"The Swan's Stories" By Hans Christian Andersen, Illustrated By Chris Riddell (published by Walker Books Ltd, London 1997) Part 3

Top quality illustrations by British illustrator Chris Riddell (b. 1962). Impeccable draughtsmanship and humour - it's a delight flicking through this book as there are so many pictures in almost every page. The characters, the fine details and the styling is reminiscent of books by Arthur Rackham (1867-1938) and Walter Crane (1845-1915) about a hundred years ago, when book illustration was at its best. The artist's website with many more pictures and a list of his other books is: http://www.chrisriddell.co.uk/

"The Swan's Stories" By Hans Christian Andersen, Illustrated By Chris Riddell (published by Walker Books Ltd, London 1997) Part 2

                                    http://www.chrisriddell.co.uk/

"The Swan's Stories" By Hans Christian Andersen, Illustrated By Chris Riddell (published by Walker Books Ltd, London 1997) Part 1

"The Best Of Fred" By Rupert Fawcett (published by Headline Book Publishing, London 1998) Part 2

Four more from Rupert Fawcett's dark humour - here's the artist's website again for more info and links:  http://www.rupertfawcettcartoons.com/  By the way, prints and other merchandise by the artist can be purchased here: http://www.cafepress.com/offtheleashdoggycartoonsshop

"The Best Of Fred" By Rupert Fawcett (published by Headline Book Publishing, London 1998)

Couldn't resist showing some of these! Rupert Fawcett's biography and portfolio can be found here: http://www.rupertfawcettcartoons.com/ He also has a blog on tumblr with many many more funny Fred strips: http://rupertfawcettfredcartoons.tumblr.com/

"Winnie Flies Again" By Korky Paul And Valerie Thomas (published by Oxford University Press 1999) - Part 3

Here is Korky Paul's own website for a biography, list of many other books illustrated by him, articles and links: http://www.korkypaul.com/ By the way, there is an interesting tutorial by the artist on how he creates his illustrations - various stages of layout, drawing, tracing, colouring etc - on this link found on his website: http://www.theguardian.com/childrens-books-site/gallery/2015/mar/24/korky-paul-how-to-illustrate-books

"Winnie Flies Again" By Korky Paul And Valerie Thomas (published by Oxford University Press 1999) - Part 2

 Another one of Korky Paul's zany books - and I've got quite a few! The plot is simple enough: Winnie the witch is losing her grip when riding her broom and bumps into various things with terrifying results. And while in despair, trying to figure out what's going wrong with her broom she runs into an optician! Check out the pirate below testing out a new pair of glasses and the eccentric optician herself below that. Great characters and a very funny story. Every page is full of "visual" jokes, many embedded in the fine details of the artist's amazing illustrations.

"Winnie Flies Again" By Korky Paul And Valerie Thomas (published by Oxford University Press 1999)

"Willy The Dreamer" By Anthony Browne (Published by Walker Books Ltd, London 1997) Part-3

This is an excerpt from the author's biography in the book: "Anthony Browne (born in 1946) is one of today's most popular and acclaimed children's artists. In March 2000 he received the highest international distinction for a picture book artist, becoming the first British illustrator to win the Hans Christian Andersen Award for Illustration. His many other awards include the Kate Greenaway Medal for Gorilla and Zoo, and the Kurt Maschler Award for Gorilla, Alice's Adventures In Wonderland and Voices In The Park. Willy The Dreamer was short listed for the Kate Greenaway Medal..."  Here's the author's wonderful website full of pictures, list of all his books, biography etc:http://www.anthonybrownebooks.com/about/

Below is the opening page for "Willy The Dreamer" and below that is the last page of the story - I love spotting the differences between the two and admiring the artist's ingenuity, skill and imagination. A great book for adults and kids alike!

"Willy The Dreamer" By Anthony Browne (Published by Walker Books Ltd, London 1997) Part 2

If I had to pick only one of Anthony Browne's brilliant books, this would be the one! It's a majestic journey through Willy's memories, aspirations, past and future using famous paintings (mainly from the surrealist movement) as a backdrop. The one above, for example, has reference from Giorgio De Chirico's work. The one below that from Salvador Dali's ""The Persistence Of Memory"(1931) and the last one from Rene Magritte's "Reproduction Prohibited"(1937). The pictures from my previous post, display Willy's dreams about being a film star, a famous painter or a rock idol (ie Elvis why not?)! The bananas and Willy's characteristic  pair of the red and green socks at present where ever possible!

"Willy The Dreamer" By Anthony Browne (Published by Walker Books Ltd, London 1997) Part 1

"Araminta's Wedding" By Jilly Cooper And Pictures By Sue Macartney-Snape (published by BCA by arrangement with Methuen, London 1993) - Part 4

 

Couldn't resist two more stunning illustrations from Sue Macartney-Snape's book. The mastery in the drawing and the balance of colours and details is unbelievable. Many more to see - and buy - from the artist's website: http://www.sms-editions.co.uk/

 

"Araminta's Wedding" By Jilly Cooper And Pictures By Sue Macartney-Snape (published by BCA by arrangement with Methuen, London 1993) - Part 3

 

According to the author's introductory note, the pictures came first! Quite an unconventional process for a writer having to imagine stories, situations and relationships between characters of an artist's set of drawings. But these are not just any ordinary illustrations. The characters are so well observed and vivid, their clothes and the settings are so detailed that they create their own farcical narratives. Sue Macartney-Snape's pictures are exquisite, each character complete in every aspect - the dresses, the pets, the expressions on their faces, even the furniture and hundreds of artifacts.

 

"Araminta's Wedding" By Jilly Cooper And Pictures By Sue Macartney-Snape (published by BCA by arrangement with Methuen, London 1993) - Part 2

 

 

Sue Macartney-Snape probably needs no introduction - to the British public anyway. According to the biographical note on her website, she was born in Tanzania, grew up in Australia and arrived in London in 1980... http://www.sms-editions.co.uk/biography.php

 

Her work is widely known from the Saturday Telegraph Magazine's Social Stereotypes column (between 1994 and 2011). Collections from this series have been published in nine books so far and there is a huge selection of limited edition prints available to buy on the above website.

 

 

"Araminta's Wedding" By Jilly Cooper And Pictures By Sue Macartney-Snape (published by BCA by arrangement with Methuen, London 1993)

 

"The Magic Lavatory" By Nicholas Allan (published by Hutchinson Children's Books, London 1990) Part 2

 

 

Lavatory treatment gone wrong! The bizarre, anarchic and very funny adventures of little Jeffrey's toilet! Filled with visual jokes and surreal situations this is one of Nicholas Allan's earlier books (British author and illustrator from Brighton). No real moral in this story, other than the avocado coloured toilets (a nightmare fashion fixture from the sixties and seventies) are really bad...

 

Nicholas Allan has come up with a few more strange titles over the years ("The Queen's Knickers", "Cinderella's Bum", The Giant's Loo Roll"(!) and many others). Many became best-sellers and some received literary awards. Here's the link to the author's site for a biography and more information: http://www.nicholasallan.co.uk/about.htm