“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.”
This week’s podcast question is from Annabelle:“I’m not sure how to price my work. I think I panic and undercharge because I’m worried they’ll change their mind if it’s too much.”Ooft. This is a juicy episode. Money, mindset, value, VAT nightmares, and charging what you’re worth. Bon apetit from your Good Ship pals. Tuck in.Timestamps00:00 – The question: “How do I stop undercharging?”01:30 – People can feel when you don’t believe in your prices03:00 – What affects your value: niche, profile, usage, experience05:00 – Editorial vs publishing vs live illustration: pricing realities06:30 – Raising your rates to manage your workload10:00 – Calculate what you need to earn (and start from there)12:00 – Most illustrators can’t actually work 8 hours a day14:00 – Self-worth ≠ pricing strategy16:30 – Add 20% and see what happens18:00 – TL;DR: You’re probably underchargingStuff we mention:The AOI’s Pricing CalculatorJessica Hische’s brilliant tool: The Dark Art of PricingOur Business Course for Illustrators gives you the pricing confidence (and strategy) that no one teaches you at art school. → Join the waiting listFreelancer’s Bible by Alison Grade – super helpful if you like numbers and practical stepsHave a lovely week. And up yer rates.x Helen, Katie & Tania The Good Ship IllustrationCome and say hello! ✏️ @thegoodshipillustration🌏 www.thegoodshipillustration.comp.s. We love answering your illustration questions. Click here to submit your question for The Good Ship Illustration Podcast 🎙
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19:33
Illustrator vs artist: what’s the difference? + Creating your portfolio 🥳
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 soupDream clients and imaginary briefsKatie’s two-week job limit"Just make the kind of work you want to get hired for” Timestamps00:25 – Q1: How to turn a fine art practice into an illustration portfolio01:00 – Making the kind of work you want to be hired for02:00 – Picking your corner of illustration industry03:30 – Fine art vs illustration: different goals, same skills05:00 – Picture book makers: an exception06:30 – Your personality probs already picked your niche08:20 – Know what suits your work style (and what definitely doesn’t)10:00 – Unexpected places you might find your dream illustration job11:30 – Be a detective: trace the work you love back to the source12:00 – 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 hiring15:30 – Choose the title that helps the right people find youStuff 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 hereWant to uncover your weirdness and figure out your unique style?→ Fly your freak flag with usGot a question for the podcast? Pop it in the question jar here: Podcast question formThank you!x Helen, Katie & TaniaThe Good Ship IllustrationCome and say hello! ✏️ @thegoodshipillustration🌏 www.thegoodshipillustration.comp.s. We love answering your illustration questions. Click here to submit your question for The Good Ship Illustration Podcast 🎙
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16:45
Illustration trends vs your creative voice PLUS what materials to use
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.Timestamps00:00 – “How do I choose the right materials?”01:00 – You don’t have to pick just one02:00 – Mixing media04:15 – Why learning 'the proper way' can sometimes kill your weirdness06:30 – The gouache phase 07:30 – Storytime: The incredible grasshopper drawings09:00 – Wrong materials = the right results10:00 – Drawing with stuff you don’t like13:15 – 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 sneaky19:30 – Don't force yourself into a trend box22:00 – Are you a fan or trying to be someone else?24:00 – Going off-gridStuff we mention:Our Find Your Creative Voice: Fly Your Freak Flag courseThe doors are open! You can join right now.Want a fun excuse to make stuff without overthinking it?Try our free Colour WorkshopGot a question for the Good Ship Illustration podcast? Send it here, go on! Podcast question formRight, we’re off to draw with things that smell like school. Mmmm. Bye!x Tania, Helen & KatieThe Good Ship IllustrationCome and say hello! ✏️ @thegoodshipillustration🌏 www.thegoodshipillustration.comp.s. We love answering your illustration questions. Click here to submit your question for The Good Ship Illustration Podcast 🎙
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24:59
Perfectionism, CMYK & a shout out to Barry in the cupboard (lovin' your work, Barry)
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 whatAsk your characters what they eat for breakfastMagic 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 stuff06:30 - 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 forward11:00 - 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 hereOur free Colour Workshop will BLOW YER MIND. Download it hereGot a question for us to answer next? Submit it here:Podcast question formSee ya soon.x Tania, Helen & Katie The Good Ship IllustrationCome and say hello! ✏️ @thegoodshipillustration🌏 www.thegoodshipillustration.comp.s. We love answering your illustration questions. Click here to submit your question for The Good Ship Illustration Podcast 🎙
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18:38
How to become a paid illustrator (The step-by-step guide! lol)
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 drawingFinding your creative voice and confidenceSharing your browniesHow to balance a job while building your illustration careerA 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.)Taraa for now.x The Good Ship IllustrationCome and say hello! ✏️ @thegoodshipillustration🌏 www.thegoodshipillustration.comp.s. We love answering your illustration questions. Click here to submit your question for The Good Ship Illustration Podcast 🎙
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're 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 70 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.
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