Sir Quentin Blake

Quentin Blake has always made his living as an illustrator, as well as teaching for over twenty years at the Royal College of Art, where he was head of the Illustration department.  Quentin Blake is known for his collaboration with writers such as Russell Hoban, Joan Aiken, Michael Rosen, John Yeoman and, most famously, Roald Dahl. Quentin Blake has also illustrated classic books, including A Christmas Carol and Candide and created much-loved characters of his own, including Mister Magnolia and Mrs Armitage.  

"His work effortlessly crosses all barriers of age, gender and sophistication, swinging high in the realms of flamboyant humour and absurdity, and splashing seductively in reflective pools of poetry and romance."  Joanna Carey, The Guardian

Quentin Blake’s books have won numerous prizes and awards, including the Whitbread Award, the Kate Greenaway Medal, the Emil/Kurt Maschler Award and the international Bologna Ragazzi Prize. He won the 2002 Hans Christian Andersen Award for Illustration, the highest international recognition given to creators of children's books. In 1999 Quentin Blake was appointed the first ever Children’s Laureate. He was created CBE in 2005, is an RDI and has numerous honorary degrees from universities throughout the UK. He received a knighthood for 'services to illustration' in the New Year's Honours for 2013, and became an Honorary Freeman of the City of London in 2015.   

"There's no-one to touch him."  Roald Dahl