Podcast Summary: The Good Ship Illustration — "You’ll Never Feel Ready. Do It Anyway: An Interview with Good Shipper Amber Au" (December 12, 2025)

Episode Overview

This episode features a warm, insightful interview with Amber Au, a picture book author and illustrator originally from Hong Kong, now living in the UK. Hosts from The Good Ship Illustration chat with Amber about her unconventional journey into the world of illustration, her passion for food-themed art, self-taught career, and rapid professional success—while emphasizing the recurring theme: “You’ll never feel ready. Do it anyway.”

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Amber's Illustrative Journey & Background

• Self-Taught Start: Amber didn’t study illustration formally; instead, she transitioned from a background in human nutrition.

  • [02:00]: "I loved drawing since I was small, but I took on the science path. I studied human nutrition... trained as a nutritionist." (Amber)

• Art as Recovery: Drawing began as therapy for her eating disorder, starting with illustrated food diaries on advice from her therapist.

  • [02:20]: "It's how I all started drawing again after 20 years." (Amber)
  • [03:41]: "My food diary is actually how I started drawing again. ...My therapist who suggest me to start drawing and see how it goes." (Amber)

• First Clients & Building a Portfolio

  • Therapy led to Amber’s first illustration client: the Hong Kong Eating Disorder Association.
  • Joined by other small projects, like packaging for a jam company in Hong Kong.

Rapid Career Progression

• Awards & Recognition (2023–2025):

  • Exhibition finalist at the Bologna Children’s Book Fair, World Illustration Awards (highly commended), and runner-up in the Picture Hooks competition—all within about two years.
  • [01:32]: "It happened quite quickly... I really don't take compliment well. So I was quite overwhelmed when I got all the awards..." (Amber)

• Breakthrough & Representation:

  • After participating in competitions and taking courses, secured a three-book deal and signed with the Inkling Agency.
  • [06:46]: "It's all happened... after Bologna, within that two months... a lot to take in." (Amber)

The Power of Community & Opportunity

• The Role of Grassroots & Community:

  • Starting with locals and grassroots organizations was pivotal in Amber’s career; therapy and community provided the confidence to begin.
  • [05:02]: "Just start with the grassroots and the people around you... Your community can support you and build you up..." (Host)
  • [05:33]: "My therapist really supported me... just persuade me to just do it. Why not? You got nothing to lose..." (Amber)

• Competitions as Visibility:

  • In Hong Kong, submitting to competitions is the norm and Amber credits this for international recognition.
  • [06:59]: "Participating in competitions helped me a lot in letting the world see me." (Amber)

Navigating Feedback & Finding Her Voice

• Handling Varied Feedback:

  • Amber heard conflicting opinions, especially on her color palette ("too brown" vs. "love your work"). Balancing external input with internal confidence was key.
  • [13:16]: "Some said that my color is too brown. Yeah. Too dull. ...But some of the professionals said that they love my work too. ...You have to have a very strong mind to take all of the comments." (Amber)
  • [14:06]: "It's like being art college..." (Host)

• Artistic Identity:

  • Amber’s work is described as more "European" than typical Hong Kong illustration, and she found that even when copying, her unique style showed through.
  • [16:20]: "I tried to copy others...But...I did that in my way and used the materials in my way too. ...I don’t think that's a possible way." (Amber)
  • [17:36]: "I feel very different. I would say my work is more, I don't know. European." (Amber)

Self-Discipline, Structure, and Sustainability

• Self-Directed Learning:

  • Amber is highly disciplined, learning through YouTube and experimenting with software on her own.
  • [08:29]: "I love to absorb a lot of things from others...learning the software or materials myself." (Amber)
  • [09:04]: "I think I'm way too disciplined that I don't ever want to rest. That's my problem." (Amber)

• Benefits & Pitfalls of Overwork:

  • Hard-driving work ethic is influenced by Hong Kong culture, but Amber learned through travel (e.g., Croatia) about the need for rest.
  • [09:35]: "You didn't know how to rest until you went to Croatia..." (Host)

Professional Practices & Diversification

• Expanding Beyond Picture Books:

  • Amber is interested in packaging, advertising, and food-related illustration to diversify income streams outside of the slower publishing world.
  • [19:29]: "I want to explore more apart from picture book world...interested in food packaging and advertising because publishing is a bit too slow..." (Amber)

• Entrepreneurial Steps:

  • Amber is tentatively stepping into selling art prints and participating in markets and zine festivals; she's aware her marketing could be improved.
  • [19:59]: "Yes, I do sell some of them, but I didn't did it properly...want to do it seriously now." (Amber)

• Plans for the Future:

  • "Blue Tomato" will be released soon; she’s starting two more books and pursuing non-fiction projects.
  • [22:00]: "So I have done Blue Tomatoes so it will be out next year. ...Another two book...but I'm also working on non fiction picture books too." (Amber)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Starting Before Feeling Ready:

  • [23:18]: "Even if you never feel ready...if you feel uncomfortable, just do it." (Amber)

• On Taking Risks in Your Career:

  • [05:49]: "There is nothing to lose. A lot of what goes on at the other end of your send you don’t know." (Host)

• On Taking and Filtering Feedback:

  • [14:06]: "You really have to develop a personal sense of who you are and what you’re trying to do. ...Protect yourself from advice that isn’t useful..." (Host)

• On Creative Confidence and Voice:

  • [16:52]: "As long as your voice is strong enough, you were probably trying to copy things and your own voice was squishing all these other things down." (Host)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• Amber’s background and entry to illustration – 00:25–03:41
• Art as recovery, first clients – 03:41–05:49
• Role of community, advice on starting out – 05:02–06:12
• Career leap via competitions, representation – 06:46–07:12
• Self-discipline and self-taught skills – 08:29–09:12
• Feedback, developing creative voice – 13:00–17:36
• Workflow, materials, and digital practices – 18:52–19:17
• Diversifying illustration practice and income – 19:20–22:18
• Plans for upcoming work & closing thoughts – 22:18–23:18

Overall Tone & Takeaways

The episode is thoughtful, supportive, and laced with advice for illustrators at all stages. Amber’s humility, openness about vulnerability, and her “just do it” attitude are especially resonant for anyone wrestling with creative confidence. The Good Ship hosts provide gentle, encouraging guidance throughout.

Bottom line: You’ll never feel ready—so start anyway. Amber’s journey shows that personal voice, persistent self-learning, and a willingness to take risks open doors, even when you’re not sure what’s on the other side.