When we think of great children’s books there is no greater story teller than Roald Dahl. Roald Dahl is the creator of many classic children’s books that most of us will be very familiar with – his creations have been filling children’s heads with magic and wonderment for decades. From books such as the BFG, Matilda, James and the Giant Peach and Fantastic Mr Fox right through to the slightly lesser known titles such as the Minpins – although in recent years this title seems to be better known.

Born in Llandaff, Wales, on 13th September 1916, Roald Dahl would have been celebrating his 101st birthday today – a day that is now affectionately known as ‘Roald Dahl Day’! A day where many schools, book shops and libraries take part in special events up and down the country to spread the magic created by Roald Dahl and bring back fun to education by means of dressing up and celebrating books! There is also a great opportunity to raise donations for ‘Roald Dahl’s Marvellous Children’s Charity’– a very worthwhile cause, so please check it out.

Learn How to Illustrate Like Quentin Blake

Roald Dahl wasn’t alone in creating the magic that surrounds each of his stories though – there were several very talented illustrators who took pen or brush to paper to bring the imaginations of Roald Dahl to life – none more so than Quentin Blake, a hugely talented illustrator that we will all know of by the appearance of his work alone. Quentin Blake has illustrated hundreds of titles and is best known for his illustrations for books such as the BFG and the Twits.

In honour of Roald Dahl Day and the talent of Quentin Blake I have decided to create a little video demonstrating ‘How to Draw Like Quentin Blake’ which I hope that you will find useful in trying to adopt his unique style for some of your own creations – maybe decorate your school exercise books (if you’re allowed to!).

Quentin Blade was one of the illustrators that I used to really enjoy as a child, and still do to this day. His style is free-flowing and incredibly child-friendly, but more difficult to adopt than creating more life-like drawings because it comes completely naturally to him – watch him draw and there are no awkward pauses – just free flowing ink and his wonderful characters appear as if by magic, quickly and effortlessly.

The picture used here is my version of Matilda based on an original painting by Quentin Blake solely for the purposes of ‘Roald Dahl Day’ – the original credit goes the imagination of Roald Dahl and Quentin Blake and my illustration is just for fun and in the hope that it will inspire you to pick up a book, or pick up a pen, or as Dahl would say……" So, please, oh please, we beg, we pray, go throw your TV set away, and in its place you can install, a lovely bookcase on the wall."

I hope that you enjoy my Youtube Video, and afterwards install that bookcase!