Things that inspire me - Vintage Book Illustrations!

 

Science is Fun, the Magic Water. 

Science is Fun, the Magic Water.

 

This compilation of illustrated children's books is not by me but I am utterly infatuated with it! The inventiveness of designs and the very strong compositions are a pleasure to study.

And I am bowled over by the orginality of thought, the explosion of colours and exquisite colour combinations, the savvy use of materials and the contagious cheerfulness!

Charley, Charlotte and the Golden Canary by Charles Keeping, 1967

An animator friend of mine from back in the days at Kingston university once asserted that children's books were not difficult to do and I have always been iritated by this somewhat arrogance and prejudice that some artists like to coat themselves in whenever we are talking design and kids. Well, take notice to the high level of sophistication on display here!

The Boy who had wings by Jane Yolen, Pictures in wax –crayon by Helga Alchinger, Published 1974