Quentin Blake OBE RDI (British, b. 1932)

Quentin Blake was born at Sidcup in Kent where he went to school, subsequently continuing his education at Downing College, Cambridge. He later trained as a teacher at the University of London (1956-1957). Blake first flourished as an artist whilst still at school, drawing for Punch. Taking part-time life classes at the Chelsea College of Art enabled him to move away from cartooning to more general illustration. Since 1957 he has combined teaching with working as an illustrator, teaching illustration at the RCA from 1965, where he was made Head of Department in 1978. Blake is, of course, famous for his children's illustrations, but his art is more eclectic than many realise. This print inculcates his interest in the human form, harking back to his life-drawing days, whilst capturing the spontaneity that is so characteristic of Blake.