Excitement is building for the next Nosy Crow Illustrator Salon, with special guest Jamie Littler - Nosy Crow Skip to content
Posted by Nosy Crow, February 20, 2017

Excitement is building for the next Nosy Crow Illustrator Salon, with special guest Jamie Littler

A few weeks ago we announced the latest edition of the  Nosy Crow Illustrator Salon, our programme of quarterly evening events celebrating the art of illustration — with special guest Jamie Littler, the fantastic illustrator of The Secret Diary of John Drawbridge, Medieval Knight in Training.

Tickets are selling fast — if you’re interested in attending, book your place today!

We’ll be returning to The Book Club, in Shoreditch, for Jamie’s Salon, on the evening of Tuesday 30th May. After an interview with Jamie there’ll be a Q&A with the audience, followed by a book signing and drinks.

Jamie is the illustrator behind the Hamish series, Wilf the Mighty Worrier series and the colour-reader series of The Famous Five, aimed at younger readers. He specialises in children’s books and graphic novels, mixed with the odd bit of fantasy art and vis-dev, and is the creator, writer and illustrator of the comic series ‘Cogg and Sprokit’, serialised in the Phoenix Comic.

At out last Salon, we were thrilled to host Sam Usher, the man behind Rain, Snow, Sun, as well as Refuge, written by Anne Booth and illustrated by Sam Usher, in aid of War Child. This was a particular fascinating project as the book took only seven weeks to bring to market from manuscript to publication. It took no profit, with £5 from each copy sold will go to the charity War Child. As well as raising money for War Child, the book can also help parents talk to young children who will have seen images of refugees their own age and asked questions.

Sam Usher had recently visited the “Jungle” refugee camp in Calais to see for himself what was happening, so when Nosy Crow approached him to illustrate Refuge, his answer was easy: “I had visited to see what I could do, but after listening to a young refugee’s story of non-stop horror I knew anything I could do alone would make little difference. And when I was approached by Nosy Crow on my return, I felt that a couple of weeks of solid work is nothing to the suffering refugees go through.”

Sam had brought a very large binder full of his roughs, and so we were able to gather round and look at his original concept art, tracking the development of his final images through a series of stunning drafts. These large sheets of paper, gingerly laid out by Tom across the table at the front, were accompanied by a slideshow of some of his older work as well as a few sneak peeks of his forthcoming projects.

I’d brought along with me an illustrator friend who was blown away by the beauty and finished-look of Sam’s roughs — they didn’t look ‘rough’ at all! My friend loved the opportunity to ask Sam more detailed questions, illustrator to illustrator, culminating in an in-depth exchange on different Gouache paint techniques. There was a great atmosphere of community, support and professional curiosity, which even an illustration-layman like me found totally absorbing.

As well as being a fun way to spend an evening, our Salons provide a fascinating insight in to the working life and process of established illustrators. What’s more, you can save money on a signed copy of The Secret Diary of John Drawbridge, Medieval Knight in Training by buying one now with your ticket! If you are currently doing an Illustration or Publishing BA or MA, send us an email to arrange your specially discounted ticket to the Salon.

Students admission costs just £3

General admission is £4

Student admission, PLUS a signed copy of the book costs £6

General admission, PLUS a signed copy of the book costs £7

Booking is essential and tickets are extremely limited – save your place today! Doors will open at 6.30pm for drinks and conversation, and the salon will start at approximately 7.00pm.

Look inside The Secret Diary of John Drawbridge:

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