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Play Pen: New Children's Book Illustration
Once dismissed as a cozy world of teddy bears and fairies, the arrival on the scene of numerous highly original, contemporary, and "cool" graphic artists in recent years has transformed perceptions of children's book illustration. Children now grow up with a more informed and sophisticated visual diet—with cartoons, animated movies, comics, TV, and computer games—consuming a vast range of stylistic approaches, and illustrated books have moved to match the demands of a more discerning market. Equally, artists who in the past may not have considered the children's picture book as an appropriate vehicle for artistic expression are increasingly drawn to the area. This book showcases some of the most interesting work emerging within the genre from a range of cultural backgrounds. It examines trends in use of media—both digital and traditional—and discusses the variety of approaches to subject matter.
160 pages, Paperback
First published October 11, 2007
About the author
Martin Salisbury
31 books60 followersMartin studied illustration at Maidstone College of Art (now part of the University of the Creative Arts) in the 1970s. He has worked as an illustrator and painter ever since. In recent years his work has focused mainly on the area of children’s book illustration, painting for exhibition and writing on the subject of drawing and illustration.
Martin regularly contributes to Artists & Illustrators magazine, Books for Keeps and the Journal of the Association of Illustrators. Along with colleague Wendy Coates-Smith he founded the graphic arts journal, Line which has been internationally acclaimed as an important contribution to research into illustration and drawing.
In 2004, Martin wrote Illustrating Children’s Books, a major guide to the practice and theory of the art form published by A&C Black in the UK. In 2007, Martin Salisbury was a member of the judging panel for the prestigious Bologna Ragazzi Award in Italy. The following year he joined the international jury for the CJ Picture Book Awards in Seoul.
Martin currently acts as External Examiner (BA Hons Illustration) at the University of Westminster and Southampton Solent University.
Martin regularly contributes to Artists & Illustrators magazine, Books for Keeps and the Journal of the Association of Illustrators. Along with colleague Wendy Coates-Smith he founded the graphic arts journal, Line which has been internationally acclaimed as an important contribution to research into illustration and drawing.
In 2004, Martin wrote Illustrating Children’s Books, a major guide to the practice and theory of the art form published by A&C Black in the UK. In 2007, Martin Salisbury was a member of the judging panel for the prestigious Bologna Ragazzi Award in Italy. The following year he joined the international jury for the CJ Picture Book Awards in Seoul.
Martin currently acts as External Examiner (BA Hons Illustration) at the University of Westminster and Southampton Solent University.
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
July 3, 2009
First of all, gorgeous book! Interesting, graphic style illustrators. I liked learning about the professional side of illustration children's books and some of the artists are new favourites of mine, so that's nice for me.
October 15, 2022
This nicely turned up the day that I made a scary but necessary first step into trying to take my art seriously, and for once the book doesn’t fill me with doomy anxiety about not being able to do children’s picture books but instead feels a bit more like a round up of the innovators in the form. I by no means like the art of everyone in this book, but it’s a beautifully chosen collection because even if I aesthetically don’t like an artist I can absolutely and 100% see their brilliance at shifting the form. There’s some incredible work here and if nothing else, making me realise someone has decided to co-opt Monsieur Hulot as a children’s picture book character was worth the entry alone. So brilliant. So, so very brilliant
November 20, 2022
Made my weekend 💝
It was really nice to read the briefs of illustrators’ personal journeys on children books field.
A good selection and division.
It was really nice to read the briefs of illustrators’ personal journeys on children books field.
A good selection and division.
March 15, 2008
هذا الكتاب اصدار انجليزي حديث جدا عام 2007
من نظرة سريعه ندرك مدى تطور
رسومات قصص الأطفال في الفترةالأخيرة
يبدو لي أن رسومات قصص الأطفال اصبح لها موضات كأي شيء آخر
اذا لم نكن متابعين لكل جديد..
في خلال سنوات قليلة حنصير "موضه قديمه"؟؟
من نظرة سريعه ندرك مدى تطور
رسومات قصص الأطفال في الفترةالأخيرة
يبدو لي أن رسومات قصص الأطفال اصبح لها موضات كأي شيء آخر
اذا لم نكن متابعين لكل جديد..
في خلال سنوات قليلة حنصير "موضه قديمه"؟؟
May 13, 2008
Very cool guide to top design minded children's illustrators.
February 13, 2008
Lindo maravilhoso
January 3, 2009
لدي أمل، بأن أحمل بين يدي كتاب عربي كهذا الكتاب
:)ذكرني بدليل كُتاب و رسامي أدب الأطفال في المملكة
^
^
ذاك الكتاب الذي كان ولايزال له فرحة خاصة
:)ذكرني بدليل كُتاب و رسامي أدب الأطفال في المملكة
^
^
ذاك الكتاب الذي كان ولايزال له فرحة خاصة
December 19, 2010
great book:)
March 8, 2011
great examples of children illustrations
August 17, 2011
my fave illustrators in this book are ragnar aalbu and marina sagona
October 28, 2012
A must for anyone interested in children's illustration and a great guide for budding illustrators
September 3, 2013
Some great work, but the text type leaves a lot to be desired as it is difficult to read.
July 30, 2008
I only know one of the illustrators! Can you belive it? No mention of Lauren Child! How strange!
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews