31 episodes

We’re here to offer no-nonsense advice for illustrators and image-makers navigating a creative career. At The Good Ship Illustration, we are all about finding your creative voice, standing out from the crowd, building career-longevity, and being yourself. We are Helen Stephens, Katie Chappell and Tania Willis - 3 full-time bread winning (mmm, bread) illustrators working in 3 separate niches of the illustration industry. Between us we've clocked up over 60 years of experience and illustration wisdom, and we're here to share it!You’d love your creative work if only you could find more time to do it, make more money, and feel confident with what you make. We believe you DO have what it takes, illustration needn’t be scary, and we’re with you all the way, along with the rest of the crew in our online community.

The Good Ship Illustration The Good Ship Illustration

    • Arts
    • 5.0 • 46 Ratings

We’re here to offer no-nonsense advice for illustrators and image-makers navigating a creative career. At The Good Ship Illustration, we are all about finding your creative voice, standing out from the crowd, building career-longevity, and being yourself. We are Helen Stephens, Katie Chappell and Tania Willis - 3 full-time bread winning (mmm, bread) illustrators working in 3 separate niches of the illustration industry. Between us we've clocked up over 60 years of experience and illustration wisdom, and we're here to share it!You’d love your creative work if only you could find more time to do it, make more money, and feel confident with what you make. We believe you DO have what it takes, illustration needn’t be scary, and we’re with you all the way, along with the rest of the crew in our online community.

    Figuring out your illustration style - how long does it take?

    Figuring out your illustration style - how long does it take?

    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!

    You can learn more here:  https://www.thegoodshipillustration.com/freakflag 
    Come and say hello!

    ✏️ @thegoodshipillustration
    🌏 www.thegoodshipillustration.com

    • 12 min
    Feeling stuck? Creative block be GONE!

    Feeling stuck? Creative block be GONE!

    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!


    You can learn more here:  https://www.thegoodshipillustration.com/freakflag 
    Come and say hello!

    ✏️ @thegoodshipillustration
    🌏 www.thegoodshipillustration.com

    • 10 min
    Want to get your illustrations published? Here are Good Ship’s top tips

    Want to get your illustrations published? Here are Good Ship’s top tips

    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 feedbackSend out batches of samples at a timeFollow up with publishers by sending new samples every 3 monthsResearch publisher websites and publications like The Writer and Artist Yearbook to find calls for submissions that match workAsk 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 publishersIf 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!


    You can learn more here:  https://www.thegoodshipillustration.com/freakflag 
    Come and say hello!

    ✏️ @thegoodshipillustration
    🌏 www.thegoodshipillustration.com

    • 11 min
    How to describe your illustration style

    How to describe your illustration style

    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!

    You can learn more here:  https://www.thegoodshipillustration.com/freakflag 
    Come and say hello!

    ✏️ @thegoodshipillustration
    🌏 www.thegoodshipillustration.com

    • 18 min
    Surviving Bologna Children's Book Fair with The Good Ship Illustration

    Surviving Bologna Children's Book Fair with The Good Ship Illustration

    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 upThe 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.

    https://www.thegoodshipillustration.com/bologna

    ✨✨✨✨✨
    Come and say hello!

    ✏️ @thegoodshipillustration
    🌏 www.thegoodshipillustration.com

    • 31 min
    Picture book Q&A QUICK FIRE 🔥 | Picture book mini series episode #5

    Picture book Q&A QUICK FIRE 🔥 | Picture book mini series episode #5

    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 illustratePublishers, and how they pair up writers and illustratorsTips for working with authors How picture book publishers work in generalSome live event illustration tips from KatieTIP: 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 
    Come and say hello!

    ✏️ @thegoodshipillustration
    🌏 www.thegoodshipillustration.com

    • 25 min

Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5
46 Ratings

46 Ratings

Leliasen ,

Wonderful

I recently found this podcast and I’m so happy, there are so many great advices for experienced and new illustrators. Keep it up ladies! I’ve added you to my favorites 🙌💕

Bethamphetamines1982 ,

Came for the illustration advice. Stayed for the laughs!

It’s like having three pals in the studio with me, who also give expert advice on the illustration industry. A brilliant podcast to listen to for anyone who’s curious about drawing or creativity!

Trig trinette ,

You’ll laugh so hard you’ll loose your hen’s teeth

Yup that’s a funny/odd title but fitting for one of the most delightful podcasts around. It’s three friends who are all illustrators having a chat and telling stories spanning from college to their professional careers. They go off on wild tangents and tell the most colorful stories. You feel as if you’re actually with them though the experience. Not only is inspiring as an illustrator to listen to but they talk about life lessons and how to bounce back from obstacles. This podcast is perfect for anyone with a heart and soul! I dare you to not smile while listening!

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