Quentin Blake
Sometimes it can be hard to place a metaphorical finger exactly on what it is that makes us enjoy a particular author or illustrator. But in the case of Quentin Blake surely it is his idiosyncratic use of fast yet precise pen strokes that convey exuberant movement and a sense of excitement.
Left: an example of Quentin Blake's energy-charged illustrations -
"When we're trying to catch a mouse, We ALL JOIN IN". Taken from All Join In by Quentin Blake.
Right: "Yes, Dad," the son said. "I've got that." Illustration from Matilda by Roald Dahl.
Quentin Blake is one of Britain 's most popular and successful illustrators - indeed, to use a rather irksome phrase, it could be said that he is a 'national institution'. A prolific illustrator, he has provided the artwork for over 300 books by authors such as Michael Rosen, Joan Aiken and Russell Hoban. However, Quentin Blake is perhaps best known for his long-standing and remarkably successful collaboration with Roald Dahl in which he delighted audiences with depictions of favourite characters such as The BFG, Matilda and The Witches.
Blake's interest in art appears to have begun at an early age, as he relates in an interview on the official Quentin Blake website. He recalls that at the age of five his behaviour prompted a visitor to exclaim "he draws a lot, but he won't speak!" By the age of seventeen he had successfully submitted drawings to Punch, and in his twenties he began to illustrate children's books after his friend John Yeomanagreed to write a book - A Drink of Water - for which he could provide the illustrations.
Left: Cover illustration of Roald Dahl's Rhyme Stew (bearing the warning 'not for small readers')
Right: Miss McPhee getting to grips with the situation... "Oh! gosh, the things she taught me, Our gym-instructress, Miss McPhee!" From Roald Dahl's Rhyme Stew.
As well as achieving world-wide fame as an illustrator, Quentin Blake has authored a number of books himself - starting withPatrick which tells the story of a man who makes things change colour when he plays the violin. As he confesses, this was a deliberate ploy to ensure that he would be able to use colour in his illustrations - until that time he had been widely 'pigeon-holed' as a black and white artist!
After winning numerous prizes and awards, in 1999 Quentin Blake had the distinction of becoming the first Children's Laureate. Appointed to this distinguished position, his task - or should we say reward? - was to do everything possible to promote children's literature. He remembers the time as a period of hard work but great satisfaction - especially the organization of an exhibition at the National gallery (he was even encouraged to draw upon the walls of the building!). It is testament to the artist's popular appeal that over 250,000 people attended the exhibition.
Here are just a few of Roald Dahl's best-loved creations 'brought to life' by Quentin Blake:-
Above left: "Matilda is brilliant. Sensitive and brilliant, but still her parents think her just a nuisance... So she decides to get her own back!"
Above centre: "It's all chocolate!" Every drop of that river is hot melted chocolate of the finest quality..." Mr Wonka from Charlie and the Chocolate Factory
Above right: The BFG "There are few things more terrifying than being snatched out of your bed by a giant..."
It's been wonderful to re-visit Quentin Blake's work in this article - if you'd like to experience his wonderful artwork, we usually have a good selection of his books in stock!
Contributed by Tim Santon
Biographical information sourced from The Official Quentin Blake website.
(Published 11th Oct 2013)
