GE Assignment Artist: Quentin Blake
GE Essay:
Quentin Blake: A British Illustrator and Creative Mind
Blake’s Background and Biography in Illustration
Quentin Blake was born in a suburban neighborhood in London, England in 1932. Since Blake was about six years old he began drawing, and recalls drawing every day since. Blake attended grammar school as an adolescent, and then enlisted in the “National Service,” where he served the United Kingdom for two years in the Royal Army Educational Corps. After his time in the service, Quentin Blake earned a university degree studying English, and then went on to earn a post graduate degree in teaching. All the while, Blake earned an income and supported himself with earnings he gained through his illustrations (“Biography”).
Blake’s illustrations were first published in a magazine called Punch, when he was only 16 years old, and still a young student (“Biography”). He recalls not even having a bank account, so he did not know what to do with his newfound income (“Timeline”). As Quentin Blake got older, he began to combine his love of teaching and illustration as Head of the Illustration Department at the Royal College of Art from 1978 to 1986 (“Biography”). As Blake entered his adult years he continued to draw for renowned magazines, eventually illustrating for his first children’s book at about 28 years old (“Timeline”). The book, A Drink of Water written by John Yeoman, would pave the way for Blake’s most famous work, his illustrations for well-known author, Roald Dahl (“Biography”). In 1978, Quentin Blake illustrated his first book for Dahl, The Enormous Crocodile, followed by other famous works including The Twits, The BFG, and Matilda (“Timeline”). Dahl and Blake continued to produce iconic tales and illustrations until Dahl passed away in 1990 (“Timeline”). Other well-known Quentin Blake work includes his illustrations in A Christmas Carol, and in Candide (“Biography”).
Quentin Blake tried to retire at the age of 65, however, he continued to illustrate books (with a recent work in 2019) and even began making larger illustrations to be exhibited at hospitals and at a wide array of healthcare spaces around France and the United Kingdom (“Timeline”). Although not drawing nearly as much in his older adult life, Quentin Blake has had a long and prosperous career as an illustrator, earning many awards and honors. Among the list of recognition bestowed upon Blake include the Whitbread Award, the Kate Greenaway Medal, the Emil and Kurt Maschler Award, and the international Bologna Ragazzi Prize, just to name a few (“Biography”).
Blake’s Mark Making and How He Creates His Illustrations
As a teacher as well as a talent in the art of illustration, Quentin Blake is often open and candid about the process he undergoes to illustrate. For example, when asked about how he draws he replied, “I do a freewheeling sort of drawing that looks as though it is done on the spur of the moment” (“How I Draw”). Blake’s illustrations often appear scratchy and a bit rushed as the black ink outlines he utilizes to form contour lines around his subjects are often of varying line thicknesses. Additionally, Blake typically utilizes overlapping thin black lines to convey a straw like or prickly texture. An example of this can be found in his illustrations for The Twits, as the thin black lines overlap, the bristled texture of the couple’s hair is conveyed. Blake then utilizes watercolor on top of his ink contour outline to produce the drawings seen in books and magazines.
When describing how he draws, Blake brings up his most commonly used method, the Lightbox Technique. First, Blake will do a rough drawing to capture the most difficult part of the drawing: the character’s stance, facial expressions, and arrangement or size on a page. Next, on the lightbox, Blake uses “a bottle of waterproof black ink and a lot of scruffy-looking dip pens,” to not trace, but redraw the image on the final paper (“How I Draw”). Then Blake uses watercolor to bring the image to life. While narrating his illustration process, Blake stated that he always starts with the hardest part of the drawing, so if a mistake is made, he doesn’t have to restart from square one. He claims it is not uncommon for him to conclude a drawing session with piles of expensive paper around him, each with a tiny expression or body outline he felt wasn’t quite good enough (“How I Draw”).
As an icon of illustration, Quentin Blake’s work is distinct and unique, making it easy to pick out. Blake’s subjects, often being a part of a children’s book, offer a whimsical and creative take on characters, bringing the typically goofy subjects to life on the page. The scratchy and often rough looking outlines of his illustrations, softened by the soothing appearance of the watercolor gives a nice contrast to his illustrations, making them easy and appealing to look at. The unique and nearly child-like creativity in Quentin’s work makes it apparent why he has had such a successful career in illustration.
Works Cited
“Biography.” The Official Website of Sir Quentin Blake. Quentin Blake, 2016. https://www.quentinblake.com/meet-qb/biography. Accessed 23 September 2020.
“How I Draw.” The Official Website of Sir Quentin Blake. Quentin Blake, 2016. https://www.quentinblake.com/about-drawing/how-i-draw. Accessed 23 September 2020.
“Timeline: Quentin’s Life in Pictures.” The Official Website of Sir Quentin Blake. Quentin Blake, 2016. https://www.quentinblake.com/meet-qb/timeline. Accessed 23 September 2020.
GE Drawing:
