ILLUSTRATOR #5 AXEL SCHEFFLER

Illustrator Axel Scheffler
Image Source: Axel Scheffler https://www.panmacmillan.com/authors/axel-scheffler/2928

About Axel Scheffler

This is Number 5 in the profiling of illustrators series, and this time I have chosen to profile illustrator, Axel Scheffler (pictured above).  

A much revered artist in the world of childrens' picture Book illustration particularly; and I quote Scheffler's own words in regard to his credence about the art of illustration:

'... illustrations are just as important as words to bring a story to life' British Museum online (2021) Axel Scheffler

Scheffler is German born (Hamburg 1957). Having always loved drawing and painting as a young child, he was acknowledged for being good at art in school and won prizes as a teenager. By the time Scheffler had left school he knew this was an area of study and career that he wished to pursue.

A creative mind does not always fit with the constraints of academic study. Scheffler's first  thoughts were about teaching art, but gave up on an Art History course before graduating, deciding to reject this uninspiring path to work within the creative sector was not for him.

Later, after being inspired by a friend who had moved to the UK, Scheffler, aged 24, moved to a countryside location in Wiltshire to experience living and studying abroad. The Visual Communications course he had enrolled on, included an exchange to Cooper Union in New York.

'It was during these years (1982-1984) that I decided to become an illustrator'.  Sheffler, A. (2021) Axel Scheffler Who Is He?

City life must have been a draw because Scheffler moved to London in the mid eighties and began working freelance as an illustrator, undertaking both editorial and advertising work and also he began illustrating children's books.

We, of course, know through Scheffler's most popular character invention the Gruffalo, (fabulously borne out of his pairing with author, Julia Donaldson), has been his most defining work and which has achieved stratospheric popularity worldwide. There's now a library of Gruffalo books including the classics; a stunning short film; Royal Mail special stamp collection or two; and licensed goods featuring the Gruffalo and friends.

Illustrative Style

On this occasion I will leave it to Alex Scheffler himself to reveal his mixed medium approach to creating his artwork. Scheffler undertakes alot of community events and shares his tips. Here follows a video clip which was part of the British Library's Explore. Imagine, Create. project.

This year, 2021, saw publication of a new title in the Acorn Wood series of lift-the-flap children's board books, this, another series created by Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler in collaboration for publisher MacMillan Children's Books once again. This title is called Squirrel's Snowman.

The front cover of Squirrel's Snowman
A children's board book by Julia Donaldson - Illustrated by Axel Scheffler

Double page image of the new title in the Acorn Wood series of 
lift the flap books - published by MacMillan Children's Books

References

Online

PanMacMillan (2021) Axel Scheffler https://www.panmacmillan.com/authors/axel-scheffler/2928

British Museum (2021) 

Axel Scheffler: Top 3 tips for budding illustrators

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vCeeyspqKbo

Scheffler, A. (2021) Who is he? https://axelscheffler.com/who-is-he

Hall, D, (2021) Illustrator #3 Anna Currey https://notcompulsory.blogspot.com/2021/07/illustrator-3-anna-currey.html

Amazon UK (2021) Squirrel's Snowman https://www.amazon.co.uk/Squirrels-Snowman-Tales-Acorn-story/dp/152903437X

**ENDS**