Illustration Workshop with Korky Paul - Stratford Literary Festival 2016

When I went to the annual Stratford Literacy Festival, I met many famous authors. The illustrator I was keen to meet was KORKY PAUL! He is the proud illustrator of the much loved Winnie the Witch picture books. Upon going in we were given some tickets, they came in handy. Korky showed us some of his illustrations, and then read us a Winnie the Witch book, this one was when Wilbur (Winnie's black cat.) was changed into many different colours! It was a fabulous experience hearing the illustrator of books children in the audience  loved so much, it was very special. 

Then, as part of his illustrator workshop he asked his audience to tell him some random animal features for his next unique fantasy drawing. The character we all made up and he had drawn so well turned out to be riding on a skateboard! My little sister was just looking hopelessly onto her ticket and stating "I never win things like this!" when Korky Paul called her ticket's number! We were all amazed. She had won the one of a kind, made up creature he had drawn. 

After the session had finished we bought two books by Korky Paul and lined up to get them signed by him. Whilst signing my book, we chatted about my ambition to become an author and illustrator, like himself. Korky told me about a course I could go on and make my dream a reality! (But I had to be older to go on it…. not long though)

TOP TIPS FOR ILLUSTRATION BY KORKY PAUL: 

1. Talk to yourself as you are illustrating, he said he does all the time. 

2. Keep practising, he said that this was the most important way to improve.

3. He suggested building up the colours and asked me to email him with the question on skin tones so that he could check when he was back in his studio the colours exactly that he uses. 

4. talking with the author and understanding the characters in the story helps to shape your drawings. 

Just a few days after, me and my sister drew our own version of a picture in our books. Mine was the one Korky Paul had read us. 

My drawing:

The drawing in the book: