Brian Wildsmith - Illustrator

Brian Wildsmith has won himself a world-wide reputation as one of the greatest living children's illustrators. He is particularly popular in the USA, Europe and Japan. In Leningrad he was responsible for all the sets and some of the costumes for the film The Blue Bird based on Maurice Maeterlinck's famous play, and in 1986, as a celebration of Britain's special relationship with Japan, Oxford University Press published Katie and the Dream-Eater written by Her Imperial Highness Princess Takamado of the Japanese Imperial Family.

Brian Wildsmith's hobbies include music, cricket (he played League cricket for Yorkshire and won cricket colours for University College, London), and tennis. He is married with four children and lives in the South of France.

Brian Wildsmith on his illustrations:
‘Picture books give an opportunity for a marriage between painting and illustrating . . . I believe that beautiful picture books of the right kind are vitally important in subconsciously forming a child’s appreciation, which will bear fruit in later life.’

Tributes to Brian Wildsmith:

‘Brian Wildsmith is one of the most original and influential picture book makers in the world, particularly in his use of colour and space.’ Anthony Browne, Children’s Laureate 2009-2011

‘I have always known Brian Wildsmith’s work. His illustrations are visually exciting and lively, full of activity and colour. Combined with the composition, I find them truly amazing.’ Catherine Rayner, Kate Greenaway Medal winner 2009

‘My childhood was full of books but just as the sixties burst into life, there seemed to be something similar happening in children’s books. Floods of colour exploding across the pages with a name to match: Wildsmith. He was a wild smith. I remember feeling really envious: why hadn’t I had books as lush and wild as these?’ Michael Rosen, Children’s Laureate 2007-2009