Task 1

Task 1 - 4 Different Illustrators

Neal Layton

Neal prides himself on making his illustrations ‘as fresh and spontaneous as possible’. This is certainly true when we look at his chosen media - which includes old toothbrushes and leaves! Neal has received numerous awards, most notably for Jennifer Jones Won’t Leave Me Alone, by Frieda Wishinsky, which was awarded three children’s book awards. Neal’s work comprises often humorous and eye-catching illustrations that really capture children’s imaginations and beautifully accompany the story.

Susan Mitchell

Susan lights up the books she illustrates with a gentle whimsical approach that delightfully accompanies each tale. Susan graduated from the Edinburgh College of Art in 1984 with a degree in drawing and painting, and took various jobs before moving to Quebec with her husband and becoming a children’s book illustrator. Her recent books include Pumpkin Baby by Jane Yolen and Too Many Fairies by Margaret Reed MacDonald. When not drawing, Susan spends her time creating gorgeous soft dolls for her Etsy shop.

Mick Inkpen

Illustrator and author of numerous successful children’s books, Mick Inkpen has an impressive back-catalog including Kipper The Dog, Wibbly Pig and Lullabyhullabaloo.  His 2009 release, This Is My Book, makes reading and words fun, featuring a dragon that eats the dots off the i’s and forces the other characters to hunt down more o’s from the ghosts of Wollywolves. A multi-award winner, Mick began his career as a graphic designer and formed a friendship with author Nick Butterworth, with whom he developed a cartoon strip for the Sunday Express magazine. Being both the author and the artist, Mick draws his characters to match exactly how he envisages them which may have contributed to his overwhelming success in children’s literature.

Quentin Blake

Quentin always drew, from a very young age he enjoyed drawing and often illustrated for his school magazine. He found his interest in children's illustrations in his 20’s when he persuaded his friend to write a book so he could illustrate it.  The book titled ‘A Drink of Water’ was just the start.  Quentin has since gone on to illustrate for some of the most famous and best loved children’s books written by the famous author Roald Dahl, bringing some of our much loved stories to life. Quentin was honored to be awarded the title of Children’s Laureate in 1999, a role in which he would use his experience to promote children’s literature.  His incredible and unique style is loved and enjoyed by children and parents Worldwide.