I've admired the children's illustrations of Shirley Hughes for as long as I can remember. As a child I've lovely memories of being read to by my mother. As an illustrator I find her work really inspiring. And now, as a mother I'm reading the Alfie series to my son Remy, who is showing all the signs of becoming a fan, too.
Shirley Hughes has written over fifty books and illustrated over two hundred. I thought I'd read most of them but it appears I was fooling myself. So I've more to discover, which is an exciting prospect.
I adore the way Shirley captures the postures, shapes and characters of little ones. She spent many years taking life drawing classes at Liverpool Art School and then Ruskin School of Art, University of Oxford - it shows.
I adore her attention to detail - it's what I remember most as a child - I'd spend a long time being mesmerised by the illustrations.
Shirley Hughes has a daughter, Clara Vulliamy, who is herself a children's book illustrator. You can visit her website here.
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| Clara Vulliamy with Shirley Hughes |
ALL ARTWORK IS COPYRIGHT OF SHIRLEY HUGHES
