Sir Quentin Blake

Sir Quentin Blake is one of Britain’s most celebrated illustrators, renowned for his instantly recognisable, expressive line drawings and enduring contribution to children’s literature. Born in London in 1932, Blake began drawing from an early age, with his first illustrations published in Punch magazine when he was just 16 years old.

Although he studied English at Downing College, Cambridge, followed by a postgraduate teaching diploma and life drawing at Chelsea Art School, Blake is largely self-taught as an artist. Alongside a distinguished career as an illustrator, he taught at the Royal College of Art for over twenty years, serving as Head of the Illustration Department from 1978 to 1986.

Blake has illustrated more than 500 books throughout his career, collaborating with acclaimed authors including Russell Hoban, Joan Aiken, Michael Rosen and John Yeoman. He is, however, best known for his long-standing collaboration with Roald Dahl. Their first project together, The Enormous Crocodile, marked the beginning of one of the most celebrated collaborations in children’s literature, bringing beloved classics including Matilda, The BFG and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory to life for generations of readers.

Beyond illustration, Blake is an accomplished author, exhibition curator and passionate advocate for the arts. His work has featured in major exhibitions and public art commissions across the UK and France, while his illustrations have brightened hospitals, schools and community spaces. In 1999, he became the first-ever Children’s Laureate, and his exceptional contribution to illustration has been recognised with numerous honours, including a CBE, a knighthood in 2013 and appointment as a Companion of Honour in 2022.

Today, Sir Quentin Blake continues to create new work from his home in southwest London. His expressive illustrations remain among the most recognisable and beloved images in British children’s literature, while his original artworks are highly sought after by collectors around the world.