Sketches for Friends

by Edward Ardizzone, Judy Taylor (Introduction)

Edward Ardizzone's long and prolific career spanned over half a century. He died in 1979, one of England's most beloved artists and illustrators. The man who gave us the definitive illustrations for Trollope, the stories of Eleanor Farjeon, and the beloved Tim and the Bold Sea Captain series was also an artist who could never resist the temptation of filling his letters to family and friends with enchanting vignettes and sketches. Like all of his work, these were done quickly, humorously, and lovingly, with a sure touch for outline, wash, and color that always distinguished his work. For the first time, here is a selection of those letters, envelopes, and illustrations, selected and edited by Judy Taylor, longtime children's book editor at the Bodley Head and among Ardizzone's closest friends and correspondents.

Whether from his diaries of a float trip down the Thames, his sketches of Italy, Egypt, North Africa, and India, or the simple and immediate drawings he would dash off while visiting friends and relatives, these spontaneous, gentle, and vibrant sketches show him, his life, and the England he so loved at their best.

Genres: Art

128 pages, Hardcover

First published December 31, 1982

About the author

Edward Jeffrey Irving Ardizzone, CBE, RA was an English artist, writer and illustrator, chiefly of children's books.

For Tim All Alone (Oxford, 1956), which he wrote and illustrated, Ardizzone won the inaugural Kate Greenaway Medal from the Library Association, recognising the year's best children's book illustration by a British subject.

For the 50th anniversary of the Medal (1955–2005) it was named one of the top ten winning works, selected by a panel to compose the ballot for a public election of the all-time favourite.

Reviews

[Hilary · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars. A collection of sketches and extracts from letters sent by Edward Ardizzone to friends. There are some wonderful illustrations in here, lovely little snapshots of day to day life, drawn not with the pressure of having to produce something for a book but for the love of showing a loved one something, in the days showing someone far away something meant drawing a picture and putting it in the post. I love Ardizzone's work, there are some wonderful examples, I love the way each illustration works as a design in the space it has. I felt I got to know more about Ardizzone in some letter extracts than I did from his autobiography.

[Heather · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lovely illustrated version of Thomas’ a Child’s Christmas in Wales by Ardizzone

[Paul Taylor · Rating 5 out of 5]

Glorious, just glorious. The simplicity and humour of Ardizzone's illustrations (and self portraits) is sublime. How I would love to have received one of his illustrated letters.