
Bask in your weirdness ☀️ | Summer camp sketchbook week 1
About this episode
Pssst, this episode was originally published in 2023 and we’re sharing it again as part of our Good Ship Summer Camp series. It’s one of 5 episodes to help you fly your freak flag this summer. If you’d like to join in properly, there’s a free workbook an' everything!
You can download the workbook here: https://www.thegoodshipillustration.com/workbook
🚢🚢🚢
What if your creative voice isn't one you actually like? 😬
In today’s episode, we’re chatting about that awkward bit of figuring out your voice as an illustrator, and why the weird stuff you’re secretly obsessed with might actually be the key to your best work.
In this episode:
- What to do if your voice feels ick
- Why “basking in your weirdness” matters
- That Ira Glass quote we always bang on about
- Over-art-directing yourself (oops)
- Katie’s Eminem phase
- Why being a people-pleaser is the worst career strategy
- Your homework for this week
Want to join in?
Download the free workbook here
Timestamps:
0:00 – Hello from us!
0:47 – What if you don’t like your creative voice?
2:10 – Art direction, publishers, and breaking out of boxes
3:33 – David Bowie, freak flags and bravery
4:37 – Eminem, rebellion, and tired teenagers
6:01 – People-pleasing vs doing your own thing
8:31 – Future-proofing your illustration career
9:33 – Action step: pay attention to what you really love
10:35 – Come back next week for Day 2!
Links mentioned:
🖍 Our course: Find Your Creative Voice: Fly Your Freak Flag
📖 Download the free workbook
🎬 Moonage Daydream documentary (about Bowie)
Byeeee for now!
x The Good Ship Illustration (Helen, Katie & Tania) 🚢
Come and say hello!
✏️ @thegoodshipillustration
🌏 www.thegoodshipillustration.com
p.s. We love answering your illustration questions. Click here to submit your question for The Good Ship Illustration Podcast 🎙
Get every episode summarized
Each time The Good Ship Illustration publishes, we email you a written briefing from the transcript — the topics, who appeared, and any specific claims, with the ad reads skipped.
Email me new episodesFree for 3 shows. No card needed.
Hosts & guests
No transcript yet
This episode has not been transcribed. Request it and it moves to the front of the queue.
More episodes
More from The Good Ship Illustration

Identity + rejection: when your illustration work *is* you 🥲
The Good Ship Illustration

Instagram Is Not Your Portfolio (PHEW!)
The Good Ship Illustration

🍎 Elephantasia (aphantasia) - can you see an apple in your mind?
The Good Ship Illustration

Anna Mac on finding her creative voice (after years designing for retail)
The Good Ship Illustration