All Episodes

Helen Stephens chats to Prof. Martin Salisbury - Is your illustration style really yours? When influence turns into imitation 👀✏️

Guide to the Bologna Children's Book Fair 2026 - The Good Ship Illustration

It’s not too late, you’re not behind, and yessss, you should still start - an interview with illustrator Carys Wright

The 7 email rule: Pitching your work to illustration clients - Kira Matthews

How Salty (our Picture Book mascot) became a 2-book deal

Identity + rejection: when your illustration work *is* you 🥲

Instagram Is Not Your Portfolio (PHEW!)

🍎 Elephantasia (aphantasia) - can you see an apple in your mind?

Anna Mac on finding her creative voice (after years designing for retail)

Are illustrators doomed… or is this our time to shiiiiiine? [AI workshop replay]

Tara Tayyebi Fard on finding her creative voice (and illustration career) after 10 years of being an architect

Want to know what February’s #WalkToSee prompt is?

When you want to work but can’t seem to start

Is copying ever OK in illustration? When does inspiration turn into plagiarism? 👀✏️

You're invited! Plan your creative year with The Good Ship Illustration

You’ll Never Feel Ready. Do It Anyway. An interview with Good Shipper Amber Au.

An interview with Lisa Congdon - consistency and finding your creative voice

How illustrator Jill Calder built a long-lasting creative career (without losing her voice)

How to stop your illustration style looking generic & blah

We’re good at failing (and you can be too) 🤣 the power of experiments

What publishers reeeeally want to see in your picture book pitch

'If it looks awful, keep going. It’ll work out' - an interview with illustrator Catherine Rayner

'If you keep showing up, you can't NOT get better' - an interview with Sandi Hester

A Bologna Book Fair special: 6 Good Shippers were finalists in the Illustrators Exhibition!

#WalkToSee is baaack! The hashtag responsible for over 120,000 drawings (join in!)

Remember drawing for...fun? 😅 what is that?

"Double your fee without drawing more" say whaaat!?

The bit art school forgot to teach you 😅

Nice illustrator loneliness & working from home

Picture Book, Freak Flag, or Business… which one is calling yoooou?

PANIIIIC! (or don’t...) 😅 | Summer camp sketchbook week 5

Play, OR ELSE 🎲 | Summer camp sketchbook week 4

Finding Creative Confidence 🚢 | Summer camp sketchbook week 3

Draw draw draw! ✏️ | Summer camp sketchbook week 2

Bask in your weirdness ☀️ | Summer camp sketchbook week 1

Is AI Coming for your job? Illustrators are fighting back! (Part 2) with Chris Haughton

“Do I Have to Pick One Style Forever?! (Part 1)” with Chris Haughton

START HERE - Welcome to The Good Ship Illustration Podcast! (Here's our trailer) 🚢🚢🚢

You don’t have to draw everything (even in picture books)

💰 How to protect your time, energy and income as an illustrator

Is this normal in publishing… or am I being taken for a mug?

“Help! I found my illustration style… and I don’t like it” 😩

The joy of not finishing (all) your online courses

The curse of "Final Artwork"

Inside Helen's hermit cave

Get more illustration work: A pep talk, some tips, and a tiny rant

Residencies and Substack

Live Illustration (Course Closes Tonight!) Q&A

“I’m not sure how to price my illustration work. I think I panic and undercharge because I’m worried they’ll change their mind if it’s too much.”

Illustrator vs artist: what’s the difference? + Creating your portfolio 🥳

Illustration trends vs your creative voice PLUS what materials to use

Perfectionism, CMYK & a shout out to Barry in the cupboard (lovin' your work, Barry)

How to become a paid illustrator (The step-by-step guide! lol)

Should you quit Instagram if you're an illustrator?

Your website might be missing this one thing – and nooo, it’s not more portfolio pieces

Is there enough work for illustrators? The truth about illustration jobs in 2025 - a rising tide floats all boats 🚢🚢🚢

Feelin' guilty about not drawing as much lately? [A Good Ship Illustration permission slip]

What size should your picture book be? (And other silly mistakes to avoid.)

The secret to *actually finishing* your picture book ❤️

Saying no as an illustrator: dropping projects can boost your career.

Why drawing digitally is NAUGHTY 👀 (or is it?)

Can you be an illustrator with children and a job?

What tech do you use as an illustrator? Featuring Helen's 25 year-old Epson scanner that WILL NOT DIE

Help! I’m shy. Do I really have to go to book fairs to start my illustration career?

Big goals, no pressure: Planning your creative year with The Good Ship Illustration

Hardest Year Ever? An Honest Look at the Illustration Industry in 2024

Ho ho ho 🎄 pressies for illustrators (love from Ron & Betty Frampton x)

The Confidence to Fly Your Freak Flag: A guide for illustrators and creatives

What should you tackle first!? Starting out as an illustrator.

What you workin' on, pal? A Good Ship Illustration chat.

The burnout life raft (for when you're drowning in to-dos)

What do illustrators DO all day? Featuring keep-fit cuppas, & coworking 🤓

Should I have 2 websites?” + how many mailers until you see results?

Get your illustration work noticed by people who actually want to buy it.

Busy? How to handle multiple illustration projects like a pro.

Pricing your illustration work 💸 & how to handle ghost-clients that disappear 👻 Bit of a scary episode. Sorry about that.

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

Feeling stuck? Creative block be GONE!

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

How to describe your illustration style

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

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

Self publishing...is it a scam!? + what dimensions should I make my picture book? | Picture Book mini series episode #4

How to run AMAZIN' school visits with your picture book | | Picture Book mini series episode #3

Juggling *life* while also creating picture books | Picture Book mini series episode #2

Can you make a living as a picture book illustrator? | Picture Book mini series episode #1

PANIIIIIC! (or don't...) 🚢 | Find Your Creative Voice Mini-Series #5

Play, OR ELSE 🚢 | Find Your Creative Voice Mini-Series #4

Finding Creative Confidence 🚢 | Find Your Creative Voice Mini-Series #3

Draw draw draw! 🚢 | Find Your Creative Voice Mini-Series #2

Bask in your weirdness! 🚢 | Find Your Creative Voice Mini-Series #1

Our most weird and wonderful illustration jobs ft. sausages

Substack for Illustrators! Message in a Bottle

Art qualifications... do you need 'em? - Message in a Bottle

HELP! I don't think I have a style - Message in a bottle

Using kids as inspiration for picture book illustration - is it a good idea? - Message in a Bottle

Picture Books, drawing and storytelling: Emma Carlisle chats to The Good Ship Illustration

Figuring out where YOUR illustration work fits - Message in a Bottle

Getting started as an illustrator - Message in a Bottle

Preppin' your illustration portfolio - Message in a Bottle

Nightmare clients, good snacks, illustrator fashion and lots more - Message in a Bottle

Analogue vs. digital illustration - Message in a Bottle

Goal setting for illustrators - Message in a Bottle

Creative Inspiration and Where to Find It

The Essential Drawing Materials Every Illustrator Needs

What's Stopping You? Overcoming Imposter Syndrome to Find Your Creative Voice.

Finding Your Creative Voice with The Good Ship Illustration