Today was nice talk with David McKee and Quentin Blake at Institute Frances. They answered the questions about their start, development and all around practice.
There were many links to André François whose works influenced a lot. More obvious you could remember works by Rene Magritt, Saul Stainberg and Ralph Steadman. That influence is about the way of thinking and approach.
Quentin Blake told several stories about how he started his career as illustrator. That's funny: just opposite of how all arts books advised to use bristol board and the best pen and ink, he used to use really bad nibs and draw on every surface he could get. Also that was interesting to compare how the advertisement changed: that time it was much more softer, without the pressure that we have now. It was art itself. And the product was for inspiration.
For him story comes from the picture, which is the mixture of archetypes and figures. And it is not necessary to show the exact story - you can make the sequence, show the meaning and the feeling of the situation. In this case no matter how you use the anatomy or vanishing point, sometimes it's really crazy - but everything fits the picture and fulfil its purpose.
They spoke a lot about pictures' books which is just a way of working and not always for children. But the same time childrens' books have double audience - children and theirs parents. So it's the difficulty for work with.
There was really good question about how they've got their fearless and confidence with their works. And there was no answer, for them it's just a habit and not a such a strong word.
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