Rephonic
Artwork for The Good Ship Illustration

The Good Ship Illustration

The Good Ship Illustration
Illustration
Picture Books
Creativity
Creative Process
Instagram
Children's Books
Mental Health
Illustration Industry
Productivity
Working From Home
Walk To See
Burnout
Creative Voice
Find Your Creative Voice
Licensing
Illustration Techniques
Publishing
Publishing Industry
Creative Confidence
Picture Book Illustration

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 cup... more

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes108Founded6 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
DesignArts

Listen to this Podcast

Artwork for The Good Ship Illustration

Latest Episodes

Interview #1 is with Paulina Zawiska and Kate Osmond.

Interview #2 is with Lorna Burt (begins at 05:30)

Bon apetit! 

We just announced the winners of our iPad giveaway and art supply shop vouchers - come and celebrate the winners with us over on I... more

YouTube

Ever worried your work looks a bit too much like somebody else’s? 😬 This one’s for youuuu.

In this episode, our Helen chats with the brilliant Martin Salisbury about plagiarism. The temptation to borrow a bit too heavily when you’re surrounded by e... more

YouTube

Absolutely knackered just thinking about Bologna? Same 😅

Here are our Bologna Children’s Book Fair survival tips. Whether it's your first time or you're a seasoned Bologna Book Fair-er. 

Exciting news: The Good Ship Illustration is exhibiting this... more

YouTube

This week, our Katie is chatting to Carys Wright - a London-based writer and illustrator, hardcore Good Shipper, and all-round excellent example of what can happen when you follow the creative thread, even if your path looks a bit wiggly.

Carys went... more

YouTube

Key Facts

Accepts Guests
Contact Information
Podcast Host
Number of Listeners
Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

Similar Podcasts

People also subscribe to these shows.

Recent Guests

Martin Salisbury
Founder Cambridge School of Art, MA in Illustrating for Children
Cambridge School of Art
Episode: Helen Stephens chats to Prof. Martin Salisbury - Is your illustration style really yours? When influence turns into imitation 👀✏️
Carys Wright
Illustrator
Self-employed illustrator; collaborated with Tottenham Hotspur FC, Lord Mayor of London's office, etc.
Episode: It’s not too late, you’re not behind, and yessss, you should still start - an interview with illustrator Carys Wright
Kira Matthews
Illustrator and pitching coach, founder of Pitch School
Kira the Bold / Pitch School
Episode: The 7 email rule: Pitching your work to illustration clients - Kira Matthews
Jill Calder
Multi-award-winning illustrator with over 30 years of experience.
JillCalder.com
Episode: How illustrator Jill Calder built a long-lasting creative career (without losing her voice)
Sandi Hester
Professional artist and YouTuber, known for her channel 'Bits of an Artist's Life'
Episode: 'If you keep showing up, you can't NOT get better' - an interview with Sandi Hester
Chris Haughton
Renowned illustrator and author of picture books including 'A Bit Lost'
Episode: “Do I Have to Pick One Style Forever?! (Part 1)” with Chris Haughton

Hosts

Helen Stephens
Host of The Good Ship Illustration; co-host with Katie and Tania; experienced illustrator.
Katie Chappell
Co-host; experienced illustrator.
Tania Willis
Co-host; experienced illustrator.

Reviews

4.9 out of 5 stars from 387 ratings
  • Love these podcasts !

    I listen to these over and over - I know I’ll pick up some nugget I missed first time round!What a friendly trio of illustrators sharing so much advice. I highly recommend listening while you’re working !

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    pinkpig10
    United Kingdom2 months ago
  • Good vibes, good advice, good company!

    This has become one of my comfy, favorite illustration podcasts (and I have only 2!). The energy and mood the Good Ship captains bring to the table has no price. I will forever be grateful! Ahoy!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    NoaSauer
    Spain2 months ago
  • So glad to discover this show!

    I enjoy everything about this show, the hosts are all the perfect combo of friendliness, advice and experience, and wondering and being curious together. Love it!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    >kat.Lea<
    United States3 months ago
  • The Great CMYK & RGB Debate

    I love how these guys break down massive topics such as CMYK v RGB into bite sized chunks and always start out with different views but tie up all the loose ends. Very satisfying. Always wish the episodes were longer.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Debe51
    Australia9 months ago
  • Great advice from the pros!

    Fantastic resource for a lonely illustrator!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Joyful June
    United Kingdoma year ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

These listener reviews highlight warmth, practical advice, and a strong sense of community around illustration.
Listeners frequently cite three-host dynamics as approachable, friendly, and insightful for both new and experienced illustrators.
Audiences praise the show for motivational tone, industry tips, and supportive conversations, though some note sound quality variability in episodes.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts
#52
United States/Arts/Design
Apple Podcasts
#12
United Kingdom/Arts/Design
Apple Podcasts
#28
Canada/Arts/Design
Apple Podcasts
#176
United Kingdom/Arts
Apple Podcasts
#17
Australia/Arts/Design
Apple Podcasts
#21
Italy/Arts/Design

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Helen Stephens chats to Prof. Martin Salisbury - Is your illustration style really yours? When influence turns into imitation 👀✏️
Q: Is it possible to make a living with a borrowed style, and what happens long-term?
Yes, in the short term it may yield work, but long-term sustainability depends on authenticity and personal drive, otherwise the work becomes repetitive and less fulfilling as trends change.
Helen Stephens chats to Prof. Martin Salisbury - Is your illustration style really yours? When influence turns into imitation 👀✏️
Q: What role do sketchbooks and drawing from life play in resisting imitation?
Sketchbooks and life drawing help artists observe movement, behavior, and nuance, enabling a personal approach that cannot be easily replicated, which in turn supports a distinct, enduring style.
Helen Stephens chats to Prof. Martin Salisbury - Is your illustration style really yours? When influence turns into imitation 👀✏️
Q: How has the internet and social media changed the way illustrators find their voice?
It has amplified both access to visual inspiration and the pressure to imitate; yet true staying power comes from developing an authentic voice grounded in life experience and personal drawing practice.
You’ll Never Feel Ready. Do It Anyway. An interview with Good Shipper Amber Au.
Q: What advice would you give to those who feel unprepared?
Amber encourages individuals to take action despite feeling unready, suggesting that the process is part of growth.
You’ll Never Feel Ready. Do It Anyway. An interview with Good Shipper Amber Au.
Q: How did you start drawing again?
Amber shared that she began drawing again as part of her recovery from an eating disorder, using art as a tool to express her feelings.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
Household Income
Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About The Good Ship Illustration

What is The Good Ship Illustration about and what kind of topics does it cover?

Three full-time illustrators share friendly, practical conversations about the realities of building a career in illustration. Episodes cover identity as an artist, navigating clients, pricing, developing a portfolio and multiple income streams, and staying motivated through creative blocks. The show leans into community-building, career resilience, and the evolving role of social media, workshops, and courses in shaping a sustainable creative practice. Notable strengths include a warm trio dynamic, down-to-earth advice, and a willingness to address evolving industry shifts with optimism and humor. This makes it especially appealing for illustrators, designers, and visual creatives seeking peer support, actionable tips, and a sense of share... more

Where can I find podcast stats for The Good Ship Illustration?

Rephonic provides a wide range of podcast stats for The Good Ship Illustration. We scanned the web and collated all of the information that we could find in our comprehensive podcast database. See how many people listen to The Good Ship Illustration and access YouTube viewership numbers, download stats, audience demographics, chart rankings, ratings, reviews and more.

How many listeners does The Good Ship Illustration get?

Rephonic provides a full set of podcast information for three million podcasts, including the number of listeners. View further listenership figures for The Good Ship Illustration, including podcast download numbers and subscriber numbers, so you can make better decisions about which podcasts to sponsor or be a guest on. You will need to upgrade your account to access this premium data.

What are the audience demographics for The Good Ship Illustration?

Rephonic provides comprehensive predictive audience data for The Good Ship Illustration, including gender skew, age, country, political leaning, income, professions, education level, and interests. You can access these listener demographics by upgrading your account.

How many subscribers and views does The Good Ship Illustration have?

To see how many followers or subscribers The Good Ship Illustration has on Spotify and other platforms such as Castbox and Podcast Addict, simply upgrade your account. You'll also find viewership figures for their YouTube channel if they have one.

Which podcasts are similar to The Good Ship Illustration?

These podcasts share a similar audience with The Good Ship Illustration:

1. 3 Point Perspective: The Illustration Podcast
2. Windowsill Chats
3. Creative Pep Talk
4. Thoughts on Illustration
5. The Illustration Department Podcast

How many episodes of The Good Ship Illustration are there?

The Good Ship Illustration launched 6 years ago and published 108 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact The Good Ship Illustration?

Our systems regularly scour the web to find email addresses and social media links for this podcast. We scanned the web and collated all of the contact information that we could find in our podcast database. But in the unlikely event that you can't find what you're looking for, our concierge service lets you request our research team to source better contacts for you.

Where can I see ratings and reviews for The Good Ship Illustration?

Rephonic pulls ratings and reviews for The Good Ship Illustration from multiple sources, including Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Castbox, and Podcast Addict.

View all the reviews in one place instead of visiting each platform individually and use this information to decide if a show is worth pitching or not.

How do I access podcast episode transcripts for The Good Ship Illustration?

Rephonic provides full transcripts for episodes of The Good Ship Illustration. Search within each transcript for your keywords, whether they be topics, brands or people, and figure out if it's worth pitching as a guest or sponsor. You can even set-up alerts to get notified when your keywords are mentioned.

What guests have appeared on The Good Ship Illustration?

Recent guests on The Good Ship Illustration include:

1. Martin Salisbury
2. Carys Wright
3. Kira Matthews
4. Jill Calder
5. Sandi Hester
6. Chris Haughton

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

Find and pitch the right podcasts

We help savvy brands, marketers and PR professionals to find the right podcasts for any topic or niche. Get the data and contacts you need to pitch podcasts at scale and turn listeners into customers.
Try it free for 7 days