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”

Timestamps

00:25 – 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 you

Stuff 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 us

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Thank you!

x Helen, Katie & Tania
The Good Ship Illustration

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✏️ @thegoodshipillustration
🌏 www.thegoodshipillustration.com

p.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.

• No. of episodes: 61
• Latest episode: 2025-05-09
• Arts Design

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