Hartlepool Festival of Illustration

CHRIS RIDDELL was named the Children’s Laureate this week, just days after I had the pleasure of meeting him at the Hartlepool Festival of Illustration.

The author and illustrator was one of the high-profile guests invited to speak at the symposium launching the month-long celebration of illustration in the town.

One of the things he wants to encourage as part of his new role is drawing every day – and he has pledged to start his own Laureate Log of daily drawings.

My son is a budding artist who comes home from school every day with a bag full of pictures – then sits down to do some more when he gets home!

He’s only five, but I still wanted to show him where drawing can take you, as well as see some of the amazing work on display for myself.

We happened upon Riddell as he chatted to visitors and drew sketches for them around a table in the gallery, where his work is on display.

James was more than happy to watch and came away with a pencil sketch of a fox, which he told Riddell he was going to take home and colour in! I just had pen envy.

Sophie, meanwhile, was quite taken by the work by Paul Windle Design for the likes of The Walt Disney Company, Warner Bros. and Hasbro.

More than 50 world-renowned illustrators, cartoonists and comic book artists are taking part in the Hartlepool Festival of Illustration, which runs until July 4.

It is a collaboration between Cleveland College of Art & Design, Hartlepool Borough Council and Seven Stories, the National Centre for Children’s Books.

For more information visit www.festivalofillustration.com.

Leave a Comment