Draw your own Willy the Wimp
Inspiration for Willy the Wimp
These were my two main inspirations when writing Willy the Wimp.
The British Library
There's a nice free exhibition at the British Library at the moment, Animal Tales, stretching all the way from Aesop and Ovid to Dolly the Sheep, Dave Eggers, Helen Macdonald and me.
Willy and the Cloud
Willy and the Cloud
Here's another sneaky peek at one of the new pictures from my current project, 'Willy and the Cloud'. There's a reference in the picture to one of my favourite groups and influences...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AI-9WH4Z4gY
Can you guess which other Willy book has a reference to this band?
Illustratour 2015
I've just got back from visiting Illustratour 2015 in Madrid with Hanne Bartholin. Here we are discussing our work on stage. It was a great festival full of friendly, warm people.
Gorilla
Looking for something to do this summer?
Why not go and see a brilliant performance of Gorilla at the Polka Theatre, Wimbledon?
17 Jul - 16 Aug 2015
Suitable for ages 4 - 7
17 Jul - 16 Aug 2015
Suitable for ages 4 - 7
China 2015
Just got back from a great trip to Beijing to see my publishers Beijing Cheerfly. Lots of talks, lots of book signings and lots of lovely enthusiastic people. Great food, lovely weather and I even got the chance to see the forbidden city!
Willy and the Mysterious Cloud
Here is a section of a new picture from Willy and the Cloud. Cheer up, Willy!
Mother's Day
Don't forget Mother's Day is this Sunday. Here's a Gordon Fraser Mother's Day card that I designed about 30 years ago...
Willy and the Mysterious Cloud
Here is the first picture from Willy and the Cloud.
As you can see I am not afraid of cutting up my pictures - I wasn't happy with the background so I cut out the main image and stuck it down on a fresh piece of paper. Traditionally I have painted the Willy books in watercolour, but following on from Willy's Pictures I decided again to use gouache. It's a much slower process but I feel it gives the illustrations a more solid reality.
Anthony's Next Book
It's been a strange summer. Last May I broke a finger on my right hand whilst running in the woods, so I've been unable to work on a new book until now. I find it difficult to paint or draw but have returned to my favourite character - Willy. The first Willy book came out in 1984 and I've produced seven all together so far. I feel more comfortable painting a character that I know so well, and the new book will be called Willy and the Cloud. This is a page from the dummy.
Anthony's Studio
Have you ever wondered how Anthony Browne develops his ideas? Follow Anthony over the next few months and watch as he starts work on his new book.