Helen Stephens's Blog
September 29, 2020
September Illustrators Newsletter
OUT NOW! 'First Fairy Tales'. I will pop some signed copies in my shop soon. I'll keep you posted. Buy it from Waterstones, or all good bookshops.
1. Who gets to say of you are a legitimate illustrator? I love this podcast by 'Magic Lessons' by Elizabeth Gilbert. She is talking about writers, but it's the same for all creatives!
2. This is a really interesting blog post about finding your illustration 'style' (I hate the word style, because it implies fitting into an aesthetic that already exists, but so hard to find another more appropriate word!) by Tom Froese. P.S. You know about our The Good Ship Illustration 'Find Your Creative Voice' course, right?
3. Do you want to illustrate children's books? Here is a link to the excellent Picture Hooks Scheme, deadline for entries is 30th September. I have mentored on this scheme twice, it really is an inspiring and positive scheme for all involved! My mentee Kirsti Beautyman has gone on to have the book she made during the mentorship published!
4. Here is a wee film of brilliant Victoria Semykina sketching in Vienna.
5. Virtual School Visits. It has been worrying me that now our kids are returning to school, there are no school trips, after school clubs, or author visits. The fun stuff is off! And I miss those assembly halls full of our future writers and illustrators! So I am creating a fun Virtual School Visit Package, it's like a school trip and author visit all rolled into one!
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School Visits
September 28, 2020
Virtual School Visits
Hello fellow parents, schools, teachers, friends of children! This is a weird time for our children and sadly, all school trips, most after school clubs and author/ illustrator visits are cancelled for the foreseeable future... I know this is the right decision for the time being, but oh I worry that all the fun bits are cancelled...
Speaking personally, I am missing the exhilaration of meeting assembly halls of inspiring mini authors and illustrators!
Well, I have something cooool up my sleeve! It will be ready soon... I am tapping my finger tips together in an evil plan type manner!
May 21, 2020
May Illustrators Newsletter
My drawing from our Good Ship Illustration Art Club (live every Friday at 8pm on Good Ship Illustration Instagram)
1. French artist Nathalie Lété has kept busy during lockdown by turning her country house into a bucolic wonderland. See her house here.
2. We at The Good Ship Illustration are doing a live draw-along Art Club on Instagram every Friday, it's called the Sketchbooker's Friend Art Club. We go live at 8PM UK time @thegoodshipillustration. See you there! This week is portrait week, so bring a model or a mirror!
3. I've been enjoying watching Taika Waitit (director of two of my favourite films: Hunt for the Wilderpeople and Jojo Rabbit) read James & the Giant Peach. He is one of my favourite people on this planet, well him and Harry Hill...
4. Speaking of Harry Hill, have you been watching Grayson Perry's Art Club? Harry Hill makes an appearence giving his top tips on woodcarving.
5. I stumbled across this treat today: Social Distance: a graphic short story for the coronavirus age by Mark Haddon.
February 27, 2020
Why author / illustrator visits are so valuable
One of the best bits of my job as an author and illustrator is visiting schools. I love to see the children’s faces light up as they get the idea, ‘I could do that!’ It’s great to watch them thinking, and imagining, then shooting a hand in the air, ‘I have an idea for a story!’ And it’s infectious, before you know it they all want to tell you their book ideas!
I have one simple message on school visits: ‘Be a reader!’
The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you’ll go.
— Dr. Seuss
Reading gives you superpowers
Increases intelligence Diving into a good book opens up a whole world of knowledge.
Boosts brain power Just like going for a jog exercises your body, reading regularly improves memory by giving your brain a good workout.
Reading can make you a better friend By reading other people’s emotions, reading helps you understand what others are thinking.
Reading makes you feel better Research has found that people who read for 30 minutes a week are 20% more likely to report greater life satisfaction than those who do not.
Reading can help you relax It really doesn’t matter what book you read, by losing yourself in a thoroughly engrossing book you can escape from the worries and stresses of the everyday world.
Bedtime Stories help you sleep The Sleep Council say '39% of people who are in the habit of reading before they go to sleep, sleep very well.’
Mistakes are learning experiences
I like to show children my mistakes: the strories that didn’t go to plan, the drawings I spilt my ink on. I like to show that it’s OK to fail. You will write a million more stories, and make a million more pictures, so don’t worry. And sometimes a mistake sparks a new idea! I wrote my book ‘How to Hide a Lion’ after a terrible drawing day. I went to the zoo to draw lions, and the lion was sleeping behind a dead bush all day. I was really fed up, thinking about that annoying lion who seemed to be hiding from me. Then ta-dah! It sparked the idea… How to Hide a Lion!
Funding an Author/ Illustrator Visit
Author visits do cost money, there’s the fee and the travel, and sometimes the accommodation. And in these times of educational cut backs and tightening budgets it can be hard for schools to find the resources. Here are some of the ways schools can fund an author visit:
Sometimes the school asks the PTA or friends of the school.
Sometimes the council pays for an author/ illustrator to visit a few schools in their area.
Often a local business will support community projects, and pay for an author to visit a local school.
Schools sometimes use fundraising to pay for an author visit.
Some independent schools are willing to subsidise nearby state schools for visits e.g. offering half a day with the author they have booked.
Book Festivals will often pay for an author to visit a few schools as part of an outreach program.
A locally based author is often more cost effective, I charge on a sliding scale depending how far I have to travel, and I charge up to £200 less to visit schools near where I live.
If anyone has any further ideas for ways to fund school author visits then please get in touch, or add them via the comments section below.
Get in touch
Meeting a real live author and illustrator can increase children's interest in books. It can help them understand how books are produced, see that authors and illustrators are real people, and boost the confidence of any aspiring writers or artists in your school.
Read more about my school visits here
If you would like me to visit your school get in touch below and tell me a bit about your school. I’ll answer any questions you have.
If forms aren’t your thing, you can email me directly:
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February 14, 2020
The Good Ship Illustration launches in April and a Happy Valentnes 15% off postcards!
Look at our excited wee faces! Me and my illustrator pals Katie Chappell and Tania Willis are going to be offering no-nonsence advice for illustrators and creatives navigating a creative career and we will be called The Good Ship Illustration. First course coming April 2020.
The page is up and running, so if you're an illustrator/image-maker and you want to get all The Good Ship news follow this link.
Tania is making us some beautiful new Good Ship branding, so ignore that funny little ship I drew in 2 secs to hold that space on the website. Ha!
Use the discount code:
VALENTINESPOST
offer ends 29th Feb 2020
Gerry's Next Whale Online Private View
Gerry's next Whale Print online private view will be in May. If you want an invite, just fill in the newsletter form at the bottom of this blog and we'll add you to the invite list.
If you can't wait until then, don't worry! This one, printed onto a beautiful vintage sea chart of St Andrews Bay is on show at The Old School Gallery. Give them a call.
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February 5, 2020
January Illustrators Newsletter
So, as well as the monthly 'five interesting things for illustrators' I have some VERY EXCITING NEWS I am dying to share!
The Good Ship Illustration
Me and my illustrator buddies: Tania Willis and Katie Chappell are launching an online illustration Course called The Good Ship Illustration. Join the Good Ship Newsletter for a heads-up when the first course, all about finding your creative voice, goes live.
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.
Sign up for The Good Ship newsletter
Five Interesting Facts For Illustrators
1. Oh I am a huge fan of George Him and there is going to be an exhibition of his work at Illustration HQ.
George Him: A Polish Designer for Mid-Century Britain, 31 Jan-10 May. I was once invited to select the work of anyone from the Seven Stories archive to hang along side my work, and I chose a beautiful piece by George Him, from his book 'All about the Giant Alexander'. It is one of my favourite books.
2. I bought this beautiful book of sketchbook work by comic artists: Comics Sketchbooks: THe Unseen World of Today's Most Creative Talents by Steven Heller.
3. World Book Day is coming up at the beginning of March. I always visit schools at this time of year and for those of you doing the same I found this downloadable pdf from the Society of Authors very useful. Scroll down to appearences and events, and click on 'Guide for Authors Visiting Schools and Libraries'.
BTW if your school wants to book me for World Book Day I am doing a week in London, a week in Northumberland and a week in Co Durham/ North Yorks, so if your school is in any of those areas message me.
4. Are you a published author? It's time to apply for ALCS. ALCS make sure you receive the money you’re entitled to as a writer when someone copies or uses your work.
5. To celebrate what would have been Brian Wildsmith's 90th birthday, his family have built a new website to celebrate his work.
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November 8, 2019
November Illustrators Newsletter
You can sign up for my monthly Illustrator’s Newsletters at the bottom of this post. It is a list of five things that have inspired me or taught me something new, straight into you inbox each month. Hopefully these little nuggets will inspire you too.
Almost every day I do a small drawing that lands in my shop. This is Bernard and his small friend.
Here are this months interesting bits and bobs:
1. Lisa Maltby Illustration pricing Survey 2019: The Response. A realistic look at Illustration Fees. Take a deep breath this is difficult reading. We all need to be realistic and charge more.
2. Oliver Jeffers iplayer I must admit I haven't watched this yet, but it is next on my list.
3. Shirley hughes, What do Artists Do All day? This was on the BBC a couple of years ago, I just came across it on youtube, and watched it again. It is delightful! It is in two parts, here is the second bit.
4. The CILIP Kate Greenaway Nominations 2020 have been announced, and there are some gems on there!
5. 'Why Editorial Illustration looks so similar these days.' This is so interesting, and the answer seems to be low fees again. Harumph... I am feeling angry about this.
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October Illustrator's Newsletter
You can sign up for my Illustrators Newsletter at the bottom of this post. Here is October’s Illustrators Newsletter.
My Daily Drawings land in my shop (almost) every day.
This is a list of five things that have inspired me, or taught me something new over the past month. Hopefully these little nuggets will inspire you too.
1. Picture Hooks are having their Picture Book Conference at the new V&A in Dundee on Saturday 26th October. BTW My Picture Hooks Mentee of 2017, Kirsti Beautyman has had her first book, the one we worked on together during the Picture Hooks Scheme, 'The Mist Monster' published and I am very proud.
2. Take a look at this gem of a film of Laura Carlin talking at Offset Dublin.
3. Podcast: Mark Mills from Plum Pudding Illustration Agency talking to The Illustration Department podcast.
4. The SCBWI British Isles Conference 2019 is coming up on the 2nd and 3rd November – “Telling Tales”. This children's book conference aimed at writers and illustrators is jam packed with talks, folio reviews, workshops, masterclasses and competitions.
5. The brilliant Dark Town Troubadour, Jonny Hannah will also be busking in Berwick-upon-Tweed, as part of his Northumberland Folk project, on 2nd Nov, 1- ish.
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September 2, 2019
drawing in the rain, my mum's obsession with throwing me out to play, wearing only my vests and pants when it rained, and Gerry's new sketchbookzine
I have always loved drawing from life, it’s the time I feel most like me. And drawing in bad weather conditions is even better. All I can do is battle the weather and draw instinctively. I love that feeling.
Fishing lines at the shoreline with matching abandoned buggy- Helen Stephens
Drawing in the rain in Iceland- Helen Stephens
Gerry and I got into Olly and Suzi in the 1990’s. They draw together on one sheet of paper, often in Arctic weather conditions, even underwater. Here is a quote about them from the Sunday Times: ‘One is left-handed, the other right-handed, and they draw marks simultaneously on the same page, creating images that are half-found objects, sometimes comic, often beautiful and always with the innate vibration of the wild. They work up-close in the bush, the tundra, underwater, as close as they can get to their subject; and they specialise in predators: lions, sharks, bears, wild dogs, crocodiles, snakes. But there is an added element of danger, of commitment, daring bullishness, circus and adventure. The work has elements of performance and environmental advocacy.’
Olly and Suzi
I grew up in County Durham, in an upside down house (bedrooms downstairs, living room upstairs) surrounded by small woods and farmland. My mum, in desperation to entertain me and my brother and sister during the long summer holidays, would shove us out into the rain to run around in our vests and pants. We’d jump in puddles and stick our tongues out to taste the rain. It was so exciting, especially if there was the added danger of thunder and lightening. My mum had an innate knowledge that kids don’t need many toys, and chucking them out in the rain in just pants is the best entertainment!
My sister, my cousin, my mum and me on the right.
I think my love of drawing in wind, rain and snow goes back to those times as a kid. And the rainy beach holidays at Whitley Bay where we sat out in the rain and wind, eating sandy sarnies and playing in the freezing North Sea. Heaven!
Humans were made to live in the elements, and I am as much a sofa addict as anyone, but when I get out in the wind and rain to draw I feel so good. It is good for the soul, it recharges the batteries and I feel good for days afterwards.
I made myself a ‘Draw in the rain’ badge, and put some in my shop, thinking no one would be interested in such a niche interest badge, but much to my surprise, I quickly sold out! If you want a heads up when they are back in stock sign up to my newsletter at the bottom of this post. There are still a few dead birds left, but be quick!
I draw dead birds and Draw in the rain badges.
Our family holidays usually revolve around a drawing trip, and in 2017 we went to Iceland to draw Humpback whales from life. I wrote a blog post about that trip here. My partner, Gerry Turley studied Natural History Illustration at the RCA and has always had an obsession with whales. We left London and moved to the windy Northumberland Coast a few years ago, and Gerry has had the opportunity to document in pictures whales that have been washed ashore. I wrote a blog post about the latest one, a humpback, here.
Iceland Sketchbookzine- Gerry Turley
Gerry has made a new ‘Hand Finished Sketchbookzine’ of some of those drawings. It’s available in our shop now, and is a limited edition so don’t miss out. Each one is signed and numbered. He screen printed fluorescent elements on each page, and they really pop against the soft grey pencil work. You could keep it as a zine, or take pages out to frame them.
Iceland Sketchbookzine- Gerry Turley
We opened our online shop so that we could make zines of our drawings, and other printed goodies, it gives us an oportunity to sell the things we make independently. We really appreciate everyone who visits the shop. Thank you.
By the way, Gerry is illustrating a picture book about a humpback whale. It will be out next year, I’ll keep you posted.
Gerry Turley screen prints on to the zines at Edinburgh printmakers
Do you draw from life? I’d love to hear your experiences and see your sketchbooks. I am helenstephenslion on Instagram where I started a hashtag called #walktosee. It is for drawings made from life and has nearly 8.5k contribultions so far. I post a selection of my favourites on my Insta Stories each weekend, so it’s a good way to find new followers, and if you follow the hashtag you will find fellow sketchbookers too. Hopefully I’ll see you over there!
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Drawing from Life and Iceland Sketchbookzine
I have always loved drawing from life, it’s the time I feel most like me. And drawing in bad weather conditions is even better. All I can do is battle the weather and draw instinctively. I love that feeling.
Fishing lines at the shoreline with matching abandoned buggy- Helen Stephens
Drawing in the rain in Iceland- Helen Stephens
Gerry and I got into Olly and Suzi in the 1990’s. They draw together on one sheet of paper, often in Arctic weather conditions, even underwater. Here is a quote about them from the Sunday Times: ‘One is left-handed, the other right-handed, and they draw marks simultaneously on the same page, creating images that are half-found objects, sometimes comic, often beautiful and always with the innate vibration of the wild. They work up-close in the bush, the tundra, underwater, as close as they can get to their subject; and they specialise in predators: lions, sharks, bears, wild dogs, crocodiles, snakes. But there is an added element of danger, of commitment, daring bullishness, circus and adventure. The work has elements of performance and environmental advocacy.’
Olly and Suzi
I grew up in County Durham, in an upside down house (bedrooms downstairs, living room upstairs) surrounded by small woods and farmland. My mum, in desperation to entertain me and my brother and sister during the long summer holidays, would shove us out into the rain to run around in our vests and pants. We’d jump in puddles and stick our tongues out to taste the rain. It was so exciting, especially if there was the added danger of thunder and lightening.
My sister, my cousin, my mum and me on the right.
I think my love of drawing in wind, rain and snow goes back to those times as a kid. And the rainy beach holidays at Whitley Bay where we sat out in the rain and wind, eating sandy sarnies and playing in the freezing North Sea. Heaven!
Humans were made to live in the elements, and I am as much a sofa addict as anyone, but when I get out in the wind and rain to draw I feel so good. It is good for the soul, it recharges the batteries and I feel good for days afterwards.
I made myself a ‘Draw in the rain’ badge, and put some in my shop, thinking no one would be interested in such a niche interest badge, but much to my surprise, I quickly sold out! If you want a heads up when they are back in stock sign up to my newsletter at the bottom of this post. There are still a few dead birds left, but be quick!
I draw dead birds and Draw in the rain badges.
Our family holidays usually revolve around a drawing trip, and in 2017 we went to Iceland to draw Humpback whales from life. I wrote a blog post about that trip here. My partner, Gerry Turley studied Natural History Illustration at the RCA and has always had an obsession with whales. We left London and moved to the windy Northumberland Coast a few years ago, and Gerry has had the opportunity to document in pictures whales that have been washed ashore. I wrote a blog post about the latest one, a Humpback, here.
Iceland Sketchbookzine- Gerry Turley
Gerry has made a new ‘Hand Finished Sketchbookzine’ of some of those drawings. It’s available in our shop now, it’s a limited edition so don’t miss out. Each one is signed and numbered. He screen printed fluorescent elements on each page, and they really pop against the soft grey pencil work. You could keep it as a zine, or take pages out to frame them.
Iceland Sketchbookzine- Gerry Turley
We opened our online shop so that we could make zines of our drawings, and other printed goodies, it gives us an oportunity to sell the things we make independently. We really appreciate everyone who visits the shop. Thank you.
By the way, Gerry is illustrating a picture book about a humpback whale. It will be out next year, I’ll keep you posted.
Gerry Turley screen prints on to the zines at Edinburgh printmakers
Do you draw from life? I’d love to hear your experiences and see your sketchbooks. I am helenstephenslion on Instagram where I started a hashtag called #walktosee. It is for drawings made from life and has nearly 8.5k contribultions so far. I post a selection of my favourites on my Insta Stories each weekend, so it’s a good way to find new followers, and if you follow the hashtag you will find fellow sketchbookers too. Hopefully I’ll see you over there!
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