All episodes

How do I get my work featured? With Creative Boom's Katy Cowan

How to stay in touch with your illustration clients without being annoying - part 2 of our @MadebyJames interview

Is there any point becoming an illustrator now that AI is here? An interview with James Martin @madebyjames PART 1!

Lessons from our 'failures' + Illustration Business Club doors close tonight!

Help! Posting my illustration work makes me cringe 😬

"I hadn't drawn for 21 years" an interview with Jo Overend 🐥

Do I need loads of followers to get illustration work?

Marketing *without* social media as an illustrator. Is it possible? (Illustration Business Club doors now open!) 🎉🎉🎉

"Your old sketchbook drawings could be earning you money" - An illustration licensing chat with Margo Tantau

"You really don't have to go to art school!" An interview with Carly Kuhn

"Nobody can hire you if they can't see you". An interview with Mollie off of @ShortSupplyMCR

RIP Hockney & (Art) school's out for summer 🤘 🌴 🍦🩲

No, you *don't* have imposter syndrome - an interview with Lauren Currie OBE

Help, I’ve forgotten how to draw 🫠

"I spent ages on the detailed stuff...but they liked the quick sketch." An interview with the brilliant Alice Bowsher

And the award for Best Stand at Bologna Children's Book Fair goes to...

"Help! I love my rough illustrations and panic on the final piece. How do I get out of my own way?"

⚠️ Illustration scams to watch out for

'They keep asking me to tone it down.' Flying your freak flag in their faces 🚩

"I used to cry in the toilets before every job (and then I'd go draw)" - a live illustration chat with Katie

You don't have to pick just one thing - an interview with illustrator-astrologer Nicola Allan

This illustrator got a book deal lead on DAY ONE of Bologna… 😳 (part 2)

Brave Good Shippers at Bologna - we shoved a microphone in these illustrators faces 😆 (part 1!)

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?