Katie McCurrach, our Exhibitions Curator, tells us about Quentin Blake’s illustrations including birds and animals that are part of a collection for a special fundraising auction at Bonhams, Feathered and Four Legged Friends. Open for bidding until midday 9 October.

Quentin Blake’s birds and animals display as much character as their human companions. I particularly love his playful and inquisitive mice, and the way that his birds exhibit eccentricities and emotions just like people.

Quentin says, “I have always liked drawing birds. It's a way of commenting on the people we see around us without actually drawing individuals.”

This collection of artworks is no exception. In the unique personality of each creature we can see Quentin’s understanding of the importance of animals in our lives, whether as beautiful or fascinating beasts to be observed, or as close friends in happy or contemplative moments.

Quentin normally uses a dip pen with a Waverley nib, but sometimes he draws with crayons or feather quills to create unusual lines and textures that complement different kinds of writing.

For his book illustrations, Quentin tends to start with a rough drawing to help him plan the layout of the page and the positions of the characters. He then places this on a lightbox under a sheet of watercolour paper.

His next drawing in ink uses the layout he has created but still has the energy of a drawing created spontaneously. If colour is to be added, Blake mostly uses watercolour – he says,

‘I like its lightness and fluidity… and there is an enormous amount that even a discreet use of colour can add by way of mood and atmosphere’.

In this collection we can see illustrations that use this technique, as well as watercolour pencil, coloured pen, and chinagraph pencil. The variety of materials and techniques which Quentin has used give each piece a distinctive atmosphere – from loose watercolour washes for wetland birds, to scratchy black ink lines for cheeky cats.

One of the most exciting parts about working at the Quentin Blake Centre for Illustration is being able to see these techniques up close and learn more about how Quentin’s process has developed over the years. Some of these pieces are from 15 years ago, but just like all of Quentin’s artwork over the last 70 years, they all have that essence of Quentin Blake. Whether it is the deceptively simple-looking lines and shapes, the relatable characters and relationships, or the sensitive use of colour, each illustration brings to life animals and birds in a way that only Quentin can.

All of the images in this article are for sale, bid online now to give one of Quentin’s illustrated friends a new home.