Do you want me to draw you a picture?

 

Since I've spent a considerable amount of lady hours recently entering event listings for The Big Draw on the website at work, I thought it was about time I gave it a mention here (and it's a good excuse to put up another lovely Quentin Blake drawing).

When was the last time you drew something? Pick up a pencil, a biro, an eyeliner, a piece of chalk, a marker pen - anything you can make a mark with - and go for it! Draw something in front of you, or something from memory or imagination. Quentin's book Drawing for the Artistically Undiscovered is a great place to start if you're nervous.

I also wanted to mention a section on the British Library's site devoted to contemporary children's book illustration: Magic Pencil. Mum's favourite Raymond Briggs is there, as is Tony Ross, who illustrated I Want My Potty (a classic). Sadly, no mention of the wonderful Janet Ahlberg, as she's no longer with us - but I still treasure my copies of Burglar Bill and The Jolly Postman, and still wish I could draw as she did.