from the illustrator’s point of view…
This week I’ll be be posting about the creative chemistry of this most special relationship in children’s books, and what it means to me.
Do have a read of this hugely interesting piece in The Bookseller with contributions by Ted Dewan and Sarah McIntyre among others, lamenting the second billing – or no billing at all – of the illustrator in favour of the writer, which seems so odd in this very visual medium. I have only worked with the most generous and supportive of authors who go to great lengths to make sure I feel valued (in fact I can be rather demanding, alas) so I’m happy to say I don’t have first hand experience.
However I have certainly seen it elsewhere.
But where would Milne be without Shepard? The artist breathed extraordinary life into these characters.
You might notice there are plenty of back views – sublimely expressive in just a few deft lines.
And as for Paddington (I do bang on about this, sorry) – it was the largely overlooked Peggy Fortnum who gave us this immortal creation in visual form…
A conversation on twitter meandered – as it does – and considered the idea of fourth wall in picture books, the playful interaction between words and pictures leading to stepping out of the conventions of the story and page.
Philip Ardagh reminded us that in the Eddie Dickens trilogy he names his illustrator David Roberts in the text, commenting on his pictures, and at one point says they’re run out of money so he draws the illustration himself!
Milne and Shepherd, Ardagh and Roberts, Dahl and Blake, Ahlberg and Ahlberg – who are your classic or contemporary dream team?
Such a lovely post. And it got me thinking about Peggy Fortnum. According to the wiki she was born in 1919 and illustrated something like 65 books. Hard to find much else about her online, though, and it does seem funny given that Paddington is everywhere you look lately. Her drawings are so expressive that it’s hard to imagine that little bear being otherwise!
Thanks so much for calling by, Sara.
Yes, it’s always only about Michael Bond and she doesn’t get much of a mention which is most unjust. Certainly when I think of Paddington I think of her superb creation!
Hi Clara
This is a slightly random question, but I have a really lovely ‘full circle’ story to tell you. I’m 40, and my very favourite book when I was little was Dogger. A very special member of my family bought it for me who has now sadly passed away and they wrote a Christmas message on the front page and dated it at the time, in 1979. I kept this book and my little girl who is now 8 (Issey) LOVES to read it just as much as I did. We were lucky enough to meet your mum last year, and I told Shirley our story and she personally signed my copy of Dogger for us. It made Issey’s day. Issey attends Trafalgar School in Twickenham, which you attended a signing at recently and she was devastated to have missed you. She’s just recently read Dixie O Day, in the fast lane and LOVED it and proudly told me you’d written it with your mum. I was wondering if there was any way at all if Issey could have a signed copy from you (am happy to post her copy to you and pay for postage), it would truly make her day as she was really upset to have missed you at Trafalgar and we would love to add it to our special little collection. I look forward to hearing from you. With very best wishes. Nikki Armstrong. xxxx
Hi Nikki,
Thanks so much for this wonderful full circle story! I’ve received and posted Issey’s signed copy.
With lots of love to Issey from Shirley, Clara, Dixie and Percy xx
They were my favorite books as a child. loved illustrations of Winnie the Pooh