This series of children's picture books span a period when my own children were growing up. I wanted to create something that would be visually rich and exciting to a child, and stimulate learning through curiosity. But I also needed to find something that would challenge and sustain my artistic interest.

The recurring subjects of animals, children and plants, within my illustrations, are themes that I particularly enjoy. When the opportunity to include something magical or mythological arises, then all the better for stirring the imagination of my readers.

Technique, as always, was very important since I wanted to create fine illustrations that would reproduce well on the picture book scale. I opted for the use of dip pen and ink, and graphite and coloured pencils on a variety of watercolour and coloured papers. Mostly I worked to scale, partly out of professional pride at not having to rely on photographic reduction processes to enhance my art work. But I also wanted to have greater control over the final look of the printed illustrations.

Magpie Magic
A narrative picture book without words in 40 pages.

The Christmas Deer
A narrative picture book with text and an advent calendar in 48 pages

Look Again!
A spot-the-difference natural history book in 40 pages, with nature notes.

Look!
A spot-the-difference natural history book in 40 pages, with nature notes.

The Pig Who Never Was
A narrative children's picture book in half and full 40 pages.

Copyright © April Wilson
• • • email • • •