Born in 1936, John Burningham attended the alternative education establishment, Summerhill, in Suffolk, where lessons are not compulsory. At 17, he became a conscientious objector, and avoided military service by joining the Friends Ambulance Unit. After this he did forestry work, farming, slum clearance, school building in Southern Italy and demolition work in Israel.
He went to the Central School of Art in London in 1956, graduating in 1959 with a National Diploma in Design, as well as the School's own Diploma. Unsure of his future, he returned to Israel where he worked on models and puppets for a film company until his return to England in the autumn of 1960 when his life as an illustrator began. He created posters for London Transport, drew cartoons for magazines and made Christmas card designs until the publication of his first book in 1963.
One of the UK's most distinguished illustrators, John Burningham's appeal is recognised the world over. He has won the Kate Greenaway medal twice. He is married to Helen Oxenbury, another popular children's illustrator.
'My audience is not just children, it's broader than that, it's people. And whilst I'm working towards simplification, I'm trying to steer away from childish things.'
'I try to draw as little as possible, keep it down to a bare minimum. With each new book I think, can I do it again? Can I pull it off again? There are terrible moments when I feel I have lost it, and I have no ability. But then it all gets back on course. Drawing is like playing the piano, it's not a mechanical skill like bricklaying and you have to practise constantly to keep it fluent. Even after 40 years it doesn't get any easier.'
'When I draw I'm conscious of looking for a lively line – though what defines a lively line is difficult to say – but a bald outline would not be very interesting, obviously. A dipping pen is good – the weight of the line alters with the amount of pressure you put on it, so you get a bit of variety.'
Granpa
Oi! Get off my train
To see John Burningham's works follow the link and choose View Slide Show
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