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'I am very serious about being silly': children’s illustrators on the art of storytelling
From The Twits to The Gruffalo and an angry bear in search of his hat… Quentin Blake, Cressida Cowell, Axel Sheffler, Lauren Child and more reveal how they bring children’s books to life
TL;DR
- The Quentin Blake Centre for Illustration, the world's largest, opens in London, aiming to place illustration at the heart of British cultural life.
- Illustrators emphasize that their art is a vital storytelling component, not just decoration, often carrying subplots and conveying emotions beyond words.
- Picture books are described as a complex reading form that develops emotional awareness, empathy, and critical thinking in children.
- The creative process often begins with a doodle, with illustrators and authors collaborating to create a unique narrative through the interplay of text and images.
- Despite the recognition of illustration's importance, challenges persist, such as the lack of accessible sales data for illustrators, affecting their professional perception.
- The inherent joy and humor in illustration are seen as essential elements, providing children with a 'survival skill' and fostering imagination.