Quentin Blake: In the Theatre of the Imagination
Page 24
6 Ibid., 110.
Chapter 2
1 By Ellen Blance and Ann Cook.
2 Words and Pictures, 50.
3 Words and Pictures, 17.
4 Programme note for concert by Britten Sinfonia, Milton Court Concert Hall, London, 20 November 2014.
5 Conversation with Joann Sfar, French Institute, 2009.
6 Web of Stories, Chapter 3.
7 Charles Wells, Past Purple: a History of Chislehurst and Sidcup Grammar School (Chislehurst Grammar School, 2002), 96.
8 Words and Pictures, 36.
9 Words and Pictures, 36.
10 Words and Pictures, 35.
11 Ken Robinson and Lou Aronica, Creative Schools: Revolutionizing Education from the Ground Up (London: Allen Lane, 2015), x.
12 www.rca.ac.uk/default.aspx?ContentID=518836
13 Oldie, January 2001, 40.
14 Letter to J. H. Reynolds.
Chapter 3
1 Interview with Jonathan Sale, CAM, 1998.
2 An anonymous sixteenth-century picaresque novel.
3 Words and Pictures, Laureate’s Progress, Beyond the Page.
4 Peter Campbell, introduction to Quentin Blake’s The Life of Birds (London: Doubleday, 2005).
5 Interview ‘Quentin Blake talks to Simon Schama’, Financial Times: Life and Times, 13 June 2014.
6 Quentin Blake, The Life of Birds (London: Doubleday, 2005).
7 Quentin Blake, Nous les Oiseaux (Paris: Gallimard Loisirs, 2005).
8 Joann Sfar, Caravan (Paris: l’Association, 2005).
9 Photo credit: an anonymous French Embassy photographer.
Chapter 4
1 Published by Nicholson and Watson.
2 Quentin Blake, ‘Children’s Book Illustration: A Separate Story?’ in Books for Keeps no. 121, March 2000.
3 Quentin Blake, La Vie de la Page (Gallimard, 1995), 32.
Chapter 5
1 La Vie de la Page, 84.
2 Beyond the Page, 230.
Chapter 6
1 http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/culturepicturegalleries/19010454/Quentin-Blake-Picture-Gallery-html?image=12.
2 John Ruskin, The Elements of Drawing (London: Smith, Elder and Company, 1857), Letter 1, B.
Chapter 8
1 http://www.thetimes.co.uk/tto/health/article2997900.ece, accessed 8 October 2015.
2 Richard Cork, The Healing Presence of Art: A History of Western Art in Hospitals (London: Yale University Press, 2012).
3 Dementia: The One-Stop Guide (London: Profile Books, 2015), 153.
4 For example, as described in The Healing Environment: Without and Within, ed. Deborah Kirklin and Ruth Richardson (Royal College of Physicians, 2003).
Chapter 9
1 Director of the Homerton Research and Teaching Centre for Children’s Literature.
2 Interview with Caroline Horn, Bookseller, 18 September 1998.
Author’s Note
Many people and several organisations have given me invaluable help in the process of preparing this book.
At Bloomsbury first and enduring thanks must go to my publisher Robin Baird-Smith for his trust in the book, and to Jamie Birkett, always an encouraging and patient editor; also to James Watson and Nick Fawcett. I am especially grateful to Mark Bostridge for his clear, wise advice. In Quentin Blake’s office his assistants Nikki Mansergh and Cecilia Milanesi have helped me and put up with endless interruptions with good humour. The same is particularly true of Blake’s archivist, Liz Williams who has been a real collaborator, always resourceful, always offering me more than I asked for. My gratitude also to the Society of Authors, whose Authors’ Foundation Grant helped to see me through what turned out to be a more extended project than I intended.
Numerous people willingly gave me precious time to talk about Quentin Blake, or helped me in other ways, including Dalwardin Babu, Christine Baker, Stephen Barnham, Angela Barrett, Charles Beauchamp, Ean Begg, Pascal Bourgignon, Alison Britton, Emma Chichester Clark, Connie Cooling, Amanda Conquy, Liccy Dahl, Gilles Dattas, Julia Eccleshare, Sue Evans, Dan Fern, Christopher Frayling, Liz Gilmore, Jean Gooder, David Gordon, Theresa Heine, Ann Howeson, Bruce Kinsey, Béatrice Lebahar, Fiona McCarthy, Helen McKenzie Smith, Belinda Matthews, Russell Mills, Ann Newton, Neil Parkinson, Hedwige Pasquet, Madeleine Rahtz , Nick Rhodes, Lucy Ribeiro, Anne Riou-Chartier, Michael Rosen, Geneviève Roy, Neil Salmon, Jean-Marc Sandeau, Joann Sfar, Julia Shuff, Annie Simon, Julian Spalding, Jane Stanton, Julia Stanton, Donald Sturrock, Jo Whitlock Blundell, Jake Wilson and John Yeoman. In this list is also Linda Kitson, who must be singled out for being so perceptive, lucid and positive and for making me laugh when necessary. My husband Nicholas Kenyon, an author himself and an imaginative critical reader, has been wonderfully supportive from beginning to end.
But of course this book would never have been written without Quentin Blake. I know that having someone else write about him (when he can do it so well himself) was not familiar or easy territory, but he has been generous beyond measure, with his images, his office and his archive. At the age of 82 the well-spring of his art remains as vigorous as ever, as does his support for the work of other people and organizations, and he is involved in an astonishing number of projects. But he has given me countless hours of his time and I left every interview enlightened and entertained. I am deeply grateful for his creative and stimulating involvement in my project.
Acknowledgements
All artwork © Quentin Blake unless otherwise stated. Page numbers refer to locations in the book.
Text credits
By kind permission of Web of Stories, www.webofstories.com, pp.43, 68.
Financial Times [Source: Simon Schama 2014, [Financial Times / FT.com] 13/06].
Used under licence from the Financial Times. All Rights Reserved, p.109.
By kind permission of the Estate of Peter Campbell, pp.110–11.
By kind permission of Daniel Pennac/Gallimard, pp.111, 136–7.
By kind permission of Camberwell Press/Estate of Russell Hoban, pp.114–118.
Photo credits
Quentin Blake on the set of Jackanory, 1977, BBC Enterprises, pp.6, 33.
Quentin Blake with Roald Dahl At Gipsy House, 1983, © RDLE (from the Roald Dahl Museum archive), p.7.
‘Tell Me A Picture’, exhibition at the National Gallery, 2000, © Brian Voce, p.8.
Quentin Blake drawing live on stage at the Hay Festival, © Linda Kitson, p.9.
Quentin Blake in Genoa, p.11.
Quentin Blake with his mural at the Unicorn Theatre, 2010, © Linda Kitson, p.11.
Quentin Blake at the Petit Palais, Paris 2005, © Catherine Helie/Gallimard Editions, p.14.
Quentin Blake in his studio, © Linda Kitson, p.26.
The Book Bus in Africa, by kind permission of The Book Bus, p.175.
The Book Bus in Ecuador, by kind permission of The Book Bus, p.176.
A parade of schoolchildren with Clowns in Rochefort, France, 2001, Quentin Blake, p.86.
Quentin Blake outside the Quentin Blake art building at Chislehurst & Sidcup Grammar School, p.91.
The Blake Society Dinner, Downing College, Cambridge, 2014, unknown photographer, p.91.
Exhibition ‘Les Demoiselles des Bords de Seine’ at the Petit Palais, Paris, 2006, © Christophe Foin, p.139.
Photo of the exterior of Angers maternity hospital, showing the decorated façade, 2011, p.211.
Image credits
Corky and Loopy, from Angel Pavement by Quentin Blake (Jonathan Cape, 2004), p.23.
Book cover, The Birds by Aristophanes (Lion & Unicorn Press, 1971), Royal College of Art, p.24.
From How Tom Beat Captain Najork and his Hired Sportsmen by Russell Hoban (Walker Books, 2013), Quentin Blake / Walker Books, p.27.
‘Feeling his age’ from a series of drawings of Insects, 2009, p.29.
Stratford Johns et al, from Punch magazine, c.1978, Punch Ltd, p.32.
Eating People is Wrong by Malcolm Bradbury (Penguin, 1962), Pengu
in Books , p.35.
The Loved One by Evelyn Waugh (Penguin, 2000) Penguin Books, p.35.
‘Girls and Dogs 1’, lithograph printed by Pauper Press, for Marlborough Fine Art, 2012, p.36.
‘Companions #3’, original artwork for Marlborough Fine Art, 2012, p.37.
‘Companions #11’, original artwork for Marlborough Fine Art, 2012, p.36.
Poster for the exhibition ‘Nos Compagnons’ at Galerie Martine Gossieaux, Paris, 2014, p.38.
From the series ‘Nos Compagnons’, exhibited at Galerie Martine Gossieaux, Paris, 2014, p.39.
From the series ‘Vehicles of the Mind’, 2014 (unpublished), p.40.
From The Enormous Crocodile by Roald Dahl (Jonathan Cape, 1978), Random House; the Roald Dahl Literary Estate, p.42.
‘The Prince beheading the Ugly Sisters’, from Roald Dahl’s Revolting Rhymes by Roald Dahl (Jonathan Cape, 1983), Random House; the Roald Dahl Literary Estate, p.44.
‘The Three Bears’, from Roald Dahl’s Revolting Rhymes by Roald Dahl (Jonathan Cape, 1983, Random House; the Roald Dahl Literary Estate, p.45.
From Patrick by Quentin Blake (new ed. 2010), Random House, p.46.
Corky and Loopy, from Angel Pavement by Quentin Blake (Jonathan Cape, 2004), Random House, p.47.
From ‘The Blue Belt’ from Quentin Blake’s Magical Tales by John Yeoman (Pavilion Books, 2011), Anova Books, pp.49,50.
Cover artwork for The Winter Sleepwalker by Joan Aiken (Jonathan Cape, 1994), p.51.
From The Winter Sleepwalker by Joan Aiken (Jonathan Cape, 1994), © Random House, p.51.
‘The Marchioness and her garter’, from Candide by Voltaire (The Folio Society, 2011) The Folio Society, p.53.
‘The Guinean Slave’, from Candide (The Folio Society, 2011), The Folio Society, 2011) Quentin Blake / The Folio Society, p.53.
Artwork for RCA Rector’s Dinner 2009, showing Christopher Frayling, by kind permission of Christopher Frayling, p.55.
Invitation card handwritten by Quentin Blake, by kind permission of Christopher Frayling, p.55.
Design for a wedding invitation, private commission, 2011, by kind permission of Jake Wilson, p.55.
Fax from Quentin Blake, 2009, p.56.
‘Regency’: private commission for Hoare’s Bank, London, 2014, by kind permission of Hoare’s Bank, p.57.
‘The Victorian Era’, private commission for Hoare’s Bank, London, 2014, by kind permission of Hoare’s Bank, p.57.
From the series of pictures for the corridors of the Kershaw Ward, for the Nightingale Project, 2006, p.58.
Thank you card to Quentin Blake from the YCN, 2011, p.59.
Item on the theme of ‘Q’ sent to Quentin by Australian illustrators, 2002, p.59.
From The Rights of the Reader poster by Daniel Pennac, Gallimard Jeunesse, p.60.
From Monster Goes to School by Ellen Blance & Ann Cook, 1973, Longman, p.62.
Drawing of F. R. Leavis in Cambridge, p.71.
Book cover: The Boy Who Sprouted Antlers by John Yeoman (Faber & Faber, 1961) © Faber & Faber, p.72.
From Tristram Shandy by Laurence Sterne, illus. Brian Robb (MacDonald & Co. 1949) , MacDonald & Co; estate of Brian Robb, p.73.
Life Drawing, produced from memory and using a plastic quill, p.74.
From The Geek magazine (Vol 4, No. 8, April 1977) - Illustration Dept, Royal College of Art, RCA; © Joyce Mason, Ian Pollock, p.81.
From The Geek magazine (Vol 4, No. 8, April 1977) - Illustration Dept, Royal College of Art, RCA; © Anne Howeson, p.82.
From Michael Rosen’s Sad Book (Walker Books, 2004), Walker Books, p.87.
Newscutting from an unknown paper showing ‘Quentin’ marked on a map, 2002, p.89.
Artwork for ‘Life under Water: A Hastings Celebration’ exhibition at the Jerwood Gallery, 2015, p.92.
Drawing created at La Résidence Française during a fundraising dinner for the French Institute, October 2014, p.94.
Cover, The Twits by Roald Dahl (Jonathan Cape, 1980), © Random House, p.97.
Cover, Matilda by Roald Dahl (Puffin Books), Penguin, p.97.
Cover, Arabel’s Raven by Joan Aiken (Frances Lincoln, 2015), Frances Lincoln, p.97.
Cover, Don’t Put Mustard in the Custard (Andre Deutsch, 1985), © Andre Deutsch, p.97.
From Esio Trot by Roald Dahl (Puffin Books, 2013), Roald Dahl Literary Estate; Penguin, p.99.
From Voyages to the Moon and the Sun by Cyrano de Bergerac (The Folio Society, 1991) The Folio Society, p.101.
From The Golden Ass by Apuleius (The Folio Society, 2015), The Folio Society, p.102.
From The Wild Washerwomen by John Yeoman and Quentin Blake (Andersen Press, 2009), p.104.
From How Tom Beat Captain Najork and His Hired Sportsmen by Russell Hoban (Walker Books, 2013), Walker Books, p.104.
From Great Day for UP! by Dr Seuss (HarperCollins Children’s Books, 1997) © HarperCollins Children’s Books, p.106.
From Mister Magnolia by Quentin Blake (Random House, 2010), Random House, p.107.
From Nous les Oiseaux by Quentin Blake (Doubleday, 2005), Gallimard, p.111.
From Caravan by Joann Sfar (L’Association, 2005) © Joann Sfar/L’Association, pp.113–14
Contents page, Woman with a Book by Quentin Blake (foreword by Russell Hoban; Camberwell Press, 1999) , p.115.
Hand-written dedication by Russell Hoban to Quentin on the title page of Hoban’s book, ‘Riddley Walker’ (1980) © Estate of Russell Hoban, p.118.
Cover of Une Promenade de Quentin Blake au pays de la poésie française (Gallimard, 2003) © Gallimard, p.120.
Cover of bound book of lithographs, Honoré Daumier, © Nicholson & Watson, 1946, p.123.
Cartoon from Punch, ‘A propos des Maîtres’, p.126.
From Une Promenade de Quentin Blake au pays de la poésie française, p.129.
From Cockatoos by Quentin Blake (Jonathan Cape, 1992), Random House, p.132.
From Patrick by Quentin Blake (Jonathan Cape, 1968) Random House, p.133.
From the series ‘Nos Compagnons’, exhibited at Galerie Martine Gossieaux, Paris, 2014, p.134.
From Nous les Oiseaux by Quentin Blake (Doubleday, 2005) Gallimard, p.136.
Drawing of Joann Sfar when he was presented as Chevalier des Arts et des Lettres, p.138.
Double-page article from Charlie Hebdo, August 2013, © Charlie Hebdo/Catherine Meurisse and Jean Harambar , p.142–3.
‘La dédicace’, from the literary supplement of Le Figaro, 2012, © Quentin Blake / Figaro, p145.
From the series for Angers maternity hospital, France, 2011, p.146.
From the series ‘Our Friends in the Circus’, 2009, p.148.
Cover of The Spectator magazine, 20 November 1959, © The Spectator, p.149.
Mortimer, from Arabel’s Raven by Joan Aiken (Frances Lincoln, 2015), Frances Lincoln Children’s Books / Estate of Joan Aiken, p.150.
From Featherbrains by John Yeoman (Hamish Hamilton, 1993), Hamish Hamilton, p.151.
From The Heron and the Crane by John Yeoman (Andersen Press, 2011), Andersen Press, p.151.
From Loveykins by Quentin Blake (Jonathan Cape, 2002), Random House, pp.151–2.
From The Birds by Aristophanes (Lion & Unicorn Press, 1971), Lion & Unicorn Press, Royal College of Art, p.154.
From The Life of Birds by Quentin Blake (Doubleday, 2005), Transworld, p.155.
From On Angel Wings by Michael Morpurgo (Egmont, 2006), Egmont, p.156.
Cover, Beyond the Page by Quentin Blake (Tate Publishing, 2012), © Tate Publishing, p.157.
‘Harp’ from A Band of Angels (Gordon Fraser Gallery, 1969), p.158.
‘Badminton’ from A Band of Angels (Gordon Fraser Gallery, 1969), p.158.
‘Pancakes’ from A Band of Angels (Gordon Fraser Gallery, 1969), p.158.
From Un Bateau dans le Ciel by Quentin Blake (Rue du Monde, 2000) © Rue du Monde, p.159.
From Rosie’s Magic Horse by Russell Hoban (Walker Books, 2012), Walker Books / Estate of Russ
ell Hoban, p.160.
From Zagazoo by Quentin Blake (Jonathan Cape, 1998), Random House, p.161.
From Clown by Quentin Blake (Jonathan Cape, 1995), Random House, p.161.
From the series of drawings for the Kershaw Ward, 2006, p.162.
From the series ‘Sixty New Drawings’ for the Nightingale Project, 2006, p.163.
Photo of the Angers sketchbook in Quentin Blake’s studio, c. 2009, p.164.
‘Transforming Tomorrow’ from ‘Cambridge 800: An Informal Panorama’ - artworks for Cambridge University’s 800th anniversary, 2009, p.165.
Artwork for exhibition ‘Quentin Blake: Illustrateur’, 2002, p.166.
Artwork for ‘Life under Water: A Hastings Celebration’ exhibition at the Jerwood Gallery, 2015 , p.171.
Diary of World Parrot Day 2004, for The Spectator, p.172.
‘Northern Lights’, design for a card for Survival International, p.174.
Roald Dahl’s Marvellous Children’s Charity crocodile logo, 2010, p.177.
Orientation map for The Roald Dahl Museum, Great Missenden, 2005, p.178.
Logo for the South Kensington Kids’ Festival, organised by the French Institute, p.179.
From ‘The Five Strange Brothers’ in Quentin Blake’s Magical Tales by John Yeoman (Pavilion Books, 2010), © Anova Books, p.184.
From The Five of Us by Quentin Blake (Tate Publishing, 2014), Tate Publishing, p.187.
From The Story of the Dancing Frog by Quentin Blake (Jonathan Cape, 1984), Random House, p.189.
From Michael Rosen’s Sad Book, by Michael Rosen (Walker Books, 2003), Walker Books/Michael Rosen, p.190.
Cover of Clown by Quentin Blake (Red Fox, 1998), © Random House , p.191.
From Clown by Quentin Blake (Jonathan Cape, 1995), Random House, p.191.
From Clown by Quentin Blake (Jonathan Cape, 1995), © Random House, p.192.
Crumpled and flattened artwork drawn for fan – ‘Any chance of getting this ironed out?’, p.195.
From the series ‘Welcome to Planet Zog’ for the Alexandra Avenue Health & Social Care Centre, Harrow, 2007, p.196.
From the series of drawings for the Kershaw Ward, 2006, p.198.
From the series ‘Life under Water’ for the Gordon Hospital, 2009, p.200.
From the series for Great Ormond Street Hospital, 2015, p.201.