Picture book art

[LindaOL]

Today Mary Byrne, coordinator of Hay Fever at the Hay Literature Festival said “There is a growing interest from adults in picture book art, design and illustration and I wanted the programme to reflect that,” and so this year there is more of a focus on events such as the panel discussion about illustration with Oliver Jeffers. I'm curious, do parents see the illustrations in picture books as art?

[emmaMBC]

Oh most definitely!!!

I believe some children's illustrators are incredibly talented artists whose work would look very good framed on the wall - Shaun Tan, Oliver Jeffers, Anna Walker, Jon Klassen .... to name but a few!

[darkin]

depends on the book! ;0) Although, as an illustrator of picture books myself, I have to say YES! :0)

[Seeline]

Definitely yes! IMHO there a few modern books that meet the standards of my childhood favourites of Beatrix Potter and the Shepherd illustrations for Winnie the Pooh and Wind in the Willows, but some are classics. I love the simplicity of Judith Kerr and the little details in pictures such as in the Gruffalo.

[BlueChampagne]

This book is brilliant if you don't know it "Press Here" www.abebooks.co.uk/Press-Tullet-Herve-Chronicle-Books/12640054723/bd?cm_mmc=gmc--gmc--PLA-_-v01

[OverAndAbove]

Yes totally! There are examples and good eat, and not-so-good art, but the ability to capture a character in simple lines and also add to the ambience of the story is an amazing skill!

Good examples for me include (and I will have forgotten loads, I'm sure!)

Beatrix Potter - not just her animals but the Cumbrian landscapes and natural detail
Quentin Blake - distinctive style but fits in with so many well-known characters eg Roald Dahl books
Tenniel - Alice in Wonderland - say no more
EH Shepherd -Winnie the Pooh as mentioned above
Axel Schaeffler - obviously
John Burningham - Wind in the Willows and others
Janet Ahlberg - Each Peach, Peepo etc
Jan Pienkowski - well I was thinking of Meg and Mog but his fairy tale illustrations are second-to-none

I can't imagine any of these books without illustrations; some are for older kids so more narrative, but for the younger ones, that's the point of a "picture book" - isn't it?

[thegambler]

Definitely. I'd love to have some of the ladybird book pictures as poster sized,particularly from the seasons series. (I'd also love to update Janet and John, imagine them in the country with a burnt out Astra and smoking ?).

Kim Lewis (second time I've mentioned her today) books have nice pics that would work as art and obviously the Quentin Blake stuff.

[YeGodsAndLittleFishes]

Yes, but then I did go to Art school, and my friend has illustrated a number of children's books.

[Salazar]

It absolutely is art. One that has always stuck in my mind is Nick Sharrat. Not terribly 'high' culture art, but I've always loved his stuff, his distinctive style and his ability to appeal to a range of ages.

[thegambler]

Oh jeez, this thread has just made me look at the Ladybird book site and you can buy prints of most of the pics fromtheir books, canvas aswell. What to look for in summer could take a hammering aswell as my credit card!

[redcaryellowcar]

i love quentin blake's style,:having fond childhood memories from road Dahl books, ds has a few books by Sharon rentta which are beautifully illustrated and have that fabulous depth where every time you read it you spot something else in the background.
also love many of those mentioned above and would love proudly display prints (or originals) of their work on our walls!

[Campaspe]

Yes to the extent of having some prints from children's authors up in my house!

[YeGodsAndLittleFishes]

Edward Ardizzone is my favourite illustrator.

[HarrietSchulenberg]

Some children's illustrators are my favourite artists! I love Chris Riddell's work, particularly The Emperor of Absurdia, and I could stare at Arthur Rackham's illustrations for days without getting bored. I also mostly like Jan Brett, although some of her illustrations are a bit too folksy at times.

I think it's the detail.

[HarrietSchulenberg]

Just checking out some of the ones I didn't know - Jan Pienkowski's silhouette books look amazing.

Need to mention Jane Ray too as I love her pictures.