Explore every episode of The Good Ship Illustration
Dive into the complete episode list for The Good Ship Illustration. Each episode is cataloged with detailed descriptions, making it easy to find and explore specific topics. Keep track of all episodes from your favorite podcast and never miss a moment of insightful content.
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Pub. Date
Title
Duration
19 Aug 2022
Goal setting for illustrators - Message in a Bottle
00:28:08
In this episode we answer the questions:
How do I set goals as an illustrator?
Am I allowed to illustrate existing book covers?
What makes a "good" illustration?
Contracts!? The business side of illustration and design.
🚢🚢🚢
Right now we have two courses, and the doors open again very soon...
p.s. Got a question for the podcast? You can send your questions to goodshipillo@gmail.com and title it 'message in a bottle' so we know what it's about.
p.s. Got a question for the podcast? You can send your questions to goodshipillo@gmail.com and title it 'message in a bottle' so we know what it's about.
p.s. Got a question for the podcast? You can send your questions to goodshipillo@gmail.com and title it 'message in a bottle' so we know what it's about.
p.s. Got a question for the podcast? You can send your questions to goodshipillo@gmail.com and title it 'message in a bottle' so we know what it's about.
p.s. Got a question for the podcast? You can send your questions to goodshipillo@gmail.com and title it 'message in a bottle' so we know what it's about.
Figuring out where YOUR illustration work fits - Message in a Bottle
00:31:39
In this episode we answer the questions:
How do I know if I'm an illustrator or not?
How to navigate "The Gap" (see quote below!)
How to keep the magic and energy in your finished work
The Gap
“Nobody tells this to people who are beginners, I wish someone told me. All of us who do creative work, we get into it because we have good taste. But there is this gap. For the first couple years you make stuff, it’s just not that good. It’s trying to be good, it has potential, but it’s not. But your taste, the thing that got you into the game, is still killer. And your taste is why your work disappoints you. A lot of people never get past this phase, they quit. Most people I know who do interesting, creative work went through years of this. We know our work doesn’t have this special thing that we want it to have. We all go through this. And if you are just starting out or you are still in this phase, you gotta know its normal and the most important thing you can do is do a lot of work. Put yourself on a deadline so that every week you will finish one story. It is only by going through a volume of work that you will close that gap, and your work will be as good as your ambitions. And I took longer to figure out how to do this than anyone I’ve ever met. It’s gonna take awhile. It’s normal to take awhile. You’ve just gotta fight your way through.” ― Ira Glass
🚢🚢🚢
Right now we have two courses, and the doors open again very soon...
p.s. Got a question for the podcast? You can send your questions to goodshipillo@gmail.com and title it 'message in a bottle' so we know what it's about.
Art qualifications... do you need 'em? - Message in a Bottle
00:10:49
We’re here to offer no-nonsense advice for illustrators and image-makers navigating a creative career
Here are 3 things you need to know:
At The Good Ship, our big mission is to help illustrators and image-makers navigate a creative career.
There are 3 of us - Tania, Helen and Katie - and we are the Goldilocks (3 bears!) of illustration, covering 3 areas and eras of the industry.
We believe your creative work should feel good, make you money, and leave you feeling confident to fly your freak flag!
In this episode, we talk about:
The (un)importance of qualifications in art
The importance of having a masters
Stamps of approval
Choosing yourself
Gatekeepers
Be a punk
Did you like this? You might love Art Club too! Come on over to Instagram and be our internet pal. We host pop-up art clubs every now and again and our entire back catalog is on there too.
We’re here to offer no-nonsense advice for illustrators and image-makers navigating a creative career
Here are 3 things you need to know:
At The Good Ship, our big mission is to help illustrators and image-makers navigate a creative career.
There are 3 of us - Tania, Helen and Katie - and we are the Goldilocks (3 bears!) of illustration, covering 3 areas and eras of the industry.
We believe your creative work should feel good, make you money, and leave you feeling confident to fly your freak flag!
-------------------- In this episode we let Helen get REALLY excited about Substack. She shares all of her top tips to get you excited to start writing, sharing and hitting publish tooo.
Bask in your weirdness! 🚢 | Find Your Creative Voice Mini-Series #1
00:10:53
Bask in your weirdness. What to do if the voice that’s emerging isn’t the one you like?
WELCOME to our 5-part mini-series, all about finding your creative voice. This week we're dropping one episode a day, where we tackle that ol' chestnut: how to find your creative voice. We've answered questions, and created actionable steps for each episode.
Want a fillable workbook? YOU'RE IN LUCK! We've made one for you to download here.
https://www.thegoodshipillustration.com/workbook
p.s. The doors to our 8-week online course Find Your Creative Voice: Fly Your Freak Flag are now open. We'd love to have you sailing with us. Read all about it here.
Doors close for this live round on the 15th of September 2023 and we are STRICT. Don't miss the boat!
Draw draw draw, then draw some more. PLUS we answer the brilliant question: "...my schedule is not allowing me the time I would like. Can I really find my style if my time is limited?
WELCOME to part 2 of our 5-part mini-series, all about finding your creative voice. This week we're dropping one episode a day, where we tackle that ol' chestnut: how to find your creative voice. We've answered questions and created actionable steps for each episode.
✨ Want a fillable workbook? YOU'RE IN LUCK! We've made one for you to download here.✨
https://www.thegoodshipillustration.com/workbook
p.s. The doors to our 8-week online course Find Your Creative Voice: Fly Your Freak Flag are now open. We'd love to have you sailing with us. Read all about it here.
Doors close for this live round on the 15th of September 2023 and we are STRICT. Don't miss the boat!
How do you stop the niggly voice 'my work isn't good enough' from interfering with your creative confidence?
WELCOME to our 5-part mini-series, all about finding your creative voice. This week we're dropping one episode a day, where we tackle that ol' chestnut: how to find your creative voice. We've answered questions and created actionable steps for each episode.
Want a fillable workbook? YOU'RE IN LUCK! We've made one for you to download here.
https://www.thegoodshipillustration.com/workbook
p.s. The doors to our 8-week online course Find Your Creative Voice: Fly Your Freak Flag are now open. We'd love to have you sailing with us. Read all about it here.
Doors close for this live round on the 15th of September 2023 and we are STRICT. Don't miss the boat!
Play, OR ELSE 🚢 | Find Your Creative Voice Mini-Series #4
00:11:08
How do you get over the fear of starting a new illustration? In this installment of our mini-series we talk all about overcoming procrastination and fear of the blank page.
WELCOME to our 5-part mini-series, all about finding your creative voice. This week we're dropping one episode a day, where we tackle that ol' chestnut: how to find your creative voice. We've answered questions, and created actionable steps for each episode.
Want a fillable workbook? YOU'RE IN LUCK! We've made one for you to download here.
https://www.thegoodshipillustration.com/workbook
p.s. The doors to our 8-week online course Find Your Creative Voice: Fly Your Freak Flag are now open. We'd love to have you sailing with us. Read all about it here.
Doors close for this live round on the 15th of September 2023 and we are STRICT. Don't miss the boat!
The pressure's off; there are no fancy art materials here, and our golden rule is no panicking. Start where you are, use what you have. Be kind to yourself.
Today we're wrapping up our 5-part adventure. Thank you SO MUCH for listening along. If you've joined the course, we'll see you in there!! We can't wait to see you discover your creative voice.
Also, Art Club is on this Friday if you fancy some stress-free drawing time. It's over on Instagram.
----------
WELCOME to the final part in our 5-part mini-series, all about finding your creative voice. This week we're dropping one episode a day, where we tackle that ol' chestnut: how to find your creative voice. We've answered questions and created actionable steps for each episode.
Want a fillable workbook? YOU'RE IN LUCK! We've made one for you to download here.
https://www.thegoodshipillustration.com/workbook
p.s. The doors to our 8-week online course Find Your Creative Voice: Fly Your Freak Flag are now open. We'd love to have you sailing with us. Read all about it here.
Doors close for this live round on the 15th of September 2023 and we are STRICT. Don't miss the boat!
Juggling *life* while also creating picture books | Picture Book mini series episode #2
00:20:38
In this episide of The Good Ship Illustration, we share juggling skills. Whether you're juggling babies, mental health, or just... life stuff, hopefully some of these can help!
EXCITING NEWS: The Picture Book Course is open right now! Click here to read all about it ---> https://www.thegoodshipillustration.com/PB
And you can sign up for the Character Workshop here: https://www.thegoodshipillustration.com/cw
How to run AMAZIN' school visits with your picture book | | Picture Book mini series episode #3
00:23:22
Did you know, the doors to our course The Picture Book Course are now open? Come on in! We'd love to have you sailing with us. Read all about it here: https://www.thegoodshipillustration.com/PB
What are the big secrets behind successful school visits and events? In this episode, Katie and Tania grill Helen on all the insider bits and VOILA.
We talked about
Setting boundaries when doing school visits
How to structure your time
The TOPPEST OF THE TOP TIPS to help children remember your name and connect with you as an author.
Being clear about your needs when doing author visits and book festivals.
Alternatives to in-person visits.
p.s. Tonight over on Instagram we're doing a live Q&A call. This is the best way to get your questions answered on the spot by Helen (Katie will be there too, and Tania is manning the comments/chat box thingie.)
Picture book Q&A QUICK FIRE 🔥 | Picture book mini series episode #5
00:25:50
Pssst, if you like this, you'll LOVE our course The Picture Book Course. Climb aboard now while you still can - the doors are closing in a few hours. BE QUICK! https://www.thegoodshipillustration.com/PB
In this episode we answer a zillion of your brilliant picture book questions. Here's a summary of the key takeaways:
Finding stories to illustrate
Publishers, and how they pair up writers and illustrators
Tips for working with authors
How picture book publishers work in general
Some live event illustration tips from Katie
TIP: When pitching ideas to publishers, don't submit a fully illustrated book. Instead, submit a couple of double-page spreads, and some character development sketches.
ANOTHER TIP: When you're just starting out in your illustration career, you can get your work under publishers' noses by creating a digital portfolio and using social media (eg Instagram). Make the most of hashtags and connect with fellow illustrators and publishers in the industry. You never know who's watching!
Read all about the Picture Book Course here: https://www.thegoodshipillustration.com/PB
Surviving Bologna Children's Book Fair with The Good Ship Illustration
00:31:27
Planning a visit to Bologna Children's Book Fair this year? You're in luck. Our Helen has made you this INCREDIBLE PDF document to accompany this podcast audio guide to the fair.
What else is inside the downloadable guide?
A Good Ship Illustration lanyard to print out if you'd like to fly your Good Ship Illustration flag and help fellow Good Ship pals spot you while you're wandering around the fair!
Details on when and where we're holding our first ever Good Ship Illustration meet up
The must-haves you don't want to forget in your Bologna bag (blister plasters, anyone?)
If you're going to the fair, we'd LOVE to see you there. Keep an eye out for us!
Grab your free guide and lanyard here and read about the meet up dates etc.
In this episode we dig into some juicy questions about describing your own work (aaaargh!) marketing, authenticity, and using your past to find your creative voice.
Doors are NOW OPEN for our course, Find Your Creative Voice: Fly Your Freak Flag. Just so you know, this the last time to join at the current price. We’d love to have you sailing with us!
Want to get your illustrations published? Here are Good Ship’s top tips
00:11:06
This episode is JUICY. Here’s a checklist of action items if you want to put it on your studio wall and get some more eyeballs on your work.
Reach out to publishers directly by sending samples and requesting meetings to show your folio and get feedback
Send out batches of samples at a time
Follow up with publishers by sending new samples every 3 months
Research publisher websites and publications like The Writer and Artist Yearbook to find calls for submissions that match work
Ask other illustrators for recommendations on who provides constructive portfolio reviews (not all portfolio reviews are created equal!)
Consider sending thumbnail sketches and illustration samples in addition to dummy books for feedback from publishers
If you’d like to boost your illustration work and dig in to finding your creative voice, you’re in luck!
Doors are NOW OPEN for our course, Find Your Creative Voice: Fly Your Freak Flag. Just so you know, this the last time to join at the current price. We’d love to have you sailing with us!
This episode is chock full of our very toppest of tips for overcoming creative block. Buckle in 🙂
If you’d like to boost your illustration work and dig in to finding your creative voice, you’re in luck!
Doors are NOW OPEN for our course, Find Your Creative Voice: Fly Your Freak Flag. Just so you know, this the last time to join at the current price. We’d love to have you sailing with us!
Figuring out your illustration style - how long does it take?
00:12:51
If you’d like to boost your illustration work and dig in to finding your creative voice, you’re in luck!
Doors are NOW OPEN for our course, Find Your Creative Voice: Fly Your Freak Flag. Just so you know, this the last time to join at the current price. We’d love to have you sailing with us!
Pricing your illustration work 💸 & how to handle ghost-clients that disappear 👻 Bit of a scary episode. Sorry about that.
00:20:14
Welcome aboard the Good Ship Illustration podcast! In this spooky, scary episode, we tackle one of the trickiest areas for illustrators: pricing and negotiations. (Aaaagh!)
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.)
**Show Notes:**
In this episode, we dusted off the crumbs from our Greggs Vegan sausage rolls (v good lunch Helen, thank you) and settled into Tania’s living room for a thorough no-holds-barred chat about MONEY STUFF.
One of our favourite things to talk about is how different the money/pricing stuff can be in different markets, and different bits of the illustration industry.
We put the world to rights and covered everything from knowing what’s ‘normal’ in the industry, to how to negotiate fees for different types of projects. Budgets can really vary depending on the market. We also bang on about the importance of charging what you’re worth. (And we’ll carry on doing that until the starving artist myth is where it belongs → in the bin.)
Ghosting from clients? It happens to the best of us. We share some tips in this episode on how to deal with it, and why it’s important not to take the silence personally.
Katie gets excited about how much she loves using automation to manage the behind the scenes stuff in her business. And to wrap things up, we remind you to think of yourself as a business, not just a creative. Your creativity brings HUGE value to your clients. Don’t forget it.
Charge your worth.
If you’d like a bit of help with quoting confidently, come and have a look at The Business Course. We’ve got a whole entire module dedicated to the money stuff (the practical bits *and* the mindset stuff.)
Busy? How to handle multiple illustration projects like a pro.
00:17:14
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.)
**Show Notes: **
In today’s business podcast **puffs up shoulder pads** we had a good chat about the fine art of juggling when you have more than one illustration project on the go.
Setting boundaries and managing expectations came up a LOT. Clear communication and smart scheduling are biggies, especially when it comes to working with publishers and keeping yourself sane & your deadlines on track. We also touch on negotiating rush fees and the importance of having a dedicated schedule for client feedback so you don’t get stuck in one of those endless revision loops of doom! 😩
Plus, we grilled Helen on the nitty-gritty of working in the publishing world.
Behoooold, the timestamps!
Timestamps:
00:00 – Introduction and Listener Questions
00:22 – Managing Multiple Projects and Avoiding Burnout
Get your illustration work noticed by people who actually want to buy it.
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.)
Should I have 2 websites?” + how many mailers until you see results?
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.
What do illustrators DO all day? Featuring keep-fit cuppas, & coworking 🤓
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.
What should you tackle first!? Starting out as an illustrator.
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?
The burnout life raft (for when you're drowning in to-dos)
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 you workin' on, pal? A Good Ship Illustration chat.
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)
The Confidence to Fly Your Freak Flag: A guide for illustrators and creatives
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 tech do you use as an illustrator? Featuring Helen's 25 year-old Epson scanner that WILL NOT DIE
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.
Hardest Year Ever? An Honest Look at the Illustration Industry in 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.
Help! I’m shy. Do I really have to go to book fairs to start my illustration career?
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.
Ho ho ho 🎄 pressies for illustrators (love from Ron & Betty Frampton x)
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 🎄
Big goals, no pressure: Planning your creative year with The Good Ship Illustration
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/
Can you be an illustrator with children and a job?
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!!) 💛
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?
Saying no as an illustrator: dropping projects can boost your career.
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
Feelin' guilty about not drawing as much lately? [A Good Ship Illustration permission slip]
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.
The secret to *actually finishing* your picture book ❤️
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!
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 Coursecloses 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!
Is there enough work for illustrators? The truth about illustration jobs in 2025 - a rising tide floats all boats 🚢🚢🚢
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 🤓).
Should you quit Instagram if you're an illustrator?
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
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!
Illustrator vs artist: what’s the difference? + Creating your portfolio 🥳
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
How to become a paid illustrator (The step-by-step guide! lol)
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.)
Perfectionism, CMYK & a shout out to Barry in the cupboard (lovin' your work, Barry)
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
Illustration trends vs your creative voice PLUS what materials to use
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.
Finding Your Creative Voice with The Good Ship Illustration
00:38:59
This is the first episode of our podcast!
Helen Stephens, Tania Willis, and Katie Chappell are the crew at The Good Ship illustration, and this episode is all about getting to know us.
Learn more about The Good Ship Illustration and how we each found our creative voices.
Grab a cuppa, listen while you draw, and let us know what you think. (Instagram is our favourite place to hang out. We're @thegoodshipillustration)
p.s. Our course Find Your Creative Voice: Fly Your Freak Flag is now open for enrollment!
Show Notes:
Finding your creative voice, standing out from the crowd, building career-longevity, and being yourself.
1. Helen's story Taking a year out from picture book illustration to get back to her own creative voice.
2. Tania's story From fine art to illustration via Hong Kong. 80s corporate imagery, MA at the Royal College. The value of being in a creative community.
3. Katie's story Why getting fired from being an in-house graphic designer/illustrator was the best thing ever.
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