David Downton

David Downton (1959-Present)

(c)http://www.daviddownton.com/

portrait of model Lily Cole

Edward Bawden

Edward Bawden (1903-1989)

Edward Bawden; English painter, illustrator and graphic artist.

Studied at cambridge school of art, then gained a diploma in illustration from the Royal College of Art.

Bawden began producing illustrations at the Curwen Press (a design revolution.) There, he made illustrations for London Tranport, Westminister Bank, Twinings, Poole Potteries and Shell-mex.

Below is a  a tile motif made for Tottenham Hale tube station.

Tottenham Hale tube motif by Bawden.

In the 1940s, Bawden was made official WWII war artist, a role that he is perhaps less 'well known' for.

Scene depicting soldiers in Dunkirk.

In the 1950s, Bawden undertook a substantial amount of work from prestigious department store, Fortnum and Mason.

Edward Bawden's Christmas 1955 advertisement.

 Edward Bawden made 8 linocuts for Aesop's fables, produced in the 1970s

This work is perhaps what Bawden is most well known for. Some have described his work as quintessentially British.

Peacock and Magpie

Colour linocut (1970)

From a series of prints made for Aesops fables.

Size 30x40cm inc border 42x59cm

(c) The estate of Edward Bawden

Gnat and Lion

(1970)

From the Aesops fable suite

linocut on paper

40.5x55.5cm

Bawden later died in Saffron Walden, in 1989. Bawden's work can be seen at the Fry Gallery in Saffron Walden, and Bedford Museum and art gallery.

The Brief: Past and present illustrators

The first exercise given, was to look at six British illustrators of the early twentieth century.


Edwarden Bawden, Edward Ardizzone,Kathleen Hale,John Minton, Eric Ravilious and E.H Shephard.


We were then asked to choose just one; 
and then to make a contemporary choice.


The contemporary choice was much harder as I am more familiar with the my modern choices, and enjoy and have more of an 'attachment',to the artists work.


I began with a list of my five favourites, who are at the forefront of my mind;


1. Kareem Iliya
2. David Downton
3. David Remfry
4. Julie Verhoeven
5. Tanya Ling


After exploring the work of both past and present illustrators, I felt most at ease with the work of Kareem Iliya, and Edward Bawden.
Now to begin work on my sketchbook.