Last week I visited two exhibitions of illustrators’ work. The first exhibition was at Mottisfont Abbey 7th July – 2nd September 2018 of original illustrations from ‘The Tiger Who Came to Tea’ and the Mog books. The exhibition was organized by Seven Stories, the National Centre for Children’s Books
Great to see the originals of these books that my daughter grew up with. Admiring the 
simplicity of Kerr’s characters and the very expressive faces, feeling of movement and ‘catness’ she achieves. Much more simplified characters than Kathleen Hale’s (which I have been looking at this week).
My sketch
He’s such a kindly looking tiger. I’ve just noticed how the stripes over his eyes give him eyebrows.
The short film of Judith Kerr at the exhibition was interesting. She showed her sketchbooks and talked about drawing things a lot of times before she got them right. She also mentioned drawing tigers from life at the zoo and using the internet to find images when she needed to draw tigers yawning (as the real ones don’t keep still with their mouths open).
Shopped. Bag and postcard images are from “The Tiger Who Came to Tea.” (Kerr, J. 1968). “Bombs on Aunt Dainty” (Kerr, J. 1975). My photo.
(Above) Doorway image from “Mog the Forgetful Cat” (Kerr, J. 1970). My photo.
A lovely exhibition if you are anywhere near. Got home and listened to Judith Kerr on Desert Island Discs, which is available on iplayer if you’re in the UK.
The second was Edward Bawden. Dulwich Picture Gallery. 24th May to 9th September 2018
I went to see this exhibition yesterday. I wasn’t very familar with the work of Edward Bawden but several people recommended (raved about) it.
Fig 1. Brighton Pier 1958. Linocut on paper.
The range of work was beyond what I had expected. Some of my favourite pieces were the large lino prints of Brighton Pier and of Lindsell Church. I loved the large amount of black and strong overall feeling of these.
Fig 2. Map of Scarborough (detail) 1931. Pencil, silver foil, watercolour and paper.
In contrast to these were finely drawn copper plate etchings and delicate watercolours. I loved his use of collage. The Map of Scarborough was another favourite.
A new favourite artist.
Enjoy his darkly funny stories while you’re there too.
