers in the post. SNAIL MAIL!)
🎄 Merry Christmas and a happy new year from all of us at The Good Ship Illustration 🎄
The Confidence to Fly Your Freak Flag: A guide for illustrators and creatives
13 Dec 2024
00:29:23
Here's your early present from Good Ship. Our previously-just-for-paying-students private VIP podcast episode all about building your creative confidence.
EVERYONE who joins during December 2024 & January 2025 will get one of our much-coveted Good Ship sticker badges. Mmmmm.
We're also opening up a rare chance to win 1:1 mentoring with The Good Ship Illustration captains. There are 3 spots up for grabs! When you join, we'll email you all of the details.
00:21 Celebrating that Find Your Creative Voice,Fly Your Freak Flag is now open for enrollment all year round! 03:00 Why you’re not a “wannabe” illustrator 05:15 Navigating client relationships 07:55 The power of asking clients what they love about your portfolio 10:38 Silencing negative self-talk and spotting unhelpful stories you tell yourself 12:12 Why it’s better to be an indie band than Top of the Pops (for illustrators) 13:13 The magic of “imperfections” and human marks in your work 15:17 Pricing confidence: why your value isn’t tied to your hours 16:18 Gamifying rejection and making it work for you 18:37 Forget the rules: how naivety can be your creative superpower 21:46 Avoiding comparison traps with a creative quarantine 22:35 Why having multiple versions of your work can unlock playfulness 25:34 Tips for breaking big, scary projects into manageable chunks 28:26 Time tricks for staying fresh and playful under pressure 30:00 Why getting older makes everything easier
What should you tackle first!? Starting out as an illustrator.
06 Dec 2024
00:19:09
When you’re starting your illustration career, there is so much advice out there, so in this episode, we're untangling the nice juicy question of “Where do I even start!?”
We share a bit about how we've each learned to hop in and out of our business & creativity cars over the years. Plus, we'll dish out some wisdom nuggets on balancing creative bursts with the less exciting bits of building your freelance illustration career.
Come and say hello, we're friendly! Have you got a question you'd like us to tackle on a future podcast episode?
What you workin' on, pal? A Good Ship Illustration chat.
29 Nov 2024
00:29:34
Show Notes
When we meet up, this is always one of the first things we ask each other. We'd ask you too if you were here!
"What are you working on, then?" is the question that made us want to start The Good Ship Illustration all those yeeeeears ago - we realised how mega different our illustration careers are, even though we're all illustrators.
Grab a cuppa - in this episode, Tania shares her big goal to create a personal map (including residencies, studios, and maybe a little bit of procrastination). Helen's talking about writing stories and why she never wants to write alone again. And Katie takes us through the ups and downs of scaling & right-sizing a creative business.
Plus, we chat about the magic of saying "no".
Nice. See you in there.
Timestamps:
00:19 Tania's maps
10:44 What's Helen up to
12:41 Writing with a pal
22:46 Katie's nap goals
26:17 You Are NOT a to-do list! (Good Ship permission to slow down)
Deadlines... yeah yeah yeahhh, but what about doing illustration stuff just for YOU!? This week we chat about squishing in personal projects when client work always feels much more urgent.
We are gathering ourselves after a very exciting Illustration Business Club launch.
Phew! Definitely time for fun non-worky projects around here.
(Rough) Timestamps if you want to skip to a certain bit
00:00 Question: “How do you make time for personal artwork?”
01:00 Why deadlines are easier than self-led projects
02:00 Fine art drive vs. illustration mindset
03:00 Projects we have managed to finish (and why)
05:00 Creativity that doesn’t look like ‘work’
07:00 You’re probably doing more than you realise
08:00 The power of art clubs + sketching friends
09:00 Big projects that turn into ‘scratch records’
10:00 Permission to make things simple (or stop entirely)
12:00 Sorting hat trick for choosing ideas
14:00 Productivity
16:00 Parking ideas and bullet journaling
18:00 Craft supplies, hoarding, and deferring projects
20:00 New paints, new studios, more art clubs
21:00 Psssst...you’re probably already doing more than you think
Byeeee for now! x The Good Ship Illustration (Helen, Katie & Tania)
The burnout life raft (for when you're drowning in to-dos)
22 Nov 2024
00:28:58
Show Notes
Feeling frazzled & running on illustration fumes? You're definitely not alone!
In this episode, we wade on in to discuss the murky waters of burnout. Don't worry, we've got your life raft right here! We chat about what burnout actually IS, why it seems to be so common amongst illustrators & creatives, and most importantly, what you can do to nip it in the bud, or escape it if you're already knee-deep.
So grab a cuppa, put your feet up, and recharge your batteries with us for a bit.
Timestamps:
00:38 Defining burnout
04:37 💰 What's money got to do with it anyway?
04:54 The Instagram hamster wheel and how to escape it
What do illustrators DO all day? Featuring keep-fit cuppas, & coworking 🤓
15 Nov 2024
00:19:23
Are you as nosy as we are? Weyyyy, you're in the right place.
In this episode, we talk about our daily routines as illustrators. What do we DO all day?
We discuss morning routines, our creative processes (or lack thereof), and the importance of deciding when to eat dinner.
When we said we'd love to hear about your day-in-the-life, we mean it! Come over to Instagram and say hello / tag us in your daily routine posts :) We're @thegoodshipillustration on there.
Should I have 2 websites?” + how many mailers until you see results?
17 Oct 2024
00:21:03
Firstly, if you like this episode, you’ll LOVE The Business Course! Doors are open for enrollment until the 18th of October 2024. Be quick!
You can read all about The Business Course here: https://www.thegoodshipillustration.com/business
If you do miss the boat 😩 and the doors have already closed by the time you're listening to this, you can jump into our free ‘Get into Your Business Car' challenge here in the meantime: https://www.thegoodshipillustration.com/businesscar
(Once those Business Course doors close, they’re closed. We’re strict.)
Show Notes
As soon as we start talking about marketing for illustrators, we (almost always) get the question, 'Should I have a separate Instagram account for my illustration work?'
See also: Do I need more than one website? Do I need more than one newsletter?
In this episode we're answering that burning question, plus lots more all about the rollercoaster that is sharing your illustration work online.
Your online presence does NOT have to be shiny and polished. We're all about done-is-better-than-perfect, and we hope this episode gives you the firm-but-tender Good Ship kick up the bum you need to start sharing your stuff more consistently, whatever consistency means to you.
Timestamps
00:00 – Intro and today’s big question 00:36 – One account or two? 01:25 – The “doorway method” for your website 04:38 – Juggling different styles in one space 05:38 – Why adding a personal touch is key 10:18 – Tweaking your marketing so that you get noticed 19:52 – Wrapping it all up with some final thoughts
p.s. it's NOT all about social media. We talk about offline options that are super effective too.
Get your illustration work noticed by people who actually want to buy it.
16 Oct 2024
00:23:36
Firstly, if you like this episode, you’ll LOVE The Business Course! Doors are open for enrollment until the 18th of October 2024. Be quick!
You can read all about The Business Course here: https://www.thegoodshipillustration.com/business
If you do miss the boat 😩 and the doors have already closed by the time you’re listening to this, you can join the waiting list for a future round. You can get stuck into our free ‘Get into Your Business Car’ challenge here in the meantime: https://www.thegoodshipillustration.com/businesscar
(Once those doors close, they’re closed. We’re strict.)
**Shownotes:**
Yes yes, there is a HUGE amount of joy to be had in the creative side of illustration.
But when your work is both a joy to make, and sells well, too? That's a whole new level of good stuff.
In this episode, we talk all about selling your work! All 3 of us have run online shops at some point in our illustration careers, and we dig into the things that worked for us to get our work seen and, most importantly, sold.
We're not shy about talking about pricing and the perils (+ good bits) of managing an online shop and in this episode you can expect
🚢 Social media marketing for illustrators running a product-based business 🚢 Building an email newsletter audience 🚢 Selling your illustrations & illustrated products at fairs 🚢 Running an online shop & more 🤩
See you in there!
x Helen, Katie & Tania
Timestamps:
00:00 Hello!
00:59 Running an online shop: what's it like? What works well?
03:15 Marketing strategies 🤓 for online shops
04:38 Pre-selling - your new secret superpower (so that you don't end up living in a house full of unsold products.)