Alison started her drawing career as a horse-mad six-year-old, when she was given a book for Christmas called How to Draw Horses. However it was only after she left school that she learned many other art techniques and eventually started illustrating picture books.
Alison says her favourite way to create an illustration is to draw it first then copy it onto watercolour paper and then colour it in. In the introduction to Alison Lester’s Wonderful World she shares some simple tips for drawing.
Throughout the book, she provides lots of inspiration with examples from her own work. They are black and white line drawings for colouring-in (although it’s almost too good to do that!), and there’s plenty of white space for you to add your own touch to the pictures as well.
The illustrations in Alison Lester’s Wonderful World are taken from nine of Alison’s much loved books, including Noni the Pony, Magic Beach, Kissed by the Moon, and Imagine. Even the end papers are beautiful, a collage of Alison Lester drawings at various stages, accompanied by handwritten tips, such as: always leave a little bit of white in eyes to make them sparkle; patterns and doodles are good drawing practice; and draw all the time, because the more you draw, the better you get.
This is a fabulous colouring book and would make a special gift for fans of Alison Lester’s work. You can also find some great pictures to download, print and colour on Alison’s website.
Title: Alison Lester’s Wonderful World
Author/illustrator: Alison Lester
Publisher: Allen & Unwin, $19.99
Publication Date: October 2016
Format: Paperback
ISBN: 9781760293130
For ages: 5+
Type: Picture Book
