tuesday 14.09.10

I started. The question was about how illustration has evolved over the past 50 years .  This showed me how little I know, and that I should get a BOOK LIST. Also shows they are all British illustrators.Found all the information through Google, G. images,  and Wikipedia. I find that information on format, support, and making technique are often lacking.

The artists to choose from were:
 EDWARD BAWDEN: (1930-70). His style is very 60's. Reminded me of my childhood - fabrics, vague memory of a small printed plate. Superimposed patterns. Houses, Smithfield market. Prints. YUK. I hate it, and it would be useful to know why. Something to do with childhood memories? I think his choice of colours mostly. I wont dwell on him anymore, since I like many of the others.

KATHLEEN HALE  : ( 1898-2000) Illustrator, Children's Author, also interesting as a Working Mother
! Famous for Orlando the Marmalade Cat.  Bright colourful very 50's pictures - hand-lithographed. Large format books (Only found images on Google, none available locally and Bridgman Library had nothing on her). She wrote biographical A Slender Reputation.  Would like to see real copies!

  

ERIC RAVILIOUS: (1903-1942) Painter, Designer, book  illustrator, wood engraver.War artist killed on a mission. Many landscapes, use of light - dramatic. Stylised and slightly naive. My favourites are his black and white woodcut prints. See Towner art gallery in Eastbourne.  Love Scenery from the train (watercolour?)
 http://www.eastbourne.gov.uk/leisure/museums-galleries/towner/about-towner/collection/

          



EDWARD ARDIZZONE: (1900-1979) pen and wash. Humour. Children's books: Little Tim. I like the feeling of lovely little illustrations with pen and ink, or watercolours.

JOHN MINTON Painter, illustrator, theatrical designer.  Not my cup of tea.Too serious!

 E H SHEPARD: (1879-1976)  Illustrator and contributor of cartoons (Punch). He illustrated Winnie the Pooh, and also The Wind in the willows.

I am an admirer, I love his style, fluent and catching the moment. It is so obvious that Shepard must have been sketching for a very long time. He must have been so excellent at it! Well I look up to him and keep up practising! I was reading comments about how his illustrations made Winnie the Pooh. I would agree!  My children were so attracted by the illustrations that it encouraged them to read these stories. Oh and he was influenced by Sir John Tenniel (Alice in Wonderland's illustrations).