Podcast Summary: The Good Ship Illustration – "Finding Creative Confidence 🚢 | Summer Camp Sketchbook Week 3"

Release Date: August 15, 2025

Introduction

In the third installment of their miniseries, The Good Ship Illustration hosts Helen Stephens, Katie Chappell, and Tania Willis delve deep into the pivotal topic of finding creative confidence. Recognizing that self-doubt is a common hurdle among illustrators, they explore strategies to bolster confidence, emphasizing the significance of community and authenticity in creative endeavors.

1. Overcoming the Inner Critic

[00:00 - 01:23]

Helen introduces the episode by highlighting how confidence is a primary barrier for many illustrators. She references their course, "Find Your Creative Voice, Fly Your Freak Flag," noting that confidence issues emerged as a central theme.

Question Addressed: "How do you stop the niggly voice, 'My work isn't good enough,' from interfering with your creative voice?"

2. The Power of Community

[01:23 - 07:01]

The trio discusses the isolation often felt by illustrators working solo. Marianne emphasizes, "Isolation is one of the main problems of being an illustrator," elaborating on the self-doubt that arises when one is alone with their work. They advocate for the team mindset, sharing how their collaboration on The Good Ship Illustration strengthened their confidence.

Molly shares, "Us three working together for the Good Ship has given me more confidence in my own work," underscoring the transformative impact of collaboration.

The conversation transitions to the scarcity mentality, where illustrators perceive limited opportunities. Molly counters this by pointing out the vastness of the publishing world, stating, "There's space for you and your weirdness... You need to get over that scarcity mentality."

Helen adds, "You don't have to do it alone," reinforcing the importance of building a supportive network.

3. Embracing Authenticity Over Competition

[07:01 - 15:19]

The discussion shifts to the fear of deviating from established styles. An illustrator shares concerns about changing their artistic approach and its professional viability. Molly narrates her personal journey of shifting from creating baby books to a more authentic, expressive style. She recounts, "I felt trapped by [baby books]... I just got my head down and got on with it... the publisher got in touch immediately, yes, yes, we really love it." This highlights that authenticity can lead to unexpected successes.

Marianne further elaborates, "The moment you [find your creative voice], that sense of desperate competition against other people just disappears because you're just being you and no one else is like that." This sentiment encourages illustrators to prioritize their unique voice over conforming to market expectations.

4. Valuing One’s Work and Pricing with Confidence

[15:19 - 17:22]

The conversation pivots to the challenge of pricing one's work appropriately. Helen shares the hurdle of overcoming fears related to pricing, especially for those juggling multiple jobs or financial constraints. Marianne provides insights from her experience, emphasizing the importance of design awareness and restrained imagery in securing well-paid opportunities.

Molly reinforces this by noting, "You never know 'till you've done it," advocating for taking risks in pricing to unlock potential opportunities.

5. Building Connections: Action Steps for Creative Confidence

[17:22 - 20:51]

As an actionable takeaway, the hosts encourage listeners to connect with fellow illustrators to foster a supportive community. They suggest utilizing platforms like Instagram, Substack, and their own Good Ship community on Facebook, which includes diverse members ranging from beginners to seasoned professionals.

Molly shares her enthusiasm for building friendships online, stating, "I've bought some pieces of work from her [Pia Brambley] and I just immediately fell in love with her work." This exemplifies how online connections can translate into meaningful, supportive relationships.

Helen summarizes the action step: "Connect with fellow illustrators and know that there's plenty of work out there. There's more than enough for everyone. It's not competition. It's community over competition." This encapsulates the episode's core message on building confidence through community.

Conclusion

Throughout the episode, The Good Ship Illustration emphasizes that creative confidence stems from embracing authenticity, overcoming isolation through community, and valuing one's work appropriately. By sharing personal experiences and actionable advice, Helen, Katie, and Tania empower illustrators to navigate their creative journeys with assurance and support.

Notable Quotes:

• "Isolation is one of the main problems of being an illustrator." – Marianne [01:14]

• "There's space for you and your weirdness." – Molly [04:14]

• "You don't have to do it alone." – Helen [03:42]

• "The moment you [find your creative voice], that sense of desperate competition against other people just disappears because you're just being you and no one else is like that." – Marianne [05:20]

• "You never know 'till you've done it." – Helen [12:49]

• "Connect with fellow illustrators and know that there's plenty of work out there." – Helen [20:31]

Additional Resources:

• Freebies: Visit thegoodshipillustration.com/freebies for color workshops, picture book templates, and more.

• Community Groups: Join their Facebook group "Sketchbooker's Friend" or participate in their Art Club events on Instagram.

By The Good Ship Illustration (Helen, Katie & Tania)