If you’ve ever read a Roald Dahl book, the chances are that you know Quentin Blake already. Known for having illustrated a tremendous 300+ children’s books, Sir Quentin Blake CBE is a beloved English illustrator, cartoonist, and children’s writer, with his work proving so popular that he won the international Hans Christian Andersen Award in 2002.
As admirers of his work ourselves, we offer inspired prints for fans and collectors alike. You can have a piece of his art proudly displayed in your home or introduce your friends and family to some of your favourite works.
To help you get to know Blake’s work and innovative personality better, we’ve put together a Sir Quentin Blake biography. Let’s get into it.
Who is Quentin Blake?
Born in Southeast England in 1932, Quentin Blake is one of the best-known children’s book illustrators internationally, thanks to his unique and whimsical artistic style.
Blake grew up in a normal family, with his father working as a civil servant and his mother taking care of the home. During his years attending Chislehurst and Sidcup Grammar School, his English teacher, J. H. Walsh, heavily influenced his work and artistic style. Helped by popular cartoonist Alfred Jackson, Blake refined his style during his school years, resulting in his first publication in Punch at the age of just 16.
With support from the school art teacher, Stanley Simmonds at sixth-form college, Blake went on to study at Cambridge University. After studying and teaching at various academic institutions over the years, Blake then shot to prominence in the 60s and 70s, resulting in his status as one of the best-selling children’s book illustrators and earning him international recognition for his work.
Quentin Blake’s Artistic Style
One of the most iconic aspects of Blake’s work is his one-of-a-kind, instantly recognisable artistic style. Even if you buy Quentin Blake-inspired art rather than works by the man himself, you’ll instantly recognise art styles influenced by this beloved British illustrator.
Beloved by adults and children alike, Quentin Blake illustrations are known for their sketchy, whimsical lines and vibrant personality. Dynamic brushstrokes imbue the images with a sense of movement, and Blake’s characters often have exaggerated physical traits that in some way reflect their inner personality, especially in the Roald Dahl novels he brought to life.
His illustrations are typically drawn in black ink and shaded in watercolour paints. Fluid lines coupled with bold splashes of colour are common in Blake’s work, as are characters with bold and often humorous expressions.
Something seen in almost all Quentin Blake illustrations is the way Blake is able to express emotion through his drawings, with characters’ personalities, thoughts, and feelings expressed via their faces and movements. While on the surface, his fluid movements and tendency to shy away from extremely detailed drawings make his art accessible, it’s anything but basic.
Collaborations and Fame
Mention Quentin Blake's illustrations, and most people will immediately think of Roald Dahl. Quentin Blake and Roald Dahl collaborated frequently, with Blake illustrating 18 of Roald Dahl’s novels, including classics such as The BFG, Matilda, and The Twits. These iconic Roald Dahl novel illustrations are some of Blake’s best-known work.
At Art Reserve, we’re also home to some long sold-out limited editions of Blake’s illustrations of Roald Dahl stories for fans of the illustrator's work seeking uber exclusive prints.
Dahl’s books typically feature eccentric and larger-than-life characters, which Blake’s unique and lively illustrating style is able to capture effectively. Quentin Blake illustrations also appeared in novels by authors including Joan Aiken, Elizabeth Bowen, Sylvia Plath, Nils-Olof Franzén, William Steig, and Dr. Seuss.
In more recent years, Blake has illustrated David Walliams’ books as well as Blake’s own authored children’s books. His international fame has been cemented by honours such as becoming the inaugural British Children's Laureate from 1999 to 2001 and receiving a CBE in 2005 and a knighthood in 2013. Six of his animations have even been animated and shown on the BBC in Quentin Blake’s Box of Treasures.
Legacy and Impact
Thanks to more than 80 years of artistic work and a unique and iconic artistic style, Sir Quentin Blake is one of the most instantly recognisable children’s book illustrators in the world.
Whether you buy Quentin Blake art prints or simply buy Quentin Blake-inspired art, it’s not difficult to see which works bear his influence. Not only has Blake’s signature style inspired other illustrators, but his legacy and impact can also be seen outside of his illustrations, from his work as an ambassador of indigenous rights to his creation of the House of Illustration, a charity for illustration that supports budding artists.
Blake has even designed logos for brands as well as a mural at St Pancras Station to welcome Eurostar travellers arriving in London.
Quentin Blake Art for Your Home
Are you looking to buy Quentin Blake-inspired art? Inspired by the charm and expressiveness of Blake’s illustrations, our range of prints includes artwork that captures a similar sense of whimsy.
We’re also home to prints from the man himself, with our selection of Quentin Blake art prints, including signed prints and classics. A wonderful new series of prints from the beloved illustrator, known as The Official Portfolio Collection from the Studio of Quentin Blake, is available for purchase.
If you’re looking for some of Blake’s most iconic illustrations from his collaborations with Roald Dahl, you’ll love our collection of Quentin Blake and Roald Dahl prints, including some super-exclusive prints from sold-out last editions.
If you want to capture Blake’s signature style of whimsy and expressiveness at home, let us help you find the right piece.
Final Thoughts
Want to see more of Sir Quentin Blake’s work? The House of Illustrations was founded by Blake and is a charity for illustration, where you can find his work and similar artists.
By purchasing novels that Blake has illustrated, including some of Roald Dahl’s classics, you can enjoy the unique expressiveness of his artistic style alongside the stories he brought to life.
Bring a touch of literary magic into your home with our curated art prints collection inspired and created by great illustrators like Quentin Blake, including prints by the man himself, which effortlessly display his signature style.