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Quentin Blake: The Drawing of My Life

The illustrator and author paints scenes from a 70-year-long career, including his work with Roald Dahl. With David Walliams, Joanna Lumley, Peter Capaldi, Ore Oduba and Michael Rosen.

In this celebration of one of Britain’s best-loved artists, first broadcast in 2021, illustrator and author Sir Quentin Blake tells the story of his 70-year-long career in his own words and with his own pictures. Specially for this documentary, he is filmed creating an extraordinary new work: a canvas 30 feet long and 7 feet high, on which self-portraits and classic characters emerge in the instantly recognisable, energetic and ebullient style that has taken root in the imaginations of successive generations of children and parents.

Some of his closest collaborators and biggest admirers pay tribute – among them David Walliams, Michael Rosen, Lauren Child, Chris Riddell, Steven Appleby, Dapo Adeola, Josie Long and Emma Chichester Clark. There are also readings of works Blake has illustrated, performed by Joanna Lumley, Peter Capaldi and Ore Oduba.

22 days left to watch

59 minutes

Audio described

Last on

Last Tuesday 00:00

Credits

Role Contributor
Featured Artist Quentin Blake
Director Peter Sweasey
Editor Bruce Law
Composer Edmund Jolliffe
Production Manager Jessica Bishop-Laggett
Executive Producer Archie Baron
Production Company Wingspan Productions

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