I’ve been really into the art and character design in children’s books lately. It all started when I began doing research for a children’s story that I’m working on. Some of the most beautifully simple designs are in children’s stories.
Maurice Sendak is really a genius. The gesture of his characters and the delicate intricacies of his pen are unbelievable. Just check out some of these pages from the Little Bear book
Father Bear Comes Home:
E.H. Shepard is less recognized than Sendak. I had never heard of him until I started looking at the original Winnie the Pooh books by legendary English author A.A. Milne. Shepard matches Milne’s whimsy so well with simple characters that are just oozing soul. The 100 Acre Wood is such an amazing setting, full of knotted trees and chattering brooks, all made real by Shepard’s great designs. Why have I never heard of this guy? These are from the very first book of stories about the classic group of characters entitled
Winnie-the-Pooh:
Looking at these illustrations makes me completely ignore the strange glances I get from reading children’s books on the subway.